METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREA BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MINUTES January 26, 2016

Transcription

1 Page 1 of 14 METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREA BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING MINUTES A meeting of the Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Community College Area was called to order at 6:30 p.m., in Building #21, the Mule Barn, Fort Omaha Campus, 32 nd Street and Sorensen Parkway, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. MEMBERS PRESENT Brad Ashby, Treasurer Fred Conley, Chair Tim Dempsey Kara Eastman, Secretary Roger Garcia, Vice Chair Steve Grabowski, Assistant Secretary Ron Hug Phillip Klein Linda McDermitt James Monahan Michelle Nekuda Al Cox, Ex Officio Faculty Kristen Carroll - Clark, Ex Officio Student MEMBERS ABSENT None Also Present: Randy Schmailzl, College President. Agenda Item 1d Announcement of Posted Location of Open Meetings Act Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Chair reported that a copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act had been posted at the back of the room. A copy was made available for public inspection. Agenda Item 1e Approval of Notice of Public Meeting The Chair then reported on the Notice of Public Meeting and presented the following: 1. Proof of Publication, pursuant to Policy of the Board of Governors, in the form of an affidavit of an employee of the Omaha World-Herald, to the effect that notice of this meeting was published in that newspaper on January 15, 2015; and 2. Affidavit of College employee Rita Eyerly to the effect that a copy of the published Notice of Meeting was transmitted to each member of the Board of Governors in a manner specified by Policy of the Board of Governors.

2 Page 2 of 14 The notice of the meeting stated that an agenda for this meeting, kept continually current, was available for public inspection at the principal office of the Board of Governors, Building No. 30, 30th and Fort Streets, Omaha, Nebraska, during normal business hours. Without objection, the Chair of the Board ordered that the affidavits be attached to the minutes of the meeting and made a part of the official proceedings of the Board of Governors. Agenda Item 2a Requests to Address the Board Joan Trimpey, Dental Assisting Program Director/Instructor, addressed the Board as a representative of the Educators Health Alliance, which is a health insurance consortium used by the College. She reported on the insurance premium rates negotiated for the plan year, with an increase of 4.9 percent. The plan year opens September 1, Benefits remained the same, while the deductible rates increased. A brief discussion followed. Agenda Item 3 Action Agenda: Election of Officers Agenda Item 3a Election of Chair McDermitt requested nominations for Chair of the Board. Eastman nominated Grabowski. Monahan nominated Conley. Hearing no other nominations, nominations were closed. Nominees for chair made brief statements. Paper ballots were distributed and a secret ballot vote was taken. Conley received six (6) votes, Grabowski received five (5) votes. Conley was seated as Chair of the Board. McDermitt turned the gavel over to Conley. Agenda Item 3b Election of Vice Chair Conley requested nominations for position of Vice Chair of the Board. Grabowski nominated Garcia. Dempsey nominated Hug; Hug declined the nomination. Hearing no other nominations, Hug moved to seat Garcia by acclamation; McDermitt seconded. A roll call vote was taken. Conley, yes Dempsey, yes Eastman, yes Garcia, yes Grabowski, yes Hug, yes

3 Page 3 of 14 Klein, yes McDermitt, yes Monahan, yes Nekuda, yes Ashby, yes Garcia was seated as Vice Chair of the Board. Agenda Item 3c Election of Secretary Conley requested nominations for Secretary of the Board. Garcia nominated Eastman. Hearing no other nominations, Monahan moved to seat Eastman by acclamation; Nekuda seconded. A roll call vote was taken. Dempsey, yes Eastman, yes Garcia, yes Grabowski, yes Hug, yes Klein, yes McDermitt, yes Monahan, yes Nekuda, yes Ashby, yes Conley, yes Eastman was seated as Secretary of the Board. Agenda Item 3d Election of Assistant Secretary Conley requested nominations for the position of Assistant Secretary. Nekuda nominated Grabowski. Hearing no other nominations, McDermitt moved to seat Grabowski by acclamation; Nekuda seconded. A roll call vote was taken. Eastman, yes Garcia, yes Grabowski, yes Hug, yes Klein, yes McDermitt, yes Monahan, yes Nekuda, yes Ashby, yes

4 Page 4 of 14 Conley, yes Dempsey, yes Grabowski was seated as Assistant Secretary of the Board. Agenda Item 3e Election of Treasurer Conley requested nominations for the position of Treasurer. McDermitt nominated herself. Dempsey nominated Ashby. Paper ballots were distributed and a secret ballot vote was taken. Ashby received six (6) votes, McDermitt received five (5) votes. Ashby was seated as Treasurer of the Board. Agenda Item 3f Consideration of Resolution and Order Electing and Approving Officers of the Metropolitan Community College Area Board of Governors and Establishing Terms of Office, Board Doc BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Community College Area, as follows: 1. That Fred Conley be, and he/she is, elected to the position of Chair of the Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Community College Area to serve in such position for a term of office beginning and ending at the first regular meeting of the Board of Governors following January 1, 2017 or until his/her successor is elected and qualified; provided, however, that in the event the said Fred Conley at any time during said term ceases to be a qualified member of said Board of Governors during said term, or in the event he/she shall at any time during said term resign the office of Chair of the said Board of Governors, then, and in either of such events, the Vice Chair hereinafter named, or his/her qualified successor, shall become Chair and serve in such position until the expiration of said term. 2. That Roger Garcia be, and he/she is, elected to the position of Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Community College Area to serve in such position for a term of office beginning and ending at the first regular meeting of the Board of Governors following January 1, 2017 or until his/her successor is elected and qualified; provided, however, that in the event the said Roger Garcia at any time during said term ceases to be a qualified member of said Board of Governors during said term, or in the event he/she shall at any time during said term resign the office of Vice Chair of the said Board of Governors, then, and in either of such events, the position of Vice Chair of said Board of Governors shall become vacant. 4. That Kara Eastman be, and he/she is, elected to the position of Secretary of the Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Community College Area to serve in such position for a term of office beginning and ending at the first regular meeting of the Board of Governors following January 1, 2017 or until his/her successor is elected and qualified; provided, however, that in the event the said Kara Eastman at any time during said term ceases to be a qualified member of said Board of Governors during said term, or in the event he/she shall at any time during said term resign the office of Secretary of the said Board of Governors, then, and in either of such events, the position of Secretary of said Board of Governors shall become vacant.

5 Page 5 of That Steve Grabowski be, and he/she is, elected to the position of Assistant Secretary of the Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Community College Area to serve in such position for a term of office beginning and ending at the first regular meeting of the Board of Governors following January 1, 2017 or until his/her successor is elected and qualified; provided, however, that in the event the said Steve Grabowski at any time during said term ceases to be a qualified member of said Board of Governors during said term, or in the event he/she shall at any time during said term resign the office of Assistant Secretary of the said Board of Governors, then, and in either of such events, the position of Assistant Secretary of said Board of Governors shall become vacant. 5. That Brad Ashby be, and he/she is, elected to the position of Treasurer of the Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Community College Area to serve in such position for a term of office beginning and ending at the first regular meeting of the Board of Governors following January 1, 2017 or until his/her successor is elected and qualified; provided, however, that in the event the said Brad Ashby at any time during said term ceases to be a qualified member of said Board of Governors during said term, or in the event he/she shall at any time during said term resign the office of Treasurer of the said Board of Governors, then, and in either of such events, the position of Treasurer of said Board of Governors shall become vacant. 6. That David Koebel be, and he is, appointed to the position of Assistant Treasurer of the Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Community College Area to serve in such position at the absolute and unqualified discretion of said Board of Governors. 7. That Rita Eyerly be, and she is, appointed to be the position of Recording Secretary of the Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Community College Area to serve in such position at the absolute and unqualified discretion of said Board of Governors, provided, however, that her sole and only duties as such Recording Secretary shall be to assist the Secretary, or the Assistant Secretary, as the case may be, in the taking of minutes of meetings of said Board of Governors; and provided further that the President of the Metropolitan Community College Area be, and he hereby is, authorized and directed to name a temporary replacement as the Recording Secretary in the event of the absence of the Recording Secretary herein above named. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution and Order be certified by the Secretary, or Assistant Secretary, of the Metropolitan Community College Area and placed on file at the Office of said Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Community College Area; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution and Order be certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Metropolitan Community College Area, to the Secretary of State of Nebraska, and to the County Clerks and Treasurers of Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and to the Banks of Record. MOTION: Nekuda moved to approve the resolution electing the officers of the Board. McDermitt seconded the motion. Grabowski, yes Hug, yes Klein, yes McDermitt, yes Monahan, yes Nekuda, yes Ashby, yes Conley, yes

6 Page 6 of 14 Dempsey, yes Eastman, yes Garcia, yes Motion carried. Agenda Item 4 Report Agenda Agenda Item 4a Ex Officio Board Members Reports Carroll-Clark s report was included in the Board materials. She noted her delight in being able to see President Obama and provided a brief update on the January Student Advisory Council (SAC) meeting. She also stated she enjoyed the Martin Luther King, Jr. lunch at the Swanson Conference Center. Cox introduced Kathryn Halverson-Rigatuso, Andreea Shnayder and Deanna Peterson, Early Childhood Education Instructors, who reviewed their program. Peterson explained a few of the career opportunities that students in the Early Childhood program prepare for, such as Early Childhood assistant teacher, a master coach, a director, curriculum specialist, social work, clinical settings and public settings, just to name a few. Specific success stories of MCC Early Childhood students and graduates were shared. Halverson-Rigatuso reported on the partnership with the Learning Community of North Omaha at 24 th and Franklin Streets where early childhood faculty have three (3) dedicated classrooms. She showed pictures of the modular furniture and play areas where children develop kinesthetic skills and social experiences. She noted partnership programs with Omaha Public Schools and other organizations, which support the research of education from birth to age eight (8) showing the value and need of early childhood education. She also referenced the articulation / transfer agreement with Creighton University s College of Education, where MCC students can complete their degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education combination in two (2) years and one (1) summer. These classes are taught at Creighton and the Learning Community North. Shnayder explained the high level of technology in one of the classrooms. Smart phones and ipads are used to provide students with hands-on learning. MCC students in this classroom wear cameras on a lanyard, which allow the MCC instructors to provide immediate coaching and feedback. Agenda Item 4b Board Members Reports Nekuda thanked administration for the tickets to see President Obama. McDermitt noted the recent news that the College finished in the top 10 in the nation for

7 Page 7 of 14 students who have earned National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) certifications. She specifically thanked Cox for his efforts with MCC students. Hug asked for an update on the Elkhorn Valley Campus. Schmailzl stated it is on the shelf and nothing further has been discussed or done. Agenda Item 4c Chair of the Board s Report Conley stated he also saw President Obama when he was in Omaha in January. Agenda Item 4d President s Report Annual Leave Update Schmailzl provided an update on the process to cap annual leave hours at 280 cumulative hours for employees. He noted that administration is working on the specifics on how to manage the accruals and allow the 70+ staff who currently are above 280 hours to use their accrued leave. He expects to bring a final recommendation on the procedure, to the Board in February REACH Update Schmailzl noted the REACH agreement is expected to be a partnership with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the City of Omaha, Seventy-Five North, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and MCC. The REACH endeavor will provide an increase in the number of small and emerging businesses to participate in capital projects. He referenced the draft of the REACH Agreement in the Board materials and noted that the College s role in the agreement is in education, which aligns with our mission. Jim Grotrian, Executive Vice President, noted that in December 2015, MCC offered a non-credit program in contractor and business accounting. There is a pre-business education series comprised of four (4) classes and a business sustainability series comprised of five (5) sessions. Enrollment was 33 students for the December programs, with Armando Salgado teaching. Many of these students are Spanish speaking and Salgado is able to teach in Spanish. Grotrian introduced Ben Salazar and Winsley Durand to elaborate on REACH. Salazar, Coordinator of the South Omaha Job Training Project, reviewed his work with the Nebraska Crime Commission. He reported that many of the small business owners in South Omaha lack business acumen and the non-credit program offered in December was very valuable for these small business owners. Salazar reviewed his work with MCC s Re-Entry program, working with Diane Good-Collins, Career Skills Re-Entry Program Manager and Sue Raftery, Dean of Literacy and Workplace Skills.

8 Page 8 of 14 Durand, Executive Director, REACH, with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, is working on an education base to build capacity for small and emerging contractors. There has been group education and one-on-one training, including topics such as business acumen and financial literacy. Credit remediation classes and work with local business bankers has been crucial in the training. He has teamed up with Nebraska Enterprise Fund to help provide a new financing vehicle for the businesses who do not have access to traditional credit. In the past six (6) months, over $400,000 of credit has been extended. By tapping into more resources, including national resources, Durand stated he hopes the figure will be one million dollars by the end of January Durand stated that this work has included some of the contractors working on the Fort Omaha Campus (FOC) new buildings. Durand noted that the construction industry can be a good vocation for ex-offenders and work will continue with Salazar and MCC to ensure success for these exoffenders during and after probation. Nekuda suggested mentorships for the ex-offenders could be something to explore. Garcia thanked the parties involved and noted he has observed success in their endeavors and looks forward to watching further progress. Conley asked about the length of the grant with the Nebraska Crime Commission and Salazar stated it was an annual grant and he would re-apply this year. Discussion ensued regarding the draft agreement and the dollar commitment by MCC and the other partners. Durand noted the REACH document is a draft and stated that Omaha Public Schools has recently indicated potential interest later in the year. Eastman asked for clarification on the training regarding commercial versus residential projects. Durand stated that one of the goals is to expand to commercial work, based on training and access to capital. Schmailzl stated the goal is to bring the final agreement to the Board in February HLC Visit Report Schmailzl referenced the report in the Board materials regarding the three (3) MCC non-campus additional location sites reviewed by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in December 2015 per the notification HLC provided to MCC in June Fremont Center, Sarpy Center and the Applied Technology Center (ATC) all received the highest score in all nine categories reviewed. Schmailzl thanked the Board and Todd Hansen, Executive Director of the Fremont Center, Robin Hixson, Dean of

9 Page 9 of 14 Sarpy County Center and Deb Eppenbaugh, Executive Director of the ATC, for their leadership. Agenda Item 4e Regular Reports Regular reports were included in the meeting materials. Nekuda asked for more detail on the Workplace Safety and Health Report in reference to the increased claims and employee safety training. Grotrian stated the claims are mostly slip and falls at the FOC. Dave Koebel, College Business Officer, stated the goal is to increase safety training. Schmailzl noted that training is being done at the ATC with students and staff due to the nature of the courses at the ATC. Jerome Patten, Assistant Director of Campus Planning and Sustainability, will be invited to report at the February 2016 Board meeting. Agenda Item 4f Legislative Update Schmailzl referenced the list of bills provided in the Board materials. This is a current list of bills that could relate directly to the College. Summaries of the list of bills will be forwarded to the Board. Legislative Resolution (LR) 390CA is a constitutional amendment and if passed, the College will no longer be able to levy property tax. If the amendment is passed, this will be on the November 2016 ballot. Governor Ricketts has put forward LB 958 and LB 959. LB 959 is primarily about K-12 education and would have big impact on K-12 systems. LB 958 will affect how community colleges do business and addresses the valuation of agricultural land and levy limitations. These proposals would impact all political subdivisions. LB 992 would impact the College s ability to bond for the new buildings. If the bill is passed, it will go into effect July 1, 2016 at the earliest. The College plans to have the bonding process for the FOC buildings completed by then. LB 852 was presented by Senator Cook for increased aid to community colleges. This bill is on the hearing schedule for February 2, 2016 and Schmailzl stated he will be testifying. Administration will continue to track bills. Agenda Item 5 Consent Agenda Items Agenda Item 6 Items Removed from the Consent Agenda (If Any)

10 Page 10 of 14 All items remained on the consent agenda: 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d and 7e. Agenda Item 7 Action Agenda Agenda Item 7a Consideration of Minutes of December 15, 2015 Board of Governors Meeting, Board Doc Agenda Item 7b Consideration of Resolution Approving Personnel Appointments and Separation, Board Doc WHEREAS, Per board policy (60205) the Board of Governors shall have final approval of all fulltime contracts for administrative, support and faculty personnel. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the following appointments and employment contracts be approved and/or ratified by the Board of Governors: Name Position Contract Period Contract Salary Nathan Barry Dean of Construction 06/01/16-06/30/16 $ 9, Education 07/01/16-06/30/17 $112, Neil Volker Director of Advising 02/01/16-06/30/16 $ 27, Gwyn Dean Network Engineer 03/21/16-06/30/16 $ 17, Michella Blankman Advisor/Financial Literacy 02/01/16-06/30/16 $ 17, Specialist Claudia Cano Education Specialist for 02/01/16-06/30/16 $ 17, Math Upward Bound Science BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following separation be acknowledged and accepted by the Board of Governors: Name Position Effective Date Michael Mick Gahan Chief Information Officer March 10, 2016 Agenda Item 7c Consideration of Resolution Approving Insurance Settlement with Respect to June 2014 Storm Damage to Fort Omaha Campus, Board Doc NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Community College Area hereby accepts and approves the settlement for storm damage sustained by buildings and vehicles at the Fort Omaha Campus on June 3, 2014, in the net amount of $1,892, Agenda Item 7d Consideration of Resolution Approving Farm Lease on Sarpy County Property, Board Doc WHEREAS, the land that was recently purchased by the College in Sarpy County is subject to an existing, though unwritten, lease to an existing Tenant who has been farming the property for some time; and, WHEREAS, College administration has negotiated the terms of a Farm Lease with the current Tenant and reduced said Lease to writing; and,

11 Page 11 of 14 WHEREAS, pursuant to Board Policy, the lease of College property must be approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the full Board, which is eight votes; and, WHEREAS, it is the recommendation of administration that this Board of Governors approve the Farm Lease negotiated by administration. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Board approves the lease of the College s recently acquired property in Sarpy County pursuant to the terms of the Lease, Board Document No. _7230a, and authorizes the President to execute said Agreement, with such modifications, changes, and amendments as the President, in consultation with College legal counsel, may deem appropriate and in the best interests of the College. Agenda Item 7e Consideration of Resolution Approving Settlement with the City of Omaha for August 2015 Damage to Laurel Avenue Gate, Board Doc WHEREAS, the gate at the Laurel Avenue entrance/exit to the College s Fort Omaha Campus was severely damaged at 4:07 a.m. on August 11, 2015, when, during and resulting from an active Omaha Police Department (OPD) vehicular pursuit that traversed the campus, a criminal suspect who was the subject of the pursuit exited the campus through the closed Laurel Avenue gate at a high rate of speed; and, WHEREAS, pursuant to the Nebraska Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act (Neb.Rev.Stat to ), since the damage to the gate occurred during and resulted from an active OPD pursuit the City of Omaha is strictly liable to the College for the damage (Neb.Rev.Stat ); and, WHEREAS, administration filed a tort claim with the City seeking reimbursement for the cost of repairs to the gate, which was repaired at the cost of $10,786.00, and; WHEREAS, the City remitted a check to the College, in the amount of $10,786.00, in full settlement of the tort claim, on January 13, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by this Board that it approves settlement in full of the tort claim filed by the College against the City of Omaha regarding damage to the Laurel Avenue gate on the Fort Omaha Campus that occurred on August 11, 2015, in the amount of $10, MOTION: Grabowski moved to approve the Consent Agenda; Hug seconded the motion. Hug, yes Klein, yes McDermitt, yes Monahan, yes Nekuda, yes Ashby, yes Conley, yes Dempsey, yes Eastman, yes Garcia, yes Grabowski, yes

12 Page 12 of 14 Motion carried. Agenda Item 8 Adjournment MOTION: Hug moved to adjourn the meeting; Nekuda seconded the motion. Klein, yes McDermitt, yes Monahan, yes Nekuda, yes Ashby, yes Conley, yes Dempsey, yes Eastman, yes Garcia, yes Grabowski, yes Hug, yes Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m. Kara Eastman, Secretary, Board of Governors Date

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