The Executive Committee of the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. in the Magnolia Building. Mary Ann Rice, Chair, presided.
The following members of the Executive Committee were present: Joe Brumit, John Parham, Frances Ramsey, and Roger Metcalf.
Others present for the meeting included: Matt Kern, Trustee; Bill Murdock, Trustee; Dennis King, President; Dirk Wilmoth, Vice President, Business and Finance/CFO; Shelley White, Vice President, Economic & Workforce Development/Continuing Education; Beth Stewart, Vice President Instructional Services; Dave White, Executive Director, Research and Planning; Kerri Glover, Executive Director, Marketing and Communications, Walt Curry, College Attorney; James Wilson, Pulliam, and Associates; Charlie Ball, Hatch Asheville Foundation; Glenda Weinert, GCW Enterprises; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.
Meeting Purpose
Discussion of the Enka property, a proposal regarding building an Early Child Care Education Center on campus, and the next steps in the Board’s Self Evaluation process.
Enka Property
The Executive Committee discussed several options with Mr. Charlie Ball regarding the potential sale of the Enka property. Mr. Ball is interested in purchasing all or individual parcels of the property, for a mixed-use project that would generate revenue for both him and the College.
Dr. Shelley White was asked to share the College’s vision for the property. Dr. Shelley White stated that the main goal for the College is to keep space in Enka for the Small Business Incubator, the Brewing, and Distillery program, and offices for the NC Bio-Network. All of the programs located in Enka have grown and thrived, wish to maximize the location, and continue to leverage the College’s partnerships with the community.
Mr. Kern added that the Enka property could become a destination business park for industry and still maintain a connection to the community with greenways to Biltmore Lake.
Mr. Ball stated that he would invest in having a master plan done for the property, and would be open to input from the College. Mr. Ball is interested in closure from BASF regarding the parcel of the brownfield and asked Mr. Curry if that was possible. Mr. Curry will contact BASF regarding the issue.
The Executive Committee agreed to accept Mr. Ball’s offer to create a master plan for the Enka property at his cost that will outline several options and uses for the property. Mr. James Wilson will set prices for each separate parcel. The Committee also agreed to entertain any additional options that may arise regarding purchasing the property. The Executive Committee also agreed to meet with Mr. Ball when the master plan has been completed.
Early Child Care Education Center
Dr. Glenda Weinert informed the Committee that an area of focus for the Buncombe County Commissioners is the expansion of early childcare education and the availability of childcare in Buncombe County. To comply with the parameters of a Head Start Grant, the County is seeking a location within close proximity to the city of Asheville to build a one-level, 8,000-square-foot Early Childcare Center building. Due to the real estate market in Asheville, finding affordable property has been a challenge. Dr. Weinert asked the Committee if there was a buildable parcel on the A-B Tech Asheville Campus that was available to place the Center.
The Committee asked Dr. Weinert several questions including who would own the building, who would maintain the building, which child care service would be operating in the building, and how much income the College could expect in lease payments. Dr. Weinert stated the only commitment she has from Buncombe County is that the County will pay to build the building.
Dr. Weinert thanked the Committee for their time and consideration in allowing her to discuss the proposed Early Child Care Center.
The Committee discussed the proposal at length and agreed to recommend to the full Board that the College not allow Buncombe County or any other entity to build an Early Child Care Center on campus.
Board Self-Evaluation
Dr. Dave White lead a discussion regarding the results of the Board’s Self-Evaluation Survey. The College’s accrediting agency, SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) mandates that Trustees set responsibilities and expectations for their Boards. The Executive Committee is being asked to bring three goals for continuous improvement to the full Board.
The Committee decided that the full Board needed to be involved in setting goals. The Committee agreed that the Board should participate in a one or two-day retreat to discuss finances, academic programming, and Board involvement, and to set the priorities and expectations for the Board for the coming year.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary