Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, December 11, 2008

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

Huber called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

I.Opening Business

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

B.Approval of December meeting agenda. MSP Rainville, Jenkins

C.Minutes from November board meeting. MSP Rainville, Nei

II. Reports

A.City of Minneapolis – Harrison presented
The city has received three applications for the three open board positions. In November, the city had 77,931 subscribers. Harrison had a meeting with the coordinator of the new Community Engagement Department. They want to have their board meetings televised. He recommended they contact MTN. They have 20 committee members plus staff.

B.Minneapolis Public Schools – French not present
French and Colby will be meeting next week.

C.Comcast – Leupold reported
Many community activities are going on and were reported in the Comcast newsletter. Comcast has launched higher speed services. Comcast is part of a program presenting instruments to Minneapolis public schools through VH-1.

D.Executive Director?s Report – Colby reported
MTN?s Server has had major audio problems this last month. Staff have been working with the vendor to resolve the issue. There have been many calls of complaint. Derks explained that the problem comes randomly and has been a major challenge.
MTN completed the 17th Access to Art program.
MTN partnered with Hennepin County to produce programming on filing paternity papers in several languages.
MTN did not get the Digital Divide grant from the Minneapolis Foundation.
Membership renewals can be done on the MTN web site using PayPal.
Several Council Members have come into the studio for discussion shows for their community events.

E.Treasurer?s Report – Hedden presented
For October, MTN had $9400 net income. There is nothing unusual in the report. The audit report was also handed out. Huber said that she was concerned because MTN is an equipment-based company and our equipment has depreciated. Huber suggested starting a capital budget in the coming year to replenish equipment. Colby said that this was the first audit without a management letter thanks to the good work of Peloff and Betzenheimer. Motion: to receive the financial report for October. MSP Child, Rainville. Motion: to approve the 2007 Audit. MSP Child, Rainville.


III. New Business

A.MTN Personnel Policies changes
Colby presented proposed policy changes that were discussed at the last board meeting. Huber suggested putting an effective date on the policy, ?Effective January 1, 2009.? Child asked if the plan has a vesting policy built in. Colby would look into this. Child asked if MTN has a probationary policy for new hires. Child said that the plan MTN purchased may already have these things built into it. Motion: To adopt all paragraphs of the proposed Personnel Policy Changes except 4061, and forward this paragraph to the Executive Committee to add any exclusionary language required for the terms of the plan. Amendment: accept this policy as starting January 1. Friendly amendment accepted. MSP Rainville, Nei. The motion means that the Executive Committee can approve paragraph 4061, but can only add language to it. Cassidy recused himself from the vote.

B.MTN 2009 Board appointments
Vose and Nolley had missed the maximum number of meetings this year and Huber asked them to resign. They agreed. Motion: to accept the effective resignations of Vose and Nolley. MSP Rainville, Jenkins. Cassidy asked if there was a way to continue to engage the expertise of Vose in the future. Cassidy suggested that Vose in particular be thanked for his contributions to the board. Huber suggested that the board would express its gratitude for the service of all departing board members at the next meeting.

C.MTN Officer elections
Child presented the slate of officers. Chair: Andrew Hedden; Vice-chair: Kevin Jenkins; Treasurer: Joel Rainville; Secretary: Barb Nei. Motion to adopt the slate. MSP Child, Jenkins.

D.Board Committee work 2009 Calendar
Colby had proposed that the board meet every other month next year to allow more time for committee work. The Board needs to make sure that it does meet six times a year. Colby suggested that the board meet in full in January and February to get new members set. Huber also suggested an orientation for new board members. The orientation packet could contain by-laws, D & O insurance information, audit, and MTN rules. Huber said that we also need a signature that they have read the bylaws. Harrison said that when they accept the position, they accept the bylaws. Hedden suggested that one of the board applicants may not be eligible for the board because he is a contractor with Comcast. The bylaws will be checked.
List of committee assignments will be put together at the next meeting. In addition to the Executive Committee, the MTN Committees are Finance, Equipment, Marketing, and Use.


IV. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 6:35 pm. Hedden, Jenkins