November 19, 2013 Minutes of Regular Meeting

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Valley Community College District No. 513 convened a regular session at 6:30 p.m. on November 19, 2013 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.

Members Physically Present

Michael C. Driscoll, Vice Chair
Larry D. Huffman, Secretary
Laurie A. Bonucci
Jane E. Goetz
David O. Mallery
Everett J. Solon
Taylor A. Gunia, Student Trustee    

Members Absent

Melissa M. Olivero, Chair

Others Physically Present

Jerry Corcoran, President
Cheryl Roelfsema, Vice President for Business Services and Finance
Lori Scroggs, Vice President for Learning and Student Development
Walt Zukowski, Attorney

CALL TO ORDER

In the absence of Ms. Olivero, Dr. Driscoll called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Ms. Goetz to approve the amended agenda with the deletion of agenda item #13. – Staff Appointment – Dean of Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences.  Motion passed by voice vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

CAMPUS UPDATE – IVSUSTAINABILITY AT IVCC (Jared Olesen)

Jared Olesen was very excited to talk about sustainability at IVCC.  The IV Sustainability organization at the College was founded in January 2012.  Activities of the organization have included campus recycling, food waste composting, and an annual Green Expo.  The organization is planning to use ½ acre of farmland on the south end of the campus to grow food and bring it to market using all organic agricultural techniques and local/regional marketing.  The benefits to the students include hands-on curricular experience, practical life skills and ecological knowledge, business experience in practice, and participation in a forward-looking and entrepreneurial enterprise.  Benefits to the College include higher quality education, increased competitiveness, public relations, and community partnerships.  Jared’s long-term vision is an Entrepreneurial Small Farm program at IVCC.    There is no water near the ½ acre of farmland, but Jared plans to place rain barrels around the acreage and has contacted the Oglesby Fire Department and they have expressed their willingness to help in times of little rain.

CONSENT AGENDA

It was moved by Mr. Mallery and seconded by Mr. Solon to approve the consent agenda as presented with the removal of agenda item 7.1 – Approval of Minutes. Motion passed by voice vote. 

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

Approval of the Bills - $2,414,008.83

Education Fund - $1,418,389.47; Operations & Maintenance Fund - $106,013.66; Operations & Maintenance Fund (Restricted) - $625,336.84; Auxiliary Fund - $46,961.48; Restricted Fund - $35,669.26; Audit Fund - $10,000; and Liability, Protection and Settlement Fund - $171,638.12

Treasurer’s Report

Personnel

Approved the stipends for the pay periods ending October 5, 2013; October 19, 2013; and November 2, 2013.

Approval of Minutes

It was moved by Mr. Mallery and seconded by Dr. Huffman to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2013 Board meeting, the October 22, 2013 Audit Finance Committee meeting; and table the minutes of the October 22, 2013 Facilities Committee meeting until revisions are made. Motion passed by voice vote. 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corcoran reported the process of moving programs and staff to the Peter Miller Community Technology Center is progressing nicely. Admissions and Records, Financial Aid, Project Success, Counseling, and Career Services personnel are in their new locations. Continuing Education will most likely move before Thanksgiving and Adult Education shortly thereafter. Dr. Corcoran thanked the Facilities staff for their hard work on this project as well as the employees in Information Technologies and Learning Technologies for their patience and professionalism.  The Cultural Centre is being prepared for its first event in quite some time as Congressman Adam Kinzinger will be hosting his 16^th District Youth Leadership Conference on Friday, November 22 for approximately 150 juniors and seniors, many of whom are attending high schools in the IVCC district. The Cultural Centre’s stage floor has been replaced and painted, the curtain cleaned and rehung, and a thorough cleaning of the seating area is underway.

Regarding Phase 2 construction matters, asbestos abatement will resume in mid-January so that demolition of the 45-year old temporary buildings can take place in the spring of 2014.  Bev Malooley and Gina Czubachowski were commended for the nice job they did of hosting this year’s Breakfast of Champions program at Deer Park Country Club on October 24 where a large number of individuals were honored for their success. Keynote speaker, Seattle Sutton, announced her plan to make a generous donation of $10,000 in support of IVCC’s nursing program.  Cheryl Hobneck, Mary Black, and Trisha Blood presented at the Illinois Learning Specialists and Developmental Educators conference, which met at Moraine Valley on October 18.  The title of their presentation was Fast Track to College Math where they shared information on IVCC's new program.  Two of Francie Skoflanc’s graphic design students have won honorable mention recognition in the Engineering Education Service Center's 2013 Poster Contest. There were 143 entries in the competition. Amy Weber and Desiree Brantner were recognized for the posters they created to inspire students to pursue degrees in Engineering, Engineering Technology or any other STEM field.  Dr. Corcoran congratulated Amy and Desiree on their fine work.  Dr. Corcoran also congratulated everyone who played a role in the first-ever and first-class Manufacturing Expo in the Illinois Valley on October 23. Hundreds of local high school students began their day by visiting manufacturing job sites and then attending a gathering where Dan Janka was the keynote speaker—he did a great job of encouraging students to consider training for careers in manufacturing at IVCC in the new Peter Miller Community Technology Center. Dr. Corcoran thanked the North Central Regional Betterment Coalition for leading the effort and partnering with many organizations. Dr. Corcoran hopes that this can become an annual event and that the lunch and afternoon program can be held in the future on the IVCC campus.  According to Emily Vescogni and Frances Whaley, the library recently received the FY13 value statement from the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois and learned that for the nearly $29,000 the College expended with the organization,  it received approximately $245,000 in services and products.  Membership in the Consortium helps students become familiar with many of the same research tools they will use when they transition on to four-year institutions.  Congratulations went to three IVCC freshmen for being elected to the Student Government Association – Stephanie Vera, Christian Bender and Tiernan Ebener. Cory Tomasson does a fine job of serving as faculty advisor to the group.  And finally, work on the softball program dugouts is wrapping up. Fran Brolley and Coach Tomasson are planning something special in the way of recognition from the Softball Team for the donors, however, letters of appreciation have been sent to the Illinois Valley Building and Construction Trades Council (in particular Dave Argubright of Carpenters Local 195 and Steve Conrad representing the Cement Masons), Roelif Loveland of Maze Lumber, Mike Sitterly of  Western Sand & Gravel Company, and Joe Piano of Cyclops Welding Company, for their generous donations of materials and labor. Kudos went to Gary Johnson, Director of Facilities, for his expert oversight on this project.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Dr. Huffman reported the Audit/Finance Committee met and reviewed the audit from last fiscal year.  The auditors’ opinion is unmodified which is the highest level an institution can receive.  There was one issue with the College not spending its match money in the TRIO Grant, but this did not reflect any problems in the system of controls or processes.  The audit was submitted to the Illinois Community College Board before the deadline date.  The High Deductible Health Plan was discussed which is on the November agenda.   Discussion took place regarding the waiving of tuition and fees for part-time employees to enroll in a fitness center course.  The revised administrative procedures are included in the yellow pages of the board book.  The Committee also reviewed the projects for Phase 3 of the Community Instructional Center Project.  Priorities were established and these were concurred by the Facilities Committee. 

Mr. Mallery reported the Facilities Committee reviewed the projects for Phase 3.  There are a lot of projects on the list for Phase 3, but due to a shortage of money not all projects will be addressed from the original scope.  Mr. Mallery thanked the administration for working diligently to find projects the Facilities Department could do themselves.  Mr. Mallery noted that the College is paying a larger portion of Phase 3 – 75/25.  Mr. Basalay believes he can save the College some money by combining projects.  The Facilities Committee also discussed the conditions of the softball and baseball fields.  Mr. Mallery asked board members for their help in finding a sponsor for the fencing.

2013 TENTATIVE TAX LEVY

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Mr. Solon to adopt the Resolution approving a Tentative Tax Levy and Tentative Certificate of Tax Levy, as presented.  Mr. Mallery noted there are a number of people who are losing their homes because of taxes and each year the College has an opportunity to hold the line on taxes.  For years the College made sure the tax rate was lower each and every year.  Now the College is looking at another percentage increase.  With high unemployment and a record number of people losing their homes, Mr. Mallery could not support a tax levy with an increase in the tax rate.  Dr. Huffman noted the College spends its money wisely and does not waste it.  The faculty, staff and administration have worked hard to keep the budget down; there is no fluff in the budget.  Even with an increase in the rate, the College is extending and receiving less money in the last several years.  It is a reflection of the equalized assessed valuation decreasing in the area, other than farmland.  Dr. Huffman recommended passing the tax levy as presented.  Ms. Goetz pointed out that when you look at the percentage increase of 3.6, it is only an increase of .0127 in the tax rate.  Ms. Goetz believes the Board has a responsibility to the staff and students to continue to offer the programs that will make them successful in the area.  Motion passed by voice vote with Mr. Mallery voting nay.

HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLAN/HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Ms. Goetz to authorize the administration to establish Health Savings Plans as presented for employees electing the High Deductible Health Plan.  Under the Affordable Care Act, institutions are encouraged to provide health care plans with a high deductible with lower premiums.  The recommendation of contributions made by the College to the employees selecting the plan helps to offset the high deductible.  Dr. Huffman believes it is something the College needs to do and he supports it.  The contribution will go into a health savings plan with no tax liability as long as the money is spent on health-related expenses.  Motion passed by voice vote.

FACULTY APPOINTMENT – MS. TRACY D. LEE, ENGLISH COMPOSITION AND CREATIVE WRITING INSTRUCTOR

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Ms. Bonucci to approve the appointment of Ms. Tracy D. Lee as the English Composition and Creative Writing Instructor assigned to the Division of English, Mathematics and Education for the 2013-2014 academic year, with placement on the salary schedule at Step B-5, $42,543.  Ms. Dzik, Dean of English, Mathematics and Education stated that Ms. Lee is very enthusiastic and excited.  She totally understands the community college student and believes it is the instructor’s responsibility to inspire the student.  She showed characteristics that the selection committee was looking for in an instructor.  Motion passed by voice vote.

BID RESULTS – 2013 PHS PROJECT – BLDG. G WATER SYSTEM HEATEXCHANGER REPLACEMENT

It was moved by Mr. Mallery and seconded by Dr. Huffman to accept the base bid from John’s Service & Sales, Inc. – Oglesby, IL in the amount of $94,279 for the PHS Project for Building G Water System Heat Exchanger Replacement.  Mr. Mallery noted that a single tank system was too tall for the building and the decision was made to go with a dual tank system.  The bid came in lower than the estimated cost.  There was a subcontract in the amount $12,500 for resetting the HVAC system.  Mr. Mallery asked who will be overseeing this subcontractor.  Mr. Basalay will be overseeing the entire project and Gary Johnson will make sure that it is functioning properly.  Motion passed by voice vote.

BID RESULTS – CASH FARM LEASE

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Mr. Solon to accept the bid in the amount of $380 per acre from Chris Kolodziej, LaSalle, Illinois for the cash farm lease.  Motion passed by voice vote.

TRUSTEE COMMENT

Dr. Huffman noted the Community Technology Center grand opening was terrific with the furniture and technology in place.  The tour guides were well briefed.  He was thoroughly impressed with the building.  Kudos to all involved.

CLOSED SESSION

It was moved by Mr. Mallery and seconded by Dr. Huffman to convene a closed session at 7:27 p.m. to discuss 1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; 2) collective negotiating matters; 3) pending litigation; 4) probable litigation; and 5) closed session minutes.  Motion passed by voice vote.

After a short break, the Board entered closed session at 7:35 p.m.  On a motion by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Huffman, the regular meeting resumed at 9:20 p.m.  Motion passed by voice vote.

CREATION OF TEMPORARY FULL-TIME DISABILITY SERVICESCOORDINATOR POSITION IN THE DIVISON OF ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, ANDEDUCATION/INTERIM TO BE NAMED (DECEMBER)

 

It was moved by Dr. Huffman and seconded by Mr. Solon to approve the recommendation that a temporary full-time Disability Services Coordinator position be created in the Division of English, Mathematics, and Education, with an Interim to be named following creation of the position.  Motion passed by voice vote.