Archive for Meeting Notice

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD TO HOLD A “STUDY SESSION” AND BUSINESS MEETING AT THE ROCK HOUSE ON THE PRESCOTT CAMPUS TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2024

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. and run until 4:00 p.m. There is normally an  open call to the public at this meeting, which will  be live streamed for County residents to view

The Yavapai Community College District Governing Board will hold what is described as a “Study Session” and then a “Business Meeting” at the Yavapai Community College Prescott Campus on Tuesday, April 23,  2024.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. and run until 4:00 p.m. It will be held at the Rock House on the Campus. The study session normally precedes the business meeting.

There is normally an open call to the public where one may address the Governing Board on any subject for three minutes. (You can register at the door to speak.)

Under Arizona law, a citizen has a right to attend, listen, tape record, or videotape all of these meetings. The public may not disrupt, but may speak during the Call to the Public at the beginning of this meeting if the call is on the agenda. See Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

You may access the agenda for this meeting at the District Governing  Board’s website when it is eventually posted. (It is normally sent to the Governing Board by Friday prior to a meeting but is usually withheld from public posting on the Governing Board’s website until the day before the meeting.)

 

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD TO HOLD A “STUDY SESSION” AND BUSINESS MEETING AT THE SEDONA CAMPUS ON TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. and run until 4:00 p.m. There is normally an  open call to the public at this meeting. The possibility exists that the meeting will be live streamed for County residents to view; check agenda when posted and the College’s YouTube site on Tuesday

The Yavapai Community College District Governing Board will hold what is described as a “Study Session” and then a “Business Meeting” at the Sedona Campus on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. and run until 4:00 p.m.

Under Arizona law, a citizen has a right to attend, listen, tape record, or videotape all of these meetings. The public may not disrupt, but may speak during the Call to the Public at the beginning of this meeting if the call is on the agenda. See Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

You may access the agenda for this meeting at the District Governing  Board’s website when it is eventually posted. (It is normally sent to the Governing Board by Friday prior to a meeting but is usually withheld from public posting on the Governing Board’s website until the day before the meeting.)

There is a possibility that the meeting will be live streamed.  Check the agenda when it is posted.

IF YOU ARE OPPOSED TO INCREASING YOUR PROPERTY TAX, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO EXPRESS YOU VIEW TO THE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD AT THE CALL TO THE PUBLIC.

The agenda must be posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD TO HOLD A “STUDY SESSION” AND BUSINESS MEETING AT THE ROCK HOUSE ON THE PRESCOTT CAMPUS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. and run until 4:00 p.m. There is normally an  open call to the public at this meeting. The possibility exists that the meeting will be live streamed for County residents to view; check agenda when posted.

The Yavapai Community College District Governing Board will hold what is described as a “Study Session” and “Business Meeting” at the Rock House on the Prescott Campus on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. and run until 4:00 p.m.

Under Arizona law, a citizen has a right to attend, listen, tape record, or videotape all of these meetings. The public may not disrupt, but may speak during the Call to the Public at the beginning of this meeting if the call is on the agenda. See Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

You may access the agenda for this meeting at the District Governing  Board’s website when it is eventually posted. (It is normally sent to the Governing Board by Friday prior to a meeting but is usually withheld from public posting on the Governing Board’s website until the day before the meeting.)

There is a possibility that the meeting will be live streamed.  Check the agenda when it is posted.

The agenda must be posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD TO HOLD “BUDGET WORKSHOP” AT ROCK HOUSE ON THE PRESCOTT CAMPUS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. in the morning and run until 4:00 p.m. There is no open call to the public normally placed on workshop agendas. The possibility exists that the meeting will be live streamed for County residents to view

The Yavapai Community College District Governing Board will hold what is described as a “Budget Workshop” at the Rock House on the Prescott Campus on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. and run until 4:00 p.m.

The District Governing Board normally does not include an Open Call to the Public in the agenda.

Under Arizona law, a citizen has a right to attend, listen, tape record, or videotape all of these meetings. The public may not disrupt, but may speak during the Call to the Public at the beginning of this meeting if the call is on the agenda. See Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

You may access the agenda for this meeting at the District Governing  Board’s website when it is eventually posted.

There is a possibility that the meeting will be live streamed.  Check the agenda when it is posted.

The agenda must be posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

YAVAPAI COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD TO HOLD “POLICY & ATTORNEY EDUCATION WORKSHOP” AT CTEC ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 16

Meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. in the morning and may run four hours or more; no open call to the public on agenda. Unlike other significant governmental bodies in Yavapai County, the meeting will not be live-streamed for County residents to view

The Yavapai County Community College District Governing Board will hold what is described as a “Policy and Attorney Education Workshop” at the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.  The Career and Technical Education Center is located on the Prescott airport at 220 Ruger Road, Prescott, AZ 86301. The agenda suggests that the event will last approximately four hours or more.

Although the agenda suggests this is a meeting only about policy, some business items have been included in the consent agenda, requiring formal approval (action and decision) from the Governing Board.  The items on the consent agenda include the following: (1) Possible approval of  Cooperative Purchase Agreement – Mohave Educational Services Cooperative, Inc. (2) Possible approval of a Shamrock Food Services agreement. (3) Possible approval of a Land Lease Agreement – Northern Arizona Council of Government. (4) Possible approval of  (NACOG) – Head Start Program.

The College has omitted the details (attachments) regarding the four items mentioned above from the published online agenda, limiting the options for County residents who seek more information. If residents want the details prior to the meeting, they must rise early on Tuesday morning and dedicate most, if not the entire day, to travel in order to attend the meeting. They potentially may be forced to use a vacation day from work. Attendance may also involve a 100 to 200-mile round trip, facing unpredictable weather and traffic conditions. Upon arrival at CTEC, residents can obtain a printed agenda with the attachments at the door. This agenda will provide the necessary details about the above listed four items. 

The District Governing Board meeting distinguishes itself from nearly all other significant governmental bodies in the county by refusing to live-stream its proceedings. This decision seems like yet another attempt to withhold immediate information about its activities, discussions, and debates from the county’s residents.

Furthermore, the Governing Board stands out for its recent decisions to no longer  provide the same agenda information online that it offers to residents attending the meetings in person. This practice limits access for those whose only practical option is to read it online. Given this odd practice, which is fairly new to the Governing Board, means the Trustees of this educational institution are no longer setting a strong example of democracy for their students.

The public may attend the meeting at CTEC but will not have any input into any part of it.  The reasons is that the Governing Board has not included in the Agenda an Open Call to the Public.

The short agenda published by the District Governing Board provides little information to the residents of the County about what the group will discuss. You may click here to read it. agenda-01-16-2024

DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD SCHEDULES THIRD BUSINESS MEETING SINCE LAST MAY FOR NOVEMBER 28, ON VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS IN CLARKDALE

Workshop to run from approximately 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and a business meeting to run from approximately 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Note: Normally such meetings are held in M-137, which may not be affected by the current  renovation of portions of building “M”.)

Just to give everyone a heads up, the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board is set to convene for its third session since May on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. The meeting will take place on the Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale. The proceedings begin at 1:00 p.m. with a workshop, followed by the main business meeting starting at 3:00 p.m.

Please note that portions of Building “M” are currently under renovation, which may affect the usual meeting location of Room M-137. The exact location is yet to be announced. Keep an eye on the Governing Board’s website for the official meeting notice, which will confirm the details.

For those interested in addressing the Governing Board, there is typically a slot at the start of the meeting for public comment. You’ll need to fill out a “Request to Speak” form and submit it to the Recording Secretary beforehand. Please be ready to keep your comments within the allotted time of one to three minutes, though three minutes is the usual limit.

Under Arizona law, a citizen has a right to attend, listen, tape record, or videotape all of these meetings. The public may not disrupt, but may speak during the Call to the Public at the beginning of this meeting if the call is on the agenda. See Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

You may access the agenda for this meeting at the District Governing  Board’s website when it is eventually posted.

DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD SCHEDULES SECOND FALL MEETING FOR OCTOBER 17, 2023, IN PRESCOTT VALLEY CENTER

Event is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. with a two hour study session followed by one hour business meeting

According to its website, the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board will hold its second general meeting since last May on October 17, 2023, at its Prescott Valley Center.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.

The Board’s posted meeting schedule, which was checked Saturday, says there will be a two hour study session and a one hour business meeting. 

There is normally an opportunity for a citizen to address the Governing Board near the beginning of the meeting.  A citizen wishing to address the Board is usually asked to complete a “Request to Speak” form, and give it to the Recording Secretary. The speaker should be prepared to limit his or her remarks to the designated time (from one to three minutes although typically three minutes).

Under Arizona law, a citizen has a right to attend, listen, tape record, or videotape all of these meetings. The public may not disrupt, but may speak during the Call to the Public at the beginning of this meeting if the call is on the agenda. See Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

You may access the agenda for this meeting at the District Governing  Board’s website when it is eventually posted, which most likely a day before the meeting to minimally comply with Arizona’s Open Meeting Law.

AFTER ALMOST FOUR MONTHS WITHOUT A REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING, YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCHEDULES A SESSION FOR SEPTEMBER 19 AT THE ROCK HOUSE ON PRESCOTT CAMPUS

Study session to run from 1:00 p.m. for over an hour. There are 15 minutes set aside for a business meeting. A 90 minute secret executive will then be held to establish goals for President Rhine in the coming year. Board rejects modern technology and will not live stream meeting

The Yavapai Community College Governing Board is scheduled to meet on September 19 at the Rock House on the Prescott Campus. The first part of the agenda called a “work session” is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. According to the announced agenda, about 15 minutes have been set aside for a “business meeting” later is the session. That will be followed by a secret executive meeting that may run for an hour and a half (See agenda). The purpose of the executive meeting is to set goals for President Dr. Lisa Rhine for the coming year.

About ten minutes have been set aside at the beginning of the meeting for input on any subject by members of the public. A citizen wishing to address the Board is normally asked to complete a “Request to Speak” form, and give it to the Recording Secretary. The speaker should be prepared to limit his or her remarks to the designated time (from one to three minutes although typically three minutes). 

Under Arizona law, a citizen has a right to attend, listen, tape record, or videotape all of these meetings. The public may not disrupt, but may speak during the Call to the Public at the beginning of this meeting if the call is on the agenda. See Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

You may access the minimalistic agenda that appeared on the Governing  Board’s Saturday morning September 16 website  by clicking here.  https://www.yc.edu/v6/district-governing-board/sub/2023/09/09-19-2023-meeting-summary.pdf.

The less than opaque process regarding distribution of information to the community by the Governing Board is disturbing. Few in the community know much at all about decisions involving the College’s two campuses and four centers. This presents a significant challenge for rural residents throughout the County interested in the health of the College.

One example of the opaque process is how the agenda is handled. The agenda provided prior to the handful of yearly Board meetings leaves community members with scant opportunity to familiarize themselves with items only touched upon because of the intentionally sparse descriptions of agenda items. This lack of detail creates a formidable hurdle, if not an insurmountable one, in evaluating whether a particular agenda item justifies the significant sacrifice of a 100 to 200-mile round trip drive and a day off from work to attend the meeting in person.

Another example of the opaque process is the Governing Board’s rejection of of modern technology.  Despite having all the equipment and personnel needed, the Board members refuse to live-stream the infrequent sessions. This exacerbates the problem of  gaining meaningful information. County residents are left without real-time updates or extensive information about the affairs of a $100 million dollar government educational institution funded by their property taxes.

A third example of the satisfaction the Governing Board members have with their out-of-date opaque meeting process is the refusal to require presenters using PowerPoint slides during a meeting to post them on the Board website either prior to or after their use during a meeting.  

A fourth example of satisfaction with the opaque process is the too often failure of Governing Board members to ask meaningful questions of presenters during Governing Board meetings.  This is especially true when it comes to budgetary items. 

A fifth example of the satisfaction with the opaque process is the failure of Governing Board members to hold monthly meetings in their districts with their constituents where questions about the health of the Community College are asked and answered.  They hold none.  Moreover, they never issue written reports to the constituents they  represent about their activities on behalf of the district they come from.

There is a pressing need for greater transparency and accessibility in the District Governing Board’s proceedings. Rural residents and taxpayers deserve a more inclusive and informative process, particularly for a publicly funded institution of this magnitude. Or maybe, there’s a pressing need for Governing Board members who will demand an open and transparent process.

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE GOVERNING BOARD SCHEDULES TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING TO CONSIDER 5% TAX RATE INCREASE FOR TUESDAY, May 16, 2023, 1:00 P.M. ON THE PRESCOTT CAMPUS

Hearing and vote to take place at the Community Room (19-147) on the Prescott Campus

A host of hearings have been scheduled for Tuesday, May 16 by the Yavapai Community College Governing Board relative to the 5% tax rate and other issues.  The Governing Board will convene at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 1:00 P.M. on the Prescott Campus at the Community Room (19-147) to consider the tax rate increase and other matters. A business meeting will be held following the tax rate increase hearing.

Those who wish to be heard regarding the proposed 5% tax rate increase will be given a minute or two, possibly three minutes,  to express their views at an Open Call.

A citizen wishing to address the Board is normally asked to complete a “Request to Speak” form, and give it to the Recording Secretary. The speaker should be prepared to limit his or her remarks to the designated time (as noted above, from one to three minutes although typically three minutes).

Under Arizona law, the public has a right to attend, listen, tape record, or videotape all of these meetings. The public may not disrupt, but may speak during the Call to the Public at the beginning of this meeting if the call is on the agenda. See Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

Unfortunately, despite a County geographically larger than several states, the Community College does not live-stream its meetings so residents who are disabled, working or who live 50 to more than 100 miles away from the Prescott Campus may view what is happening in real time. Normally, a videotape of the meeting  is posted about a week later. 

The full agenda for the Tuesday afternoon  session can be found on the Community College web site when it is posted.

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE GOVERNING BOARD SCHEDULES STUDY SESSION AND BUSINESS MEETING FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 21 AT SEDONA CENTER

Board convenes at 1:00 p.m. and anticipates ending sometime around 4 p.m.

The Yavapai Community College District Governing Board will hold a study session and business meeting at the Community College’s Sedona  Center on Tuesday, March  21, 2023, beginning  at one P.M.  

There will be an Open Call to the public prior to the business meeting around 1:00 p.m.  where members of the public may address the Board for up to three minutes.

Members of the Governing Board are not supposed to discuss or take legal action on matters raised during an Open Call to the public unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action. A citizen wishing to address the Board should complete a “Request to Speak” form, and give it to the Recording Secretary. The speaker should be prepared to limit his or her remarks to the designated time (as noted above, usually three minutes).

Under Arizona law, the public has a right to attend, listen, tape record, or videotape these meetings. The public may not disrupt, but may speak during the call to the public at the beginning of this meeting if the call is on the agenda. See Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

The full agenda for the afternoon  meeting can be found on the Community College web site when it is posted.