Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, May 13, 2004

Board Members Present: Robert Vose, Tamir Nolley, Floyd Child, Mark Engebretson, Joan Higinbotham, Vusi Zulu
Board Members Absent: Todd Barnes, Tom Cassidy, Marido Huber
Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, C. John Harrison
Others Present: Pamela Colby, John Akre, Hamil Griffin-Cassidy, Martin Hallanger

Vose called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m.

I. Opening Business

A. Screening of "Only on Cable" PSA

B. Comments from public, staff, and board - Hamil Griffin-Cassidy noted that he sent a letter to board members about the Grievance Committee decision.

C. Approval of agenda. Child: change in "Treasurer's Report" to reflect that Child is Treasurer. Vose: add Report Item B, "Lease Information." MSP Child, Zulu

D. Minutes from the April board meeting. MSP Zulu, Engebretson


II. Reports

A. City of Minneapolis report - C. John Harrison presented
He said that he has been addressing problems on playback of channel 14 and 79. He said that the City Council has directed his office to record and play back all meetings in the council chambers. The city Communications Department announced to the Council that they would be exploring the merger of public and government access. They are currently doing a study of space in city hall and collecting MTN staff information.

B. Lease information - Discussion of Communication Department proposal
Colby recounted that she was made aware of the Communications Department proposal to combine public and government access on April 26 as she viewed the presentation of Communications Director Gail Pielwacki at the Ways and Means Committee meeting. She, Vose and Engrebretson met with Pielwacki and Harrison on the following Friday to discuss the proposal. Pielwacki's proposal calls for public access facilities to be moved to city hall so that equipment may be shared. She proposes that this will save money but not decrease service. There was discussion about what Pielwacki's presentation means. Vose pointed out that Pielwacki's report was approved by the Ways and Means Committee and then by the full City Council on April 30, and thus is city policy.
Colby said that on April 19, MTN's landlord John Rimarcek signed the five year lease for MTN to remain in Saint Anthony Main. Vose discussed the lease with Rimarcek and the landlord considers the lease binding. Vose said that MTN had been progressing with its work to extend its lease at Saint Anthony Main over the last year, and had made this plain to the City Council at the MTN Member's Meeting and also in personal discussions with Council Members. Zulu and Higinbotham suggested that the City Video Services offices move into MTN's space at Saint Anthony Main. The landlord has made it clear to MTN that additional space in Saint Anthony Main is available if MTN requires it. There was additional discussion over how MTN is to respond to this plan. Vose suggested waiting until the city presents a proposal; Engebretson suggested a more active strategy.
Motion: To turn this discussion over to the Executive Committee until the next board meeting. MSP Child, Zulu. Nolley abstained.

C. Public schools, no report

D.Time Warner Cable - Lance Leupold presented
The current number of cable subscribers is 79,612. Leupold said that Time Warner hopes to launch digital phone service on its own backbone soon. Colby asked about cable regulation changes on the state level and how they might affect PEG. Leupold did not know enough to comment. Vose said that the telecom bill that passed the State Senate includes regulation that requires competitors to cable meet the same obligations for public, education and government access that cable companies are required to fulfill.

E. Executive Director's Report - Pam Colby presented
MTN received the Best TV Station honor in the City Pages, and Somali TV was named best public access show. MTN received a certificate of appreciation from the Urban League.
The Needs Assessment will be presented on May 20th.
Colby mentioned the new Information Workshop process. Zulu asked if the syllabus was on-line.

The gavel for the meeting was passed from Vose to Higinbotham.

F. Treasure's Report - Child presented
The finance committee met with the auditor and Child was happy with the results of the audit.
Motion: To accept the audit as presented; MSP Child, Zulu
Child spoke about changes in nonprofit law that will leave the board more financially responsible for the organization. The board will need to select an audit representative in future years.

III. Priority Items

A. Handbook review following Grievance Hearing (Grievance Committee)
Colby discussed the hearing over the Lemmy O suspension. She said that the staff is looking for direction from the Board in revising its rules and suspension procedures. Engebretson recommended an official warning system before a suspension is issued. Child suggested that the staff should be responsible for drawing up the rules. Griffin-Cassidy said that staff needs to get guidance from the board. Hallanger recommended that board members read the handbook and make notes of questions or suggestions. Zulu suggested that active producers have input into the process so that the procedures are clear to them. Zulu, Nolley and Engbretson volunteered to work as a rules committee. Colby asked all board members to review the handbook. Colby suggested that a draft of the new handbook be ready for the July board meeting. Leupold suggested a sub-document for staff on how to enforce these rules.

IV. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m. MSP Nolley, Child