HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-03-08 TC TSHA Agenda Packet
TOWN OF WESTLAKE, TEXAS
BOARD OF ALDERMEN AND TEXAS STUDENT HOUSING AUTHORITY JOINT
WORKSHOP
A G E N D A
November 3, 2008
4:15 p.m.
TOWN HALL OFFICES – COURT ROOM
3 VILLAGE CIRCLE, SUITE 207
1. CALL TO ORDER.
A. Board of Aldermen
B. Texas Student Housing Authority
2. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. Organizational Structure of TSHA and Operating Procedures;
B. TSHA Strategic Plan;
C. Assessment of TSHA and its projects;
D. Hiring process for new TSHA President.
3. ADJOURNMENT.
A. Board of Aldermen
B. Texas Student Housing Authority
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the above notice was posted at the Town Hall of the Town of Westlake, 3 Village Circle, Suite 202,
Westlake, Texas, 76262, on Friday, October 31, 2008, by 4:15 p.m. under the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the
Texas Government Code.
_____________________________________
Kim Sutter, TRMC, Town Secretary
If you plan to attend this public meeting and have a disability that requires special needs, please advise the Town
Secretary 48 hours in advance at 817-490-5710 and reasonable accommodations will be made to assist you.
Revised January 2008
TSHA STRATEGIC PLAN – STATUS REVIEW BY BOARD COMMITTEE
There are twenty five Strategic Initiatives under seven headings in the TSHA Strategic Plan as
approved by the TSHA Board of Directors in November 2006. These are listed below with the
actions taken to date.
PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Expansion of scholarships for needy……Increased from 43% in 2006 to more than 50% in 2007
Expansion of scholarship values……….. Budget dependent, Recommend Incremental
Scholarship value remain at current $2500 per
year, a $10,000 total 4 year value.
Over flow facility secured in College Station doubled
slots available in College Station in 2007.
2008 availability TBD due sale of facility.
Full Scholarships increased by 20% to 30 total.
Expansion of scholarship institutions….. Formation of a 501(c) 3 nonprofit Texas Student Housing
Organization as a separate entity of the Town of
Westlake through which added properties might be
acquired and managed. The process requires a cash
input other than from TSHA to continue and may need
Board of Alderman consideration.
Westlake Academy scholarship issue….. Direct TSHA scholarship awards is probably not in
keeping with TSHA policy of state wide
scholarship equality.
Town of Westlake scholarships managed by TSHA
might be considered as future alternative.
Expansion strategy……………………...Covered above in Expansion of scholarship institutions
Documentation of scholarship admin..…Accomplished and used in evaluation of 2007/2008
scholarship awards. Policy is now to raise the lowest
of the three academic parameters to mid point of
its numerical range aiding both low SAT achievers
and those not in top percentages of class ranking.
Develop automated tools for evaluation..Revised approach implemented with evaluation
process using 15 parameter, 250 total point format.
Automated entry not to be implemented at this time.
Scholarship acceptance ratio…………….Improvement in 2007 cycle with revised selection
process and by getting verbal acceptances prior to
firm offers of new full scholarships. High renewal
for Fulls already experienced in 2008.
UNT freshman on campus policy……….TSHA letter to UNT President addressed scholarship
equality. Will continue effort in 2008.
Page 2.
TSU freshman/sophomore on campus policy…….TBD later after resolution of UNT issue
Cambridge tax issue…………………….. No resolution by Brazos County Court. Project would
be libel for any judgment/charges imposed.
Property Manager potential misconduct…Asset Management oversight by TSHA of finances and
properties is in a thorough and consistent manner.
Also Board Treasurer performs active oversight of
financials.
Student injury potential………………….Property Management resident policies and actions to
monitor and enforce are consistent with student
housing industry standards.
Continued purchase and oversight of proper insurance
coverage for properties and Authority.
FINANCIAL AND ASSET MANAGEMENT
Property debt restructure……………… San Marcos and Town Lake possible restructure
actions are underway.
Cash reserve and investment policies…..TBD by Board and staff.
Threat of potential theft/mismanagement.. Staff and Board oversight ongoing. Inept actions by
Trustee has resulted in replacement with new one
Inept actions by bank has resulted in replacement.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Compensation strategy for president……TBD by Board
Succession Plan……………………… ....TBD by Board and staff
BOARD
Board size/recruitment………………….TBD by Board
Board Job Description…………………..Draft for Board consideration
Board orientation/training………………TBD by staff
Board engagement strategy……………..Two board /staff committees activated
INTERNAL COMMUNICATION
Staff communications to Board…………Provided and ongoing. Two new TSHA Power Point
presentations provided in Nov. 2007. One is for
TSHA Board &Town of Westlake Board of
Aldermen.
Page 3.
EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS…
Publicity Impact ……………………..One new TSH Power Point presentation is for
outside interests and is included on new
TSHA website.
TSHA status on website updated in late 2007.
Expanded contacts and solicitations with Texas high
schools and community colleges and now with
all Texas private, parochial and charter schools.
On going contacts with Trustee, bond holders and
rating agencies.
GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS
Board governance issues…………… TBD by Board
_______________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE:
Directors McKean and Shultz and President Smyth met in December to review the plan status.
The Strategic Plan Status was reviewed in detail and the President was requested to update the
status. That is reflected in the above document.
In addition high risk items for TSHA were discussed as follows:
1. Size and makeup of the Board
2. The Cambridge tax issue
3. Authority Investments
4. Scholarship acceptances
5. TSHA Management tenure and future
Respectively submitted:
Hank Smyth, TSHA President