Minutes for October 20, 2015

We met at Davis Makerspace building. Rob called the meeting to order at 5:14 pm.

Present (8): Mike Adams, Bill Buchanan, Sheila Evans, Jim Frame, Teri Greenfield, Anne Hance, Robert Nickerson, Bill Wagman

Absent (3): Jan Meizel, Steve McMahon, Braden Pellett

Quorum (Quorum is 6)

Meeting called to order at 5:15 pm

Agenda -- approved with the amendment that a Finance Statement agenda item be added to every board meeting; accepted 5:16 p.m.

Public Comment none

Approval of Minutes from September approved

Finance Report 

BW stated the accountant could produce the report in several formats and a .csv file format was agreed to. Sheila arrived and the finance report was discussed, with Anne requesting that we get the reports at the meeting. The board discussed the need to accurately track donations so that they could be attributed either all to DavisGig (less administrative fee) or to general expenses. Sheila explained that she is holding some bills until more funds arrive and the board asked to be notified for what and how much.

Update on MOU with the City (Jim)

Jim explained that while Deputy City Manager Kelly Stachowicz has an invoice, but has requested that it be split among the fiscal years for convenience in processing.

DCN Fund Raising

Mike Asked for feedback on the first draft of the FNB Grant proposal. Jim suggested that the uses of the funds need to be more specific. Anne added that Teichert also does community grants and suggested the fundraising committee explore. One idea for a specific expense for the grant was the inclusion of a Communications or Fundraising Specialist.

BB had suggestions for additions to the fundraising database - Rob White Gary Sandy, former mayor of Woodland. It was suggested that several board members sign the letters and that individual notes be added by board members if they feel that that would help.

DavisGig Update (by Rob)

Rob reported that Matt Williams made a presentation at an executive meeting and he then contacted Jim regarding all the things he had done vis-a-vis the DavisGig project. Matt proposed launching a crowdfunding effort for a feasibility study, with the possibility of finding organizations that might offer to match the money that people might donate.

The board discussed our relationship to Matt Williams now that he has declared for City Council. It was reiterated that we would not, and should not appear to be, identified with his campaign. It was agreed that we would be sure to make sure DCN and DavisGig were leaders in the fiber network issue so it would proceed regardless of the election outcome. We should consider doing our own press releases on the subject.

Rob received an estimate from a construction company that does horizontal boring that would be required for a fiber network of $27 million. He met with Diane Parro Chief Innovation Officer at City of Davis and discussed the bid.

Rob has received the lawn signs which are available to folks for a suggested $20 donation.

Rob expressed some concern that there were only two DavisGig members at the last DavisGig meeting.

Committee Reports (Jan/Anne, Steve)

Jan reported that a notice describing the services that DCN offered area nonprofits and groups and providing the DCN web address had been in the Davis Enterprise a few times, with no response yet. Rob volunteered to look into using Next Door as another way to put out the word. Other ideas were a scrolling message on DCTV and/or a public announcement on KDRT.

The web committee has been meeting with BW now having administrator privileges to some servers and preparing to be able to fill in for Steve in an emergency.

NEXT BOARD MEETING: November 17, 2015, Location TBA

Adjournment 6:30