Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, June 8, 2006

Board Members Present: Floyd Child, Tom Cassidy, Marido Huber, Andrew Hedden, Joel Rainville, Joan Higinbotham, Robert Vose, Tamir Nolley
Board Members Absent: Kevin Jenkins
Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, Cathy Burns, John Harrison (on phone)
Others Present: Pamela Colby, John Akre, Jim Derks, Martin Hallanger

Child called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.

I. Opening Business

A. Comments from public, staff and board – Hallanger mentioned upcoming vote in the U.S. House on the COPE Act. This legislation threatens the future of public assess.

B. Approval of the agenda. Amendment: Change item "III. A. Civil Rights Complaint" to item I.D. MSP Rainville, Vose. Approve Agenda: MSP Nolley, Rainville.

C. Approval of Minutes from the May meeting. MSP Huber, Rainville.

D. Civil Rights Complaint (Don Samuels vs. MTN) – Colby reported
Colby and Vose attended mediation at the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department. Don Samuels' request for remedies for his Civil Rights complaint were detailed in a letter handed to board members. Colby feels that based on board's decision, that MTN should not compensate him $100,000 as per his request. Nolley read from the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and asked that his comments be recorded verbatim in the record: "Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free expression thereof or abridging the freedom of speech." Vose said that at mediation, the primary thing he and Colby put on the table to respond to the complaint is the idea of Samuels using MTN to respond. Cassidy said that the demand for money in this complaint takes it far beyond an issue of speech. Nolley suggested that Samuels' reputation could not have been damaged much by speech on MTN because he won the election by a wide margin. Colby said that Samuels was asked by the mediators if he would lower his monetary demands and he said no. Vose explained the Civil Rights process. There is one mediator trying to get the parties together. He is an attorney who has also researched the complaint. If mediation is unsuccessful, a panel of the Civil Rights department hear the complaint and rule on it. Vose explained that most cases before the Civil Rights Department involve a city department, so that Civil Rights has enforcement power. MTN is an independent organization. Colby mentioned that Samuels brought up MTN in City Council debate on a city sponsored interactive blog. Higinbotham said she did not want it to look like MTN does not want to continue mediation. Huber said that MTN should make it clear that it is a forum for free speech. Vose said that the language of the law is very complicated and different courts may rule differently. Motion: To make it clear in whatever process is appropriate that MTN is not willing to pay money to settle this complaint. MSP Vose, Higinbotham.
Huber said that including MTN in the complaint was an error. Rainville asked if MTN is required to participate in this process. Vose and Colby said that it would be politically unwise to not participate. Nolley said that were the Samuels complaint successful, it opens MTN up to liability for anything said by any user of MTN. Vose explained the point of his motion was to make it clear that money is off the table as far as MTN is concerned, and that if that is not agreeable to the complainant, then the complaint goes to the next step. Motion carried.

II. Reports

A. City of Minneapolis – C. John Harrison not present
Vose discussed the judge's order in the franchise violation complaint by the city of Minneapolis. The city sued Time Warner over two franchise violations. They lost that suit. At the same time, the city began an administrative hearing to address other violations. Time Warner then sued the city. They said that the city should have raised all violations in the initial case. The judge ruled in favor of Time Warner. The city has an appeal into the 8th circuit.

B. Minneapolis Public Schools – Kathy Burns presented
Graduations will be this weekend at the Convention Center.

C. Executive Director's Report – Colby presented
Annual Meeting is June 27th – she encouraged board members to attend. Rainville asked about the format of the meeting. Colby suggested that board members be seated in a prominent location. Colby will present the annual report. She will do a power point presentation with video.
Colby was in Washington DC to lobby for NAMAC in behalf of "orphan works" in copyright legislation. Colby met with Coleman?s staff and Sabo to discuss the COPE legislation. Colby encouraged members to call or e-mail a letter to oppose the COPE legislation.
Strategic planning – Borrup will start working on this in July.
Midtown Market – MTN truck was at the opening.
Girl Scouts – MTN received a Media Smart Youth grant and will work with the Girl Scouts again this summer. Other youth training was mentioned.

D. Time Warner Report – Lance Leupold presented
Total of subscribers is 77,509. No date is set for the transition to Comcast.

E. Treasurer's Report – Huber presented
The MTN Audit was discussed. Huber said that the ratio of assets to debt is very good. MTN has a very good ratio of administration to programming in its staff funding. Higinbotham and Hedden also served on the Finance Committee, which met with the auditor. Motion to approve audit. MSP Vose, Rainville
April and May financial reports will be presented at the next meeting.

Huber suggested scheduling a July board meeting – it will be on July 13th.

New Business – A letter from Leslie Davis was handed out to board members. Motion: that Colby read the letter of complaint and forward a response to the board. MSP Huber, Rainville

III. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m. MSP. Rainville, Huber