AUGUST 2, 1999
CALL TO ORDER: Board Chair Margaret Barlow called the meeting to order at 11:55 a.m.
Members in attendance were: Roberta Taylor (vice chair); Beverly Jones, Robert Bradley, Ed Dorsey, Lela Estes, Mark Madry, Aaron Sheaffer, and Vicki Souve.
Also attending were Tim Strach, City of Dayton cable administrator; DATV Executive Director John Rocco and DATV staff member Dee Jividan.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: On a motion by E. Dorsey, seconded by A. Sheaffer, the agenda was approved as presented.
BOARD CHAIR COMMENTS: M. Barlow thanked DATV staff and volunteers who worked on the Alliance for Community Media conference in Cincinnati in July, expressing pride in the role DATV played. She also reaffirmed the need to "get back to our roots" as a medium to give the community a voice. More discussion of the legislative effort exerted when franchise fees were challenged will occur later in the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion by R. Taylor, seconded by V. Souve, minutes of the June 7 meeting were approved.
TREASURER'S REPORT: J. Rocco reminded board members that Vicki Deam has resigned as bookkeeper. Battelle & Battelle will provide bookkeeping services beginning in August. In response to a question whether this constitutes a conflict, since Battelle & Battelle audits DATV books, J. Rocco explained that the two services will be provided by different divisions. However, he will check on the conflict issue. On a motion by B. Jones, seconded by V. Souve, the treasurer's report was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: J. Rocco reported that the possibility of a concert to benefit DATV still is being investigated. There were no other committee reports.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT: J. Rocco reported that he had met with Steve Sullenberger, interim general manager at Time Warner. He also reported on the effort to oppose legislation impacting cable franchise fees, for which approximately 90 faxes were issued, and on the employment of a Jobs for Graduates summer intern. V. Souve thanked Mr. Rocco for spearheading the opposition to the legislation; B. Jones asked that Mr. Rocco prepare a fact sheet to help board members educate others about franchise issues.
Mr. Rocco also reported that another mailing is scheduled in the fall to promote non-profit organization membership to DATV. Board members urged that organizations receiving Human Service Levy funds be included. To date, $6,000 has been collected from non-profit organizations.
CABLE ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS: T. Strach elaborated on the legislative effort from the municipal perspective, commending DATV and the Alliance for their work in opposing the legislation.
OLD BUSINESS: Board members agreed that it is DGTV's turn to host a joint retreat.
NEW BUSINESS: M. Barlow suggested two motions in support of the Alliance's public policy efforts. On a motion by L. Estes, seconded by M. Madry, the board agreed to donate up to $2,500 to the Alliance's public policy campaign. On a motion by L. Estes, seconded by M. Madry, members agreed unanimously to insert a line item in next year's budget for support of the Alliance's public policy/education effort. Mr. Rocco will check on the amount a non-profit may contribute.
B. Jones reminded the board that goals need to be set to aid in the evaluation of the executive director. Goals should be discussed at the October meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by A. Sheaffer and seconded by M. Madry. The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Beverly Jones, Secretary
John Rocco, Executive Director