MINUTES OF MEETING
March 21, 2005
The meeting was called to order by Co-Chair Kenn Phillips at 5:40 PM.
Committee members present were, Co-Chair Kenn Phillips, Jerry Fagin, Asta Criss, Judith Schwartze, Dr. Marshall Long, Hallie Kemper, Helen Bialeck, Jim Leahy, Igor Kagan and Dr. Tyree Wieder. Those absent were Carlos Ferreyra (represented by Mario Sweet) and Igor Kagan (represented by Jennifer Wakefield). Co-Chair Diann Corral was absent, and was not represented. Also present were Dr. Tyree Wieder (ex officio) and Jeanne C. Rubin, note-taker.
There were no public comments so the meeting proceeded to Item II.
Agenda Item II. A motion was made by Ms. Kemper (duly seconded by Mr. Leahy) to approve the minutes for the meeting of January 24 15, 2005 as submitted. Said motion was approved by unanimous consent.
At this point, the Co-Chair recognized Dr. Wieder, who stated to the members her intent to appoint Hallie Kemper to serve as an at-large member of the committee, and Carlos Ferreyra as a new member, representing the Greater Valley Glen Council (Ms. Kemper having resigned her position as president of said neighborhood council). She told the members that this item will appear on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Co-Chair Kenn Phillips called for Agenda Item III. Dr. Wieder's appointment of Ms. Judith Schwartze to represent the Studio City Residents' Association was confirmed.
Agenda Item IV was then called for, a report from Dr. Tyree Wieder.
Dr. Wieder reported that bids were received on the Maintenance and Operations building, and there were eleven local contractors. The winning bid came in $800,000 under the college's budget. The painting contract for exterior painting of the existing buildings was also under budget (approximately $8,000). An issue has arisen with the project, as the stucco is old, and is absorbing more paint than expected. However, the contractor is bound by the amount of his bid. Mr. Leahy expressed concern that if enough paint is not left on the surface, protective qualities are lost, and the stucco will start to deteriorate in a few years. Dr. Wieder said that she would look into this. Dr. Wieder continued, letting the members know that renovation of the Foreign Language building will commence the day after graduation day (June 8th), as well as the upper floor of the Campus Center building.
She announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the M&O building will be held April 26 at 11:30 a.m., and told the members that they would be receiving invitations. She let them know that, by the end of the year, the Campus Center and Foreign Language renovations should be complete. She noted that the LACCD has a joint purchasing agreement with furniture manufacturers, so the cost of furniture has been substantially reduced. A showroom will be set up so students, faculty and staff can go and try it out.
Dr. Wieder then addressed the 1/31/05 DMJM/JGM Financial Report. She distributed copies of it to the members, and a true and exact copy of the handout is attached hereto. Dr. Long wanted to know if the "negative sign" meant that money was put into the column from inside the program, and Dr. Wieder said that that was correct. Mr. Fagin wanted to know if this report is submitted monthly, and Dr. Wieder responded that it is. She told the members that from this time forward, they will see the soft costs going down and the hard costs going up as the college embarks upon construction. Ms. Wakefield asked for an explanation of "hard" vs. "soft" costs. Dr. Wieder deferred to Dr. Long, who provided the requested explanation (""Planning and planning consultants vs. guys out in the field banging on things.")
Ms. Kemper asked if the soft costs are within budget, and Dr. Wieder explained that they are. "Soft costs", she said, "are budgeted for 10%. And it is within that. DMJM and URS are both reducing their staffs, so we are starting to reduce overhead." Ms. Wakefield asked for an explanation of who DMJM is as opposed to URS. Dr. Wieder provided the explanation of their different roles. "DMJM oversees the project as a whole, for the entire District, and URS is Valley's project manager."
Dr. Wieder then told the committee that she had confronted URS on the subject of taking the renovations through DSA. As a result, DMJM met with DSA, and it was agreed that individual projects under $100,000 do not have to go through the DSA review process.
Dr. Long asked Dr. Wieder to refresh his recollection on the total budget for LAVC, and Dr. Wieder said that it is $286 million. Dr. Long then said, "If we are at 10% of overall budget for soft costs, then we have just about exhausted that portion of the budget." Ms. Kemper asked if the District is overseeing invoicing, and Dr. Wieder said that it is. "A big concern was that LAUSD was paying so slowly, and this really hurt small businesses. We are very concerned that this not happen with our projects."
Dr. Wieder then distributed a handout entitled "Los Angeles Valley College Project, Monthly Progress Report, February 2005", a true and exact copy of which is attached hereto. She briefly described and reported upon each item listed in the report. She described to the members that the Gym Complex is currently $2 million over budget, and described that the college is working to bring it back into line. "The field house has been eliminated for the time being."
Ms. Kemper wondered whether making changes after the DSA process is complete requires starting all over again with the DSA review. Dr. Wieder said that it depends upon what is changed. If the change is not "central and significant", she explained that it is not necessary.
Dr. Wieder then described the renovation of the Art Gallery, and described the first show that was held, "Posters of the Peace Press". She circulated a flyer (a true and exact copy of which is attached hereto) and invited the members to visit the newly renovated gallery and see the show.
Dr. Wieder then referred to issues raised by Ms. Criss at the last meeting, and told the committee that input about rounded sidewalks at corners so bikes can navigate corners and lighting were both raised with Berliner & Associates. She thanked the members for their input and told them that the suggestions have been incorporated. Dr. Wieder then distributed to the members the MWW "Bond Program Newsletter", a true and exact copy of which is attached hereto. She told them that they will be receiving this on a monthly basis via e-mail.
Mr. Fagin asked why the District is spending money on public relations for something that is "fait accompli". Dr. Long responded, "You might want to float another bond." Dr. Wieder said, "The language of the bond ballot measure requires keeping the public informed. That is why we have a Citizens' Committee, and we are all thrilled to have you here as part of that effort to keep the voters informed."
Dr. Wieder announced the following college events that she thought the members might have an interest in attending:
On April 14 the League of Women Voters will be doing a presentation on Community Colleges and the Business Community.
The Theater Department is presenting "Chicago" (for which invitations were sent to the members).
The Dean's Reception on April 7, at which Laura Chick will be the keynote speaker. Ms. Chick took classes at LAVC prior to launching her political career.
Ms. Bialeck asked about the availability of furniture for viewing. She asked whether everyone who was interested would have to go downtown. Dr. Wieder explained that the showroom is for all nine colleges, so a central location will be set up. Dr. Wieder went on to say that the old and worn but serviceable furniture will be sent to Mexico. Ms. Bialeck wondered if there was someplace locally where it could be used, and Dr. Wieder said, "Apparently not."
Mr. Sweet told the members that he had been a student at Valley in 1968. Ms. Wakefield said she was a student at Valley ten years ago, and she has seen some wonderful changes.
Co-Chair Phillips reminded the members that the next committee meeting will take place on May 16th. He asked Dr. Wieder if it would be possible to see where some of the funds are being spent. "Could we visit some of the renovations?" Dr. Wieder said that she would arrange a trip to the restrooms and art gallery.
Co-Chair Phillips then called for Agenda Item VI, Items from the floor. There being none, he proceeded to Agenda Item VII.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
By: _______________________________________
Jeanne C. Rubin
Acting as Recording Secretary
