HCMI Board Meeting March 13, 2019

Posted February 3, 2020

Meeting minutes of Holyoke Media – March 13, 2019

Present:

Not present:

Call to order: 6:36 p.m.

Minutes:

Directors report:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xzKEqMSWHD-jPJhBtInhjjpQDOpQxJ4S

Personnel

Arts Hub Grant

Thumbnail: Partners mostly agree, but there are some sticking points.
Where it is now: Drafting an MOU between the three partner orgs.
- Scott is drafting the MOU with grant writer.
- We are 10 weeks from the formal grant proposal being due. Due date is June 1.
- We will see MOU.
- Suggest having MOU reviewed by lawyer.

Policy on coverage of municipal meeting

Meeting with council president.
Scott going to appear before the Development & Government Relations subcommittee to discuss policy.
Scott will discuss equipment needs re: presentation capability with council.
Scott will bring a more updated proposal next month.

Building

OPM is drafting RFP for demolition and asbestos abatement – combined to find vendor to do both.
- Board does not want to review RFP.
- Carey would like to review proposals when they come in. Scott will provide opportunity to review to others.
Building budget will be done after demolition because they want to have all issues known before creating budget.

Membership timeline

See Directors Report
When can people “become members”? Scott wants to pair with when neighborhood classes begin. Target 3-6 months for marketing.
Is there a better name than “member”?
Can we formalize the process?
Join email list vs. subscribe to/member of the organization
- What are the benefits of being a subscriber/member?
- Once you subscribe/join, you can take training classes, borrow equipment, voting, etc.
We’ll have to create membership form for website.
- Need terms & conditions and operational/policy manual

Stream problems

HG&E doesn’t know how to help.
There’s a backup link.
Talking about running a separate fiber line to 1 Court Plaza.
Unbudgeted cost of $100 per month and will lay the groundwork for later on replacing the metro E circuit from Comcast once the contract is up.
In order to fund the fiber line, HG&E wants a 3 year contract.
- What contracts require Board approval? Any contract in excess of $5,000.

Dept. of Local Services issue

Scott is not comfortable with any of the options. He thinks an Enterprise Fund is the better of the options.
Scott would like the Board to approve the organization suing the State of Massachusetts over these rules.
- Is there opportunity to join other orgs in a class action? Coalition building would be part of the 1st order of business.
- Mass Access says they’d support if we pursued. They don’t have $$ to pursue on their own.
- Amherst would provide a letter of support.
- This could end up getting to the federal level.
In the eyes of DOR, cable funds are general fundtax revenue. We believe it ’s does not belong in the general fundtax revenue.
- There’s a substantial 1st amendment issue here.
- ACLU may get involved.
- Reclassification of PEG revenue vs. general fundtax revenue.
Al wants the lawyer to speak with us about what proceeding with a lawsuit would require of us.
- Al’s impression of a call he was on with a lawyer is that it’s not possible to sue the state. The state can make these rules.
- Will this draw the wrong kind of attention?
  - It will “poke the bear.”
Motion to allocate up to 10 hours per week for the next month and up to $5,000 for lawyer fees to allow Scott to investigate pursuing next best steps for this organization.
- Motion: Jennifer
- 2nd: Carey
- Vote: 3 yea; 1 abstain

Annual Meeting with City Hall and Schools

Board Timeline

We’re still waiting for appointments
- Jennifer to let Alex know she’d like to be appointed.
- Still waiting for City Council
- Schools appointed Mike
Once all appointments are in, we can have elections.

Time of Meeting

Next meetings:

Motion to adjourn at 8:23 p.m.