Meeting of the Board of Directors Boulder Community Broadcast Association
December, 2004
Called to order at 6:16 pm
Board in attendance: Michelle Barone, Marty Durlin (ex-oficio), Chip Grandits, Janaki LeFils, Paul Mischo, Greg O’Brien, Steven Sherman-Boemker.
Public in attendance: Clover, Kris Abrams, George Blakey, George Figgs, Denise Hetzner, Kit Hollingshead and Robert Hickler.
The agenda, Board contact list and minutes of the previous Board meeting were all appoved.
Public Participation: Clover expressed his opinion that KGNU should consider establishing a legal defense fund. He also expressed a concern that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) might be unfunded, given the current political climate. Clover noted that it was only ten years ago that Newt Gingrich and the Republican-dominated Congress threatened to cut funding for public radio. We might see this become an issue once again and KGNU should plan ahead.
Station Manager’s Report: See Attached
Marty reported on 1390 AM, which now belongs to KGNU! She has visited the tower site in Englewood. The current building housing the transmitter equipment is inadequate and needs to be replaced, and the equipment is in poor condition.
The digital conversion equipment for both the FM and the AM signal has been ordered. The AM signal will be the first to be converted, with the equipment due to arrive around mid-January. KGNU’s share of the cost will be about $60,000, not including the engineer’s fees.
Kris Abrams has agreed to continue to work as the Denver Campaign Coordinator and the Board voted to extend her contract to May 1, 2005.
Treasurer’s Financial Report: We have about $200,000 in the bank after the $900,000 deposit for 1390 AM. Between $50,000 - $100,000 came from KGNU general funds to help cover the difference.
Bylaws: The committee is meeting regularly again as we continue to review drafts of the revised bylaws. The Board rejected some of the changes suggested by counsel Gregg Friedman, regarding Agents/Contracts (Article IX, Sec. 1-4). The Board agreed that Marty should negotiate a new contract with Friedman.
Nominating Committee: Kit Hollingshead will be meeting with the committee as a potential Board member. The committee needs to make a greater effort to include Denver community members as potential Board candidates. Paul Mischo is the new Board representative to sit on the Nominating Committee.
Signal Committee: Chip and Ron Bailer made a presentation to the Nederland Board of Trustees, which gave its approval. The project now must be reviewed by the Nederland Planning Commission for its approval of the building structure. KGNU could be on the air in Nederland as early as the end of February, 2005.
Other Business: George Blakey wants to know if the station has considered what attempts the FCC could take to shut down KGNU as a source of alternative news. Most feel that KGNU doesn’t pose a serious threat.
Robert Hickler spoke regarding the station’s Mission Statement, and wanted to know if the Board individually is legally responsible. Board members are covered by insurance in their legal responsibilities toward KGNU. Robert expressed his opinion that the board consider rewriting the mission statement to be more inclusive of other communities.
Clover updated the Board on Michael and Mouse. Michael C broke a heel in his foot while working and will be out of commission for several months. Mouse is sick with pneumonia. Board and volunteers are all being encouraged to assist in any way that they can to assist in supporting these two KGNU family members.