Patti Ayers

The agenda for the meeting included a Special Presentation from the Michigan Community College Association. Key action items for consent included approval regarding 2026-2027 Course Fees and Board of Trustees employee expenses and time reporting for December 2025 and January 2026, respectively. A Trustee-Generated Idea and Initiative focused on a needs analysis for recommendations stemming from a Book Stipend TGI, specifically examining expansions to the Library Textbook Lending Program, the College Food Pantry, and the Laptop Lending Program, with detailed cost breakdowns provided for various expansion phases. Monitoring reports covered Monthly Financial Statements (as of December 31, 2025), Monthly Police Department Report, and the Strategic Plan 2025-2027 Progress Report. Linkage Planning included reports from the Audit Committee (including the Single Audit Act Compliance Report) and the Policy Committee, as well as a Foundation Board Report.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the minutes from the September 15, 2025, Regular Board of Trustees meeting. Key discussions involved public comments concerning an employee's service, retirement, and the increase in health care costs. The Annual Comprehensive Audit Report was presented by Rehmann, noting the Single Audit of Federal Funds was not presented pending guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. Under Action Items, the Consent Agenda was approved after the removal of two Capital Project Requests. Subsequently, separate action was taken to approve the Capital Project Requests for the Arts and Sciences Building Fume Hood Replacements and the Health and Human Services Simulation Center, along with the transfer of 505 Capitol Avenue Capital Project Funds. Monthly monitoring reports were presented, and the Board approved a motion to support the ACCT Letter of Financial Support for participation in ACCT Committees. The Chair reported on the ACCT Leadership Congress, noting Trustee Proctor's election to the ACCT Board of Directors and Ms. Duncan receiving a national award. The Policy Committee provided an update on reviewing the Board's Bylaws and Governance Policies. Trustee Taylor introduced a proposal for a Campus Community and Safety Kiosk Initiative, which the Board decided to forward to the President for further investigation with a report due in 60 days. The session concluded with a Closed Session to consult with an attorney regarding pending litigation and to discuss information related to security and information systems.

The meeting included a land acknowledgment recognizing the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe Three Fires Confederacy. A special presentation featured two students reciting poems to recognize Black History Month, including an original piece by Damian Starks reflecting on cultural appropriation and systemic issues, and Chanel Matenuel Kelly reading "Freedom." The President's report highlighted excellent social media traction following the articulation agreement signing with Central Michigan University, coverage of flagship programs like Men About Progress Wise and Lucero, and referenced board actions regarding a food pantry and laptop lending program. The board celebrated a milestone for Men's Basketball Coach Mark Ingram, who achieved his 700th win. The President also announced that LCC will host the State of the City address on March 18, 2026, at the Dart Auditorium. Furthermore, the chair reported on the Trustees' effective advocacy at the recent ACCT National Legislative Summit (NLS). The chat feature was disabled due to insensitive remarks posted online.

The meeting agenda covered several action items and reports. Action items included assessing a course fee for the new Mechatronics Capstone course, ratifying employee expenses for December 2025, approving time reporting for February 2026, requesting a $500,000 increase for the HVAC & Plumbing Supplies Pool Blanket Purchase Orders, approving a $290,318 cooperative purchase for network access switches, seeking approval for a $273,400 invitation to bid for X-Ray Machines, seeking approval for a three-year sole source Blanket Purchase Order for the Content Management System totaling $120,400, and presenting information on a Sabbatical Leave Request for Ali Ghorbanpour for fall 2026. Information items included updates on the Laptop Lending Program Expansion and Visitor Access improvements. Monthly monitoring reports were presented, covering Financial Statements (as of January 31, 2026), the Monthly Police Department Report, and the Two-Year Financial Forecast. Capital projects updates were also provided.

The meeting involved the adoption of the minutes from the November 17, 2025, regular meeting. Key agenda items addressed under the consent agenda included the 2026 Audit Committee Meeting Calendar, the 2026 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting Calendar, matters concerning Board of Trustees Employees (expenses for November 2025 and time reporting for December 2025), a Cooperative Purchase for Managed Print Services and Supplies, a Request for Proposal for Temporary Employment Services, and Sole Source Purchases for Data Center Maintenance and Sierra Library System. A Trustee-Generated Idea regarding a Campus Community and Safety Kiosk Initiative resulted in approval for the Administration to advance six identified opportunities and provide monthly progress updates. Monthly Monitoring Reports covering Financial Statements Publication, Monthly Financial Statements, and the Monthly Police Department Report were presented and discussed. The Audit Committee reported on its December 1, 2025, meeting, which covered audit agenda preparation, trustee compensation/expenses, and the internal audit planning process. The Foundation Board reported receiving significant donations and noted progress on naming opportunities and ongoing scholarship applications. New Business for January 2026 included a special presentation and items related to conflict of interest disclosures and the annual planning cycle. The Board entered a closed session to discuss the President's yearly performance review and subsequently voted to increase the President's annual salary to $302,848 and extend his employment term to June 30, 2030, effective January 1, 2026.