Bond Oversight Committee

January 21, 2004 Minutes

1. Call to Order & Roll Call
   
   Authorized by the Board of Education, the Santa Barbara High School District Bond Oversight Committee met at the Santa School District’s Administration office, 720 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, CA.
   
   Meeting called to order at 6:05 pm by Vice Chairman Larry Vranish.
   
   Members present: Tomaso Falzone (TF), Jamie Kaner (JK), Mike Kaner (MK), Marsha Barr (MB), Dr. Deborah Flores (DF), Mary Stark (MS), Tarik Kadri (TK), Kris Robertson (KR), Susan Salcido (SS), Mike Couch (MC), Jerry Chiu (JC), John Holehouse (JH), Joe Wilcox (JW), Loretta Reynolds (LR), Morey Claydon (MC), Kathy Abney (KA), Ramona Marten (RM), David Ortiz (DO), Carl Mayrose (CM), Paul Turnbull (PT), David Cash (DC), Ivan Girling (IG), Michael Gonzalez (MG), Nancy Harter (NH), Gerrie Fausett (GF), Barbara Keyani (BK), John Beccio (JB), Dave Hetyonk (DH)
   
   Others present: Craig Price
   
   
   • Flag Salute led by: David Ortiz
     |
   • Public Comment: No public comments
     
     
2. Review/Approval of Minutes, November 19, 2003
   Minutes for November 19, 2003 meeting were distributed for review and approval. JW asked that the statement added, upon Mr. Fischer’s request, be corrected to read: “...La Cumbre Phase II plans would be mailed...”. There being no further corrections to the November minutes, it was moved and seconded that the minutes be approved. Motion carried.
   
   
3. Brown Act/Public Comments/Regarding public comments after each item
   Mr. Craig Price gave a quick overview of the Brown Act policy on public comments and stated, if necessary, he would come back with a more in depth report. CP explained that the Brown Act provides that the opportunity to comment be made, on both agenda and non-agenda items. The district can determine the amount of time; usually it is three minutes. The Brown Act says the public must be given the opportunity to comment at the beginning of a meeting, or before, during or after each agenda item. The committee can determine what is appropriate as long as they comply with the Brown Act. It is suggested comments be allowed after each item, but it is not required by law.
   DF asked committee to decide: do we follow standard practice or modify? Standard practice allows comment on item per item basis.
   
   Public Comment: Elizabeth Sorgman, Tony Fischer
   
   TK suggested we be consistent with previous practice and moved to allow three minutes on non agenda items at the beginning of the meetings and three minutes after each agenda item. Motion was seconded by JH with IG, from La Cumbre Jr. High, abstaining.
   
   
4. Conflict of Interest Form 700
   CP reported on the Conflict of Interest form:
   The law requires that the committee officials complete a financial disclosure statement. The district will send out the required forms, which request information concerning income in the SB jurisdiction. NH suggested the committee be presented with a blank Conflict of Interest Form so that it can be reviewed beforehand.
   
   
5. Discussion of Election of Chair
   Discussion regarding the election of a new chair took place and it was agreed that voting will take place at the February meeting. Copies of the committee bylaws will be sent out to the members that do not have them.
   
   Public Comment: Tony Fischer
   
   
6. Membership
   JH requested clarification on the current roster, the number of votes and the number of members. LV and DH explained and a roster was distributed.
   
   
7. Overview Projects and Funding
   DF distributed DRAFT charts and stated they were not completely finished. The percentage of completion and percentage of funds is currently being worked on. She also noted that the 1st column does not include soft costs. LV requested that the actual completion date be added. DF asked that suggestions or comments be sent to Barbara Keyani. The committee questioned N/A and it’s meaning. DF explained N/A meant “not eligible for state funds”. N/A will be changed to N/E on future charts.
   
   Public Comment: Tony Fischer
   
   
8. Financial Reports
   MS distributed and reviewed a financial report on the old format with numbers through August. She explained that the current reporting system does not show soft costs, and that the reconciliation is not complete. MS is working diligently on getting up to date and she personally will take over the reconciliation.
   MK asked if there was enough money to complete all projects. MC explained that the projects approved by the board will be finished, but there is currently not enough money to complete each school’s wish list; although, the district has applied for more money.
   
   Public comment: Tony Fischer, Elizabeth Sorgman
   
   MS will come back with prop. 47 fund balance.
   
   
9. Independent Review by Dr. Paul Neel
   DF explained she had recommended to the board we contract Dr. Paul Neel as an independent reviewer. He was asked he do a fair impartial analyzes of bond funds. His report may be available for the next meeting.
   
   
10. Bond Fund Accountant
    MS reported that the applicant for the Bond Fund Accountant declined the position and are currently recruiting outside the district.
    
    
11. Site Reports and Project Updates
    JW gave updates on the different projects: construction at La Cumbre Jr. High current phase is 20% complete, construction is taking place at SBJHS, KBZ Architects received an American Institute of Architects design award for Santa Barbara Junior High Theater. SBHS is also currently under construction with Phase IB, they have DSA approval for girls varsity locker room, the electrical project was submitted to DSA, the gym bleachers may start going in July, SMHS auditorium still under construction, maybe completed in April.
    CM distributed WLC Architects report on Measure V project status: GVJHS kitchen is complete, working on classrooms, scheduled completion date is June 11, La Colina is behind schedule, contractor has been advised of displeasure.
    JK requested a list of action items that are being taken against the construction company.
    CM discussed what actions have been taken; among other things: an action plan with new completion dates was requested, some payments have been withheld. District staff, architect’s staff, legal counsel and Supt. Flores met with the contractor, DH explained that the district is currently pre-qualifying contractors.
    DO expressed how difficult the construction process has been on the La Colina Jr. High students, parents, and staff. He recognized and thanked the district office staff for their hard work and support.
    LV reminded the committee the importance of going back to the community and conveying the positive points.
    
    
12. Public Relations Update
    BK shared pictures with the committee from the SBJHS Marjorie Luke Theater, Dos Pueblos High School and Santa Barbara High School.
    
    
13. New Business
    No new business
    
    
14. Adjournment
    Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
    
    Minutes submitted by Alma Flores.