DACC board to consider technology center expansion

The Danville Area Community College board of trustees on Tuesday will consider taking steps to issue $3 million in general obligation bonds to expand the Harry J. Braun Technology Center.

The center houses the Technology and Information Systems Division, which includes drafting/compter-aided drafting, electronics, golf course equipment, information systems, manufacturing, welding, auto body, auto mechanics, mechatronics and wind energy programs. Computer and network services and the Corporate and Community Education Division’s Industrial Training Center also is located at the facility.

The college plans to construct a 10,000-square-foot addition onto the technology center, according to DACC President Alice Marie Jacobs.

The addition would house two classrooms, two training labs, two offices, a small conference room, restrooms and a storage area.

Board members will consider retaining Chapman and Cutler, LLP of Chicago as bond counsel and authorize them to prepare the necessary legal proceedings.

In other business on Tuesday, the trustees will:

Consider approving DACC’s sustainability plan so the college can be considered for the Governor’s Silver Award. DACC already received a bronze award for sustainability last year.

The sustainability plan lays out different ways in which DACC can work toward a more sustainable campus by adopting technological changes that improve efficiency and save money, such as installing more energy-efficient light bulbs as well as installing low-flow sink faucets and toilets. Also, DACC can promote more sustainable behavior among faculty, staff and students by highlighting the importance of saving money and saving the environment.

This year, DACC will focus its sustainability efforts in seven strategic areas: campus, energy, buildings and grounds, waste management and recycling, water, transportation and community.

Some of the projects include switching to reusable water bottles and installing water refill stations, installing solar panels on the technology center roof, replacing campus parking lot lights with LED bulbs, installing a wind turbine on campus, planting at least 10 trees on campus every year, limiting the amount of printing done in student computer labs, installing an electric vehicle charging station and encouraging the use of alternative transportation.

Hear a report on the Job Training Partnership program.

Consider the permanent transfer of $41,825 in earned interest monies to the college’s education fund from the working cash fund.

“This is something we do yearly,” Jacobs said. Consider permitting interfund loans as needed between August 2013 and July 2014. Jacobs said interfund loans are something the college does annually.

“Sometimes an account needs funding to maintain a positive cash balance because the state is late in making its payment or we’ve spent money and we’re waiting on grant money for reimbursement,” she said.

Consider paying an annual premium of $30,751 to First Agency of Kalamazoo, Mich., to provide intercollegiate sports accident insurance for fiscal year 2014.