NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Monday, September 12, 2005, Oleson Center
5:30 p.m., Special Meeting

CALL TO ORDER
Chair Cheryl Follette called the Regular meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved on a motion by Ted Mattis, seconded by Jay Hooper.

PUBLIC INPUT
Public input was received from NMC Nursing Instructor, Laura Schmidt, asking about NMC's response to Hurricane Katrina and the possibility of providing financial and human support to that region. Tim Nelson explained the college's encouragement of faculty and staff to contribute to charities such as the American Red Cross. He described NMC's proposals to MCCA regarding provision of online courses to displaced students and access to classes for any displaced families moving to the area. President Nelson explained that he has asked NMC student organizations to coordinate plans to conduct fund raising activities. He said the college would also consider any request for faculty and staff, particularly in the health areas, to fill medical staffing needs in the gulf region.

HURRICANE KATRINA
Tim Nelson reported on the impact of Hurricane Katrina to NMC operations. Current estimates predict a $271,000 increase in heating costs this winter due to significantly higher natural gas prices. This projected increase can be handled by reserve funds but the board agreed to wait until the winter months for actual fuel costs before determining how to pay for the increase.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT RFP
Debby Disch reported that the college is in the process of bidding out the contract for management of its facilities, including custodial, maintenance, and grounds functions. In addition to considering competitive bids for outsourcing these services, NMC is also preparing an assessment of taking this function in-house. That alternative will be considered in parallel with the vendor responses. The current contract expires June 30, 2006.

RESERVE FUND DESIGNATION
Based on unaudited FY05 financial results, there will be approximately $733,000 available to be allocated to reserves. Debby Disch provided a recommendation for allocation of those funds for discussion.

PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT POLICY
Debby Disch reported that under GASB 40 NMC is required to have an investment policy for funds held by the college. A draft policy was presented that reflects the State legislation regarding the investment of community college funds. The college will be asking for acceptance of this policy on a first reading basis at its September regular meeting.

ACCEPTANCE OF MPSC ENERGY GRANT
Marguerite Cotto reported on the Michigan Public Service Commission announcement that NMC will receive a $450,000 Michigan Energy Efficiency Grant. This award will fund the purchase and installation of solar panels and a wind generating system designed to connect to the M-TEC infrastructure and potentially reduce power consumption. The college is asking for acceptance of this grant at this special meeting.

TELEPHONE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT RENEWAL
Craig Mulder described the existing contracts for NMC's telephone switch and recommended extending the maintenance contract with Cross Telecom for an additional two years.

COMMUNITY BREAKFASTS
Kathleen Guy and Kristin Stehouwer briefed the board about the Learning Design, Development and Delivery (LD3) process for information received from NMC's Community Breakfasts. NMC conducts 10 community breakfasts each year with a different segment of the community to gain perspective from different businesses and non-profit organizations regarding trends in their industry and the role NMC might fill in addressing those needs.

DIVERSITY IN OUR REGION
Tim Nelson reported that a preliminary planning group has been meeting to address diversity in our region. At the last meeting he was asked if NMC and the Chamber of Commerce would host conversations with local organizations and businesses on this topic. The board agreed this would be an appropriate role for the college to play.

PLACEMENT OF PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE AGENDA
The board discussed leaving Public Comment under General Business, moving it to the end of the meeting, or placing it on the agenda after Reports.

STATE UPDATE
President Nelson briefed the board about current state legislative issues relative to NMC including the K-16 coalition, Restorations funding, Performance Indicator Commission, SB 266, and Merit scholarships.

WINTER BOARD RETREAT
Cheryl Follette queried the board about a date for a winter retreat for the board. Trustees will notify the President's office of dates that work with their schedules.

ACCEPTANCE OF MICHIGAN ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANT
On a motion by Ross Childs, seconded by Jack Stegenga, the board approved the acceptance of the Michigan Energy Efficiency grant in the amount of $450,000, which will fund the purchase and installation of solar panels and a wind generating system designed to connect to the M-TEC infrastructure and potentially reduce power consumption. Motion passed.

TELEPHONE SWITCH MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT EXTENSION
Ross Childs made a motion to approve a two-year extension of the telephone switch maintenance contract with Cross Telecom. Motion was seconded by Ted Mattis. Motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Recorded by
Karen Sabin