MINUTES OF MEETING
May 13, 2002
The meeting was called to order by Co-Chairman Kenn Phillips at 5:40 PM.
Committee members present were Jennifer Brogin, Lori Dinkin, Marshall Long, William Mosley, Sally James, Diann Corral, Kenn Phillips, and Edwin Young. Those absent were Gabriel Avila, Manon Kaplan, Scott Svonkin, and Co-Chair Carlos Ferreyra.
Others present were Valley College President Tyree Wieder and Jeanne Rubin, Executive Assistant to President Wieder, acting as recording secretary, taking the minutes of the meeting. Members of the public in attendance were Joanne Waddell (LAVC AFT Chapter President), and Michael Randall of the Valley Glen Neighborhood Association.
Co-Chairman Phillips asked that each person present introduce himself or herself. After the introductions took place, he announced that he had received a letter of resignation from Co-Chairman Carlos Ferreyra of the Valley Glen Neighborhood Association. Dr. Wieder stated that she will contact the President of this organization, Ms. Asta Criss, and solicit a nomination of a member to replace Mr. Ferreyra.
Ms. Dinkin asked Mr. Randall to explain whom he represents, which he did.
Dr. Wieder stated that her goal has been to include representatives of neighborhood associations and community councils, with the guiding principal of being inclusive. Dr. Long observed that the neighborhood councils are presently in a state of flux, and he suggested that until neighborhood councils are certified by the City of Los Angeles, Dr. Wieder should work with established neighborhood associations. Dr. Wieder requested that the committee members advise her when neighborhood councils are certified so that she can appoint members. In the meantime, she stated that the LAVC Proposition "A" Citizensı Committee meetings are open to all and that all are invited to attend. Mr. Randall then held forth on the bona fides of the Valley Glen Neighborhood Association, and pointed out that the Citizensı Committee meetings are Brown Act meetings (i.e. public meetings).
Co-Chairman Phillips called for public comment. There being none, he proceeded to the next agenda item.
Co-Chairman Phillips submitted the draft of the minutes of the Committeeıs meeting on March 18, 2002 to the members for their review. Upon a motion by Ms. Corral, second by Ms. Dinkin, the minutes were unanimously approved and accepted as amended. A true and exact copy of the minutes as amended and approved is attached hereto.
Co-Chair Phillips then proceeded to the third agenda item, and recognized Dr. Wieder to discuss appointment of new members to replace those who have been unable to attend the meetings of the Committee. She explained that Mr. Svonkinıs schedule has precluded attendance in the past, and also stated that she will confer with Mr. Kaplan to determine if he will be able to attend meetings in the future. If not, she will consult the Los Angeles Valley College Foundation Board of Directors to seek another nominee.
Co-Chair Phillips called for discussion and nominations for another co-chair in view of Mr. Ferreyraıs resignation. Ms. James nominated Mr. Mosley, which nomination was seconded by Ms. Dinkin. Mr. Mosley was unanimously elected to serve as co-chair of the meetings.
Co-Chair Phillips then moved on to Agenda Item IV, and called for Dr. Wiederıs report to the committee on the qualifications of tBP Architects, Los Angeles Valley Collegeıs Master Architect for its Proposition "A" Bond Projects. Dr. Wieder began with a brief explanation and overview of the selection procedures required by the Los Angeles Community College District, how DMJM negotiates costs, and the review by the Districtıs General Counsel of all proposed contracts. She described how the list of approved candidates comes to the colleges of the District, and how Valleyıs Space and Work Committee participates in the selection process at the campus level. She further described that tBPıs references were, among others, Chaffee College, Cerritos College and El Camino College, and stated that she had checked and verified these references. She described the background and qualifications presented by tBP, and stated that this company had been selected based upon all of these factors.
Dr. Wieder announced that Myra L. Frank and Associates had been retained to prepare the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for L.A. Valley, L.A. Pierce and L. A. Harbor colleges. Valleyıs is the simplest of the three, she explained. The EIR will include an interior and exterior traffic study as well as an infrastructure report that will locate all the power, gas, water and utility lines as required by CEQA regulations.
Dr. Wieder continued her report to advise of the progress of replacing the restroom bungalow (one of the "Quick Start" projects). The bungalow cannot be demolished until an asbestos study can be conducted. Once that is completed, the bungalow can be demolished and a temporary building can be sited. Valley has been able to locate some restroom trailers that the State Department of Architects has already approved and that are already being purchased by a school district. This prior approval will save some time in getting this project completed.
Four additional architects are included in the process: Gonzales/Goodall is the programmer for Media Arts (they will be meeting on May 31st at 1 PM with the faculty of that department, and Dr. Wieder invited committee members to attend); the college has just been given the list of approved vendors for the Allied Health/Sciences building; The Library programmers were interviewed last week, the top two names have been referred by Project Management team URS Corp, and Dr. Wieder is checking references; and Gordon Gong Architects have been selected for the North Gym project. URS Corp. states that the programming phase will take six to ten weeks. Media Arts and the North Gym are fairly simple projects. The Library and Allied Health/Sciences are extremely complex.
In response to the concerns voiced by Ms. Dinkin and Ms. Brogin that four architects will result in four different, non-cohesive designs, Dr. Wieder explained the difference between programming and actually doing the design of what the building will look like. tBP is the Master Architect, and will give the programmers the parameters of what the buildings should look like. She added that all architecture must comply with the LEEDS standards (this being the sustainable building policy adopted by the LACCD). A minimum of twenty-six LEEDS points is required for each building. Dr. Long asked Dr. Wieder to please clarify the name of the Master Architecture firm, pointing out that it had been stated differently on several occasions. She complied with this request.
Co-Chairman Phillips proposed that the agenda for the next meeting, to be held on July 8th, include discussion of replacing committee members who are unable to attend the committeeıs meetings.
Ms. James asked whether all sub-contractors have to go through this very layered process to get each contract approved. Dr. Wieder stated that she did not think so, but that she did not know for certain. DMJM, she said, has brought in a new project manager. Fred Gans has replaced Randall Duncan, and she expressed the opinion that the result will be a process that will move along more quickly.
Co-Chair Phillips called for Items From the Floor. Dr. Wieder was recognized to state that Valley College is trying to improve campus communications, and that community communications have not yet been initiated. She described for the committee the LAVC Web Site, the links to URS Corp., the Citizensı Committee, "Green" policies, the Project Summary, and college up-date. She described how to utilize the Web Site. Mr. Mosley was then recognized to state that he had attended a Town Hall meeting and found it to be extremely worthwhile. He stated that Mr. Parker of URS Corp. conducts them and gives a great deal of information, as well as answering many questions from faculty members, staff, and students. Dr. Wieder stated that the next one will be held on May 30th at 2:00 PM in Monarch Hall, and urged the members to attend.
Dr. Wieder stated that all campus-wide announcements regarding the Proposition "A" Bond projects will be distributed to the committee members as well as the campus community. Town Hall meetings will, in the near future, be scheduled in the evenings as well as during business hours, and will be publicized to the community.
Ms. Dinkin was recognized, and brought up the subject of graffiti and the theory that its source is Grant High School students. She stated that she would like Town Hall meetings to include this subject. Ms. Corral observed that Town Hall meetings are very valuable because of the importance of hearing what the students have to say. They are on campus all day and use the facilities. Ms. Brogin asked where the Media Arts programming meeting will be held, and Dr. Wieder said it will be posted on the Web Site.
Mr. Randall asked the nature of the information discussed at the Town Hall meetings. Dr. Wieder replied that at one, for example, Mr. Parker (URS Project Manager) gave a detailed up-date on the status of the Quick Start programs, including the restrooms, the elevator in the Campus Center, and the Viron lighting projects. The next one, she explained, will be to introduce the new programmers/architects to the faculty, staff and students.
Mr. Randall asked how he could get "up to speed" on the bond projects. Members of the committee referred him to the Web Site, where all minutes of the committeesı meetings are posted. Mr. Randall alluded to "some rumors" he had heard, upon which Ms. Dinkin asked him to elaborate and tell the committee what these rumors are. Mr. Randall said he had received two e-mails that appeared to be forwarded and described them as having an inflammatory tone. "I am very careful what I say", Mr. Randall stated. Ms. Corral said that the committee is unable to respond to rumors if it does not know what they are. Mr. Randall then said that the e-mails suggested that the bond project at Valley was "not minimal, would have an enormous impact, and was a done deal." Mr. Randall continued, "What we would like to do is shake hands and say hello and establish a rapport." Ms. Dinkin replied that people who are worried should come to the committee meetings. She said, "When you hear a rumor going around, tell them to go to the meetings." Co-Chair Phillips urged Mr. Randall to read the committee meeting minutes. Dr. Long suggested that he should get a copy of the Phase I map of the proposed projects. Dr. Wieder stated that she would be attending the June 18th meeting of the Valley Glen Neighborhood Association* and would answer any questions attendees might have. Dr. Young observed that there is nothing worse than forwarded e-mails. They must, he said, be aggressively addressed by sending a reply telling the sender to go to a Town Hall meeting, attend a Citizensı Committee meeting, and to visit the collegeıs Web Site.
Co-Chairman Phillips reminded the members of the committee that the meeting schedule for the remainder of 2002 is July 8th, September 9th, and November 11th. All meetings will be from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, and the location will be the Cafeteria Conference Room.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 PM.
By: _______________________________________
Jeanne C. Rubin
Acting as Recording Secretary
