MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

FEBRUARY 23, 1998

PRESENT: Chair Oros, Legs. Young, Bronz,

ALSO PRESENT: Dr. Hankin, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Sirignano

Mrs. Fink, Mrs. Stern, Mr. Flynn, Mr.

Boyer, Mr. Ford, Ms. McKeckrin.

ITEMS DISCUSSED:

Chair Oros called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. The Committee discussed Plan C with the members of the Board of Trustees.

Mr. Philips introduced the members of the Board of Trustees and Dr. Hankin.

Dr. Hankin explained that Plan C has been an issue between the County and the College for many years. In 1995 the College received a full accreditation. This is not a one meeting issue and a fact sheet was handed out to the Legislators from the trustees for discussion.

Chair Oros questioned the contracts? Dr. Hankin stated that they can do their own contracts under $20,000. The College Budget is approved by the Legislature in August, and they must stay within those guidelines but if they could transfer monies within accounts they would not have to come back to the Legislators and the Administration with each request.

Dr. Hankin reviewed the list of what other community colleges can and can’t do. He also pointed out if the College had its own Phone system they could save about 65,000 per year. Dr. Hankin also felt that the College could save $300,000 with their own data

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processing equipment and they are already in compliance with the Year 2000.

Also, every time they want to transfer money they have to use other department and It would save time and money for the other departments who have to process these forms.

Dr. Hankin also feels that if he had one engineer on staff they would be able to save money in that area as well. Both Dr. Hankin and Mr. Philips pointed out that many projects need to be worked on during the summer and that is not always the case. They still want to be a County College but would just like to have a little more flexibility.

Dr. Hankin also brought up setting the salaries of the

Administrators. There are 38 people who are not teamsters and if the College wants to pay them more money, they should be able to.

Mrs. Fink feels that this is just a reasonable request and she does not understand why they are shackled.

Leg. Bronz stated that the case may not have been made as well before and the Legislators agreed. Chair Oros stated that he felt that it may seem like a long time but really isn’t.

Mr. Sirignano stated that in the early days many of these items may have made sense, but the college has grown so much that they no longer make sense.

Mrs. Stern - feels this is absurd and does not know how we got to this point. There is nothing that the college has done to deserve this. She feels the College is being punished.

It was suggested that the new County Attorney may have a different opinion than the former County Attorney on this issue and Chairman Oros stated that the Committee would be glad to support this if the proper legislation is sent down to them.

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Mr. Siriginano does not feel it may be a charter issue and may only need legislation from the Board.

Mr. Flynn stated that the environment around us is changing.

Mr. Ryan stated he is very interested in the College’s efforts and supports what they do.

The Committee will prepare a letter to the Administration that they are supportive of this change.

Dr. Hankin will speak to the administration and get back to the Committee.

On motion of Leg. Bronz, seconded by Leg. Young, the minutes of February 3 were approved 3-0.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Leg. Young, seconded by Leg. Bronz, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 P.M.