“This committee is an important part of our promise to remain accountable to the taxpayers in this District and ensure all Measure C funds are being spent to improve our college facilities for our students,” said Board President Paul Berger.

“The founding members of this committee are all active members of our community and with a broad range of experience and expertise.  I know they will represent the taxpayers of the Coast Community College District well, and I look forward to working with them on some truly exciting projects for our colleges,” Berger said.

         Measure C was approved by 65 percent of the District’s electorate and will be used to alleviate overcrowding and expand, upgrade and improve aging facilities.  California law requires the Citizens’ Oversight Committee to include members with expertise in construction, procurement and finance; students; as well as representatives from business, senior and taxpayer organizations. The Coast District Board of Trustees also appointed two at-large representatives to ensure the broadest public coverage for the District’s large geographic area.

The appointed committee members, all of whom reside within college district boundaries, are:  

·        Tony Almaguer – At-Large representative, Huntington Beach resident and attorney at The Law Offices of Tony Almaguer

·        Heather Arroyo – Student representative, Huntington Beach resident, Golden West College Student Council Vice President

·        Neel Buell – College support group representative, Fountain Valley resident, Coastline Community College Foundation board member

·        Katrina Foley – At-Large representative, Costa Mesa resident, City Planning Commissioner, partner with the law firm Lents & Foley, LLP

·        Jim Garmon – At-Large representative, Costa Mesa resident, Coast District community representative on the Orange County Community Colleges Legislative Task Force, retired educational administrator

·        John Lindgren –Senior Citizens’ group representative, Corona del Mar resident and American Association of Retired Persons Board Member

·        Ron Linksy – At-large representative, Costa Mesa resident and Executive Director, National Water Research Institute in Fountain Valley

·        David Quatman – Business representative, Huntington Beach resident and business owner

·        Lisa Silbar – Taxpayers’ Group representative, Newport Beach resident and Vice Chair of the Orange County Taxpayers Association

The first meeting of the oversight committee will be held later this month.  

Proceeds from the sale of the first Measure C bond issue are expected this month, and several construction projects are planned to begin shortly thereafter.  Some phase one projects will include the Golden West College Student Center remodel, a new transportation center building at Orange Coast College, and Coastline Community College’s new Westminster Learning Center.  

          The Coast Community College District is the seventh largest community college district in the nation in credit enrollment, serving nearly 60,000 students each semester.  The district is comprised of Coastline Community College headquartered in Fountain Valley, Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, and KOCE-TV, the district’s public broadcasting station.

          The Coast Community College District is the seventh largest community college district in the nation in credit enrollment, serving 55,000 students each semester.  The district is comprised of Coastline Community College headquartered in Fountain Valley, Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, and KOCE-TV, the district’s public broadcasting station.

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