Trustees Minutes Apr. 2023

NPC Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting

April 26, 2023

The National Park College Board of Trustees met in regular session on April 26, 2023, beginning at 3:30 PM. Trustees present were Joyce Craft, Jim Hale, Rhonda Harrington, Bev Joe, Lance Porter, Forrest Spicher, Renee Westfall, and Raymond Wright.

Staff, faculty members, and guests present were Bill Allison, Thia Armstrong, David Braden, Blake Butler, Sally Carder, Chris Coble, Wade Derden, Jennifer Edwards, Kelli Embry, Michelle Godwin, Tom Gutierrez, Katelyn Hardage, Nicole Herndon, John Hogan, Brad Hopper, Lisa Hopper, Jill Houlihan, Julie LaRue, Melony Martinez, John McMorran, Robin Pelton, Andrew Pennington, Scott Post, Kristin Quintanilla, Bill Ritter, Miki Smith, Jerry Thomas, Darla Thurber, Lynn Valetutti, Tim  Ward, Amy Watson, Tim Webb, Katelynn Westfall-Gallegos. Also in attendance were members of the Davis and Coble Families.

The media was notified of the meeting. Courtney Edwards of The Sentinel Record was in attendance.

Chair Joyce Craft opened the meeting with a welcome.

Trustee Joe provided the invocation.

Items for Action

1. Trustee Hale made a motion to approve March 29, 2023, minutes as presented. Trustee Spicher seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
2. Trustee Spicher made a motion to approve the January 2023 financial statements as presented by Andrew Pennington, Controller, during the Finance Committee Meeting. The motion passed unanimously during the Finance Committee Meeting, negating a second.
3. National Park College Executive Director of Foundation, Nicole Herndon presented Resolution 2023-A, naming the Davis-Coble Family Courts. Trustee Westfall made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-A. Trustee Wright seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
4. Vice President for Administration, Kelli Embry, presented Resolution 2023-B, Maintenance Facility Relocation. Trustee Porter made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-B. Trustee Joe seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Trustee Hale requested the name of the contractor. Ms. Embry identified National Park College, Assistant Vice President of Campus Operations, Brad Hopper as the general contractor. Mr. Hopper explained that Kurtis Markish, procurement specialist, would handle the specifications and bid process.
5. Julie LaRue, Director of Human Resources, presented the ratifications of personnel actions with one addition of Internal Transfer of Amy Watson to Director of Financial Aid effective 4/27/23. Kelli Embry added that on behalf of the College, Julie LaRue submitted and received the “Most Promising Places to Work” award from NISOD. Trustee Spicher made a motion to approve the ratifications as presented. Trustee Wright seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

 Items for Report

1. Vice President for College Advancement, Dr. Wade Derden, shared an update on National Park College’s 50th-anniversary celebration and pointed out the display provided by the NPC Library. The display was entitled “Academics in the News.” He explained that the next display would highlight graduation through the years.
2. Vice President for Administration introduced John McMorran and reiterated that the housing effort has been ongoing since 2021 and the rendering shown today was not the final rendering. John McMorran, with Lewis Architects, provided a report on the maintenance relocation and the additional housing rendering next to Dogwood Hall. He used the first rendering of the Master Plan to point out the previous potential locations. Ms. Embry pointed out that some shared amenities between Dogwood Hall and the new housing facility will be the residential director, kitchen and laundry facilities. Trustee Wright asked if the footprint was larger or the same as Dogwood Hall. Ms. Embry explained that the bed number would be 160-180, but the estimates are part of preliminary planning. Mr. McMorran stated that the footprint would be slightly smaller. Trustee Hale asked about parking for the additional residents. Mr. McMorran explained that the existing parking and some additional parking would be utilized. Trustee Hale asked about the timeline to approve the specifications. Mr. McMorran stated that a specific timeline had yet to be established. The opening of additional housing was anticipated for Fall 2025. Trustee Hale asked at what point we would know whom Servitas would choose as a contractor. Ms. Embry noted that part of NPC’s partnership with Servitas is that Servitas manage the process of designing, building and furnishing the new housing, as indicated in Resolution 2022-D. Trustee Westfall asked if Servitas would follow the exact requirements as the State. Embry explained that Servitas is not a state agency. Dr. John Hogan explained that Servitas would go through the same bid process and reiterated that the Board had approved the plan and that it is inconvenient to move maintenance, but that is the best place for students. He concluded that the cost would be less for Servitas and, therefore, less for the College, which would increase the College’s sustainability and the quality of life for the students. Trustee Hale expressed concern that the College has historically had a good relationship with the builders and that the Board would appreciate insight from Servitas as to whom they would recommend. Dr. Hogan appreciated Trustee Hale’s concern and noted that there is an optimal path forward but that the project must come within budget. Trustee Harrington asked if this was the same process as when Dogwood Hall was built. Dr. Hogan noted that it is the same process. Dr. Hogan stated that the approval to finance would be brought to the Board in May.
3. Board Chair Report - Chair Craft thanked everyone for being with us today and congratulated the student of the month awardee, Katelynn Westfall-Gallegos. She emphasized that many wonderful people show their support for the NPC campus. Additionally, Chair Craft expressed her gratitude to the Board of Trustees for their support, thanked Mr. Coble and his family for their gift to the College, and noted how it demonstrates their commitment.
4. President’s Report - President Hogan mentioned that Trustee Bush is out due to a fall. He congratulated the student of the month and thanked the library staff for their display. President Hogan appreciated the visitors from the Davis and Coble families and how their gift is essential to the mission of student success at NPC. In terms of housing, Dr. Hogan said there would be a resolution at the May meeting and reminded the Board that this is a number one priority for the College regarding the enrollment strategy and serving the students. He expressed gratitude for the Board’s support on the Maintenance move resolution. He recognized the hard work of Kelli Embry, Brad Hopper, Andrew Pennington, Darla Thurber, Jerry Thomas, John McMorran from Lewis Architects, Leigh Ann Biernat from Stephens Inc., Ryan Bowman from the Friday Firm, David Braden and Tom Gutierrez from Servitas, Trustee Wright, Building and Campus Planning Committee Chair, Trustee Spicher, Finance Committee Chair, and Former Trustee Bailey who served as the former Finance Chair. Additionally, President Hogan recognized Julie LaRue and the team at NPC for once again being named one of the Nation’s most promising places to work in community colleges. Dr. Hogan remarked that the NPC works hard to invest in our employees by coaching them, harnessing their dreams, and helping them become part of our dreams. Dr. Hogan concluded with a list of NPC events in May, noting that commencement would be a rich diversity of achievers crossing the stage.

There was no further business. Trustee Wright motioned to adjourn, and Trustee Westfall seconded. The meeting adjourned at 4:21 PM.

Joyce Craft, Chair
Beverly Joe, Secretary/Treasurer