Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, October 11, 2007


Board Members Present: Marido Huber, Floyd Child, Kevin Jenkins, Andrew Hedden, Tamir Nolley, Robert Vose
Board Members Absent: Joan Higinbotham, Tom Cassidy, Joel Rainville
Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, John Harrison, Edie French
Others Present: Pamela Colby, Beth Peloff


Huber called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

I. Opening Business

A. Comments from public, staff and board – no comments

B. Approval of the agenda. Agenda: MSP Child, Vose.

C. Approval of Minutes from the September board meeting. MSP Child, Nolley.

II. Reports

A. Comcast – Lance Leupold presented
Leupold asked about how the live show went. Colby reported that the signal was good but due to MTN error we lost the first 14 minutes. Leupold also reported on a "Comcast Cares Day" a volunteer/community appreciation event recently held at the Richfield Nature Center.


B. Executive Director?s Report – Pam Colby presented
The twelve-member "MTN Study Commission" to work on Long Range Planning held their first meeting. A second meeting is scheduled for October 23rd. MTN has invited members to address the commission for up to five minutes. There has been a good response from those interested in speaking. Staff will have a preproduction meeting for the live production next week. Colby reported that she is going to the NAMAC conference next week. Colby and staff member John Akre are working on two grant proposals for youth training. Colby will be reachable by cell phone in case there are any major events while she is out of town. Child expressed concern about the server's ability to make the transition from daylight savings time. Colby said that the Princeton Server Group is very attentive and responsive when issues arise.

C. City of Minneapolis –John Harrison reported
Two vacancies are coming up on the MTN board. Jenkins' and Higinbotham's posts are expiring. Higinbotham will have reached her term limit and will not be able to reapply. MTN and the city are making a new performance agreement. The Communications Department budget hearing is coming up Oct 15 at 9 am. Sara Dietrich, the city's new Communications Director visited MTN. City Cable is working on an informational video for the Minneapolis Police Department about the need for drivers licenses for people from other countries. Cable subscriber numbers are 72,687 (June), 72,625 (July) 72,567 (August), 74,470 (September).

D. Minneapolis Public Schools – Pam Colby and Edie French reported
Colby reported that she met with John Harrison and Colleen Kosloski to discuss potential partnerships. French reported that things at the Minneapolis Public Schools are going well. The School Challenge is going fine.

E. Mayor's proposed budget cut. Colby stated that she had been looking into the Mayor's proposed cut to MTN. Communications Director Dietrich said that she would look up the proposed budget number but we have not received it yet. Child suggested that the Board direct Colby to prepare two budgets so that MTN would have a plan if the $100,000 cut goes through. Colby said that we might know something by next week after the Ways and Means meeting. Huber will email Ways and Means Committee members with our points tomorrow: (1) the fact that MTN'S budget was already cut by $50,000 last year, (2) the cut is an infringement of free speech, (3) it is a bad business decision regarding Comcast, (4) it's a disruption of the franchise renewal. Colby will present the same points at the meeting, perhaps focusing on just one. The board also unofficially recommends that staff should start thinking about preparing a budget plan in case MTN's 2008 budget is actually cut by $100,000.

F. Treasurer's Report – Hedden presented
There was no report this meeting, because the August statement was presented in the September meeting.

Next board meeting November 8, 2007
III. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m. MSP Child, Hedden.