June 4, 2018 Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes


The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, June 4, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. in the Magnolia Building. Mary Ann Rice, Chair, presided.

The following members of the Board were present: Gene Bell, Bruce Briggs, Wayne Brigman, Mike Fryar, Matt Kern, Keynon Lake, Roger Metcalf, William Murdock, John Parham, Frances Ramsey, and Iris Frost, Ex-Officio.

Others present for the meeting included: Dennis King, President; Dirk Wilmoth, Vice President Business and Finance/CFO; Terry Brasier, Vice President Student Services; Shelley White, Vice President Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education; Beth Stewart, Vice President Instructional Services; Brian Willis, Vice President Information Technology/CIO; David White, Executive Director of Research and Planning; Kerri Glover, Executive Director, Community Relations and Marketing; Shanna Chambers, Executive Director of Human Resources; Chris Campbell, College Attorney; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.

 

Call To Order

Chair Mary Ann Rice read the ethics statement. No conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. C. Rice called roll. A quorum was present.

 

Consent Agenda

Mr. Brigman moved to approve the Consent Agenda items: 1. A. April 9, 2018 Board Meeting Minutes; 1. B. May 15, 2018, Executive Committee Meeting Minutes; 1. C. Personnel Actions; 1. D. 2018-2019 Annual Appointments and Reappointments; 1. E. Blanket Travel Authorization and Excess Approval; 1 .F. Approval of Sound Fiscal and Management Practices Policy; and 1. G. Donated Vehicles.

Mr. Briggs questioned why the Board approves the Consent Agenda as a whole and suggested that some of the Consent Agenda items needed to be discussed by the Board. Mr. Campbell informed the Board that in the future, the Chairperson may ask the Board if they would like to discuss any Consent Agenda items prior to voting. Mr. Campbell also stated that the Board may ask that any Consent Agenda item be moved to the Resolution/Action Item section of the Agenda for further discussion. Dr. King stated that in the future all policies, either new or revised, will be taken up as Action Items.

The motion to approve the Consent Agenda was seconded by Mr. Murdock and approved unanimously by the Board.

 

Resolution/Action Items

2. A. Dr. Dirk Wilmoth informed the Trustees that the North Carolina Department of Administration, Division of Purchase and Contract performed a routine review of the College’s purchasing procedures for the period of March 1, 2017, through February 28, 2018, which resulted in the following findings:

  1. Not purchasing from statewide term contracts.
  2. Not seeking competition for purchases over $5,000.
  3. Using incorrect commodity codes.
  4. Use of credit cards for purchases other than the state approve procurement card.

Dr. Wilmoth stated that all purchasing compliance issues have been addressed and corrective action is now in place for future purchases.

On a motion by Dr. Parham, seconded by Mr. Brigman, the Purchasing Compliance Review was approved by unanimous consent.

2. B. Dr. Dirk Wilmoth discussed the Annual Open-Ended Service Agreements for Design and Engineering with the Board. The Service Agreements are primarily for the state-funded Connect NC Bond projects that cost under $300,000, and for other projects under that value.

Mr. Fryar asked why the College is not using Buncombe County engineers for all construction projects on campus. Mr. Kern asked if the state mandates that the College use engineers for state projects.

Dr. Wilmoth stated that all Connect NC Bond projects are funded and directed by the state and that the College must open the bidding process to everyone, not just County engineers.

On a motion by Mr. Kern, seconded by Dr. Metcalf, the Annual Open-Ended Service Agreements for Design and Engineering Services for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 were approved. Mr. Fryar opposed it.

2. C. Dr. Beth Stewart informed the Board that the College is seeking to terminate several curriculum programs. Biotechnology, Cardiovascular Sonography, Practical Nursing, and School-Age Education are programs that are no longer offered at the College and need to be officially terminated. Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, and Foodservice Technology that were offered at the Craggy and Swannanoa Correctional Facilities have been eliminated at the state level. Finally, the Central Sterile Processing and Therapeutic Massage programs have moved to Continuing Education, which allows students to attain the same credentials in a shorter amount of time.

On a motion by Mr. Brigman, seconded by Dr. Parham, the Termination of Curriculum Programs was approved by unanimous consent.

2. D. Ms. Kelly McEnany discussed the 2019 Global Education Trips with the Board. In an effort to bring global awareness and new students to the College, several educational trips are offered each year. The trips focus on foreign languages, humanities, and history. Most of the Trips are open to community members, and all students who participate are covered by a comprehensive insurance policy.

On a motion by Mr. Brigman, seconded by Mr. Bell, the 2019 Global Education Trips were approved by unanimous consent.

2. E. Dr. King informed the Trustees that Chef Chris Bugher has been invited by the American Culinary Federation to travel to China this fall to study Chinese cuisine. The thirty-day trip is both an opportunity for Chef Bugher and A-B Tech to receive international recognition for the College’s Culinary program. All of Chef Bugher’s fall classes will be covered by other faculty members while he is abroad. The Administration is seeking permission to allow Chef Bugher to participate in the educational trip to China with pay.

On a motion by Dr. Parham, seconded by Mr. Brigman, the Educational Leave with Pay for Chef Bugher was approved by unanimous consent.

2. F. Dr. King informed the Board that the College wishes to name the garden and patio area between the Birch and Haynes buildings for Mr. Jerome (Jerry) Dave. Mr. Dave gifted an acre of land to the College that provided the College with enough space to build the Haynes Building in its location. In appreciation, the College would like to name the garden in Mr. Dave’s honor.

On a motion by Ms. Ramsey, seconded by Mr. Kern, the Resolution of Appreciation for Mr. Jerome (Jerry) Dave was approved by unanimous consent.

2. G. Mr. Chris Campbell informed the Board that the College has received two offers to purchase the A-B Tech Enka property and that the Board is obligated to negotiate and consider both offers with Pulliam Properties. Both of the offers are below the appraised value of the property. The purpose of the Resolution regarding the sale or lease of the A-B Tech Enka property is that the Trustees must choose who will negotiate the terms of a potential sale or lease on behalf of the full Board. Mr. Campbell stressed that only the full Board may make the final decision regarding the A-B Tech Enka property.

The Trustees discussed the A-B Tech Enka property at length. The Trustees asked that tours of the A-B Tech Enka property be offered, and Dr. Metcalf asked that the word “negotiate” be changed to “explore” all options in the Resolution. Mr. Bell asked that an itemized list of all options be presented to the full Board, and Mr. Kern asked if anyone at the College had a vision or was working on other options for the A-B Tech Enka Property.

Dr. King agreed that a list of options will be provided to the Board. Dr. King stated that a vision for the use of the property has not been undertaken because the last directive from the Board to the administration was to sell the property.

The Trustees agreed that the Executive Committee should explore all options regarding the A-B Tech Enka property on behalf of the Board with Pulliam and Properties.

On a motion by Dr. Parham, seconded by Mr. Bell, the Resolution to approve the Executive Committee to Explore All Options regarding the Sale or Lease of the A-B Tech Enka Property was approved by unanimous consent.

2. H. Mr. Campbell stated that upon the State Board of Community College’s Attorney’s review, the State Board approved the College’s request to declare the A-B Tech Enka property as surplus, and therefore enabled the College to sell the property. The only caveat is that $200,000 out of any sales proceeds from the A-B Tech Enka property must be used on capital projects on any of the College’s four campuses.

On a motion by Dr. Parham, seconded by Dr. Metcalf, the Resolution to Respond to the State Board of Community Colleges Regarding the Surplus Property Resolution for A-B Tech Enka was approved by unanimous consent.

 

Trustee Business

3. A. Dr. King and Chair Rice attended the April 11-13, 2018 NCACCT Law Legislative Seminar and found it very informative. The next NCACCT Seminar will be held in Asheville in September and will be a wonderful opportunity for all Trustees to attend.

3. B. Chair Rice appointed Mr. William Murdock, Ms. Frances Ramsey, and Mr. Ron Edgerton to the Nominating Committee. The Committee will present their nominations for Board Chair, Vice-Chair, and Board Secretary for 2018-2019 during the August 6, 2018 Board meeting.

3. C. Chair Rice asked that the Trustees complete their Board Self Evaluation as soon as possible.

 

SGA Report

Ms. Iris Frost informed the Board that she enjoyed her year as SGA President and appreciated being part of the Board of Trustees. Ms. Frost introduced Ms. Darinda Noah, the College’s new SGA President for 2018-2019. Ms. Noah will be sworn in as a Trustee during the August 6, 2018 Board meeting.

Chair Rice thanked Ms. Frost for her time on the Board and the Trustees wished her all the best.

 

Motion For Closed Session

At 5:07 p.m., Mr. Brigman moved that the Trustees enter into a closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a) (1) and (3) in order to discuss confidential personnel matters pursuant to G.S. 115D-27-29 and to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege.

On a motion properly made, the Board returned to open session at 5:55 p.m.

 

Open Session

On a motion by Dr. Metcalf, seconded by Mr. Brigman, Dr. King’s employment contract with the College was extended to June 30, 2020. The motion was approved by the Board. Mr. Fryar opposed it.

Dr. Metcalf moved to increase Dr. King’s salary. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kern and was approved by the Board by a majority vote.

 

Adjourn

On a motion by Mr. Brigman, seconded by Mr. Briggs, the meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m. by unanimous consent.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary