The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, December 4, 2023, at 3:03 p.m., in the Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Tillman Dining Room. Dr. Theresa Banks, Chair, presided.
The following members of the Board participated: Joe Barwick, Michael Garrison, Tommy Justus, Himanshu Karvir, Matt Kern, David King, Libby Kyles, Judy Lewis, Frances Ramsey, and Roger Reid. Roger Metcalf, participated via Zoom. Joe Brumit, John Parham, Jason Walls, and Ryan Adams-Clark, Ex-Officio were absent.
Others present for the meeting included: Dirk Wilmoth, Acting President; Deborah Bailey, Vice President of Economic & Workforce Development and Continuing Education; Shanna Chambers, Vice President of Human Resources; Amanda Edwards, Executive Director of College Advancement; Darryl Rhymes, Director, Employment & Employee Relations; Ashley Leonard, College Attorney; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.
Call to Order
At 3:03 p.m., Chair Banks read the ethics statement. No conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. Rice called roll; a quorum was present.
Consent Agenda
At 3:05 p.m., Chair Banks asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Kern moved to approve Consent Agenda items: 1. A. November 6, 2023, Board Meeting Minutes; and 1. B. Personnel Actions.
The motion to approve the Consent Agenda was seconded by Ms. Lewis. The motion passed unanimously.
Resolution/Action Items
2. A. Dr. Harrison Orr and Ms. Dana Moore asked the Board to approve a new program called Biomedical Equipment Technology (BET). Graduates of the BET program would be certified to work on ventilators, x-ray machines, electric wheelchairs, etc., in most medical offices. The job outlook is projected to grow and the salary ranges around $63,000 per year. Although two new courses must be developed to offer the BET degree, there is no additional cost to the College.
Dr. Justus moved to approve the Biomedical Equipment Technology program. Mr. King seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
2. B. Dr. Orr and Ms. Moore asked the Board to revive the recently terminated Computer Engineering Technology (CET) program. An updated CET program can teach students two skills; how to program and install Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) on-site through electronics courses, and how to connect the PLC to the internet so that a CET technician is able to work on the PLC remotely through IT courses. There is no additional cost to the College to reinstate the CET program.
Dr. Justus moved to approve reinstating the Computer Engineering Technology Program. Ms. Ramsey seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
2. C. Ms. Moore then requested the Board to terminate the Public Safety Administration (PSA) program due to a lack of enrollment. Terminating the PSA program will have no impact on the College or faculty members.
Mr. King moved to terminate the Public Safety Administration program. Dr. Barwick seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
2. D. Dr. Dirk Wilmoth asked the Board to approve an NCCCS 3-1 Form which would allow the College to make electrical upgrades to the Welding Shop, Machine Shop, and Robotics Labs all located in the Dogwood Building. State Construction and Infrastructure Funds will be used for the upgrades. The College seeks to upgrade equipment to current standards that will ensure competitiveness in today’s market for our students.
Mr. Kern moved to approve the NCCCS 3-1 form for the Dogwood Electrical Upgrades. Mr. Karvir seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
2. E. Dr. Wilmoth asked the Board to approve an Interjurisdictional Joint Agreement with the City of Asheville and Buncombe County that grants the A-B Tech Police authority to perform law enforcement activities and have the powers of arrest on 111 Victoria Road. The Agreement will not cause any additional burden on the College Police Department.
Dr. Justus moved to approve the Interjurisdictional Joint Agreement with the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. Dr. Barwick seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
2. F. The Buncombe County Board of Education wishes to amend the current Lease Agreement to increase security at the Middle and Early College by installing additional cameras in the Birch Building. The Buncombe County Board of Education will pay for all costs associated with installing and monitoring the cameras.
Ms. Lewis moved to approve the Second Amendment to the Interlocal Governmental Joint Use and Lease Agreement for the Birch Building. Ms. Kyles seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
2. G. Dr. Wilmoth stated that the FY2023-2024 State Budget was finally approved, and asked the Board to approve signing the DCC 2-1 Required Budget Request Sign-Off form that also includes both approved Buncombe and Madison county budgets.
Dr. Barwick moved to approve the Budget for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Mr. Kern seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Trustee Business
3. A. Dr. Wilmoth described the process for validating student IDs to be used as voter identification. Students are already required to present a valid driver's license to receive a College ID. The identification process for students who are unable to vote (undocumented, high school, and transitional studies students) is determined via other methods. The College will be required to put an expiration date on all voting-age IDs issued after January 1, 2024. Student IDs already in use do not need to be reissued or “stickered” as proof of identification to vote.
Dr. Barwick moved to have the College apply to the NC State Board of Elections, to allow student identification cards to be used as valid voter identification. Ms. Kyles seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Closed Session
At 3:35 p.m., Ms. Kyles moved that the Trustees enter into closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11under subsection (a) (3) to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege, and under subsection (a) (5) to discuss the acquisition of real property. Mr. Kern seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.
On a motion properly made, the Trustees returned to the Open Session at 3:56 p.m.
Closed Session Action
6. A. Dr. Justus moved to approve the November 6, 2023, Closed Session minutes. Mr. Kern seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
6. B. Dr. Justice moved to send a letter to Pratt & Whitney asking for closure on the property located at Biltmore Farms West. Mr. Kern seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Handouts
The State and County Budget Report as of October 21, 2023, Divisional Updates, and the November 2023-2024 Tracking Measures Scorecard are in the Handouts.
The next Board meeting will be on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at noon in the Brumit Center for Culinary Arts.
Adjourn
On a motion properly made, the meeting adjourned at 3:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary