Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, December 11, 2003
Board Members Present: Julie Wallace, Tamir Nolley, Floyd Child, Tomas Gonda, Joan Higinbotham, Mark Engebretson, Robert Vose
Board Members Absent: Todd Barnes, Vusi Zulu
Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, C. John Harrison, Melissa Winter
Others Present: Pamela Colby, John Akre
Vose called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m.
Harrison presented the 2004 MTN budget number: $630, 592. He added that Gail Plewacki from the city told him that the $50,000 equipment funds from Time Warner would come soon. Harrison encouraged MTN to look over the phone survey form.
Winter said that the School Board will face an additional $4.5 million cut from its 2003 budget. Support services will bear the brunt of those cuts. She has been learning the tasks of her new job responsibilities. She will be doing an early family childhood education day and working on school news segments with KBEM. Vose offered her training from MTN to help her utilize her equipment.
The current subscriber number is 79,448. They will be adding High Definition content, and exploring digital phone technology. Engebretson asked about a recent pro-satellite newspaper column. Leupold will be presenting the Star Tribune with Time Warner information in regard to local competition. Vose said that he welcomes Time Warner using the local content of public access in their marketing. Harrison asked about the possibility of a City-meeting-on-demand channel. Leupold said that this would be an issue for the board, or perhaps for renegotiations. Vose asked Leupold about Time Warner’s view about contract renegotiations. Leupold had no news in that regard.
E. Treasurer’s Report – Engebretson handed out written report.
Colby said that the budget number from Harrison was the number she had had from last year. Engebretson said that MTN is paying for half of the Needs Assessment this year. Gonda brought up the issue of accreditation for MTN classes. Colby said that it was explored ten years ago as a joint plan with MCTC. Motion to accept the Treasurer's Report with correction of decimal placement in the payroll section. MSP Child, Wallace.
D. Executive Director’s Report – Colby presented
Colby is recommending Barry Rogers Inc. for the 2003 audit. Colby said the audit cost would increase a small percentage, but would include additional work. Motion: that MTN sign a contract with Barry Rogers Inc. for the 2003 audit. MSP Child, Wallace
Colby will have a 2004 budget ready for the next meeting.
A local Access Conference is coming in February.
Vose has proceeded to sign a contract with Tom Robinson to complete the MTN Needs Assessment. Gonda commented that the Needs Assessment meeting with producers was very positive; people said great things about the staff and why they come to MTN. Higinbotham pointed out that MTN needs to do a better job of marketing itself. She said that this is a responsibility for the board.
The budget was covered under the Executive Director's report. Colby asked for an additional Agenda Item. Motion: Add Item D, Facility Report, to the agenda. MSP Engebretson, Child
Ad hoc group proposes the following slate of nominees:
As Chair, Vose; as Vice Chair, Higinbotham; As Secretary, Child; as Treasurer, Engebretson. This slate will be proposed at the January meeting.
D. Facility Report
Colby read a letter from the landlord. He said he would continue to pay the cost of MTN sublease space. Child said that he wants a signed lease agreement for MTN. Vose entertained a motion to send a letter to the landlord. This letter would state that MTN is staying in this location and acting on that understanding. It would also state that the space that MTN would give up would be the administration space. The letter would ask for a contract for the main MTN space. Motion: authority to send such a letter to the landlord. MSP Child, Nolley
Meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. MSP Engebretson, Child