January 30, 2023 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes


The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees' Executive Committee convened a regular Executive Committee meeting on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 4:32 p.m. in the Simpson Administration building. Matt Kern, Chair, presided. Dr. Theresa Banks, Vice Chair; Himanshu Karvir; Dr. John Parham; and Frances Ramsey were present. Dr. John Gossett, President; Dr. Dirk Wilmoth, Chief Financial Officer; and Ashley Leonard, Board Attorney, were also present.

  1. Extension of Senate Bill 807
    • Ms. Leonard provided a history of Senate Bill 807 to the Executive Committee and informed the Committee the Bill is set to expire on December 31, 2023. Ms. Leonard notified Committee members that the question for the Board of Trustees is whether the College wants to request an extension of Senate Bill 807. The Committee discussed the advantages of extending Senate Bill 807 and asked questions to Dr. Gossett about the mechanics of getting the Bill extended.

      Dr. Parham moved to take the issue to the full Board at its February 2, 2023, regular Board meeting with a recommendation from the Executive Committee to request an extension of Senate Bill 807. The motion was seconded by Dr. Banks. The motion passed unanimously.

  2. Hominy Creek Dam
    • Dr. Wilmoth notified the Committee that an entity has approached the College for the Board of Trustees' approval of the design and construction to renovate the Hominy Creek Dam. The entity is working with the Buncombe County Parks & Recreation department and there is no cost to the College for the project, except for legal fees to review a contract with the group.

      Mr. Karvir moved to take the issue to the full Board at its February 2, 2023, regular Board meeting with a recommendation from the Executive Committee to approve an agreement between the College and the entity. Ms. Ramsey seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

  3. Paid Educational Leave
    • Dr. Gossett discussed an employee request for the Board of Trustees to approve paid educational leave on Thursdays until December 31, 2023, with a possibility of additional paid educational leave in 2024. The Committee agreed this item should be on the closed session agenda for the February 2, 2023, regular Board meeting and asked for a copy of the College's Educational Leave policy to be provided to the full Board of Trustees on February 2, 2023. No other action was taken on this item.

  4. "Zoom" option for Board Meetings
    • Mr. Kern requested that the Executive Committee consider whether the Board's virtual meetings be discontinued. Committee members discussed the advantages and disadvantages of virtual meetings.

      Mr. Karvir moved to take the issue to the full Board at its February 2, 2023, regular Board meeting with a recommendation from the Executive Committee to remove virtual Board of Trustees meetings, which would necessitate revising the Board of Trustees Constitution. Dr. Parham seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

  5. 2023 Board Retreat
    • Mr. Kern notified the Executive Committee the Board of Trustees has not held a Board retreat since 2018. Committee members discussed the different purposes of retreats and ideas on what the Board of Trustees could accomplish with a retreat. The Committee agreed to a full day for a Board of Trustees retreat, with lunch provided, and requested Dr. Gossett prepare a draft Agenda. This item will be on the February 2, 2023, regular Board meeting Agenda as an informational item.

At 5:13 p.m. Mr. Karvir moved, and Dr. Parham seconded, to enter into a closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1) and (3) to discuss confidential personnel matters pursuant to G.S. 115D-27-29 and to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege. The motion passed unanimously.

On a motion properly made, the Executive Committee returned to the open session at 5:52 p.m.

On a motion by Mr. Kern, seconded by Dr. Banks, the meeting was adjourned at 5:53 p.m. by unanimous consent.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Ashley F. Leonard
Board Attorney

 

Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary