Board discusses Saginaw center and payment dispute

Delta College Board of Trustees Chairman, Robert Stafford announced at this month’s board meeting that the decision to choose a location for a new campus in Saginaw has been postponed until February.

“There has been a lot of discussion on improving our location in Saginaw. We don’t want to make this decision lightly,” said Stafford. “This could have a ripple effect positively or negatively if the decision is not thought through.”

College President Jean Goodnow discussed the history and future of the Saginaw centers.

“It’s very important that we support our centers in Saginaw, Bay City and Midland,” said Goodnow.

The Ricker Center opened in 1988 and was leased to Delta by the Buena Vista school district. It’s the only center that Delta does not own.

Goodnow noted that there has been a decline in enrollment over time at Delta’s Saginaw centers. Ricker’s peak was in the winter of 1993 with 903 students; the low was in the fall of 2006 with 504 students. There are currently 650 students attending classes at the Ricker Center.

During public comment, several people, students and community members, voiced their opinions regarding the new Saginaw center. First-year Delta student Charisma Basset would like the site to be located in Buena Vista.

“Gas is a lot and it is already hard to get by,” said Bassett. “The Ricker Center is another home. It’s like a mini-Delta.”

Jessie Merrill, 19, another Delta student, also supports a Buena Vista location. He noted that he works, lives and studies in Buena Vista.

In February, Goodnow will travel to Washington, D.C. to ask lawmakers for federal funding. On Feb. 19, the board plans to announce the final choice for the new Saginaw center.

“Maybe we didn’t do everything we could,” said Goodnow, regarding the programming offered at the Ricker Center. Goodnow hopes to offer associates degrees and certificates at the new Saginaw location.

After some deliberation the board approved a payment of $150,000 to Champagne and Marx Excavating, Inc. of Saginaw for improvements to the South Campus site.

In 2008 the company “completed work on the 4.85 million South Campus Parking and Storm Water Drain System Project,” according to a memo addressed to the Board of Trustees.

Substantial pavement failure was noticed during the winter of 2008-2009 and Champagne and Marx agreed to complete the repairs under the project warranty. After repairs the company stated the total cost was over $1.25 million dollars and they expected reimbursement for the work that was considered “betterment.”

After analysis of the repairs and costs and negotiations with Champagne and Marx, it was agreed that $150,000 was a “fair value to pay” to “receive a release from all future claims of the balance of the repair costs.”

Several board members addressed concern that they were not able to discuss the payment in a closed session because it involved legal matters.

“I’m frustrated that the privilege belonging to the board was waved and not by the board itself,” said Saginaw County member R. Earl Selby.

“We are not involved in lawsuits or any claims at this time,” treasurer of the board Debra Lutz stated. “We treated this as an addition to the previous project as well as to settle a potential dispute.”

Goodnow said, “Mistake were made, and we’ve been working on this for years. The repairs were free and covered by the warranty. It wasn’t a redo. We avoided a lawsuit, which would have cost much more than $150,000.”

The board approved the payment by an 11 to 1 vote.

Other topics discussed at the Jan. 21 board meeting included:

• An overview of the Short Term Career Training Opportunities through the LifeLong Learning program. • Approval of the Board of Trustees 2014 Regular Meeting Schedule

• Approval of the 2017 Academic Calendar

• Approval of Revisions to Senate Policy 3.005

• Presentation of Photo Club activities and achievements