Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, September 9, 2004
Board Members Present: Robert Vose, Joel Rainville, Floyd Child, Marido Huber, Tamir Nolley
Board Members Absent: Vusi Zulu, Mark Engebretson, Joan Higinbotham, Tom Cassidy
Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, John Harrison
Others Present: Pamela Colby, John Akre, Martin Hallanger, Jim Derks

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

I. Opening Business
A. Comments from public, staff, and board - none
B. Approval of agenda. MSP Nolley, Child
C. Minutes from the June board meeting. MSP Rainville, Nolley

II. Reports

A. City of Minneapolis - C. John Harrison presented
Harrison said that the city of Minneapolis Property Services staff walked through the MTN facility and they are working on a report. Harrison said that the city is exploring 3 options: 1) to merge public and government access at City Hall, 2) to merge public and government access at St. Anthony Main, and 3) to merge public and government access at some other location. Colby said that Communication Director Plewacki had told Council Member Schiff that the organizations would not be merged. Harrison said that by the time this plan gets to the City Council there will be more options, including one to keep operations as they are. Vose asked when the options would go to the Council and what kind of dialogue MTN will have with city staff before that. Harrison said it will go before council in early to mid 2005, and then there will be time for dialogue. Harrison said that they are working on the franchise agreement and that the city will probably ask for a one-year extension to the current franchise. Harrison said that Time Warner is agreeable on extending the contract a year.

B. Minneapolis Public Schools - Melissa Winter not present
Winter sent her report via e-mail:
"The new superintendent is really excited about expanding our programming on Channel 15 with a monthly studio show. We hope to get that started in the next month.
"We did an RFP for production services for the channel and Location Images won the bid. They started producing our Board meetings in July and they have taken them to a whole new level! I'm very excited about their work. Our contract also includes the monthly studio shows, plus additional school performances/events."
Huber encouraged Colby to ask why MTN did not receive a copy of the RFP. Huber said that MTN should have been given an opportunity to bid for these services.

C. Time Warner Cable - Lance Leupold presented
The mid-July subscriber number is 76,539. Time Warner received a copy of the Needs Assessment from the city. Representatives from Time Warner visited MTN recently. Digital phone service will be rolling out soon.

D. Executive Director's Report - Pam Colby presented
Plewacki encouraged MTN to complete a Business Plan, and the Plan is nearing completion. Colby is working with MAP for nonprofits on the plan.
In July, MTN gave back 900 square feet to its landlord. Colby noted that the landlord has yet to sign a revised lease based on the new space changes. The landlord has also agreed to replace carpeting and make some repairs in MTN's space.
Colby requested a date for the 2004 Member's Meeting. The City Council was not able to keep the date previously scheduled. Harrison said that they are exploring other dates. Vose said that to comply with its bylaws, MTN needs to have a meeting with the Council scheduled this year.
The NRP production contract has been renewed.

E. Treasure's Report - Child presented
He presented the Profit Loss statement from January to June. Child said that the actual numbers have come in close to budgeted numbers. He sees nothing to be concerned about at this time. Receive the Treasurer's Report. MSP Nolley, Huber

III. Priority Items

A. Public Relations Committee Report - Nolley presented
Colby said that the committee discussed a table at future State Fairs. This table could be shared with other regional access centers.
Nolley reported that the PR Committee will allow staff to vote on committee decisions. Publicity Postcards are being distributed. The Committee will ask producers to plug their own shows in the Monitor newsletter. The MTN soapbox is going well. The Committee will put together a budget. Vose asked about t-shirts.
Cassidy would also like feedback on the MTN handbook. He is working on revisions.

B. Executive Committee Report - Vose presented
The Executive Committee met to discuss ways to facilitate more communication with the City. Huber asked about the 2005 budget process. Child explained that MTN does not know what the city has budgeted to MTN for next year, and will not proceed with its budget process until it has that number.
Colby mentioned that the October 14th board meeting has been moved to the 21st.

IV. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 6:13 p.m. MSP Nolley, Child