Minutes of Regular Meeting
Minutes of Regular Meeting The Board of Trustees Alpine ISD A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Alpine ISD was held Tuesday, December 16, 2014, beginning at 5:30 PM in the Alpine ISD Administration Building - Board Room. I. Call Meeting to Order Board President Mo Morrow called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Members Present:
Conrad J. Arriola, Justin Cross, James Jones (arrived at 5:35) Mo Morrow, and Eddie Natera
Members Absent:
Currently there is no representation for Single Member District # 6 or # 7.
II. Invocation III. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag IV. Verification of Compliance with the Open Meetings Law. This is to verify that the provisions of Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.041 in connection with public posting of meeting notice was met on December 12, 2014. V. Open Forum - Public Comment None VI. Conduct Public Hearing on the Application of SolaireHolman 1 LLC in Comptroller Application No. 1025, for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property, pursuant to Chapter 313 of the Texas Property Tax Code. Public hearing was called to order at 5:34 p.m. Chris Grammar, representing Moak, Casey and Associates discussed the financial impact of the project. Additionally he explained and reviewed the documents included in the application, and outlined the steps that would need to be taken by the Board. Board members, as well as audience members, were given opportunity for questions and answers. VII. Closed Session: Discuss commercial or financial information concerning Application of SolaireHoleman 1 LLC, Comptroller Application No. 1025, for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property, pursuant to Chapter
313 of the Texas Property Tax Code. Pursuant to Tex. Govt. Code §551.071; §551.072; §551.074 No Closed Session VIII. Open Session: Consider and Adopt Findings under the Texas Economic Development Act on the Application of SolaireHolman 1 LLC, Comptroller Application No. 1025, for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property, pursuant to Chapter 313 of the Texas Property Tax Code. Following the close of the public hearing at 5:55 p.m., the Board continued in open session. A motion was made by Justin Cross, seconded by James Jones, to adopt the findings under the Texas Economic Development Act, as proposed by the District’s Consultants and Counsel, on the Application of SolaireHoleman 1 LLC, Comptroller Application No. 1025, for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property, pursuant to Chapter 313 of the Texas Property Tax Code. Motion carried - 5 – 0 IX. Consider Waiver of Job Creation requirement as requested by SolaireHolman 1 LLC in Texas Comptroller's Application No. 1025. A motion was made by Justin Cross, seconded by Conrad Arriola, pursuant to Texas Tax Code § 313.025(f-l) to approve the waiver of the job waiver creation requirement set forth in Texas Tax Code §313.021(2)(A)(iv)(b) as requested by SolaireHoleman 1 LLC in Texas Comptroller’s Application No. 1025. Motion carried - 5 – 0 X. Consider and approve Agreement under the Texas Economic Development Act with SolaireHolman 1 LLC, in comptroller Application No. 1025, for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property for School District Maintenance and Operation Taxes, pursuant to Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code. A motion was made by James Jones, seconded by Eddie Natera, to approve the Agreement, recommended by counsel and the District’s consultants, under the Texas Economic Development Act with SolaireHolman 1 LLC, for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property for School District Maintenance and Operation Taxes, pursuant to Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code, in Comptroller Application No. 1025. Motion carried - 5 – 0
XI. Consider and Approve Standby Agreement to Amend Agreement under the Texas Economic Development Act with SolaireHolman 1 LLC, in Comptroller Application No. 1025 for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property for School District Maintenance and Operation Taxes, pursuant to Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code. No action was taken on this item per the recommendation of Mr. Grammar, representing Moak Casey and Associates. He explained that it would not be necessary. Billy Owens, representing Solaire Direct, addressed the projected timelines of the project, discussed additional agreements that would have to be entered into for marketing of the electricity. Mr. Owens told Board members that hopefully, construction would begin in the summer of 2015 with the project going on-line in the fall of 2016. XII. Consideration of Special Education Legal Services Retainer Agreement for 588 Special Education Co-op, Shared Services Arrangement A motion was made by Conrad Arriola, seconded by James Jones, to approve the Legal Services Retainer Agreement for the 588 Co-op, as presented. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XIII. Consideration of Policy Update 101, affecting local policies as listed: • BE(LOCAL): BOARD MEETINGS • CH(LOCAL): PURCHASING AND ACQUISITION • DGBA(LOCAL): PERSONNEL-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS EMPLOYEE COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES • EB(LOCAL): SCHOOL YEAR • FFG(LOCAL): STUDENT WELFARE - CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT • FMG(LOCAL): STUDENT ACTIVITIES - TRAVEL • FNCC(LOCAL): STUDENT CONDUCT - PROHIBITED ORGANIZATIONS AND HAZING • FNG(LOCAL): STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - STUDENT AND PARENT COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES • GF(LOCAL): PUBLIC COMPLAINTS A motion was made by Justin Cross, seconded by Conrad Arriola, to adopt Policy Update 101, as presented. Motion carried - 5 – 0
XIV. Consideration and Possible Action to adopt prevailing wage rates published by the United States Department of Labor in accordance with the DavisBacon Act (40 U.S.C. Section 276a et seq.) and its subsequent amendments, in connection with the construction of the Elementary School Bus Loop and any other construction projects authorized by the Alpine ISD Board of Trustees during the District's current fiscal year. A motion was made by Conrad Arriola, seconded by James Jones, to adopt prevailing wage rates published by the United States Department of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. Section 276a et seq.) and its subsequent amendments, in connection with the construction of the Elementary School Bus Loop and any other construction projects authorized by the Alpine ISD Board of Trustees during the District's current fiscal year. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XV. Consideration and Possible Action on Criteria and Weight for Selection of the Contractor to be included in the RFP for an Elementary Bus Loop. A motion was made by James Jones, seconded by Eddie Natera, to table action on Item XV pending additional information and recommendations. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XVI. Financial Reports A. Director of Administrative Services Presenter: Darrel Dodds 1. Monthly Report Darrell Dodds reviewed the tax collections and financials for the month of November, 2014 XVII. Consideration of Budget Amendments None XVIII. Consent Items The Board has been furnished with background material on each item and/or it has been discussed at a previous meeting. Items may be withdrawn for individual consideration. All remaining items will be adopted by a single vote. Items withdrawn for separate discussion will be acted upon individually. A. Board Minutes of Previous Meetings 1. November 19, 2014 - Regular Meeting B. District expenditures for month of November, 2014
A motion was made by Justin Cross, seconded by James Jones, to approve the consent items, as presented. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XIX. Annual Report of Board Members' Continuing Education Hours Presenter: Mo Morrow, Board President President Mo Morrow read a statement to the Board, affirming that based on amended rules adopted by the State Board of Education, effective August 25, 2014, board members are to be reminded that annual training is an obligation and expectation of any board member under State Board of Education rules. Mr. Morrow then reviewed the continuing education record of each Board member. Hours and status for each board member is as follows: Conrad Arriola, 10.5 hours, deficient Justin Cross, 4.5 hours, deficient James Jones, 5.0 hours, deficient Mo Morrow, 1.0 hours, deficient Eddie Natera, 19.0 hours, deficient Mr. Morrow explained that regardless of the number of hours each board member had acquired, the board as a whole would be deficient, due to the lack of Level II, Team Building hours, during the past year. XX. Superintendent's Report A. Total enrollment stands at 1,015, with an ADA of 96.56 %. Enrollment for the campuses is: Alpine High School: 274 enrollment; ADA of 96.47 %. Alpine Middle School: 306 enrollment; ADA of 96.05 %. Alpine Elementary School: 435 enrollment; ADA of 97.01 %. XXI. Consideration of Resignation of Board Member Eleazar Cano, Single Member District # 6 A motion was made by Conrad Arriola, seconded by Eddie Natera, to accept the resignation of Eleazar Cano as Board of Trustee for Single Member District # 6. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XXII. Consideration of Method for Filling Board Vacancy A motion was made by James Jones, seconded by Conrad Arriola, to appoint trustees to fill the vacancies in Single Member District # 6 and Single Member District # 7. Applications will be accepted beginning on January 5, 2015, and continue until 4:00 p.m. on January 14, 2015. The Board will meet in a Special
meeting on January 15, 2015, to interview candidates and make an appointment for the two positions. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XXIII. Closed Session Pursuant to Tex. Govt. Code §551.071; §551.072; §551.074 The Board adjourned to executive session at 6:53 p.m. A. Deliberate regarding Superintendent Retirement and Superintendent Search Matters XXIV. Open Session: Consider and take possible action to accept Superintendent Retirement and action regarding Superintendent Search The Board reconvened in open session, at 7:48 p.m., taking action on Closed session deliberations as indicated below. A motion was made by Justin Cross, seconded by James Jones, to accept the letter of resignation of Steve White, as amended, to be effective on August 31, 2015, and to table any action on the Superintendent Search until a later meeting. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XXV. Schedule Future Meetings Thursday, 1/15/2015 @ 5:30 p.m. – Alpine ISD Administration Building Board Room, Special Meeting Monday, 1/19/2015 @ 5:30 p.m. – Alpine High School Library XXVI. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. The Board may retire to executive session at any time between the meeting’s opening and adjournment for purposes of deliberating business as authorized in Texas Government Code, Title 5, Subchapter D, Sections 551.071-551.074 and 551.076. Action, if any, will be taken in open session. (Texas Government Code Chapter 551.102)
Board President
Date of Approval: January 19, 2015
Board Secretary
Conrad J. Arriola, Justin Cross, James Jones (arrived at 5:35) Mo Morrow, and Eddie Natera
Members Absent:
Currently there is no representation for Single Member District # 6 or # 7.
II. Invocation III. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag IV. Verification of Compliance with the Open Meetings Law. This is to verify that the provisions of Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.041 in connection with public posting of meeting notice was met on December 12, 2014. V. Open Forum - Public Comment None VI. Conduct Public Hearing on the Application of SolaireHolman 1 LLC in Comptroller Application No. 1025, for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property, pursuant to Chapter 313 of the Texas Property Tax Code. Public hearing was called to order at 5:34 p.m. Chris Grammar, representing Moak, Casey and Associates discussed the financial impact of the project. Additionally he explained and reviewed the documents included in the application, and outlined the steps that would need to be taken by the Board. Board members, as well as audience members, were given opportunity for questions and answers. VII. Closed Session: Discuss commercial or financial information concerning Application of SolaireHoleman 1 LLC, Comptroller Application No. 1025, for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property, pursuant to Chapter
313 of the Texas Property Tax Code. Pursuant to Tex. Govt. Code §551.071; §551.072; §551.074 No Closed Session VIII. Open Session: Consider and Adopt Findings under the Texas Economic Development Act on the Application of SolaireHolman 1 LLC, Comptroller Application No. 1025, for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property, pursuant to Chapter 313 of the Texas Property Tax Code. Following the close of the public hearing at 5:55 p.m., the Board continued in open session. A motion was made by Justin Cross, seconded by James Jones, to adopt the findings under the Texas Economic Development Act, as proposed by the District’s Consultants and Counsel, on the Application of SolaireHoleman 1 LLC, Comptroller Application No. 1025, for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property, pursuant to Chapter 313 of the Texas Property Tax Code. Motion carried - 5 – 0 IX. Consider Waiver of Job Creation requirement as requested by SolaireHolman 1 LLC in Texas Comptroller's Application No. 1025. A motion was made by Justin Cross, seconded by Conrad Arriola, pursuant to Texas Tax Code § 313.025(f-l) to approve the waiver of the job waiver creation requirement set forth in Texas Tax Code §313.021(2)(A)(iv)(b) as requested by SolaireHoleman 1 LLC in Texas Comptroller’s Application No. 1025. Motion carried - 5 – 0 X. Consider and approve Agreement under the Texas Economic Development Act with SolaireHolman 1 LLC, in comptroller Application No. 1025, for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property for School District Maintenance and Operation Taxes, pursuant to Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code. A motion was made by James Jones, seconded by Eddie Natera, to approve the Agreement, recommended by counsel and the District’s consultants, under the Texas Economic Development Act with SolaireHolman 1 LLC, for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property for School District Maintenance and Operation Taxes, pursuant to Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code, in Comptroller Application No. 1025. Motion carried - 5 – 0
XI. Consider and Approve Standby Agreement to Amend Agreement under the Texas Economic Development Act with SolaireHolman 1 LLC, in Comptroller Application No. 1025 for an Appraised Value Limitation on Qualified Property for School District Maintenance and Operation Taxes, pursuant to Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code. No action was taken on this item per the recommendation of Mr. Grammar, representing Moak Casey and Associates. He explained that it would not be necessary. Billy Owens, representing Solaire Direct, addressed the projected timelines of the project, discussed additional agreements that would have to be entered into for marketing of the electricity. Mr. Owens told Board members that hopefully, construction would begin in the summer of 2015 with the project going on-line in the fall of 2016. XII. Consideration of Special Education Legal Services Retainer Agreement for 588 Special Education Co-op, Shared Services Arrangement A motion was made by Conrad Arriola, seconded by James Jones, to approve the Legal Services Retainer Agreement for the 588 Co-op, as presented. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XIII. Consideration of Policy Update 101, affecting local policies as listed: • BE(LOCAL): BOARD MEETINGS • CH(LOCAL): PURCHASING AND ACQUISITION • DGBA(LOCAL): PERSONNEL-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS EMPLOYEE COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES • EB(LOCAL): SCHOOL YEAR • FFG(LOCAL): STUDENT WELFARE - CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT • FMG(LOCAL): STUDENT ACTIVITIES - TRAVEL • FNCC(LOCAL): STUDENT CONDUCT - PROHIBITED ORGANIZATIONS AND HAZING • FNG(LOCAL): STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - STUDENT AND PARENT COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES • GF(LOCAL): PUBLIC COMPLAINTS A motion was made by Justin Cross, seconded by Conrad Arriola, to adopt Policy Update 101, as presented. Motion carried - 5 – 0
XIV. Consideration and Possible Action to adopt prevailing wage rates published by the United States Department of Labor in accordance with the DavisBacon Act (40 U.S.C. Section 276a et seq.) and its subsequent amendments, in connection with the construction of the Elementary School Bus Loop and any other construction projects authorized by the Alpine ISD Board of Trustees during the District's current fiscal year. A motion was made by Conrad Arriola, seconded by James Jones, to adopt prevailing wage rates published by the United States Department of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. Section 276a et seq.) and its subsequent amendments, in connection with the construction of the Elementary School Bus Loop and any other construction projects authorized by the Alpine ISD Board of Trustees during the District's current fiscal year. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XV. Consideration and Possible Action on Criteria and Weight for Selection of the Contractor to be included in the RFP for an Elementary Bus Loop. A motion was made by James Jones, seconded by Eddie Natera, to table action on Item XV pending additional information and recommendations. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XVI. Financial Reports A. Director of Administrative Services Presenter: Darrel Dodds 1. Monthly Report Darrell Dodds reviewed the tax collections and financials for the month of November, 2014 XVII. Consideration of Budget Amendments None XVIII. Consent Items The Board has been furnished with background material on each item and/or it has been discussed at a previous meeting. Items may be withdrawn for individual consideration. All remaining items will be adopted by a single vote. Items withdrawn for separate discussion will be acted upon individually. A. Board Minutes of Previous Meetings 1. November 19, 2014 - Regular Meeting B. District expenditures for month of November, 2014
A motion was made by Justin Cross, seconded by James Jones, to approve the consent items, as presented. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XIX. Annual Report of Board Members' Continuing Education Hours Presenter: Mo Morrow, Board President President Mo Morrow read a statement to the Board, affirming that based on amended rules adopted by the State Board of Education, effective August 25, 2014, board members are to be reminded that annual training is an obligation and expectation of any board member under State Board of Education rules. Mr. Morrow then reviewed the continuing education record of each Board member. Hours and status for each board member is as follows: Conrad Arriola, 10.5 hours, deficient Justin Cross, 4.5 hours, deficient James Jones, 5.0 hours, deficient Mo Morrow, 1.0 hours, deficient Eddie Natera, 19.0 hours, deficient Mr. Morrow explained that regardless of the number of hours each board member had acquired, the board as a whole would be deficient, due to the lack of Level II, Team Building hours, during the past year. XX. Superintendent's Report A. Total enrollment stands at 1,015, with an ADA of 96.56 %. Enrollment for the campuses is: Alpine High School: 274 enrollment; ADA of 96.47 %. Alpine Middle School: 306 enrollment; ADA of 96.05 %. Alpine Elementary School: 435 enrollment; ADA of 97.01 %. XXI. Consideration of Resignation of Board Member Eleazar Cano, Single Member District # 6 A motion was made by Conrad Arriola, seconded by Eddie Natera, to accept the resignation of Eleazar Cano as Board of Trustee for Single Member District # 6. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XXII. Consideration of Method for Filling Board Vacancy A motion was made by James Jones, seconded by Conrad Arriola, to appoint trustees to fill the vacancies in Single Member District # 6 and Single Member District # 7. Applications will be accepted beginning on January 5, 2015, and continue until 4:00 p.m. on January 14, 2015. The Board will meet in a Special
meeting on January 15, 2015, to interview candidates and make an appointment for the two positions. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XXIII. Closed Session Pursuant to Tex. Govt. Code §551.071; §551.072; §551.074 The Board adjourned to executive session at 6:53 p.m. A. Deliberate regarding Superintendent Retirement and Superintendent Search Matters XXIV. Open Session: Consider and take possible action to accept Superintendent Retirement and action regarding Superintendent Search The Board reconvened in open session, at 7:48 p.m., taking action on Closed session deliberations as indicated below. A motion was made by Justin Cross, seconded by James Jones, to accept the letter of resignation of Steve White, as amended, to be effective on August 31, 2015, and to table any action on the Superintendent Search until a later meeting. Motion carried - 5 – 0 XXV. Schedule Future Meetings Thursday, 1/15/2015 @ 5:30 p.m. – Alpine ISD Administration Building Board Room, Special Meeting Monday, 1/19/2015 @ 5:30 p.m. – Alpine High School Library XXVI. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. The Board may retire to executive session at any time between the meeting’s opening and adjournment for purposes of deliberating business as authorized in Texas Government Code, Title 5, Subchapter D, Sections 551.071-551.074 and 551.076. Action, if any, will be taken in open session. (Texas Government Code Chapter 551.102)
Board President
Date of Approval: January 19, 2015
Board Secretary
