Minutes of the
NIU Board of Trustees
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
TELECONFERENCE MEETING

The teleconference meeting was called to order by Chair Myron Siegel at 10:10 a.m.  Recording Secretary Mimms conducted a roll call of Trustees.  Present for the meeting were Vice Chair George Moser, Secretary James Myles, Trustee Robert Boey and Chair Siegel.  Also present were President John La Tourette and Parliamentarian Kenneth Davidson.  Having noted the presence of a quorum, the meeting proceeded.

VERIFICATION OF APPROPRIATE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Chair Siegel asked Parliamentarian Ken Davidson for verification of appropriate notice of public meeting. Mr. Davidson confirmed that all proper notices had been prepared and posted, including notice of public access to the teleconference meeting in Lowden Hall, Room 304, on the DeKalb campus of the university.

Meeting Agenda Approval

Chair Siegel asked for a motion to amend the agenda to include item 4.b. - Flood Damage Recovery Efforts.  Vice Chair Moser so moved and Trustee Boey seconded. The motion was approved.

Chair Siegel then asked for a motion to approve the agenda as amended.  Vice Chair Moser made the motion, seconded by Secretary Myles.  The motion was approved.

Chair Siegel asked President La Tourette to introduce Agenda Item #4 —Recommendations of the President of the University.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY

Agenda Item 4.a. — Collective Bargaining

President La Tourette complimented Mr. Steve Cunningham, Assistant Vice President for Administration and Human Resource Services, on the excellent job done in bringing the bargaining unit negotiations to a conclusion within the salary increment guidelines established by the Board for all employees.

Chair Siegel called for a motion to approve the contract negotiated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local No. 963.  Trustee Boey so moved, seconded by Secretary Myles.  The motion was approved.

Chair Siegel called for a motion to approve the contract negotiated with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local No. 399.  Vice Chair Moser made the motion and Secretary Myles seconded.  The motion was approved.

Chair Siegel called for a motion to approve the contract negotiated with Teamster’s Local No. 331.  Vice Chair Moser so moved; Trustee Boey seconded.  The motion was approved.

Chair Siegel called for a motion to approve the contract negotiated with the Northern Illinois and Eastern Iowa District Council of Carpenters, Local No. 790.  Vice Chair Moser made the motion, seconded by Trustee Myles.  The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 4.b. – Flood Damage Recovery Efforts

Chair Siegel asked if there were any comments concerning Agenda Item 4.a. - Flood Damage Recovery Efforts.  Trustee Boey asked about a reference Dr. La Tourette made regarding a future plan to try to minimize or correct the flooding problems experienced in July and August.

Dr. La Tourette explained that, in the past, NIU submitted requests to the Board of Higher Education, which in turn, submitted requests to the Governor.  These requests eventually went to the legislature.  Dr. La Tourette explained that Watson Creek has been recognized as an historic problem.  The development of new apartment units and other housing to the west and northwest of the campus have created a greater run-off over the last decade or so.  Consequently, the historic problem with Watson Creek has been exacerbated by the further development around the university.  Through a funding request from the legislature several years ago, NIU received $1.4 million; but, the total cost of providing adequate flood control and water retention is considerably more than that.

It was noted that several legislators, particularly in the House, experienced severe flooding problems in their districts and throughout the western suburbs of Chicago and that there will be a number of emergency requests going to the legislature during the Fall veto session.  Dr. La Tourette said NIU is looking at landscaping and other changes associated with the remodeling of Stevenson Towers with flood control issues in mind; therefore, this is a good time for the university to move forward with a comprehensive plan for increased water retention on the West Campus as well as for solutions to the Watson Creek problems.

Dr. La Tourette said that application documents for flood relief were received on Tuesday, August 6.  Mr. Davidson advised that authority be sought from the Board of Trustees for the president to sign these papers so that they can be submitted on a timely basis.

Chair Siegel called for a motion delegating authority to the president to apply for flood relief funds.  Trustee Boey so moved, seconded by Secretary Myles.  The motion was approved. 

There being no further business, Chair Siegel wished everyone an enjoyable summer and asked for a motion to adjourn.  Vice Chair Moser made the motion, seconded by Secretary Myles.  The motion was approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:23 a.m. 
  
Respectfully Submitted,
 

Sharon M. Mimms
Recording Secretary