Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, January 13, 2005

Board Members Present: Robert Vose, Floyd Child, Joan Higinbotham, Tamir Nolley, Joel Rainville, Marido Huber
Board Members Absent: Mark Engebretson, Vusi Zulu, Tom Cassidy,
Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, John Harrison, Colleen Kosloski, Wayne Sully
Others Present: Pamela Colby, John Akre

Vose 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 agenda. Add "Action Item A. Nominating Committee Report" Move "Minneapolis Public Schools" to "Report A." MSP Child, Huber

C. Minutes from the December board meeting. MSP Nolley, Higinbotham


II. Reports

A. Minneapolis Public Schools – Colleen Kosloski reported
Kosloski requested a change of use for Channel 76. The channel currently carries Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) traffic video and KBEM audio. The channel use is tied to the School Board's contract with MNDOT. On March 15, MNDOT will terminate that contract. MPS would like to replace the current traffic information with Deutsche Welle (DW) satellite programming. Because of budget cuts MPS has cut world language courses. DW would support their on-line language curriculum. Colby read from the Franchise Agreement that MTN designates channel use based on "public interest programming," and that requests to change the use of a channel must be made to Time Warner by MTN 90 days before the change. MTN staff has also discussed the possibility of programming local youth-produced shows on that channel. Child said that the MTN Board can determine the best use of the nine channels they oversee. Higinbotham spoke about how the public was very upset when DW was removed in the past by MPS. Leupold said that Time Warner's position is a preference for local programming on access stations. Huber asked about other Time Warner (TW) international offerings. Leupold did not have that information presently, but believed that the International Channel is offered on digital service. Huber asked the MPS staff about the possibility of programming language programming in addition to DW on channel 76, and Sully suggested that this might be possible. Child pointed out that we are currently less than 90 days from March 15. Kosloski said that MPS could replace the traffic channel with the MPS CG until the next use is set up. Leupold suggested that the MTN Board might need more options and information before making a decision. Kosloski asked the board to look at more than the mission of local purpose, but also at the educational mission of MPS. Other uses of the channel were discussed, including a video feed of KBEM programming. Several board members stated that they felt uncomfortable making a decision on this item with the limited information they had. Kosloski suggested that MTN should look at Channel 76 as an MPS channel and support their requested change. Leupold pointed out that all MPS schools have digital tuners and can access the International Channel currently. He suggested that schools could also access the DW content through streaming media. Vose asked for additional information and a staff recommendation at the February meeting.
Motion: Move "Action item 3 B. Channel 76 Programming Change Request" to the present. MSP Child, Rainville.
Motion: Table the request of the Minneapolis Public Schools to change Channel 76 programming until the February Board Meeting. For this meeting, the Board requests 1) a report from MPS on the contents of the four channels they program, and further information on the Deutsche Welle service they wish to program on 76; 2) a report from Time Warner Cable on the viability of carrying Deutsche Welle on a non-MTN non-digital channel; and 3) a report from MTN staff on an alternative use of the channel that would include locally-produced programming. MSP Rainville, Child
There followed a discussion about the ability and necessity of placing a notice over traffic information on Channel 76 noting that the service would be ending on March 15. Sully pointed out that the signal goes directly to TW Eden Prairie, and does not pass through MPS facilities.

B. City of Minneapolis - C. John Harrison not present
Colby reported that Harrison is at staff training.

C. Time Warner Cable - Lance Leupold presented
The current subscriber number is 78,669. In June, TW will move their headquarters to Minnetonka. They will maintain specialized functions at the Plymouth Avenue building in Minneapolis.

D. Executive Director's Report - Pam Colby presented
The Member Appreciation Party was a success.
The MTN budget passed at the city as proposed. Because the Franchise ended last year, MTN's contract with the city to administer public access had not been renewed, and renewal is necessary for MTN to get its funding from the city. A special Ways and Means Committee Meeting has been set up to approve the contract.
Time Warner was thanked for showing the MTN "Only on Cable" PSA.

Motion: move "Action Item A. Nominating Committee Report" to the present. MSP Rainville, Child
Nominating Committee Report - Higinbotham presented
Higinbotham presented the Nominating Committee's recommendations for MTN Board Officers for 2005. All candidates have agreed to serve. President: Child; Vice President: Vose; Secretary: Rainville; Treasurer: Huber. Higinbotham asked for any substitutions. None.
Motion: Accept the slate as presented. MSP Higinbotham, Child
Nolley suggested discussion of committee assignments at the February meeting.

E. Treasure's Report - Child presented
Report was handed out. MTN has a net income of $31,195 at the end of November 2004. Colby explained that this is expected to decrease slightly with the December report. Child pointed out that MTN should consider establishing a policy to deal with an excess if one should arise in future years. Child sees nothing of concern in the P & L statement.
Motion: to accept the Treasurer's Report MSP Nolley, Rainville

III. Action Items

A. MTN 2005 Budget - Child presented
The proposed 2005 MTN budget was handed out. Child pointed out that Colby based the numbers on the actual expenses and income received in 2004. An expense line item was created for the Public Relations Committee. Child proposes that the budget is appropriate for fiscal 2005.
Motion: Accept the MTN 2005 budget. MSP Rainville, Nolley. Huber abstained.

B. Public Relations Committee report - Nolley reported
The committee met on January 10th. The Committee began work on re-writing the MTN handbook and will present the revised handbook to the board when the work is completed.

IV. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. MSP Vose, Huber