Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, January 8, 2004
Board Members Present: Julie Wallace, Tamir Nolley, Tomas Gonda, Vusi Zulu, Robert Vose
Board Members Absent: Todd Barnes, Joan Higinbotham, Mark Engebretson, Floyd Child
Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, C. John Harrison
Others Present: Pamela Colby, John Akre
Vose called the meeting to order at 5:42 p.m.
Akre spoke about the NRP affordable housing show recently produced. Vose spoke about his work with the League of Cities on telecommunications issues, particularly the competition to cable from phone companies offering video services and how does PEG get allocated between the existing carrier and these competitors.
He presented the names of four people who applied for the two vacancies on the MTN board. Colby said that in the past the board had been given the names of candidates in advance, but that the council members choose the candidate and notify the candidates of the committee meeting in which they are confirmed. Harrison does not know when the approval meeting will be.
80,443 is the unofficial number of subscribers. Time Warner is developing a PA system in their building, and there will be a speaker in the MTN playback office for emergency messages. Time Warner and MTN will work together again to cover the City of Lakes Loppet.
D. Executive Director’s Report – Pam Colby presented – she handed out a
copy of her report
MTN was mentioned in an "Ethnic TV" article in the Star Tribune.
MTN was asked to partner in the Juneteenth Freedom to Vote Project. Motion: to authorize MTN as a Partner in the Freedom to Vote project. MSP: Zulu, Wallace.
During Intermezzo, the regular MTN schedule is interrupted. MTN board members received an e-mail from a viewer complaining about a program that did not air at its usual time. MTN will work in the future to put up information on the channel to inform viewers about upcoming Intermezzos.
The equipment money was received from Time Warner.
MTN's landlord called to say that all terms are good on the lease and he wants to get the contract done, but he is on the threshold of getting a deal around the administrative office space.
MTN has gotten back 123 completed surveys from members.
Black History Day event will be telecast live by MTN again.
The December financial information will be presented at the February meeting.
Nolley noted the low turnout at this meeting and wondered whether elections should be held. Wallace said that the people who are missing are on the slate and have accepted their nominations. Wallace said that MTN had announced the elections at its last two meetings. The proposed slate is as follows: as Chair, Vose; as Vice Chair, Higinbotham; As Secretary, Child; as Treasurer, Engebretson. Vose turned the meeting over to Wallace as chair of the Nomination Committee. She entertained a motion to accept the slate. MSP Zulu, Nolley. Wallace handed the meeting back to Vose.
Earlier, the Finance Committee met to discuss and approve the budget, which Colby presented. In 2004, MTN will face a balloon payment in its rent, and the consultant fee for the Needs Assessment. The Finance Committee agreed that some of MTN's reserve funds may need to be spent to compensate for these extra expenses. Motion: to approve the budget as presented. MSP: Nolley, Gonda. Colby is proposing that MTN not make staff cuts this year.
Vose presented certificates to Gonda and Wallace and Colby presented a cake. Wallace said that "Chocolate is always appropriate." Vose thanked them for their service.
Meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. MSP Wallace, Gonda