September 10, 2020 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 Thursday, September 10, 2020 in the Board Room (C307) at Illinois Valley Community College.

Members Physically Present

Jane E. Goetz, Chair

Everett J. Solon, Vice Chair

Angela M. Stevenson, Secretary

Members Virtually Present

Amy L. Boyles

David O. Mallery

Jay K. McCracken

Maureen O. Rebholz

Manuel “Tony” Galindo, Student Trustee

Members Telephonically Present

Members Absent

Others Physically Present

Jerry Corcoran, President

Cheryl Roelfsema, Vice President for Business Services and Finance

Chris Dunlap, Director of Information Technology Services

Walt Zukowski, Attorney

Others Virtually Present

Deborah Anderson, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Mark Grzybowski, Vice President for Student Services

Bonnie Campbell, Associate Vice President for Academic Services                       

Kathy Ross, Controller

Ms. Goetz informed of the following:  1) The provisions related to the Open Meetings Act allowing for Board meetings to be virtual continue due to Governor Pritzker’s most recent disaster proclamation and 2) it is the custom and practice of the college to record Board meetings and the meeting was being recorded both audio and video.

PUBLIC HEARING

This being the time and place published for a Public Hearing regarding the FY2021 budget, Board Chair, Jane Goetz, called for questions and/or comments from the audience. Since there were no questions and/or comments, Ms. Goetz called for a motion to close the Public Hearing. It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to close the Public Hearing. Motion passed by voice vote.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

It was moved by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Mr. Solon to approve the agenda, as presented.  Motion passed by voice vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Tracy Lee, IFT Local 1810 President, addressed the Board and read aloud a letter representing the union’s views that were critical of the “lack of transparent and sincere communication on campus, something the union feels is directly related to a lack of shared governance.”  Ms. Lee requested that the Board of Trustees call a special board meeting with faculty invited into closed session to provide input without administration present and that they reconsider the governing structure of the college.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve the consent agenda, as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.

The following items were approved in the consent agenda:

Approval of Minutes – August 13, 2020 Board Meeting and August 26, 2020 Facilities Committee Meeting.

Approval of Bills - $1,321,775.44

Education Fund - $836,039.93; Operations & Maintenance Fund - $144,856.63; Operations & Maintenance (Restricted Fund) - $22,500.00; Auxiliary Fund - $194,566.91; Restricted Fund - $26,261.26; Liability, Protection & Settlement Fund - $93,465.71; and Grants, Loans & Scholarships - $4,085.00.

Treasurer’s Report

Personnel

Approved stipends for pay periods ending August 1, 2020 and August 15, 2020 & Part-time Faculty and Staff Appointments of August 2020.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Corcoran reported that Fran Brolley and he received some good news regarding one of our students recently: Nasrina Bellel submitted her essay to the college for consideration as part of the local Paul Simon essay contest regarding how IVCC changed her life and it was not only selected No. 1 for our purposes and for which many of you will recall she read it to us at the 2020 virtual commencement, but it also won the award for being No. 1 in the state. Therefore, plan on joining us if you can for the October 8^th  board meeting as a representative of the ICCTA will be here to present the award and a $500 scholarship check to Nasrina Bellel. Dr. Corcoran noted that Nasrina’s moving essay will be included in the items for information section of the October Board meeting agenda. Dr. Corcoran was delighted to extend congratulations to Nasrina! This is the first time in IVCC’s history that our student has won the award. Dr. Corcoran informed that more good news came our way when Project Success director Chris Herman was officially notified by the Department of Education that the program he oversees, with tremendous help from Dr. Cynthia Cardosi, Diane Scoma and Terumi Scully, has been awarded funding for another five years in order to serve 165 students each year. Funding for TriO programs is competitive, yet, our program’s profile summary was judged very positively because of our track record in four key areas: student persistence, good academic standing, two-year graduation rate and two-year transfer rate. Dr. Corcoran advised that program guidelines require an annual match by the host institution of $10,000, so Chris, Mark Grzybowski and Cheryl Roelfsema will have that matter on the October board agenda as an action item for your consideration. Dr. Corcoran offered congratulations to Chris and his team on a job well done. Dr. Corcoran reported that the grand opening of our new Agriculture Center is still scheduled for Thursday, September 24 at 8 a.m., however, given the challenges that go with hosting such an event and keeping the number of attendees less than 50, we have made the decision to hold a virtual program instead. Fortunately, we still have the very talented Mathew Klein on our team to produce it the same way he superbly handled our virtual commencement last spring; everyone can rest assured that just like our agriculture program, the end-result will be high quality. Dr. Corcoran advised to stay tuned for more to follow on that topic. Dr. Corcoran thanked Oglesby Mayor Rivara and his team for taking the time to reach out to the college about the possibility of partnering with IVCC on a solar-energy-generating facility which could also be used for instructional purposes for students who might be interested in knowing more about renewable energy as a career path; the college might also benefit from the energy produced. As noted in the minutes from last week’s meeting of the Facilities Committee, the City would like to provide electric service to any expansion that could take place to the south campus and maybe down the road having this be a segue to the city being the electric service provider to the main campus. The bottom line in this would involve IVCC properties annexing into the city in order to be served by the city. The Mayor, Commissioner Jason Curran and two representatives from the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency would first need to seek outside funding to help make such an idea a reality. Dr. Corcoran noted that as he had explained all along since first being approached by the Mayor and his colleagues, it is very important that all of this first be presented to and fully considered by the Board’s Facilities Committee before going any further, and he was pleased that the initial feedback from the Committee was positive. Dr. Corcoran advised that he would leave it to the discretion of Committee Chair David Mallery to possibly talk more about this. He noted that we look forward to future discussions as more information becomes available from the City of Oglesby and IMEA. In closing, Dr. Corcoran noted that Fran and his Community Relations staff put out a nice story this week about the new partnership with Grainco FS and Ag View FS whereby every year two IVCC agriculture students will be selected for “earn and learn” arrangements that result in full rides while enrolled in agriculture and full-time employment after earning their degrees. Dr. Corcoran informed that although the quality of the program, thanks to Willard Mott, Kathryn Seebruck and Ron Groleau, is what is recognized by everyone, what you may not know is the man behind the scenes who brought Grainco, Ag View and our new agreement with Mid-American Growers to the table is Reed Wilson, so please thank Reed when you see him for his hard work. 

FY2021 BUDGET – RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE BUDGET

It was moved by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to Adopt the Resolution approving the FY2021 Budget, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote:  – “Aye” – Mr. Galindo.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz, and Ms. Goetz.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried.

PURCHASE REQUEST – REPLACEMENT PALO ALTO FIREWALLS

It was moved by Mr. Solon and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to authorize the purchase of two replacement Palo Alto Firewalls and required software at a cost of $44,154 from VDA Labs, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote:  – “Aye” – Mr. Galindo.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz, and Ms. Goetz.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried

PURCHASE REQUEST – ELLUCIAN COLLEAGUE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

Motion made by Mr. Solon and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to authorize the renewal of Ellucian Colleague Maintenance and Support in the amount of $286,114 from Ellucian Company, L.P. for a period of one year.

Student Advisory Vote:  – “Aye” – Mr. Galindo.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz, and Ms. Goetz.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried.

FY2022 RAMP CAPITAL REQUESTS

Motion made by Mr. Mallery and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve the submittal of the Library/Student Success Center RAMP capital request for FY22 for a total cost of $5,175,000 with local funding of $1,293,800.

Student Advisory Vote:  – “Aye” – Mr. Galindo.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz, and Ms. Goetz.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried. 

Motion made by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to approve the submittal of the Professional Development Center RAMP capital request for FY22 for a total cost of $2,865,700 with local funding of $716,400.

Student Advisory Vote:  – “Aye” – Mr. Galindo.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz, and Ms. Goetz.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried. 

Motion made by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Dr. Boyles to approve the submittal of the Agriculture Center RAMP capital request for FY22 for a total cost of $4,114,200 with local funding of $1,208,600. Mr. Mallery commented that he would like to see more enrollment demonstrated for the Ag program.

Student Advisory Vote:  – “Aye” – Mr. Galindo.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz, and Ms. Goetz.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried. 

RESOLUTION DESIGNATING DATE, TIME AND PLACE FOR FILING BOARD OF TRUSTEE NOMINATING PETITIONS

Motion made by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Mr. Galindo to adopt the Resolution Designating Date, Time and Place for Filing Board of Trustee Nominating Petitions for the April 6, 2021 election, as presented.

Student Advisory Vote:  – “Aye” – Mr. Galindo.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz, and Ms. Goetz.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried. 

TRUSTEE COMMENT

Mr. Mallery reported that the Facilities Committee met August 26 and discussed annual PHS projects that are priorities for the internal stakeholders:  1) Fireplace Lounge ADA update and 2) door and key access upgrade for uniformity and security. The committee also heard a presentation from the City of Oglesby and IMEA on a solar farm to increase the city’s renewable energy and a proposal for locating the farm at the college that could provide an educational opportunity for the college’s renewable energy program. Mr. Mallery noted that the proposal had merit for further discussion and thought that the full Board would be interested in hearing about the benefits and proposed opportunity.

Ms. Stevenson informed that her daughter switched her plans to go away to school to IVCC online classes for summer and fall semesters. Kudos and many thanks to the IVCC faculty and counselors for the terrific service that she and her daughter have received.

Mr. McCracken thanked the faculty at IVCC and the faculty at all the feeder schools as well for doing a great job. He noted that these are tough times for everyone.

Ms. Goetz informed of the recent and sudden passing of Gregg Chadwick, President of ICCTA and Board Chair of Heartland Community College. On behalf of the Board, our sympathies go out to his family.

CLOSED SESSION

Ms. Goetz requested a motion and a roll call vote at 6:58 p.m. to enter into a closed session to discuss: 1) imminent or pending litigation; 2) complaint lodged against an official or employee of the public body; 3) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body; and 4) closed session minutes.  Motion made by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Dr. Rebholz to enter into a closed session.

Student Advisory Vote:  – “Aye” – Mr. Galindo.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz, and Ms. Goetz.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried.  The Board immediately entered closed session at 7:00 p.m.

Motion made by Ms. Stevenson and seconded by Mr. Solon to return to the regular meeting.

Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Mr. Galindo.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” – Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz, and Ms. Goetz.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried.  The regular meeting resumed at 8:00 p.m.

CLOSED SESSION MINUTES

It was moved by Mr. McCracken and seconded by Ms. Stevenson to approve and retain the closed session minutes of August 13, 2020.

Student Advisory Vote: – “Aye” – Mr. Galindo.  Roll Call Vote: “Ayes” –  Dr. Boyles, Mr. Solon, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Mallery, Mr. McCracken, Dr. Rebholz, and Ms. Goetz.  “Nay” – none.  Motion carried.

OTHER

None

ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Goetz declared the meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.