Minneapolis Telecommunications Network

Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, May 9, 2002

Board Members Present: Mark Engebretson, Julie Wallace, Joan Higinbotham, Floyd Child, Tomas Gonda, Tamir Nolley, Vusi Zulu, Cristina Stoeckel

Board Members Absent: Robert Vose

Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, Edie French, Leo McCafferty

Others Present: Pam Colby, John Akre

Meeting called to order at 5:30 by Mark Engebretson

  1. Opening Business
    1. Comments from public, staff, and board – no comments.
    2. Approval of agenda, Colby suggested adding "Facility discussion" to the priority items list. Amendment: MSP Wallace, Nolley; Agenda: MSP Nolley, Stoeckel.
    3. Approval of minutes from the April board meeting. MSP Child, Wallace.
  2. Reports
    1. City of Minneapolis – Edie French presented

      2. Engebretson asked her about the hearing on April 23rd. French said that it was called "Systems Services Review" and called for in the franchise.

    2. Minneapolis Public Schools - Leo McCafferty presented

      3. His department has merged with another department at the schools. That means fewer people doing the work Programming continues with graduations coming up for the summer.

    3. Time Warner Cable – Lance Leupold presented

      4. The subscriber number is 79,365. Time Warner successfully started the multiple ISP program on Monday.

      Engebretson asked about Deutsche Welle, which had come up at the System Services Review. Leupold said that it is being considered for the future. French said that statements about Deutsche Welle will be included in the report she is preparing about the review.

    4. Executive Director’s Report – Pamela Colby presented

      5. Summer events coverage began last weekend with May Day.

      MTN's Sublease has fallen one month behind in their rent. Late fees will be charged. The owner of the building said that they are behind with him as well.

      Engineering – Jim Derks worked with Time Warner to move modulators into the MTN side of playback. This led to improvement in the MTN signal.

      Executive Director Development – Colby visited access centers in Massachusettes. She noticed that 3 facilities had do-it-yourself studios where one person can operate and host a show.

      Youth Training – MTN is in negotiation with DeLaSalle High School for a contract for video production training for their students in mornings.

      French said that Council Member Johnson Lee had asked her in the hall about why folks were calling her about taping events. French said that Johnson Lee didn't seem to know that it was an opportunity for her.

      Child asked about the sublease. Colby said that the lease has very clear terms about how to proceed and she will follow those out.

      Child asked if we can make Studio C into a Do-It-Yourself studio. Colby said that we would just need to purchase the equipment for it. Nolley wondered whether MTN should wait until it moves into a new facility before building such a studio.

      Child asked if the DeLaSalle model could be pursued with other schools. Colby said that it was difficult because of transportation costs. Other issues are wear and tear on equipment and space. Zulu suggested partnering with community groups, to access Empowerment Zone funds.

    5. Treasurer’s Report – Joan Higinbotham presented

    Colby passed out hard copy. There was some discussion about the meaning of the figures in the columns. Zulu suggested presenting the report in columns labeled "Year to date," "Monthly," "Annual budget" and "Percentage."

  3. Priority Items
    1. Introduction and update from Martin Hallanger – MTN Program Manager

      2. Hallanger introduced himself and explained his history doing public access programs. He described his job, cataloguing tapes and managing the cablecasters. Colby added that he has done a great job so far and updating look of channels and thrown himself into the job. Engebretson said that he is easy and a pleasure to work with.

    2. Facility –

    Colby said that a group of staff visited the Antiques Minnesota building, which is being purchased to be transformed into an Art Center with Heart of the Beast theatre as a partner. Colby said there was much space there but that it lacked a studio height ceiling. There is not a garage for the truck. Engebretson said that at the Services Review he made two points: (1) the capital payment from Time Waner, and (2) the facility issue. He stated that MTN wants the facility issue to be dealt with as part of the capacity negotiation. Colby said she is getting calls from people regularly who have space to offer. Wallace said that we should have an architect look at spaces with us. Zulu suggested that MTN put together the financial plan of what is needed for a facility. Higinbotham said that the build-out money needs to be in that too. Zulu suggested working with an architect to develop a design. Child recommended that the Facilities Committee design a timeline, and that the Finance Committee work on a financial plan. Engebretson said that we have the ears of the people on city council, and we need to take advantage of that soon.

    Engebretson asked about the June meeting. Colby said she would give the board reports in advance.

    Child asked that reports from the MTN Committees be added to the monthly meeting agenda. MSP Child, Nolley

  4. Adjourn

Meeting adjourned 7:25 p.m. MSP Zulu, Wallace