Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, February 9, 2006

Board Members Present: Floyd Child, Joan Higinbotham, Kevin Jenkins, Andrew Hedden, Tamir Nolley, Marido Huber, Tom Cassidy, Joel Rainville
Board Members Absent: Robert Vose
Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, C. John Harrison
Others Present: Pamela Colby, John Akre, Jim Derks

Child called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.

I. Opening Business

A. Comments from public and staff – no comments

B. Approval of the agenda. Move the Treasurer's Report to item D. MSP Huber, Higinbotham. Approve amended agenda MSP Nolley, Hedden.

C. Minutes from the January board meeting. MSP Huber, Nolley.


II. Reports

A. City of Minneapolis – C. John Harrison not present
Colby reported that Harrison requests that he be allowed to be present at the next Executive Committee meeting. The Board asked Colby to suggest to Harrison that he request that the Executive Committee set up a meeting with him.

B. Minneapolis Public Schools – Cathy Burns not present
In an e-mail message to Colby, Burns said that MPS is still interested in doing a magazine show with MTN. Huber brought up the issue of the MPS Production Services contract, which had not been awarded to, or announced to MTN. Huber asked Colby to write a letter to the new Superintendent of Schools that would introduce MTN and offer its production services for covering school board meetings. Huber suggested that this letter be CC?d to the mayor. Colby said that such a letter would be sent out within two weeks.
Child suggested that MTN expand its production services contracts. Motion: that the Executive Commitee meet with Colby to discuss expanding alternative income generating ventures at MTN. MSP Higinbotham, Hedden.

C. Time Warner Cable – Leupold reported
There are currently 78,265 subscribers. Leupold passed out nomination forms for the Time Warner Youth Service Award. The ceremony will be held on April 28. Copies are also available on the Time Warner web site.

D. Treasurer's Report – Huber reported
The year-end unaudited Profit & Loss statement was handed out and discussed. Huber had questions about the decrease in training income. Huber suggested better management of class enrollment so that a class does not end up losing money for MTN. Huber commended Colby and the staff for its fiscal restraint.
Motion to approve Treasurer's Report – MSP Nolley, Cassidy

E. Executive Director's Report – Pam Colby presented
Equipment purchases have begun. New Compix Character Generators have been received.
MTN will have a Film Festival event for Art-A-Whirl. Huber suggested asking the GMCVA for support.
The South High Voices program is running with 73 students.
Colby is filing comments to the FCC in respect to the issue of local communities' right to franchise.
The ACM Minnesota Conference is next Friday and Saturday. Colby encouraged board members to attend.
Hearings on franchise violations began this week at City Hall. Ways and Means Committee chair Ostrow was appointed by the committee to act as judge for the hearings. He will make a recommendation to the full committee. Attorneys for Time Warner and for the City have been making presentations. Colby read a letter from the MTN Board.


III. Action Items

A. Public Relations Committee Report - Cassidy reported
Colby plans to produce an arts magazine program with emphasis on involving arts groups with MTN. Hallanger is working on getting MTN back in at the state fair. Huber asked about the results of the state fair venture. Colby said that it was a huge success with centers from around the metro working together. Cassidy said this year there would be more of an emphasis on promoting individual programs and creating programming from the fair.

Child announced that Rainville will chair the next MTN Board meeting.

IV. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. MSP Nolley, Huber