Minutes for February 17, 2015

We met at Davis Makerspace building. Bill called the meeting to order at 5:15pm.

Present: Mike Adams, Bill Buchanan, Jim Frame, Anne Hance, Shelley Maddex, Jan Meizel, Steve McMahon, Robert Nickerson, Braden Pellett, Bill Wagman

Absent: Sheila Evans, Teri Greenfield

Public comment

Approve minutes from January

Approved by acclamation

Some final thoughts as DCN president, on what DCN might pursue next, Bill B.

Bill commented on priorities for the next year.

• MOU: it’s costing us money not to get this done.
• Budgeting: Equalizing outgo and income.
• Fundraising
• Muni Fiber: Clearly a lot of interest
• Keep classes going

Election of officers for 2015-16

Slate is Rob Nickerson, president; Steve McMahon, vice-president; Mike Adams, secretary; Bill Wagman, treasurer. The slate was generated by the officer’s nominating committee. One change from last month’s list: replacement of Jim with Bill.

Approved by acclamation.

Rob thanked Bill for his eloquence and outreach over the past few years.

Update on MOU with the city, Jim

A draft was sent with the agenda.

Jim noted that he’d taken Mike’s draft and incorporated comments from the last meeting. Tweaked a bit.

Anne’s comments:

1. This document does not characterize DCN as a volunteer organization. Jim said that he’d like to cover that in the supplementary materials (DCN by the Numbers and volunteer time estimate).  He also didn’t want to limit us, as we may want an exec directory in the future.
   Shelley suggested using “Citizen-driven” instead. Steve noted that we were originally stakeholder-driven and might be again.
   Anne moved that in the preface “citizen-driven” and in part 2a4, the “volunteer-time constraints” be added.
   Jim seconded
   For:  All but Mike, Steve & Bill B.
   Against: Mike & Steve
   Abstaining: Bill B.

2. General Provision B. Expenditures. Anne was concerned that the “explicit approval” of new expenditures might be limiting. Jim and others offered interpretation that this only covers expenditures for activities historically different.
   Anne was satisfied with this explanation.

Shelley asked if there was a reason why this was annual rather than for a longer term like three years.

Steve moved we direct our negotiator (Jim) to ask if we can extend the term. No dispute, so Jim will do this.

Rob moved approval with Anne’s edit 1 above
Jan seconded
Unanimously approved

Jim will move this to the city. Mike volunteered to assist.

Update on municipal fiber as a goal for DCN, Steve and Rob

Steve suggested that DCN take on the policy aspects of municipal fiber. Generate a researched white paper and conversation on issues like:

1. why municipal

2. why transparent/open

3. how to govern

4. institutional benefits (to COD, UCD, DJUSD) and how to assure them

Bill W. noted that security and net neutrality implications would be important.

Mike noted that opposition will emerge and we should be anticipating arguments.

Steve suggested that it will be when this hits city staff that opposition will strongly emerge.

Shelley suggested it would be worth identifying potential opponents and developing responses. FAQs and pro/cons.

Jan noted that research should include which communities have it and how it’s gone.

(Mike left the meeting at 6pm for another engagement.)

Bill suggested we get a work group together.

Broadband Communities Summit, April 14-16, Austin will be a valuable event. Steve and Rob lobbied for folks to go.

Rob will let the board know of DavisGig meetings.

Upcoming classes, Sheila, board

Rob will check in with Sheila. He also suggested we video classes. Teri has some experience with this.

Committee reports, Jan/Anne, Steve

Jan reported that we’re at the seasonal low point for RAC work.

Steve noted that he needs to get together the web team group and introduce new members.

Newsletter, Bill B.

Bill asked for comments on Feb newsletter. He also noted that he’d like to hand this off. Rob volunteered for that.

Next meeting location/announcements

Davis Makers’ Space has agreed to host our meetings. Rob also noted that DMS is volunteer-funded. Hint, hint.

Rob announced that Fusion service has been upgraded for downtown service. Needs a new modem. Check with Omsoft for updates.

Adjourned at 6:20pm

NEXT BOARD MEETING: March 17, 2015