Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, February 10, 2005

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

Child 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. Amend the agenda to include Action item 3A in the Minneapolis Public Schools Reports, and make MPS Report item 2C, moving up Time Warner Report to item 2B. MSP Nolley, Huber

C. Minutes from the January board meeting. MSP Higinbotham, Rainville


II. Reports

A. City of Minneapolis - C. John Harrison reported
A scramble channel is being activated as a Fire Department training channel. The channel will only be available in fire stations. The re-approval to the MTN Board of Child and Cassidy goes to City Council for approval. The one open seat closes soon. Harrison distributed a copy of the Communications Department/MTN Resolution that spells out a process for informing MTN on the progress of franchise negotiation and any merger. The Resolution will be voted on by City Council tomorrow.

B. Time Warner Cable - Lance Leupold presented
There are currently 78,442 subscribers. Time Warner is providing Road Runner Valentine's Day video messages for military families with members overseas. Rainville requested Time Warner foreign language channel information. Leupold said that basic cable includes Univision. China Central TV, the International Channel, and News World International are on the digital service that the schools receive.

C. Minneapolis Public Schools - Colleen Kosloski reported
Colby reported that the Executive Committee discussed whether MTN programs or manages the channels. They agreed that the precedent is that MTN has managed Channel 76 and the MPS has programmed it.
Motion: That the MTN Board of Directors formally notify Time Warner that as of March 15, 2005, the Minneapolis Public Schools intends to provide Deutsche Welle programming 24 hours a day on cable channel 76. The MTN Board also asks that Time Warner accept this resolution as proper notice and waive the 90 day notice period so that the Minneapolis Public Schools may offer Deutsche Welle programming beginning March 15, 2005. MSP Rainville, Higinbotham.
Discussion: Nolley said that he prefers that the channels carry local programming. Kosloski stated that a bill to continue funding traffic radio on KBEM has been introduced in the legislature. Colby was requested to give this written notice to Time Warner.

D. Executive Director's Report - Pam Colby presented
The MTN web site has a new design.
Operating support has been received from the city.
Monday Night Live has begun cablecasting on Channel 16.
MTN will participate again in the Black History Event at Walker Church.
Colby has been involved in planning the Alliance for Community Media Minnesota Conference and encourages Board Members to attend. One of the keynote speakers, Dirk Koning, died last night in heart surgery. He was a national leader in public access.

E. Treasure's Report - Huber presented
The end of the year report was handed out.
Motion to accept Treasurer's Report (P&L) MSP Huber, Nolley

F. Standing Committee Reports
Public Relations - Nolley reported - the Committee has been reorganizing the MTN handbook.
Equipment Committee - Child asked for a list of expenditures from Derks. Derks reported that staff is developing a prioritized needs list.
Nolley said that the Education Committee did not meet last year. Rainville suggested moving it into the PR committee.

III. Action Items

A. Board Committees 2005
Motion: To approve the following roster of MTN Committees: Public Relations (including Education), Ad Hoc Facilities and Franchise Renewal, Equipment, and Finance. MSP: Nolley, Rainville
The Committees will include the following board members:
Public Relations - Nolley, Rainville, Cassidy and staff
Finance - Huber, Higinbotham, Engebretson
Equipment - Child, Nolley,
Facilities and Franchise Renewal - the Executive Committee and other interested board members. Higinbotham volunteered.
Motion to accept committee slates. MSP Nolley, Higinbotham

IV. New Business
Harrison asked for updated Board of Directors on the MTN letterhead.

V. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m. MSP Nolley, Huber