January 2000 Public Hearing Minutes

Wednesday, January 12, 2000
Anoka-Hennepin Technical College
Anoka, Minnesota

Trustees Present: Andrew Boss, Brent Calhoun, Mary Choate, Robert Erickson, Jim A. Luoma, Joann Splonskowski, Michael Vekich, James Wafler

Trustees Absent: Nancy Brataas, Kathleen Caffey, Daniel G. Coborn, Dennis Dotson, David Erickson, Christine Fritsche

 

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1. Call to Order
   Chair Vekich called the hearing to order at 2:00 PM and announced that a quorum was present. The purpose of the hearing was to hear public testimony on Chancellor Anderson's recommendations relative to Anoka-Hennepin Technical College. The Board is scheduled to take action on the recommendation on January 19, 2000.
   
   Allan Johnson, associate vice chancellor for facilities and Leslie Mercer, associate vice chancellor for policy and planning provided brief overviews of the physical condition of the facility and the transfer of programs to neighboring institutions.
   
   Chancellor Anderson explained that his recommendation would best serve the students by combining the technical education programs with those offered at Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park and expanding offerings at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, as appropriate. The cost of this option is estimated in the $6 million to $11 million dollar range. Chancellor Anderson also discussed possible uses of the present site for customized training center and joint programming with the area high school(s) in a new high school facility.
2. Testimony

   The following individuals testified in favor of keeping Anoka-Hennepin Technical College open:

   1. Larry Peterson, vice president corporate services, Connexus Energy
   2. Representative Mark Olson, District 19A, Big Lake
   3. Sandra Peterson, co-president, Education Minnesota
   4. Edward Schones, president, United Technical College Educators
   5. Jerry Vtizhum, director, Anoka County Job Training Center
   6. Jerry Skjolsvik, career rehabilitation counselor, Rehabilitation Services
   7. Blake Zack, student senate, Anoka-Hennepin Technical College
   8. Justin Wallin, president, Minnesota State College Student Association
   9. Dr. Roger Giroux, superintendent, Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
   10. Ginny Karbowski, director, Secondary Vocational Education District 11
   11. David Flannery, superintendent of schools, Elk River Area School District 728
   12. Dan Erhart, chair, Anoka County Board of Commissioners
   13. Gary Levine, dean, Customized Training, Anoka-Hennepin Technical College
   14. John Ittner, vice president, operations, IMI Cornelius
   15. Jim Barthel, president, Elk River Machine
   16. Cheryl Streit, director, corporate human resources, Fairview Health Services
   17. Al Grayson, training coordinator, Ironworker's Union
   18. Tony Maghrak, training director, Minneapolis Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry, Local 292, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers,
   19. Scott Knight, organizer, business representative, Local 292, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
   20. Gene Merriam, chief financial officer, ECM Publishers
   21. Representative Alice Johnson, District 48B, Spring Lake Park
   22. Representative Phil Carruthers, District 47B, Brooklyn Center
   23. Representative Jim Abeler, District 49A, Anoka
   24. Senator Leo T. Foley, District 49, Coon Rapids
   25. Senator Paula Hanson, District 50, Ham Lake
   26. Brandy Smith, student, Anoka-Hennepin Technical College
   27. Marcia Provost, treasurer, AFSCME Local 4001, and chief steward for Anoka-Hennepin Technical College, and Anoka-Ramsey Community College
   28. Andrew Revering, retired chief of police, City of Anoka
   29. Lisa Lawrence, student, Anoka-Hennepin Technical College
   30. Senator Jane Krentz, District 51, May Township
   31. Representative Luanne Koskinen, District 49B, Coon Rapids
   32. Peter M. Beberg, mayor, City of Anoka
   33. Roger I. Johnson, resident, Anoka County
   34. James Flanders, assistant fire chief, Minnetonka Fire Department
   35. Tony Arellano, citizen, Ramsey
   36. Ernest W. Woodrich, student, Anoka-Hennepin Technical College
   37. Pete Turok, president, Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce
   38. Tim Farmer, fire chief, Coon Rapids Fired Department and instructor, Anoka-Hennepin Technical College
   39. Ray Steinke, mayor, St. Francis
   40. Dr. Barbara Winfield, elementary school principal and candidate for Minnesota State Senate, Coon Rapids
   41. Marcia Pajak, parent of student, Anoka-Hennepin Technical College student
   42. Bill Mittlefehldt, Anoka Quality Center, Anoka High School
   43. Louis Nash, student, Anoka-Hennepin Technical College
   44. Mike Baumann, director, human resources, Hoffman Enclosures
   45. Diane Grinde, representing Anoka-Hennepin Technical College Parent Legislative Team
   46. Howard Rosenwinkel, former director, Anoka Technical College
   47. Representative Mark Olson, District 19A, Big Lake. For the record, Representative Olson directed questions to Chancellor Anderson. As this was a hearing for public testimony, Chancellor Anderson replied that he will respond to Representative Olson's questions within the next few days.
   48. Elliott Perovich, citizen, Anoka

There being no more requests to address the Board, the hearing was adjourned by consensus at 6:27 p.m.

Michael Vekich, Chair
Recorded by Inge Chapin