Minutes for October 21, 2014

(Minutes taken by Anne in Steve's absence)

DCN Board of Directors’ meeting
October 21, 2014
5:15-6:00 p.m.
DJUSD outdoor corridor

Present: Bill Buchanan, Sheila Evans, Jim Frame, Anne Hance, Teri Greenfield,  Robert Nickerson
Absent: Russ Hobby, Steve McMahon, Jan Meizel,
Guests: Mike Adams, Bill Wagman, Fei Li

1. Bill called us to order at 5:23 pm at the table in the outside corridor because our reserved room was in use.

2. The agenda was approved by consensus

3. Public comment:
    Fei Li, invited by Rob Nickerson, explained that he is interested in DCN and wondered how he might be helpful. Bill and Rob explained about DCN’s interest in encouraging the creation of a Davis Municipal Broadband and Fei thought he might be interested in that.

4. The minutes from the September meeting were approved by acclamation.

5. Election of two new board members:
    Jim Frame moved the election of Bill Wagman and Mike Adams to the DCN Board. Sheila seconded the motion. There was no discussion and the motion was approved with applause. The length of the terms will need to be determined by examining everyone’s terms so that the 50% turnover each year remains stable.

6. Board elections update:
    Bill commented that several more candidates are being considered and are considering their intent. Two nominating committees (for Board and Officer positions) will be appointed at the November Board meeting.

7. City MOU negotiations update
  Jim reported that he had received a couple of comments on the draft MOU that he circulated. He would be pleased to have more. He noted that the annual funding level has not kept pace with inflation and advised that the board should have conversations with City Council members to explain the situation. This can happen serendipitously as members encounter councilors but an effort should be made to invite them to meet with us. Bill explained some of the basics of the MOU for our two new members.

8. Financial update
    Sheila reported that we are current with County funding but the City has missed two quarterly payments. We are paying our bills but the lack of the City funding is significant. Sheila will talk with her City contact about this.

9. Classes this fall, update
    Sheila reported that two Connections Cafe sessions at the Davis Senior Center have happened already and that Jan will do a Skype session on December 1, 2014. These sessions are part of the MOU that is still in draft form.
     Rob is prepared to do a class on the Internet of Things. This is waiting to be scheduled and a venue needs to be found. Anne suggested that DCN approach Explorit for the use of their “West Wing.”  Rob is also interested in offering a DCN Digital Resources Management Class to improve yearly transitions when new PTA and nonprofit volunteers take over the DCN Tools being used by their groups.

10. Committee Reports:
     RAC - in Jan’s absence Anne reported that the RAC met with the Yolo Family Service Agency’s representative, Trisha Stanionis, and approved the use of a Mailman List.  Anne noted that the RAC periodically checks with Tool Users about their use of the resources allocated to them.

    Web Team: Bill Wagman and Mike both noted their tech experience and expressed interest in helping the Web Team. It was decided that it would be very good for DCN to re-constitute the Web Team. It is hoped that the Web Team Chair, Steve, will welcome this. Anne commented that two upgrades are ‘on the cusp’ - an upgrade from Plone 3 to 4, and the upgrade of the DCN Community Calendar software.

11. Bill adjourned the meeting at 6:14pm.

NEXT BOARD MEETING: Nov 18, 2014