The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Board of Trustees held a regular meeting Feb. 27. The meeting included an overview of the most recent state budget proposal, and the announcement of a new budgeting calendar for the Peralta Planning and Budgeting Council.

The meeting also included a presentation on Berkeley City College’s Milvia Street Expansion Project, which is set to construct a new six-story building for the college by 2026 .

BUDGET PRESENTATION
Interim Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, Nathaniel Jones, gave an overview of the Jan. 10 Governor’s 2024-25 Budget Proposal, highlighting the state’s goals and objectives.

The state is grappling with a significant budget deficit this year. The Legislative Analyst Office recently updated its deficit forecast from $58 billion to $73 billion. Newsom’s Jan. 10 proposal assumes higher revenues, projecting a $38 billion deficit, according to CalMatters.

This year’s state-funded Cost of Living Adjustment of 0.76% will provide the district with an $1.12 million increase in general funds, which will be exceeded by district operating costs, according to Jones.

CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson reported on several events and items, including the approval of a new budget development calendar for the Planning and Budgeting Council and Participatory Governance Council. The changes to the budget calendar will add an additional three months to the budget timeline, and give definitive opportunities for college budget committees and senates to review and feedback on budget documents.

CONSENT CALENDAR
The night’s consent calendar, a list of agenda items that the board approves in one motion, included several contracts.

A $200,000 sponsorship agreement from Bayer HealthCare to Berkeley City College was ratified. The funds will go towards an existing program that seeks to expand access to careers in Biotech for “low income” and “underrepresented” Berkeley public school students.

The board ratified a sub-grant agreement to YMCA of the East Bay as part of Merritt College’s Early Educator Apprenticeship Assistant Teacher Grant from the California Apprenticeship Initiative for about $257,000. The grant will fund 18 early childhood education apprenticeships, which will “mirror” Merritt College Child Development courses, according to the PCCD’s Memorandum of Understanding with YMCA of the East Bay.

The district extended its third lease for the building at 200 Center Street for Berkeley City College through May 31, 2025, with an option to extend into May 31, 2026. An additional three classrooms and an office space for various social services will be included.

The board also approved three separate contracts for independent consultants to provide record testing and inspection services for the Laney College Library and Learning Resources Center Project.

King Construction Inspection Inc. will receive a contract for over $882,000 for “Inspector of Record” services.

“King will provide comprehensive inspection services to assure that the Project is built according to the approved construction documents and certified by the Division of State Architect,” according to the item’s “Background/Analysis.”

Ninyo and Moore Geotechnical and Environmental Sciences Consultants received a $198,000 contract for “Special Inspection and Testing” services and a separate $78,000 contract for “Geotechnical Engineer of Record testing and inspection” services.

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACT EXTENSIONS
The evening’s human resources consent calendar items also included a multitude of contract extensions for district administrators:

• An extension until June 30 of this year for Interim Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, Nathaniel Jones
• An extension for current Interim Chancellor of General Services, Atheria Smith, but in her previous position of Director of Facilities Planning and Development until June 30, 2025
• An extension for President of Laney College, Rudy Besikof until June 30, 2025
• Two extensions for Acting College of Alameda president Diana Bajrami, who recently stepped down: one for her previously held position of Vice President of Instruction until June 30, 2026, and one as Acting College of Alameda President until June 30 of this year.

The resignation of Executive Director of Public Safety, Tim Thomas, effective May 14, 2024, was also approved.

Bajrami announced Wednesday her decision to leave the CoA presidency and return to faculty effective March 13.

DISTRICT SECURITY CONTRACT
Marina Security Services (Marina) received a one-year contract for $6 million by the board to provide “community based security services” districtwide.

BCC EXPANSION PROJECT
After a presentation on the status of Berkeley City College’s Milvia Street expansion project, the board approved the adoption of the final drawings and specifications for the project, as well as remaining project costs.

The project design was drawn by Ratcliff Architects under an agreement with XL Construction.

Total approved costs of the project amount to over $86 million, primarily in Measure G funding.

The project includes the construction of a new six-story building for Berkeley City College, which will be located at 2118 Milvia Street. An existing three-story building at the site will be demolished.

The new building will include expanded classrooms, administration and faculty offices, as well as wellness and student service centers.

The expected construction completion date will be Dec. 31, 2025, with the expected move in date listed as June 30, 2026.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held today at 6 p.m.