Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, April 14, 2005

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

Child called the discussion to order at 5:37 p.m. Quorum was not present at this time.

I. Opening Business – Introduction of new board member Kevin Jenkins.
Jenkins was interested in serving on the equipment committee. Mark Engebretson has resigned from the board.

A. Comments from public, staff, and board – no comments

Quorum at 5:45 p.m. Child called the meeting to order.

B. Approval of agenda. Motion: Amend the agenda to add item II B. Discussion of wireless network. MSP Vose, Rainville

C. Minutes from the February board meeting. MSP Huber, Rainville


II. Reports

A. City of Minneapolis – C. John Harrison reported
City Office of Video Services is converting their ¾ inch archive tapes to DV. They would offer the used 3/4 inch tapes to MTN users. Colby suggested that Harrison send information about this that she can post.

B. Discussion of Wireless Network
Harrison said that the city sent out an RFP for a city-wide wireless network. There is a note in the RFP about "Community Technology Centers," and MTN was identified as such a center. The RFP was sent out by the Business Information Systems Department, formerly the I.T. department.
Vose asked how this RFP would affect the franchise renewal process. Vose said that this news should be significant for the renewal because of the emphasis placed in the negotiations on building an Institutional Network (INet) for the city. This wireless network would provide such a network for city communication. Vose said that if the INet is taken off the table in franchise negotiations, MTN would move up in priority. He asked Harrison if this would change the city's negotiations with Time Warner. Harrison said that they are in negotiation with Time Warner and he cannot say more than that at this time. Vose pointed out that a required service under the RFP would be to provide streaming video content of council meetings, and other events. Vose asked if that was meant to include MTN programming. Harrison said that the streaming content mentioned in the RFP would be the city's streaming content. Vose asked again about how the wireless network would impact franchise negotiation. Harrison said that the city understands the relationship between the wireless network and franchise renewal.

B. Minneapolis Public Schools – Colleen Kosloski was not present
Deutsche Welle is still not on channel 76, despite a signal transfer date of March 15, and a speed up in the channel transfer process, which MTN requested after direction of MPS staff. Motion: that Colby sent a request to MPS on a timeline for implementation of Deutsche Welle programming on Channel 76. MSP Rainville, Vose.

C. Executive Director's Report – Pam Colby presented
The 2004 Audit has begun.
New cameras – MTN signed a contract to purchase new but used cameras for the mobile truck.
State fair – Colby has applied for a booth at the State Fair.
Playback – there is now digital playback for daytime play on all channels.
Colby will be attending a conference when the May board meeting is scheduled, so there will be no board meeting in May. Committee meetings will be encouraged. The next board meeting will be June 9. Child asked committees to report on goals for the rest of the year at the June meeting.

E. Treasure's Report – Huber presented
January and February Profit and Loss were presented. Huber will meet with Peloff to redesign the reports. Balance sheet will be added to reports. Motion to accept the report. MSP Vose, Rainville.

F. Time Warner Cable – Lance Leupold presented
Subscriber number will be forthcoming. Child asked if Time Warner knows anything about the wireless network RFP. Leupold said that they would be looking at it to see if it is anything they want to respond to.

G. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. MSP Huber, Rainville