Minneapolis Telecommunications Network

Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, September 12, 2002

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

Board Members Absent: Cristina Stoeckel

Ex-Officio Present: Lance Leupold

Others Present: Pamela Colby, Jim Derks

Engebretson opened the meeting for discussion at 5:35 p.m.

1. Opening Business
1. Comments from public, staff, and board – Colby stated that Cristina Stoeckel had called and was unable to make tonight's meeting.
2. Approval of agenda-Zulu motioned to amend agenda to include approval of both the May and June minutes. MSP Zulu, Wallace.
2. Reports

A. City of Minneapolis – Edie French was ill but came early and gave a report to Bob Vose. Vose reported that French stated that the MTN annual meeting went very well. Engebretson noted that 11 of 13 council members were in attendance and it was held on the Friday before Labor Day weekend. Vose reported for French that the city is performing a technical audit of the institutional network. The City reports that the C cable is operational but "not perfect".

1. Minneapolis Public Schools – no report
2. Time Warner Cable – Lance Leupold reported that the subscription number is 78,539. Time Warner hosted a video on demand demonstration at City Hall. Leupold informed the board of the many benefits of video on demand. On September 11^th Time Warner Cable placed New York One on Channel 23 for the day. Leupold said that Time Warner is still "moving forward" with their consolidation plans.
3. Executive Director’s Report – Colby reported

Report was handed out. Tomas Gonda asked to see MTN's Media Literacy curriculum especially as it applies to youth classes.

3. Priority Items
1. Facilities Committee Report- Vose reported that he, Engebretson and Colby met with Edie French to discuss the franchising process. MTN was told that the city would not crank up the renewal process until 2003. Colby and Vose met with MCDA representatives to discuss potential loan programs that MTN might be eligible for. Vose reported that in reviewing the lease he has concluded that we can renew this lease for up to two five-year periods for a total of 10 years. The landlord would determine rate. Vose thought that we should meet with the landlord soon. Colby reported that the landlord has told her that he no longer wants MTN to leave early and would find it acceptable if MTN needs to stay longer after lease expires. Board felt that it is extremely important that the conversations with the landlord be in writing. Brain Hatlan, the Architect who has designed our spatial needs assessment as a part of MAP for Non-Profits, will give a presentation at the October meeting. Board Members thought that this presentation would help determine which steps should be taken next in regard to our facility.
4. Adjourn