Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Board Members Present: Tamir Nolley, Tom Cassidy, Robert Vose, Floyd Child, Mark Engebretson, Joan Higinbotham, Tomas Gonda
Board Members Absent: Todd Barnes, Vusi Zulu,
Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, C. John Harrison
Others Present: Pamela Colby, John Akre
Vose called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
I. Opening Business
A. Introduction of new Board Member Tom Cassidy.
B. Comments from public, staff, and board. There were no comments.
C. Approval of agenda. Amendment: Addition of: III. Priority Items, A. Review Committees. MSP Nolley, Child
D. Minutes from the January board meeting. MSP Nolley, Child

II. Reports
A. City of Minneapolis report - C. John Harrison presented
There is one remaining board position to fill. This position is a Mayor and City Council President appointment. Franchise Renewal negotiations will start again next week. The negotiations will take place at City Hall and the chief negotiator will be Gail Plewacki. Vose said that MTN has expressed an interest in monitoring and/or participating in negotiations. Harrison would check if an MTN Board representative could be present at these meetings. There was discussion of the Barnes Board position. He has not attended since June 2003.
B. Minneapolis Public Schools – Melissa Winter was not present
C. Time Warner Cable – Lance Leupold presented
There are currently 79,444 subscribers. The number of subscribers has been rising. The Youth Service Award deadline is March 26th.. He asked members to nominate a youth who volunteers in the community. Vose asked if Time Warner had received comments about the price of the digital cable service. Leupold said that the city got one such call and that Time Warner responded to it.
D. Executive Director's Report – Pam Colby presented
The Audit 2003 is nearing completion. Colby said it is going well.
Colby spoke about the Midwest Alliance ACM conference in St. Paul.
Needs Assessment Update: Colby was told by Robinson that the results from the producer's survey were positive. The consultants are currently conduction the phone survey of Minneapolis households.
MTN Lease. Colby reported that she has been having regular discussions with the landlord over the lease agreement. A meeting between the landlord, Vose, and Colby will be set up.
A film crew from Washington, D.C. was taping at MTN recently for a DVD to accompany the Media Smart Youth program.
Vose would like the Franchise Renewal Committee to meet about the Needs Assessment. There was discussion about the "Only on Cable" PSA produced by Hamil Griffin Cassidy at the invitation of MACTA.
D. Treasure's Report – Engebretson presented
Engebretson reported that nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Vose asked about the line item for franchise renewal. This item pays for the Needs Assessment. Colby would ask the bookkeeper about how he set this up in the budget. Accept the report. MSP Child, Nolley
III. Priority Items
A. Review Committees
The Board discussed the role and membership of MTN Committees. The following board members volunteered to serve on these committees:
Public Relations Committee: Engebreson, Nolley, Cassidy
Franchise Renewal/Long Range Planning Committee: Vose, Engebretson, Higinbotham
Finance Committee: Engebretson, Child, Higinbotham
Education Committee: Nolley, Gonda
Equipment Committee: Child, Nolley,
Engebretson proposed that the Executive Committee meet regularly. Nolley said that committees should think about meeting dates and set goals.
IV. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. MSP Engebretson, Nolley