Minutes

Merced Community College District
Prop 39 Citizens Oversight Committee Minutes

Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 9:00 a.m.
Olinda's Restaurant - Los Banos

Members Present:
Chris Tafoya (Chairperson), Keith Groniga, Maggie Randolph, Mary Villalta Brooks, Gerald Hoyt, Barbara Ward

Members Absent:
Bob Edminster, Michelle Allison

Others Present:
Larry Johnson, Marvin Smith, Joe Allison, Terry Ruscoe, Robin Shepard, Anne Newins, Sheila Flores (recording) Tony Dutra, Matt Peterson

The meeting was called to order at 9:28 a.m. by Chairperson Chris Tafoya. Terry Ruscoe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

1. Hearing of the Public
   (An opportunity will be given to citizens to address the committee on matters of the bond process B a five minute time limit will be allotted to each speaker, with a maximum of twenty minutes to each subject, unless extended by the Chairperson.)
   
   There was nothing from the public.
   
2. Approval of Minutes from the October 4, 2003, Meeting
   
   It was MSCU (Randolph/Groniga) to approve the minutes.
   
3. Discussion and/or Action
   1. Selection of Committee Co-Chairperson
      
      Chris Tafoya reminded committee members that a request for a volunteer to serve as co-chairperson was sent out earlier in the month. Maggie Randolph volunteered to serve as co-chairperson to the Prop 39 Oversight Committee.
      
      It was MSCU (Groniga/Villalta Brooks) to approve Maggie Randolph as co-chairperson of the Prop 39 Bond Oversight Committee. Chris thanked Maggie in advance for her assistance with the committee.
      
      
   2. Approval of Proposition 39 Citizens Oversight Committee Report
      
      Joe Allison explained to the committee that the report represented the same information included in the report presented at the last meeting, except for the following additions/changes: More detailed description of work performed by consultants and project order changed to "actual sequence".
      
      After discussion it was MSCU (Hoyt/Ward) to approve the 2002-03 Prop 39 Oversight Committee Annual Report. The report will be presented as information to the Merced Community College District Board of Trustees on April 6, 2004.
      
      
4. Updates
   1. Bond Election
      
      Larry informed committee members that with the passage of Proposition 55, the following projects would be funded: Science Building Remodel, Learning Resource Center, Los Banos Site Preparation and Building One. The District will receive over $31 million dollars from this election. The District will contribute over $10 million dollars from the local bond sale towards these projects, for a total cost of over $42 million dollars.
      
      Mary asked when the dollars would be available to begin the projects. Larry responded that the projects are included in the Governor's Budget so as soon as the Budget passes, dollars will be released. However, we will continue to "fine tune" the projects in anticipation of the release of dollars.
      
      
   2. Los Banos Campus
      
      Anne Newins informed committee members that the Los Banos Campus planning has been ongoing for the past ten months. The Committee has made great progress.
      
      Anne reminded committee members that the campus will be built on 120 acres donated by Stonecreek - Anderson Homes. The new campus will house computer labs, electronics labs, science labs, a tutorial center, library, small child development center and administrative facilities. There will also be an operations and maintenance facility to house grounds and custodial operations.
      
      Discussions are underway with Merced County Office of Education (MCOE) to construct a small building on campus to house their Disabled Adult Education Program. MCOE currently has a successful program on the Merced Campus.
      
      Anne informed the committee that she is particularly proud of the fact that the campus is being designed following LEED (Leadership in Energy Environment Design) specifications. This campus will be built utilizing recycled materials, low emitting materials and drought tolerant plants, in order to qualify as a LEED Project. Anne added that the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) public circulation period ended March 4, 2004, and only two comments were received. District personnel are responding to the comments. Construction on this campus should begin Spring 2005.
      
      Larry thanked Anne and her staff for their ongoing planning for the new campus.
      
      
   3. Construction Projects
      
      Larry Johnson referred to a handout which outlined the construction projects currently in progress. Following is an update for each of the projects in progress:
      
      Merced Campus
      Interdisciplinary Academic Center - Under Construction
      North Loop Road - Construction to begin Summer 2004
      Science Building Remodel - Funded for Working Drawings and Construction - Proposition 55
      Merced Business Resource Center - Construction to begin Summer 2004
      Learning Resources Center - Funded for Construction - Proposition 55
      Lesher Building Remodel - Final Project Proposal Status
      Allied Health Center Building - Final Project Proposal Underway
      
      Los Banos Campus
      Site Development/Permanent Educational Facilities - Funded for Working Drawings and Construction - Proposition 55
      Parking Lot - Preliminary Plans Underway
      Academic Technology Building - Preliminary Plans Underway Vocational
      Educational Building - Preliminary Plans Underway
      
      
   4. Date and Time of Next Meeting
      
      The next meeting will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2004, 9-11:00 a.m. at the Tri-College Center Board Room, Merced Campus.
      
      
   5. Meeting Adjournment
      
      Larry Johnson thanked everyone for participating as members of the Proposition 39 Bond Oversight Committee. Special thanks to Gerald Hoyt and his family for hosting the breakfast meeting.
      
      Chris Tafoya thanked Dr. Johnson and his staff for their on-going support and work to the committee.
      
      The meeting adjourned at 10:26 a.m.
      
      
   6. Los Banos Campus Site
      
      Committee members and guests were given maps and directions to the new campus, so that they would each have the opportunity to individually visit the site.
      

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