Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, March 8, 2007

Board Members Present: Andrew Hedden, Joel Rainville, Joan Higinbotham, Kevin Jenkins, Robert Vose, Tamir Nolley
Board Members Absent: Marido Huber, Floyd Child, Tom Cassidy,
Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold, Edie French, John Harrison
Others Present: Pamela Colby, John Akre, Jim Derks

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

I. Opening Business

A. Comments from public, staff and board – no comments

B. Approval of the agenda. Approve Agenda: MSP Nolley, Jenkins

C. Approval of Minutes from the February board meeting. MSP Vose, Nolley


II. Reports

A. City of Minneapolis – C. John Harrison presented
Harrison congratulated Rainville and Vose for their reappointment on the board. He commended MTN staff who worked on a multi-camera shoot with them. They will be working again with MTN crew on coverage of the Mayor's state of the City Address. Harrison announced that an FCC order that will affect public access was recently released. The MTN Performance agreement he has been working on with Colby should be done within the next month.
Vose asked Harrison how this FCC ruling would affect the process of franchise renegotiation in Minneapolis. Vose said that it his understanding that equipment money separate from operation money was not addressed by the agreement. Vose said that the FCC order says that these news rules will affect franchises being renewed. Vose said that the new rules say that money over and above the franchise fee, like the access fee, have to be used for equipment, and cannot be used for operations. Vose said that if these rules apply to Minneapolis, where will MTN's operating funds come from. Harrison says that on Monday he will have a discussion with an attorney about this FCC order.
Harrison announced that Communications Director Gail Plewacki will be leaving.
Harrison said that bylaws came up during the board approval process. He will go over these with Colby.

B. Comcast Report – Lance Leupold presented
Upload speeds will be boosted. Leupold will not be providing subscribing numbers, as they are now provided to the city. Harrison will supply these in the future meetings.

C. Executive Director's Report – Colby presented
This afternoon, MTN hosted two afternoon live shows, one about MCTC and an International Women's Day show in Somali, with constant calls.
Colby showed examples of positive Public Relations in the Star Tribune and in the Minnesota Daily.
Basic Field Production classes are filled through April.
The Home Tour Preview show is in production
Colby has been working on the upcoming ACM conference in July.
Complaint update: a complaint was received yesterday that Somali program repeat times have been moved. There was also a complaint that the School Board CG channel was promoting Minneapolis School Board members more than appropriate. Harrison asked them to add contact information to the pages.
Nolley asked if the Schools determine the content of their channels. Colby said that they are in charge of the programming.
Higinbotham asked about meeting new Director of Programming. Colby said that she would appear at next meeting

D. Treasurer's Report – Hedden presented
P & L statement passed out for January 07. Total income only at 91% of budget. This is partly because there were three payrolls in January. Motion to received report MSP Vose, Nolley

E. Minneapolis Public Schools – Edie French presented
A crawl went up announcing school closings during the recent severe weather. They are prepared to make those changes remotely over the internet to announce such changes in the future.

Next board meeting April 12
III. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. MSP Nolley, Higinbotham.