Minutes of the

NIU Board of Trustees

FINANCE, FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

November 15, 2001

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order by Chair Robert Boey at approximately 10:15 a.m. in the Clara Sperling Sky Room of Holmes Student Center.  Recording Secretary Mimms conducted a roll call of Trustees.  Members present were Trustees Gary Skoien, Barbara Giorgi Vella and Chair Boey.  Not in attendance was Trustee George Moser.  Also present were Committee Liaison Eddie Williams, President John Peters and Parliamentarian Kenneth Davidson.

VERIFICATION OF APPROPRIATE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Confirmation of Open Meetings Act notification compliance was given by Board Parliamentarian Ken Davidson.

MEETING AGENDA APPROVAL

Trustee Vella made a motion to approve the agenda as amended.  The motion was seconded by Trustee Skoien.  The motion was approved.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was moved by Trustee Skoien and seconded by Trustee Vella to approve the minutes of the September 7, 2001 meeting.  The motion was approved.

CHAIR'S COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chair Boey recognized University Advisory Committee representatives Sue Willis and Jim Lockard.

We have several action items in today’s business, Trustee Boey said, three items for Information Technology Services, an item addressing fixtures and equipment for the convocation center and a parking lot construction project item.  Also, leading into those items, we will have short presentations to update us on our two main projects, the convocation center and Barsema Hall.  The Committee will also hear periodic reports on active capital projects over $100,000 and transactions in excess of $100,000 and a report on investments, a utilities expense update and a presentation on the College of Law Court Classroom Technology Skills Center.

To Dean Graf and any other deans who might be present here today, Chair Boey said, I want to express my thanks to all of you for the one‑page summaries that you put together for the seven colleges.  I really treasure that, and I am sure there are other members of the Board of Trustees that appreciate it as well.  Thank you for your effort.

PUBLIC COMMENT

The Chair asked Board Parliamentarian Kenneth Davidson if any members of the public had registered a written request to address the Board in accordance with state law and Board of Trustees Bylaws.  Mr. Davidson noted that no timely requests had been received for public comment at that Board meeting.

Chair Boey recognized President John Peters who wished to comment on a conversation he had with the Governor’s Office regarding the Fiscal Year 2002 budget.  Yesterday, President Peters said, I received a memorandum from Keith Sanders, who is the executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, concerning the Fiscal Year 2002 budget reserve.  Mr. Sanders indicated that Mr. Phil Rock, who is the head of the Illinois Board of Higher Education Commission, had received a letter from Governor Ryan which requested that the Board of Higher Education reallocate and reduce its General Funds budget for higher education by $25 million for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2002 due to the obvious economic slowdown which was exacerbated by the events of September 11, 2001.  Previously, the Governor had requested code agencies to make reductions, but now this request has been extended to other executive agencies, which includes higher education.  The Governor indicated in his letter of instruction to the IBHE that in preparing these midyear reserves or adjustments to the current FY02 budget he opposed any reductions in faculty salaries or retirement benefits.  The university expects to receive a proposed plan from Dr. Sanders on how this $25 million reduction will be accomplished among the units for which he is responsible, which includes the public four‑year institutions of which we are one, the various programs, the community colleges and so forth.  We will have a chance to comment on that before a final action plan is put into place.

For a little context, the President said, the Fiscal Year 2002 budget provided for an increase in the magnitude of $150 million over Fiscal 2001, which was about 5.7 percent, so in effect, the Governor has asked the IBHE to reduce that increase by $25 million for this fiscal year.  For the past seven years, the Governor and the legislature have provided some of the best budgets for public higher education in the United States, so that puts us in a very strong position to handle this, he said, although it will not be easy.  In anticipation of this request, the Senior Cabinet and I have been meeting to discuss strategies and options for handling a reserve within the 2002 appropriated budget.  We have reviewed our appropriated fund balances and the status of our budgets after the first quarter, and they are strong.  We have put a modified hiring freeze on vacant positions beginning in November through January, and we have approved individual vacancies at the vice presidential level on an emergency basis.  In addition to that, President Peters continued, I have requested that the vice presidents begin considering options for reducing their FY02 appropriated budget, although the precise percent or dollar figure cannot be fixed until we receive specific word from the Governor through the IBHE, and we are not quite sure when that is going to happen, but it should not be too long.  We must realize that we are in a fluid revenue situation in the state and other reductions may be possible, so we have to keep our options open and be cognizant of that.

Now, in my instructions and discussions with the vice presidents, President Peters said, I have set the following criteria to guide how we will reserve our budgets.  One, as much as possible, I would like to minimize the disruption to student academic programs.  Another criteria, we must protect the safety and the health of the university community.  Third, we certainly wish to comply with the Governor’s request that no faculty or staff salaries or benefits be reduced as a result of this particular request for a budget reserve.  I have also added the following:  No layoffs or furloughs will be permitted as part of this specific reduction plan.  I do know that there is a range of options being considered by the vice presidents that include delay in filling vacant positions, delay in equipment purchases, and carefully looking at nonessential travel.  We are looking centrally to utility savings.  And we are looking at our fund balances.  We are waiting for further clarification from the IBHE, but NIU stands willing to do its part as the state attempts to bring a budget into balance during this economic slowdown and in the midst of the aftermath of September 11.

We all sort of anticipated something would happen, Chair Boey said, and it could have been much worse.  As Dr. Peters said, this is a reduction of $25 million from an increase of $150 million over the budget of previous years.  So, this is not a cut in the basic budget, but a reduction in the increases.

UNIVERSITY RECOMMENDATIONS

These action items are pursuant to the needs, the requirements and the obligations of Northern Illinois University over the last year, Dr. Williams said, and in some cases, they are connected with actions taken by this Board in previous years.

Convocation Center Project Presentation

The architects working on the university’s two key projects, Barsema Hall and the convocation center, were asked to give updates on the progress of the projects.  Giving the updates were Mr. Tom Scheckelhoff from Epstein Architects, who made a presentation on the convocation center, and Mr. Mark Hopkins, who gave an update on Barsema Hall.

This is probably the third time I have made a presentation before the Board on the convocation center, Mr. Scheckelhoff said, but, fortunately, we now have actual photographs as opposed to renderings.  The convocation center has been under construction since summer 2000 and has progressed quite well.  The target completion date is the 2003 academic year.  We are not only on schedule, he said, but I am happy to report that we are at budget as well.  The more completed building is the administrative office wing.  A major portion of the parking lot has been completed.  On the left side of the parking lot, the site work has been completed to a rough grading.  The parking lot and roadway extensions are being paved.  The office wing is clad, and the roof is on it.  The steel was topped out on the main arena about two weeks ago with a small ceremony to erect an American flag and a Christmas tree, which is traditional for steel toppings.  The roof deck is going up in the arena area.  The project is moving along quite promptly, Mr. Scheckelhoff said, and, fortunately, we have had and are still having a very good construction season.

We have a 260‑foot clearspan for the arena itself, Mr. Scheckehoff said.  The construction technique is somewhat unique in that the floor of the arena will actually be about 12 feet below grade as the grade exists today.  The arena has been constructed to date without excavating down for the lower floor.  Since they have now completed the steel erection, they will start the excavation to get down to that level.  The steel deck is going on and gives a good sense of what the size is going to be when inside.  The holes in the middle of the deck were left open for the installation of the four major mechanical units that serve the arena.  Workers are still detailing the connection of the joists and installing the metal deck.

The second story is the donor’s club, which will overlook the arena.  The steel is just starting to go up for the practice gym.  Looking at the upper level portion at the donor’s club, the lower level contains the lobby level concession area with the arena off to the left.  The main entrance faces campus and connects with the campus walkway system.  The office wing has been clad and is on the right.  The office is well along in construction.  The roof is on, and windows are being installed.  It will be the first area to be completed.

As I said, construction is to be completed in time for the next academic year, Mr. Scheckelfhoff concluded, so it will be ready for the basketball season next year.  There is seating for 9,000 for basketball and 10,000 in a more dense concert mode.  It is also convertible to track or exhibition space, with about 55,000 to 60,000 square feet of floor space.

We are very pleased with the progress of our team, Dr. Williams said.  Turner Construction Company and Epstein have worked very hard to make sure that this project comes within the budget that has been established.  A project of this type is one that certainly is a challenge,  and we are very pleased with the outcome thus far.  I would also like to make a clarification for the record.  The president has shared with all of us the issue of the reduction of state funds that is facing higher education.  Please remember, there is a distinction between state funds and bond revenue funds.  Bond revenue funds are generated under the authority of this Board.  They cannot be used or crossed with appropriated funds.  They are generated for specific capital projects and the operation of noninstructional facilities.  We want to make sure everyone understands that there is no direct relationship with the convocation center and state resources.  Dr. Williams also acknowledged the work of the convocation center project manager, Mr. Pat Bell.

Barsema Hall Project Presentation

Dr. Williams asked Mr. Mark Hopkins, the architect on the project, to give a brief update on the Barsema Hall project.  And what a rare day, indeed, when two architects in a row can stand up and say that their projects are on time and on budget, Mr. Hopkins said.  I believe the reason is that we also have a wonderful team, beginning with the oversight of Dr. Williams and his staff, and including the Foundation, the Hanesworth Company, and Beth Simmons who is involved from an oversight as well as a design standpoint.  Pepper Construction Company has done a wonderful job, not only in preconstruction budgeting, but also in accelerating the schedule and maintaining cost control throughout the process.  The contractor has been very busy over the past couple of months buttoning the building up for winter.  They accelerated the application of the roofing surfaces and then wrapped the building in drywall so that the building will be enclosed in November and December.  Interior drywall and other improvements can then be done on the classrooms and offices within the building, as well as interior masonry work.  In the spring, the windows will be installed, along with ceilings and finishes such as doors, hardware, terrazzo, paint and paper.  Furniture can be put in place by July, Mr. Hopkins said, and that happens to be about 24 months to the day from when Dr. Williams gave me a call and said, “We have a wonderful opportunity.  A donor has offered us the funds to build a new building for the College of Business, Mark.”  We went through a very quick feasibility study where we determined that, indeed, the needs could be met by the donor’s gift.

Mr. Hopkins showed a schematic indicating the location of the building on Garden Road with the Engineering Building to its right.  The site contains a pond, which is also a storm water retention facility, that will eventually be spanned by a pedestrian bridge.  A parking lot and turnaround will be located in front of the building.  There will be plazas and terraces on the building with a central atrium with a clerestory roof.  The exterior of the building will be brick above a stone base.  The stone is a Minnesota limestone cut smooth and rock face.  The same stone will be used in the auditorium in a smooth form but cut in a different configuration to give it a different flavor, and those materials will carry right into the building.

We have gone through an extensive interior design process on the building, Mr. Hopkins said.  Utilizing not only the staff from our office, but also Beth Simmons and the College of Business, we have selected finishes for the various portions of the building.  Most importantly, we have a number of finished packages which the various departments can select from so that there is a sense of individuality yet an overall controlling uniformity to the project.

I would like to say, Dr. Williams said, that we very much appreciate Dean Graf’s input and guidance.  The College of Business is so well organized, that it has been a pleasure working with them trying to pull this all together.  Whenever we had issue, they were right there.  And I just wanted the Board to know that the College, and especially the Dean, have provided a great deal of leadership that has translated into this project moving very smoothly.

I personally know and I second that, Trustee Boey said.  Dean Graf has been a principal player from the very beginning, and we thank you for your help, David.

Agenda Item 7.a. – Information Technology Services – Communications System Cabling

This item provides the necessary telecommunications and computer cabling for both Barsema Hall and for the convocation center.  We normally proceed by providing these kinds of services and improvements through Telecommunications, Dr. Williams said.  They then act as an independent sales and service operation.  Therefore, they take care of these expenses as a capital investment, which is then charged back to the individual areas over the years.  Chair Boey asked for a motion to approve the ITS Communications System Cabling.  Trustee Vella so moved, seconded by Trustee Skoien.  The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 7.b. – Information Technology Services – Communications Network Equipment

One of our commitments to the Barsemas, Dr. Williams said, was relative to the technology that would be available in this facility.  Mr. Barsema was very interested in making sure that the latest and greatest of technological improvements would be available in this facility.  So, as a separate item, we have special equipment that is part of the equipment purchases.  This will also be funded through the sales and service operation of our Telecommunications area, he said, and we are very pleased that our people are very much attuned to and on top of the latest technology in these areas.  Dr. Williams thanked Wally Czerniak, Associate Vice President of Information Technology Services, and his staff for their work on this plan.  Chair Boey asked for a motion to approve the acquisition of this technology equipment.  Trustee Vella so moved, seconded by Trustee Skoien.  The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 7.c. – Information Technology Services – Computer Storage System and Software

This item refers to computer storage equipment universitywide, Dr. Williams said.  This provides a new computer storage system for NIU.  We found that the cost of maintaining the existing system clearly exceeded what it would cost to just go ahead and invest in the latest technology, he said.  This upgrade will be supported through the computing area as a sales and service operation.  Chair Boey asked for a motion to approve the ITS computer storage system and software upgrades.  Trustee Skoien so moved, seconded by Trustee Vella.  The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 7.d. – Convocation Center Fixtures and Equipment

This is very consistent with the way we fund our facilities, Dr. Williams explained.  The funding of all of the equipment will be based upon existing bond revenue funds and from gifts and donations.  We have begun to have responses from donors relative to dedicating certain areas, and these efforts are providing additional funding for these kinds of equipment purchases, he said.  This request for Board authorization to purchase fixtures and equipment for the new convocation center is not to exceed $3.3 million.  Trustee Skoien made a motion to approve the purchase of fixtures and equipment for the convocation center, seconded by Trustee Vella.  The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 7.e. – Parking Lot 17 (Pay Lot) Reconstruction - Capital Project Approval

Repaving of Parking Lot 17 is well overdue, Dr. Williams said.  Our Parking Committee has analyzed and identified priority needs to improve parking on campus.  Unfortunately, this lot has had little attention over the years, he said, and requires total reconstruction.  The good news is that we are able to fund this from Parking revenues generated from parking permits and parking fines.  This is a need that connects to the improvements being made along Watson Creek and the bridge to Cole Hall.  Board approval was requested for a $471,300 budget for the design and construction of this project.  In reply to a question from Trustee Vella, Dr. Williams said that the work would probably be scheduled for summer 2002.  Trustee Boey asked for a motion to approve the reconstruction of Parking Lot 17.  Trustee Skoien so moved, seconded by Trustee Vella.  The motion was approved.

UNIVERSITY REPORTS

Agenda Item 8.a. – Semiannual Progress Report of Active Capital Projects with a Budget Over $100,000

We now have a series of information items that we, by virtue of the Board Regulations, bring periodically for approval, Dr. Williams said.  The first such item is the semiannual progress report on active capital projects.  This gives the status of all of the main projects underway for Northern Illinois University.  Chair Boey asked if Dr. Williams would spend a little time updating the Board on the Engineering Building clean room.

Construction of the Engineering Building was completed, Dr. Williams said, only to discover that a major component, the clean room, had not been properly constructed, and thus, did not meet the specifications.  From a layman’s perspective, he said, the description is that the clean room truly was not clean.  Unfortunately, to do what was necessary to correct this situation required that approximately $5 million in additional funding be made available.  This also was connected with the HVAC system.  This is separate from the roof problem.  We are now on our “second and a half roof,” Dr. Williams said, and we are hoping that this one will not leak.  Through the efforts of President Peters, who led the charge, and others, we were able to obtain an additional appropriation from the state for this.  The State of Illinois’ Attorney General’s Office has proceeded to take legal action against those who were involved in the original construction.  But because the state gave us an additional appropriation, he said, our improvements are not dependent upon what happens in the courts.  As of yesterday, we had a meeting with the new engineers, with the CDB, with the Attorney General’s Office, with the user department and with the NIU Architectural/Engineering area, and the good news is that the amended designs and corrections come within the additional appropriation.  During the month of December 2001, we should be bidding the improvements, and our target for having the facility open for student use is September in Academic Year 2003.

Agenda Item 8.b. – Quarterly Summary Report of Transactions in Excess of $100,000

Again, Dr. Williams reported, by Board Regulations, the President has authorization to approve purchases up to $250,000 with individual purchases between $100,000 and $250,000 reported individually to the Board.  The Quarterly Summary Report of Transactions in Excess of $100,000 identifies the approvals of the President on projects meeting this criteria in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2002.

Agenda Item 8.c. – Periodic Report on Investments

The Periodic Report on Investments, which is required under Board Regulations for the first quarter of fiscal 2002, identified an average annual rate of return of approximately 5.4 percent, which is excellent for now.  But I caution the Board, Dr. Williams said, that because of the way we turn money over, these rates will not hold for the next quarter simply because we have dollars coming in and dollars going out.  Everyone knows where investment rates, especially passbook rates, are right now; but, at this point, we are very pleased with the rate we have.

Agenda Item 8.d. – Utilities Expense Update

Dr. Williams said that this report gives the Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee and opportunity to review some of the strategies used by the university for the acquisition of utilities in the most cost effective and efficient manner possible, minimizing costs.  He asked Mr. Bob Albanese to give the Board a quick overview of some of the strategies used to manage university utilities.

The university budget, just for utilities for fiscal year 2002, is $10.7 million.  We look for ways to minimize our expenditures, Mr. Albanese said, to free up institutional funds for other purposes.  Over the last three years, we have not received any utility increase money from the State of Illinois, so any increase in expenditures that the university experienced had to be reallocated from other institutional funds.  We continue to try to get the State of Illinois to recognize that this is an area that needs to be incremented, probably on a yearly basis.

Last year, the university paid approximately $.51 per therm for natural gas, which was a good rate.  Approximately a month ago, thanks to the work of Mike Saari, Associate Director of Physical Plant, and some of his staff, Mr. Albanese said, we were able to lock in a rate of $.29 per therm, making the total natural gas budget $3.4 million.  We have been able to look at and really take advantage of the market over the last month to lock in some savings so that, as we go through this winter season, we will be able to generate some dollars that will fall to the bottom line in the utility budget.

Natural gas consumption is usually measured in calendar years rather than fiscal years.  The primary unit of measure for natural gas is therms.  In calendar year 1998, the winter was warmer, approximately 4.2 degrees above normal.  In calendar year 1999, the winter was about 2.4 degrees above normal.  Looking at consumption, Mr. Albanese continued, calendar year 2000 was the warmest of the last three winters.  Calendar year 1999 was 2.4 degrees above normal, and last winter was 5.0 degrees below normal, so we have averaged out our consumption.  We monitor consumption very closely, he said, but a lot of it has to do with the temperatures and the winter weather.  As an example, on a day like today, even though we are in the winter season, we save approximately $20,000 in natural gas because we do not have to heat any of the buildings on campus.

Converting therms into cost, in calendar year 1998, the university’s natural gas costs were approximately $1.65 million, and in calendar year 1999, a little over $1.8 million.  In calendar year 2000, Mr. Albanese said, even though we generated a very good rate, given the winter temperatures and the market last year, the university spent over $2.5 million.  These are costs that have to be taken out of our institutional budget when we exceed our budget for that particular item.  It was a real challenge to keep this campus heated given our level of utility expenditures in calendar year 2000.  In 2001, to try to minimize those expenditures, we have been able to contract out our purchase of natural gas.  That has been available since the late 1980s. 

Most of the consumption is from November through March.  We try to look at the market, do some analysis on climate data and try to contract the price early in the fiscal year, which would be September/October, Mr. Albanese said.  That locks in the best rate for the November through March period.  Last fiscal year in the month of January the cost per therm went up to $1.09.  Our average cost for that particular month was $.51 per therm.  NIU’s contract states that any unused gas purchased by the university is available to sell on the open market.  We did that, he said, and reduced our cost in the month of January from $.51 per therm down to $.28 per therm.  This generated a savings in the month of January of approximately $850,000.  For us to match that in any given year is a challenge, but we are always looking for those opportunities to lock in a price.

Since October 1999 Mr. Albanese said, we have had the same opportunity to contract out for the purchase of our kilowatt usage.  In January 2000, the university signed a contract to purchase electricity on the open market.  With the new deregulation, legislation allowed the separation of the purchase of electricity from the transportation and other charges, which are still part of the Commonwealth Edison bill.  Over the last three years, our total kilowatt hour usage has remained fairly stable with a little growth.  There has been a small addition in square footage.  Obviously a lot more technology is being used on campus that has increased the amount of kilowatt hour usage, and we have tried to minimize that with things like performance contracts.  This Board has approved two major performance contracts that focus on lighting on campus that will be used to reduce electrical consumption over the next 10 to 15 years.

NIU’s electrical costs were over $5 million in all three fiscal years, from 1998 through 2000.  Since we had the opportunity to buy in a deregulated environment, Mr. Albanese explained, we were able to reduce our costs, which would have been a little over $6 million in calendar year 2000, to a little over $5.4 million.  The good news is that we have continued that contract for calendar year 2001 and 2002, and we have some very favorable rates that are going to help maximize these savings once again in calendar year 2001.

We negotiated a little higher rate for off‑peak hours, Mr. Albanese said, which we were willing to do in order to generate a lower rate and a lower average kilowatt‑hour charge on the on‑peak rates.  The net effect is that we saved approximately $774,000 on our electric bill versus just using the Commonwealth Edison rate for calendar year 2000.  And those savings will also continue in calendar year 2002.

The last component of our utility charge is the water and sanitary usage, Mr. Albanese said, and this is the one we really had an opportunity to use conservation methods on to try to level out water and sewage usage.  We monitor our buildings very closely through a number of automated systems we have installed over the last few years, which have enabled us to stabilize our consumption.  We have not had a lot of growth in square footage over these three years, but, obviously, as the student population increases, the amount of water use on campus increases.  Once again, this is an area we have to stay on top of conservation‑wise, because it is a big expense to the university.

As you can see, Mr. Albanese said, over the last three years, we had an up and down situation with regard to our water versus sanitary costs.  One of the things we have experienced is that the City of DeKalb, over the last three years, increased rates for water approximately 100 percent.  This is a result of the City of DeKalb having to honor a court order on their radium compliance project, and they have been negotiating with us and keeping us informed of these rate increases.  But this is the increase that we have had to bear as a university over the last three years – a 100 percent increase in our water rates – once again, without any increase from the State of Illinois for utility funding.  What we have focused on are water and sewer conservation methods that we can use to minimize those increases.

I would like to thank Mike Saari, who really has developed this whole utility strategy, Mr. Albanese said.  I think we are state of the art as a university in how we approach utilities on campus.  It has to be one of the biggest expenditures the university makes, and it is an opportunity for us to save money that we can use in other parts of the institution.  We also have a staff meteorologist, Gilbert Sebenste, who does a lot of climate data for us.  He projects out what we are going to experience weatherwise in the DeKalb/Sycamore area, and he has been very accurate.  He also works the models to give us a good database of knowledge not only for what our usage is on campus but also what the weather trends are going to be for the next six to nine months.

Lastly, Mr. Albanese said, a lot of times we walk into Dr. Williams’ office with some unusual proposals to try to minimize costs, and he has been very supportive in taking on aggressive strategies in managing utilities.  So, we have been able to generate some substantial savings in past years, and we hope to continue that in future years.

One quick note, Trustee Boey said, I just realized recently that the difference between natural gas and electricity, when it comes to deregulation and cost, you can buy gas at a certain price and store and use it later.  But you cannot store electricity at a cheaper price and use it later.

Agenda Item 8.e. – Swen Parson Hall - College of Law Court Classroom Technology Skills Center

The Swen Parson Hall College of Law Court Classroom Technology Center includes what one could call a smart classroom, Dr. Williams said.  But far more than that, it provides more computer‑based instruction in our College of Law.  The college received a $250,000 gift, which covered the necessary hardware for these classrooms.  It was left to the university to provide the actual space and the rooms.  We have spent a lot of time trying to identify space and have now done so.  The key for us now is to have engineers come in, evaluate the user plans and specifications, and provide us with what needs to be done in order to convert the space into these classrooms.  We have identified the architect engineer to do this work, and we will be reporting back to you on our progress.  We have to watch this one very closely, Dr. Williams said, because of the fact that we are, again, dealing with a building that is older, and there are a lot of things we have to be very aware of as we start remodeling an older building.

OTHER MATTERS

Collective Bargaining Agreement

This item was reviewed and endorsed at the Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Personnel Committee Meeting and is brought to the Finance Committee as an information item only.  This is the collective bargaining agreement between Northern Illinois University and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police.  We are pleased that we have a five‑year contract agreement.  I want to personally express my appreciation to all of those involved, he said, Chief Grady and our Human Resources area, for their efforts in making this agreement work and make it possible.

NEXT MEETING DATE

Chair Boey said the Committee would be informed of the next meeting date.

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Boey adjourned the meeting without objection at 11:29 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon M. Mimms

Recording Secretary