Present:

• Scott MacPherson, ED
• Jennifer Myszkowski (President)
• Carey Baker (Vice-President)
• Denis Luzuriaga (Clerk)
• Gloria Caballero
• Mike Hines

Not Present:

• Al Williams – Treasurer

Call to order: 6:33p.m.

Acceptance of prior meeting minutes – December 15, 2022

• Motion to accept minutes: Gloria
• Second: Mike
• Vote: Unanimous, motion carries

Directors Report

• Reserve and Contingency Funds Policy
• Scott recommends transferring $50,000.00 to reserve, and contingency funds in an interest bearing account (money market, CD’s, etc) at one of our two local banks (or both).
  • Motion to authorize Scott MacPherson to establish reserve, and contingency funds.
    • Motion: Denis
    • Second: Mike
    • Vote: Unanimous, motion carries.
  • Motion to authorize Scott MacPherson to move $25,000.00 into each of the reserve, and contingency funds (for a total of $50,000.00).
    • Motion: Mike
    • Second: Gloria
    • Vote: Unanimous, motion carries.
• Jennifer is recommending that the board vote on policies for the reserve, and contingency funds at February’s board meeting. It will be on the agenda.
• President Myzkowski asks for clarification on reserves, and contingencies. Scott: “Contingencies are established for UNFORESEEN expenses”.
• Jennifer: “Should we be accounting for Capital Expenses in our budget?” Scott: “Yes”. We should be planning it either as a specific budget, or in the general budget.
• Jennifer asks if Scott and Mike Hines should be coordinating on the capital budget (spending for schools, City Hall, etc). Scott: “Yes”.
• President Myszkowski requested that the quarterly communication (that Executive Director MacPherson presents to Mayor Garcia) detailing expenditures from the Municipal Fund, be provided to the board as well.
• Motion to accept the proposal from ATC (for the a/v presentation system in our main studio) in the amount of $10,825.25.
  • Motion: Carey
  • Second: Mike
  • Vote: Unanimous, motion carries.

P and L

Balance Sheet 

Building Costs

2022 Budget Reconciliation

Old Business

• Grand Opening plans
  • Scott believes we can assign a date in March for the Grand Opening, probably after St. Patrick’s weekend; possibly Friday, March 24th.
• Standing items:
  • Membership update
  • Latest anti-racism consultant actions
    • Diversity statement will come in from our consultant in February or March.
    • Marketing update
    • Recruitment of new and diverse board members
      • Mike Hines will consider potential candidates from Holyoke Schools (or higher-ed institutions).
      • Gloria will also look at potential candidates at the “Care Center”.
    • COVID response
      • Scott will start by asking the HM personnel how they feel about masking, testing, etc. – now that the media center will be seeing more activity with the public, etc.
    • Personnel check-in
    • Switching from construction to regular insurance – Jan. meeting Scott says that price continues to be an issue and will continue to look into it.
    • Reserve and contingency in the budget – Feb. meeting
    • Budget check-in – March meeting

New business

• Cornice of building – Jan. meeting
• Tabled until February meeting
• Capital plan – Jan. meeting
• Annual Meeting Update
• Contract Renewal Update
  • Jennifer spoke with Mayor Garcia, who said he reached out to the Comcast representative. Jennifer urged that he speak to a lawyer who is specialized in this type of contract (PEG Media). Scott says that he and Al Williams will write a substantial portion of the technology part of the contract.
• Membership sign ups replies
  • Carey states that a few people who became members didn’t get a reply. Scott will look into it. Carey recommends that an automated reply should be implemented. Jennifer asked about the monthly newsletter. Scott will follow-up with our marketing outfit.

Task review and due dates

• Mike and Gloria will talk to students as potential board member candidates. -By next board meeting
• Scott will speak with the Mayor about contract renewal with Comcast, Covid planning, Capital plan, diversity statement update, organizational plan, policies for reserve, and contingencies plans, switching from construction to permanent insurance policy. Reach out to partners for Grand Opening.
• Denis will speak with Aaron Vega about our grand opening date of March 24th to make sure there isn’t a conflict with other events in the City around that time.

 

 

Motion to adjourn:

• Motion: Carey
• Second: Denis
• Vote: Unanimous, motion carries.

Adjourn 8:05 P. M.