February 8, 1999
CALL TO ORDER: Vice-Chair Roberta Taylor called the meeting to order
at 11:42 AM. Members in attendance were: Tony Capizzi (Treasurer), Beverly
Jones (Secretary), Robert Bradley, Ed Dorsey, Mark Madry, Aaron Sheaffer
and Mary Wiseman.
Also attending were: Cable Administrator Tim Strach, TCI General Manager
Dan Van Zandbergen and DATV Executive Director John Rocco.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Ed Dorsey made a motion to approve the agenda.
Beverly Jones seconded the motion and it was carried.
BOARD CHAIR COMMENTS: None
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Robert Bradley made a motion to approve the
minutes of the December 14 meeting as presented. beverly Jones seconded
the motion and it was carried.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Tony Capizzi made a motion to accept the financial
statements for the periods ending November 30, 1998 and December 31, 1998.
The motion was seconded by Aaron Sheaffer and it was carried.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT: Beverly Jones reported that the Committee had
met and discussed a letter from the former Executive Director concerning
the contract between herself and DATV for services rendered in regard to
employee benefits. There has been some misunderstanding over the amount
of compensation still due. The contractor believes that she is owed $5,500
for the services provided, but proposes that DATV pay half that amount to
settle the dispute. Although the Committee believes DATV has paid all that
it is required to pay, it is recommending that $2,600 be paid as a compromise.
Beverly Jones made a motion to send a release to the former Executive Director
which would end any further obligation on the part of the contractor or DATV
for services rendered and that a sum of $2,600 be paid after such a release
has been signed by both the contractor and DATV. Aaron Sheaffer seconded the
motion and it was carried.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: None
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: None
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT: John Rocco asked for feedback on the Easy Access
membership plan for non-profit organizations. This plan would allow non-profit
agencies to obtain an annual membership for $1,000 which would entitle them to
up to eight studio productions each year. These programs would be produced with
a combination of DATV staff and volunteers. Mr. Rocco stated that he sees this
as a pilot program which could be adjusted should it become popular.
After some discussion, the Board authorized the Executive Director to move
forward with the "Easy Access" membership plan.
Mr. Rocco also informed the Board that the six month audit will be taking
place on February 10.
CABLE ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Tim Strach reported that the City has approved
the transfer of TCI to AT&T. He also stated that the swap between TCI and
Time-Warner may be completed before the TCI AT&T change-over takes place.
Mr. Strach also stated that the Time-Warner take over of Media One south of
the City may provide an opportunity for greater regional cooperation in terms
of cable service which is something the City is interested in.
TCI REPORT: Dan Van Zandbergen reported that TCI subscriber numbers have
increased in both December and January and that TCI continues to see growth
in its sales in the City.
REVIEW OF VOLUNTEER SUSPENSION: John Rocco presented the Board with information
concerning the revocation of DATV privileges for William Pace. He stated that
Mr. Pace had used DATV facilities, equipment and volunteers to produce programs
which he was placing on commercial television. Since this is in direct violation
of DATV rules and regulations, and since this is not the first violation of the
rules and regulations by Mr. Pace, his privileges were permanently revoked by
the Executive Director.
After the Board reviewed the correspondence between Mr. Pace, the Executive
Director, the DATV Board Chair and Mr. Pace's attorney, Ed Dorsey made a
motion to uphold the decision of the Executive Director to permanently revoke
DATV privileges for William Pace. Robert Bradley seconded the motion and it
was carried.
Mr. Pace and his attorney will be notified of the Board's decision.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: Roberta Taylor reported that Margaret Barlow would like to
hold a Board retreat as part of the next Board meeting. It was agreed that
the next meeting would be held on Monday, April 12 from 12:00 to 4:00 PM.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board,
Roberta Taylor adjourned the meeting at 12:26 PM.
Respectfully Submitted By,
John A. Rocco
Executive Director
Beverly Jones
Secretary