Indian Wells Valley TV Booster, Inc.

Minutes of the March 2, 2009 board meeting

A. Opening
1. Call to order
President Cole called the meeting to order at 5:13 pm.
2. Attendance
Board members present: Blazek, Cole, Katzenstein, Manos, Starr, Wetzel
Board members absent: Ash, Longo, Middlemiss
Visitors: Roy Mayhugh
3. Approval of minutes
The minutes of the February 2 meeting were approved as distributed (Manos' motion, 2nd by Wetzel, passed on a voice vote, 6 ayes, no nays, no abstentions).
4. Treasurer's report
Katzenstein distributed the final financial report for January. Positive cash flow marked that month, as donations amounting to $7,070 were received in response to the Boostergram mailing; the only expense was the $51 phone bill. As a result the combined balance of all accounts stood at just over $26,300 at the end of January. West also announced that a further $1,110 in donations had been received during February, while roughly $5,000 was expended for equipment purchases.
5. Correspondence
No incoming correspondence was noted. Cole agreed to write a thank-you to one particularly generous donor of $600.
6. Announcements
Congress officially postponed the mandatory digital-TV transition date from February 17 to June 12, and all of the major Los Angeles-area broadcasters agreed to leave their analog transmitters on until that date. Meanwhile, nothing new has been heard from the NTIA about the rules and procedures for their Upgrade Grants program.
7. Review of calendar and agenda
Mayhugh expects to attend the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) conference, April 18 through 20, and report subsequently.
B. Committee reports
1. Standing committees
b. Operations
Wetzel reported troubleshooting the KCNV (classical FM, Las Vegas) stereo signal without being able to pin down the reason why its left channel dropped out for several days last month. Ken also reminded us that seven of the eight 'B' Mountain power supplies still need rebuilding. The new pre-amp having arrived, a Laurel Mountain work party was to be arranged ASAP. It was noted in passing that we still suffer significant constraints on access to the Booster site there.
c. Publicity
Katzenstein reviewed the City Hall Forum presentation made on Wednesday evening, Feb. 25, by himself, Hal Manos, Gene Schneider, and Roy Mayhugh with assistance from Longo and Starr. There was general consensus that the result was positive (particular thanks to Roy for his help with technical queries), and city officials seemed receptive. Hal obtained a DVD copy of the session, but a studio glitch caused the first few minutes to be inaudible. Followup items were noted: (1) get the Booster web-site information updated as soon as possible; (2) find out what it would take to resolve technical and FCC-compliance issues raised by the proposed addition of KGOV programming to our current offerings; and (3) find out if there is any chance of overcoming industry's legal objection to our translating at least one Bakersfield channel. (Industry perceives Ridgecrest as "belonging" to the LA market area, rather than the south San Joaquin.)
D. New business
1. There was consensus that, for the time being, no formal action should be taken on renewing the Booster's membership in the Community Broadcasters Association, pending further research on the pros and cons of continuing (including substantial dues increase). Renewal is not due until late summer.
F. Closure
1. Next meeting: 5:00 PM, April 6, 2009, Vaughn Realty Meeting Room, Ridgecrest
2. Adjournment: There being no further business, President Cole adjourned the meeting at 6:14 pm.

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