Status: Pending Board Approval

Board President Susan Doyle called the meeting to order at 2:15 p.m.

The Board unanimously approved the minutes of the December 11, 1998 and the December 16, 1998 Board of Directors’ meetings as circulated.

A. President’s Report


Susan welcomed and seated new board members, Dee Darby, Rochelle Gregson, Gary Honda, and Joseph Lapilio. Each board member and the Executive Director subsequently introduced themselves and provided a brief profile of their work and community activities.

B. Executive Director’s Report



1. Lurline McGregor advised that a number of changes have occurred. The ‘Olelo logo has been changed in order to convey a sense of visual simplicity, to attract viewers and increase viewer awareness of ‘Olelo services and programming. An ‘Olelo promotional video was produced in-house for on-channel airing. The 60 second spot played for the Board and members of the public in the audience.
   
   
2. Three of the five community channels were renamed: ATTN to O’AHU; ATTN2 to NATV (which will feature Pacific Islanders/native Hawaiian features); and TECII to TEACh to provide a more distinct identity for all five channels. O’AHU and NATV are dedicated to community access programming, VIEWS to goverment and TEC and TEACh to educational programming. PBS programming is placed on the two educational channels at non prime (6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.) hours.
   
   
3. As of May 19,1999 we will stop airing the weather channel overnight, thus taking back fallow time from Oceanic, further reducing commercial content on the channels.
   
   
4. Since finalizing the agreement with KHET last year to show select PBS programming on the access channels, we are programming 20-25 hours per week of PBS programs on the two educational channels.
   
   
5. Capitol Commentary was launched three weeks ago. Every Wednesday, the legislators and public can come in and speak for 5-7 minutes on legislative issues. The program is aired the following Sunday. Copies of the program are sent to the neighbor islands public access centers.
   
   
6. A summary of recent equipment upgrades includes 6 Digital Sony DVCams, DVCPro edit decks in our five edit bays, and two Avid nonlinear editing systems. The edit systems are designated for specific services, and not as a resource to the public in the same way as the other equipment due to limited memory capacity.
   
   
7. The Kahuku and Wai‘anae satellite centers are doing very well. These centers were set-up as one-year pilot projects, with the expectation that we will evaluate them at the end of the year, make adjustments and continue the partnerships. A significant benefit from the satellites are the partnerships being created with local organizations. An excerpt of a video produced by ‘Olelo trained Nanakuli high school students was shown.
   
   
8. Another project whose one year expiration is August 13, 1999, is with the Governor’s office. It involved providing a grant and equipment to the Governor’s office for the purpose of taping department and executive branch activities. This project has resulted in 15 shows with five more scheduled for completion by the end of August. The Governor’s office has been supportive of this project and is in the process of securing funds to continue the program.
   
   
9. Na Leo’O Hawaii, Inc., the public access center on the Big Island of Hawai‘i, sent a letter requesting support for videotaping the World Indigenous People’s Conference, taking place in Hilo this August. ‘Olelo has offered to deploy up to three cameras including crew to video the event as well as assistance in getting tapes to all the islands to facilitate statewide conference impact.
   
   
10. The Bishop Museum is in the process of purchasing equipment to be placed on the Hokule’a when it sails to Rapanui this summer. This would allow for weekly video conferencing via satellite with schools in Hawai‘i. ‘Olelo has agreed to cablecast these segments on NATV.
    
    
11. Two bills regarding KHET are moving through the House and Senate. There is a fair amount of certainty that one of the two bills will pass and will enable the transfer of assets and the license of KHET to the private Hawaii Public Television Foundation.
    
    
12. For several months, our Community Project Managers have been meeting with KHET’s producing staff to explore programming partnerships. On May 6, 1999, a national PBS program called the Wayfinders will air on KHET which shows the building and sail of the Hawai’i Loa. In conjunction with this, ‘Olelo will produce a 30-minute wrap around program discussing the upcoming Rapanui sail that KHET will promote.
    
    
13. The first draft of the HENC RFP was received. ‘Olelo is providing educational access funds through HENC to distribute to educational entities. Lurline will meet with the Director of HENC in the near future to review the proposal.
    
    
14. Reviewed the 1997 and 1998 Annual Activity Reports. Between the two years, the total hours of programming has increased with the total hours of new local programming decreasing. Much of the increase in programming is repeats and is a result of Island Info being reduced. Training and facilities use has increased. Playback errors have decreased. Productions have increased due to the increase in facilitated productions with organizations. Volunteer participation has increased. The hours that people are using the facilities/equipment/edit bays is not matching the finished hours of programming, however ‘Olelo is looking at ways to assist in finishing programs so that they can air.
    
    
C. Finance Committee Report


1. Dee Darby advised that at the end of 1998, ‘Olelo completed a re-evaluation of its banking services and consolidated accounts with First Hawaiian Bank. As a result, there has been a reduction in banking and trust charges from last year’s estimate of almost $21,000 down to $7,000. Dee moved, Rochelle seconded, and the Board unanimously ratified and approved this decision.
   
   
2. To help bridge the gap between video being shot and programs being finished, a Program Incentive Fund has been established. Guidelines for this fund are currently underway and the concept will be taken to the Access Services Advisory Committee (ASAC) to see how best these funds might be used.
   
   
3. A Board Resolution that ‘Olelo management shall maintain a minimum of $1.5 million in a board restricted operational assets fund, to be expended only upon approval of the Board, was reviewed. This fund is being established to prepare for any adverse economic conditions that may arise in the future. Dee moved, Joseph seconded, and the Board unanimously approved the resolution. Approximately $161,000 is being set aside out of the current operating budget.
   
   
4. The final 1999 annual operating budget was presented for approval. Expected revenues are $4.5 million, including Oceanic and TCI access revenues and rental income, and interest income. Total projected outlay is $4.5 million, including the recently created Board Restricted Fund and the Program Incentive Fund. Dee moved, Linda seconded, and the Board unanimously approved the annual operating budget.
   
   
D. Program Committee Report


1. Linda Colburn reported that there is a vacancy on the ASAC due to Gary Honda’s appointment to the Board and encouraged candidates interested in serving on the Committee to contact Miki Lee by the end of April.
   
   
2. The ASAC Committee is examining and recommending policy regarding possible sale of program-related tapes and transcripts. Staff is currently investigating what other jurisdictions are doing, and ASAC will follow-up with a proposal to the Board.
   
   
3. The ASAC Committee looked at resource allocation (primarily equipment) as a means of ensuring more equal access to resources. The Committee recommended staff take steps to ensure that existing resources are maximized and that appropriate technical assistance be provided prior to setting new use restrictions.
   
   

A. Election of Board Officers were as follows: President - Susan Doyle, Vice President - Bob Mougeot, Secretary - Linda Colburn, and Treasurer - Dee Darby. Rochelle moved, Linda seconded, and the Board unanimously approved election of new officers.

B. Susan advised that she will discuss committees and who might chair each with individual board member. For now, existing committees and membership will remain.

C. Susan also recommended that all members review the Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee Report in order to examine broader issues.

A. Xavier Martin inquired why it is stated in the by-laws that the Board Meeting cannot be videotaped. He requested that he would like his question and the answer stated in the minutes. He advised that he has offered this service free of charge in the past but has not been acted on. He recommends videotaping, as many in the community cannot attend the Board Meeting as they are working during the day. The tape could then be shown on one of ‘Olelo’s channels. He advised that those who cannot attend have relied on the minutes, which are incomplete. His recommendation is to have the Board Meetings videotaped and/or take place in the evening (6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.) so that it would encourage public attendance.

B. Lillian Hong requested help from the Board in obtaining credentials when attending public (government) meetings. From Lillian’s perspective, she has received unfair/unequal treatment compared to other media in the community.

C. Lillian Hong requested that additional Media Center staff be in place to help clients. She has experienced backlog/delays getting service because one individual is left to handle too much.

D. Xavier Martin recommended that in terms of the ASAC vacancy, the individual with the next highest number of votes be considered for the position.

A. Susan advised that the Board will take under advisement Xavier Martin’s request/comment regarding videotaping Board Meetings.

B. Susan advised that the Board will discuss the credentialing issue in regards to Lillian Hong’s concern of equal media treatment.

C. Susan advised that the ASAC will examine/survey whether customer service has been compromised in the Media Center.

Susan moved, Marilyn seconded, and the Board unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 3:20 p.m.


Respectfully submitted,



Linda M. Colburn, Secretary