Minneapolis Telecommunications Network

Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, June 12, 2003

Board Members Present: Julie Wallace, Tamir Nolley, Floyd Child, Tomas Gonda, Todd Barnes, Robert Vose,

Board Members Absent: Joan Higinbotham, Mark Engebretson, Vusi Zulu,

Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, C. John Harrison, Leo McCafferty

Others Present: Pamela Colby, John Akre, Jim Derks

Vose called the discussion to order at 5:35 p.m.

1. Opening Business
1. City of Minneapolis report – C. John Harrison presented.

City Cable now has computerized playback. Harrison explained that his department is back in the Communications Division at City Hall. Child asked Harrison about rumors that he has heard about the city wanting to merge MTN and City Cable. Harrison said he has heard nothing about this.

At 5:45 p.m. there was a quorum and Vose called the meeting to order.

2. Comments from public, staff, and board – no comments.
3. Approval of agenda with addition of priority items "D. Gun policy," and "E. City Code of Ethics." MSP Child, Nolley.
4. Minutes from the May board meeting. MSP Wallace, Nolley.

 

2. Reports
1. School Board – Leo McCafferty presented.

His department came out relatively well in the recent school board budget. He has been working with Time Warner to get digital cable upgrade in all schools.

2. Time Warner Cable – Lance Leupold presented.

The current subscriber number is 80,723 customers. Leupold said that Time Warner will be placing a gun ban sign on their Plymouth Avenue offices and this will affect MTN employees. They are renaming their digital packages, and upper end packages will include video on demand. Time Warner will be involved in taping the Aquatennial Grand Day parade this year.

3. Executive Director’s Report – Pam Colby presented. She handed out a written copy of her report.

J.C. Bagdadi won the Jewell-Ryan White Award for Cultural Diversity by the Alliance for Community Media.

Many Community events will be covered this summer; Colby included a list of them.

Vose reported that the Executive Committee reviewed Pam’s self review and approved a modest increase in line with her past increases.

4. Treasurer’s Report – Colby presented. She handed out the paper copy.

Production supplies are listed as high but include the cost of tapes sold. This will be broken down in the future.

 

3. Priority Items
1. Facilities Report – Vose reported

Vose put together a proposal to amend MTN's existing lease agreement; this proposal included a modest rent increase. Still under negotiation is the percentage of property taxes that will be paid by MTN. The landlord would like MTN to pay taxes for the garage, and currently MTN does not. Vose added language about lease termination that would allow MTN to terminate its lease in the event that support to MTN was severely reduced by the city. This was language that city officials asked MTN to include in its lease. The landlord asked for an official letter from the MTN board so that he can draw up a lease with the numbers that Vose provided him. Wallace asked if this lease indicates whether MTN will give up its administrative space. Vose said that the document does include a term on premises and the premises will be defined by an attached drawing. Colby said that the landlord is no longer requesting that MTN move out of the administrative space soon.

Motion: that MTN enter into a lease, or memorandum of understanding memorializing the terms thereof. MSP Child, Wallace.

2. Audit Report (Finance Committee)

A copy of the draft management letter from the audit was passed out. The Finance Committee approved the audit. Vose asked if there were any red flags in the audit itself. Child said he was pleased with the audit, and that the report was boilerplate. Child said that they will reissue the management letter but with MTN’s responses to the points therein and that will be the final letter.

Motion: Accept audit report with congratulatory note to the staff. MSP Barnes, Nolley.

 

3. Summer Board Schedule

Colby proposed that the board not meet during July and August. Committee meetings will be scheduled during that time. Gonda asked that committee reports be mailed to board members.

4. Gun policy – Vose discussed the new Minnesota gun law. The law authorizes organizations to set policy for employees and adopt policy or put up signs for the public. Vose would be in favor of putting up signs.

Motion: to place signs to ban guns in MTN. MS Barnes, Wallace. Discussion: Child said it is premature for the board to make this decision. It should follow the policy that the city sets. Child suggested that a program on MTN may use guns for educational purposes. Gonda asked if we need permission from the landlord to post a sign. Nolley suggested that the board study the law before going forward with a motion. Barnes moved to rescind his motion. Wallace agreed. Vose suggested getting feedback from employees before setting employee policy. Vose said if MTN does not post a notice banning guns, then people would be allowed to come in the premises with a gun.

E. City Code of Ethics – Child mentioned the letter sent to board members The city code of ethics may require MTN board members to file a statement of conflicts of interest and statement of economic interest. Vose suggested that Colby investigate this.

4. Adjourn