MINUTES OF THE

DATV BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2003

 

MEMBERS PRESENT

 

Roberta Taylor, Chair                                                   Mark Madry   

Aaron Sheaffer, Vice Chair                                           Lela Estes

Robert Bradley, Treasurer                                            Tim Gardner    

Margaret Barlow                                                          Tom Ritchie      Gabrielle Williamson

 

ALSO PRESENT

 

John Rocco, DATV Executive Director

David Snow, City of Dayton Cable Administrator

Kara Andrews, Time Warner Cable

Pat Jessee, DATV Staff

 

NOT PRESENT

 

Idotha Neal - excused.

 

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

 

R. Taylor called the meeting to order at 11:40 p.m.

 

ROLL CALL

 

Roll call read by P. Jessee.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

T. Gardner made the motion to approve the agenda as presented and M. Barlow

seconded. Agenda approved as presented.

 

BOARD CHAIR COMMENTS

 

Due to the importance of other business there will be no Board Chair comments at this time.

 

APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES - FEBRUARY 10, 2003

 

R. Taylor asked if everyone had the chance to read the board minutes of October 2.

T. Ritchie asked for the approval of the minutes as presented. L. Estes seconded. 

Motion passed unanimously.

 

Board Minutes for February 10, 2003                                                   Page 2

 

At this time A. Sheaffer asked R. Taylor for a vote on the new members for 2003. 

M. Barlow, chair of the nominating committee, said that  the nominating committee worked very diligently interviewing the additional candidates and put forth the following recommendation for board members for the term beginning January 1, 2003. 

           

            Aaron Sheaffer     Lela Estes     Mark Madry

 

M. Barlow asked for nominations from the floor.  There being none she moved the Board appoint the three members that were mentioned previously to a seat on the Board beginning January 1, 2003. 

 

R. Bradley so moved with T. Ritchie seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

M. Barlow said that the nominating committee proposed a slate of officers for this year and all four of the 2002 Board officers indicated they would be glad to serve.  That would be Roberta Taylor-Chair, Aaron Sheaffer-Vice Chair, Robert Bradly-Treasurer, and Margaret Barlow-Secretary.  She asked if there was anyone who would like to submit their name for officer.  There being none, M. Barlow asked for a motion  to re-appoint those four members to the Executive Committee.

 

T. Gardner made the motion with T. Ritchie seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Mrs. Robert Watkins was present as an observer of different leadership styles and observe the Board as to how they work with the community.  Mrs. Watkins is working on her Dissertation and will graduate in July 12, 2003.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

R. Taylor asked for approval of Treasurer’s report as presented. L. Estes made the motion for approval with T. Gardner seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

A.    Executive Committee - no meeting. R. Taylor said that they did meet in December and that the 2003 budget had been approved.

B.    Nominating Committee - See the above report as given by M. Barlow.

C.    Investment Committee - R. Bradley and J. Rocco met with Bill O’Neal of Merrill Lynch on January 21. The recommendation was that we hold what we have and not make any changes to what we already have. The next meeting is schedule for March 18, 2003.

D.    Personnel Committee - no report as Personnel Committee.  See report of Nominating Committee.

 

 

 

 

 

Board Minutes for February 10, 2003                                                   Page 3

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

 

J. Rocco reported that DATV's 25th Gala will be on Friday, April 11 at the Convention Center. 

 

He introduced Mildred McCray, DATV's intern from the Patterson Career Academy.  Mildred will be with DATV until the end of the school year in June.

                       

J. Rocco told the Board that a meeting with T. Biedenhorn, S. Ross, and Randy Bellinger had taken place.  The City wanted to explore the idea of having DATV and the City share resources.  The meeting took place early in December.  Sometime later, T. Biedenhorn called saying that the City did not think that at this time sharing resources was feasible.

A few days later, J. Rocco received a letter from the City Manager asking DATV to consider relinquishing all their franchise fees for 2003 in view of the City's financial situation. 

 

J. Rocco met with the City Manager on the 14 of January.  J. Rocco explained why this would not be in the best interest of DATV or the community and that he would report back to this Board.  Last week J. Rocco received a letter from the City Manager suggesting that DATV use some of their reserve funds to help Inventing Flight in the amount of $125,000.

 

At this time T. Ritchie made the motion to adjourn into executive session at the end of the meeting concerning this issue.  M. Madry seconded the motion with it passing unanimously.

 

At this time, J. Rocco introduced S. Ross who told the Board about the different things that DATV has done with schools and teen centers in an effort to involve the youth of the community.  Both J. Rocco and S. Ross realized that adult supervision was needed in order for the mission of DATV to be accomplished.

 

S. Ross said that about a year ago, he came up with the idea of having a Video Scholarship.  This would mean DATV would purchase a computer, editing software,

and a small DV camera all of which would be housed in a school who we know is interested in doing video production. 

 

At this time, S. Ross passed out a letter from T. Leo of the Kiser Middle School who is very interested in the Video Scholarship.  It has been decided to enter into an  agreement with Kaiser for a number of shows that would be shown on DATV channels.  Also, Stiver's, which is an art school, has shown interest in such a scholarship for their students.

 

CITY OF DAYTON CABLE ADMINISTRATOR

 

Dave Snow told the Board that this was the first meeting within the three-year renewal time period for the franchise.  He proceeded to explain what would have to happen in regards to negotiations between the City, Time Warner and DATV.  Time Warner is suppose to send out the renewal letter to the City sometime in August of this year. 

 

 

Board Minutes for February 10, 2003                                                   Page 4

 

He advised the Board that a customer service survey or something like that is needed, however, the City does not have the funds for such a survey. 

 

J. Rocco and A. Sheaffer expressed concern about a survey not being done.  In light of the seriousness of having a survey completed, T. Ritchie made the motion to have the Board give the Executive Director the latitude to research and to put together a plan concerning the survey and bring it back to the Executive Committee as soon as possible.

 

TIME WARNER REPRESENTATIVE

 

K. Andrews spoke about the State plan to tax cable television.  She asked everyone to write their State Representative expressing their opinion of this tax.

 

OLD BUSINESS - None.

 

NEW BUSINESS - none.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Board went into Executive Session at 12:40 PM.  The next board meeting will be June 9, 2003.

 

 

           

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

____________________________                            ______________________________

Margaret Barlow, DATV Secretary                              John A. Rocco, Executive Director