Sept. 20, 2018: Administrative Services

Area Report for Board of Trustees

I will be serving as Treasurer/Secretary for the Business Affairs Commission (BAC) for the 2018-2019 term. This is part of a three-year commitment as the Treasurer/Secretary will move to Vice Chair in the next term and ultimately Chair in the third year.
Due to various factors, the Campus View student housing complex is experiencing construction delays. We have yet to receive formal notification of the new delivery date. However, the owner is projecting for substantial completion by the end of September.
The City of Des Moines, working on our behalf, has tentatively reached an agreement with Sound Transit on the development cost of the College Way Connection project (Highline College future main entrance with a roundabout). The City is requesting the College’s Board approval for a revised inter-local agreement that includes Sound Transit paving the additional 92 parking spaces. The total project cost for Highline College as part of this agreement will be $900,000, compared to the $850,000 approved in the earlier agreement.

Effective this fall quarter 2018, Highline College will be contracting with BankMobile to distribute financial aid to eligible students. Instead of waiting for a paper check in the mail every quarter, students will have different banking options to receive their financial aid, including direct transfer to their existing bank accounts, a checking account with BankMobile, and a paper check if they so choose.
The proposed fiscal year budget 2018-19 is presented to the Board for review and approval. The new budget format is designed to provide complete information about all of our funding sources and expenditures in a simple easy-to-read format.
The state auditors are scheduled to perform our annual financial audit in early November. As typical, the annual audit will include an entrance meeting between the State auditor team and Highline College Finance Administration team as well as a couple Trustee members.

We have reached an agreement with Lancer Hospitality to extend our food service contract for another three years through August 31, 2021. The on-site Lancer management team is in the process of transitioning to a new Food Service Director and a new Kitchen Manager.

David Menke and Francesca Fender attended FEMA training workshops on Managing Critical Incidents at Higher Educations in late August.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Francesca Fender as our new Associate Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management. Francesca’s background includes a Master’s Degree in Emergency Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication.
All Public Safety Staff have received new Mental Health certifications through Highline College.

The Facilities Department has been in a “continuous” recruiting phase for custodians. We are currently down several positions due to retirement and other reasons. In addition, we will be actively searching for a new Custodial Manager to replace Terry Baker who is leaving Highline College for another employment opportunity.
Roof work is being done on Building 2 and Building 27 with anticipated completion by mid-September.
Various sidewalks throughout campus are being repaired and replaced in preparation for Fall Quarter.
Building 6 Covered Plaza/Canopy Project is in bidding phase. We are planning for construction to take place in late Fall Quarter with completion expected for mid-Winter 2019.

Report submitted by Vice President Michael Pham.