Minneapolis Telecommunications Network

Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, December 12, 2002

Board Members Present: Mark Engebretson, Julie Wallace, Tomas Gonda, Floyd Child, Joan Higinbotham, Vusi Zulu

Board Members Absent: Cristina Stoeckel, Robert Vose, Tamir Nolley

Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, John Harrison (for Edie French), Leo McCafferty

Others Present: Pamela Colby, Jim Derks

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

  1. Opening Business
    1. Comments from public, staff, and board.

      2. No comments.

    2. Approval of agenda, MSP Zulu, Higgenbotham
    3. Minutes from the November meeting. . II. Reports, B. insert after the sentence, "Vose and French questioned whether there were PR related activities that Time Warner might do to inform subscribers of the changes." Bob Vose asked French if the MTN Board in fact had the authority to make the decision. II. Reports, B. 4. change sentence to read - 4. Time Warner will endeavor to make the digital navigator channel use specific for the MTN upper channels unless technically infeasible. II. Reports, B. change sentence to read- Leupold stated that PEG channels do not fit in the main marketing mission, primarily because PEG is not viewer or market driven but rather producer driven. MSP Zulu, Child
  2. Reports
    1. City of Minneapolis – John Harrison presented.

      2. Harrison thanked MTN playback for improvements in communication and for notices regarding problems with channel 71. Harrison requested assistance from MTN for preparation in making an extended-play tape to be used on December 24th when MTN does not have a live playback operator. Colby and Derks offered assistance in planning for this event.

    2. Minneapolis Public Schools- Leo McCafferty

      3. McCafferty reported that the schools are working with Mark Daniels of Time Warner Cable to install cable converters. This work is being done so that all the schools are able to receive the upper level PEG channels of Time Warner Cable after they are moved. At this time 35 schools remain on the list. Leuppold noted that these are the more complicated schools and that progress may be slowed down even though more time is being devoted to the project. Leuppold suggested that the schools consider rearranging their channel assignment so that the Annenberg channel is in the lower channel position. Leuppold stated that this would guarantee all schools access to the Annenberg channel during the transition.

    3. Time Warner Cable – Lance Leupold presented

    Leupold reported the check for $2,800.00 (as described in the channel change agreement) has been delivered to MTN. In addition the equipment check for MTN in the amount of $50,000.00 had been deposited in a City of Minneapolis account. Leupold asked for specific information regarding heading titles for the Navigator on MTN's upper channels. Harrison responded that the label "Government Meeting Channel" should be applied to current channel 71. Colby asked that the remaining information be shared through email. Leupold noted that they have sent the guide in which the channel line-ups changes are listed. Leupold reported the current subscriber number is 80,810,00.

    D. Executive Director’s Report – Pam Colby reported. (attached)

    E. Treasurer’s Report – Colby distributed Profit and Loss sheet. Higinbotham motioned approval of Treasurer’s Report. MSP: Higinbotham, Zulu

  3. Priority Items
    1. 2003 Budget.

    Colby and Engebretson stated that all indications are that the current budget numbers are accurate. Zulu suggested that MTN investigate the use of Road Runner service for our high speed Internet connection. Child made a motion to approve the 2003 Budget as presented. MSP Child, Zulu.

    B. Engebretson spoke regarding the Universal Service Resolution. He stated that the intent of the proposal is to allow people minimal cable service which would allow Minneapolis residents access to information on the PEG channels. Engebretson said that this might serve as an incentive for some people to upgrade their cable if they were happy with this service. He stated that Council President Paul Ostrow is in support of this type of resolution. Child stated that it all sounds great and questioned what was not to like about it. Leuppold told the board that this type of service does have costs and that this may involve legal issues since Time Warner was already mandated to provide what they call a "life-line service" which includes broadcast and PEG channels. Colby stated that this service currently costs about $13.00 per month. Engebretson said that he was not attached to this particular language but was concerned that installation and monthly fees were low enough to allow PEG channels affordable for low-income citizens of Minneapolis. Leupold said that once a household was subscribed to cable at any level that there may be service calls, which do cost the cable-company and that this could increase the number of households pirating cable. Leupold said that MTN's past argument that we are an asset to the cable company because of the subscribers that we bring would be weakened if this resolution were enforced. Leupold said that these kind of arrangements typically are paid for with PEG fees and went on to raise further concerns. Child asked that this resolution be held for more time to contemplate and gather information. No action was taken.

  4. Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. MSP Gonda, Child.