MINUTES KXNM BOARD of DIRECTORS MEETING - Thursday – February 18, 2021
Due to Covid-19 social distancing restrictions, the Board of Directors met using a hybrid model that combined both in-person (limited to 5 participants) and Zoom, a video conferencing application, for directors not participating in-person.
Present in-Person: Lacey Cromer, Frank McKinnis, Joyce McKinnis, Bill Simms, Dwayne Parker (guest)
Present in Zoom: Babbi Baker, Angela Gonzales, Ladd Hagmaier, Randy Wright
Not Present: Keith Smith, Dixie Swenka
Bill Simms, President called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. In-person participants maintained Covid-19 safety protocols throughout the meeting by wearing a facemask, and practicing social distancing.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all directors present.
A quorum was met with 8 of 10 directors present.
CONSENT AGENDA: Frank McKinnis motioned to approve the agenda for the February 18, 2021 and the minutes from the January 21, 2021 board meetings as submitted; Lacey Cromer seconded the motion. Bill Simms conducted a vote and directors approved the consent agenda.
Discussion and Resolution Honoring Art Swenka - Bill Simms asked directors for a moment of silence to honor and reflect on the accomplishments of Art Swenka. Bill asked Randy Wright, Secretary to read a resolution from the Board honoring Art.
Leadership Transition - Bill Simms initiated a discussion on leadership transition at the station and referenced the bylaws, which state “If the President's office becomes vacant, the Vice-President shall assume the office of President.” Bill Simms is the new President of KXNM.
In addition the bylaws state, “Vacancies arising in any elective office, with the exception of the President, shall be filled by the President's appointment and confirmed by an affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Board members. Appointees shall serve the remainder of the term of the person they succeed.”
Bill requested that the Board affirm the appointment of Frank McKinnis to fill the Vice President’s vacancy. Babbi Baker motioned to appoint Frank McKinnis as Vice President, Lacey Cromer seconded the motion and directors approved the appointment of Frank Mckinnis as Vice President.
Station Status - Bill Simms further reflected on Art Swenka’s many accomplishments at the station and how everyone at the station would be needed to keep the station operating efficiently.
Bill commented on several operational concerns and asked for more detailed reports concerning these issues:
1. Partnership with Pattern Energy,
2. Reflected power at the transmitter,
3. Installation of Ivolume and Team Viewer and
4. Broadcast links from the studio to the tower
1. Partnership with Pattern Energy – Angela Gonzales provided an update on Pattern Energy, who approved a disbursement $75,000 to KXNM for 2021, and asked for an invoice from Lacey Cromer. Angela indicated that it would take about 30 days to process the invoice and send a payment. She also reported that Pattern Energy is pleased with the station’s community and school involvement.
2. Reflected power at the station’s transmitter – Austin Burch, Station Engineer identified a problem with the reflected power probably caused by water leaking into a coax cable or jumper on the tower. Once the water dried up, the reflected power levels returned to normal. Bill Simms indicated that this problem will recur and needs to be fixed by climbing the tower to find
and fix the leaks. Bill Simms said, that Austin can recommend a company to do these repairs.
3. Installation of Ivolume and Team Viewer – Lacey Cromer reported that the installation of Ivolume equalized the volume and balance fluctuations in the broadcast, and also allowed the loading of 9,000 songs significantly increasing the daily playlist. Lacey also installed Splashtop, replacing Team Viewer as the remote desktop software connecting to the tower. Splashtop has improved features and costs $100/year, instead of $600/year for Team Viewer.
4. Broadcast links from the studio to the tower – Bill Simms summarized the problems with Transworld’s broadcast links from the station to the tower and the immediate need to replace them with a fiber optic connection. Bill asked Frank McKinnis to report on the status of Plateau installing fiber optic connection the studio to the tower.
Frank McKinnis contacted Beverly Berry at Plateau and reported that a 5-year contract to install a fiber optic link was approved including excavation costs. Frank will contact the Wettermans, owners of the property where the tower is located to secure an excavation agreement, which is required before Plateau can install the fiber optic cable to the tower.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Update on Ceiling Repairs – Lacey Cromer, Assistant Station Manager reported that she has received one bid to repair the tile ceiling at the station. The bid was a range of $7,442 - $11,319 which included materials and labor to install wood strips bracing the metal grid system holding the tiles in place. The difference in the bid range was for additional workers to complete the installation quicker.
In full disclosure, Lacey said the bid was received from her husband, Westley Cromer, who is a contractor. Lacey and directors recommended that she secure at least a second bid for transparency in order to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest. Dwayne Parker, a guest attending the meeting said that he could recommend other contractors who could provide a bid.
b. Update on Plateau Fiber Optic Connection – Frank Mckinnis provide an update earlier in the meeting under the topic, Broadcast links from the studio to the tower.
c. Update on Fundraising Auction – Lacey Cromer reported that the silent auction fundraiser had netted over $6,500 since Friday, February 12, 2021. Lacey said that 190 baskets of goods (baby items, beauty, toys and Easter) were donated. The station expended about $160 to support the auction, which was conducted online from February 12 - February 20 on the Facebook Page of Friends of the KXNM Foundation. Bill Simms noted that this is the most successful fundraiser in the history of the station and effusively praised Lacey and Joyce, as well as the volunteers from the Friends of the KXNM Foundation.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Update on McCune Charitable Foundation and CPB Grant Opportunities – Randy Wright reported on the eligibility requirements for a McCune Charitable Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Corporation grants.
The McCune Charitable Foundation supports community-based work in the State of New Mexico. Randy identified potential areas of interest for grants, which include projects with the FFA, Estancia Drama Club, music development with various high schools and community outreach with TCAS. These projects are likely to support several McCune priorities: Education Transformation and Advancement, Arts and Community Engagement and Rural Development. McCune typically awards $10,000 – $15,000 annual grants. Applications are open from August 15 –September 15, 2021.
Randy also reported that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) awards Community Service Grants (CSG) to public radio stations. Based on the KXNM coverage area population of less than 20,000, KXNM is eligible for $100,000 CPB grant with bonus funding for being a rural station. The station meets all requirements for a grant, except for revenue ($250,000/FY with half direct funding and half donations and gifts-in-kind) and two fulltime or fulltime equivalent employees, which cannot include administrative or clerical staff. Applications for CPB grants are open from April – August 2021.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Joyce McKinnis, Treasurer reported that the station received a New Mexico Finance Grant for $10,000. She also reported that revenue is down $900 from this same time period last year, which is largely due to the loss of high school sports broadcasting, which generated $1,200 at this time last year. Joyce noted that the station has funds of $17,439 in two accounts, PPP and savings. She also reported accounts receivable of $2,262 and zero in accounts payable.
Randy Wright motioned to approve the Treasurer’s Report as submitted; Lacey Cromer seconded the motion and directors approved it.
PRESIDENTS and VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT: Bill Simms reported that
the Estancia and Moriarty FFA Livestock and Commodity Shows are working smoothly, but there are Internet problems with the Mountainair show.
Bill also reported on the New Mexico Broadcasters Association (NMBA) Alternative Inspection Program, which substitutes or replaces an FCC inspection to shutdown the station remotely. The NMBA inspection program costs $500.00 for five years or $100/year. After much discussion and questions about the NMBA compliance certificate replacing the FCC’s inspection, Bill Simms tabled approving the NMBA inspection until the next meeting, and asked Frank McKinnis to investigate and report on the efficacy of NMBA’s compliance certificate and alternative inspection.
Bill Simms requested that a discussion and vote to appoint Dwayne Parker to the KXNM Board of Directors be added to the agenda for the next meeting.
Bill Simms also announced that the next board meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2021 at 2 p.m. and would be conducted as a hybrid meeting using Zoom.
The meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted: Approved:
RandyWright
Randy Wright, Secretary Richard Simms, President
February 20, 2021
# # # END # # #
KXNM Community Foundation Officers and Directors
Bill Simms, President | Frank McKinnis, Vice President |Joyce McKinnis, Treasurer | Randy Wright, Secretary
Directors: Babbi Baker | Lacey Cromer | Angela Gonzales | Ladd Hagmaier | Frank McKinnis
Keith Smith | Dixie Swenka
President Emeritus: Art Swenka
Directors Emeritus: Rhoda Geduld | John Griego | Pat Lincoln | Norm Onarheim | Matt Page
Due to Covid-19 social distancing restrictions, the Board of Directors met using a hybrid model that combined both in-person (limited to 5 participants) and Zoom, a video conferencing application, for directors not participating in-person.
Present in-Person: Lacey Cromer, Frank McKinnis, Joyce McKinnis, Bill Simms, Dwayne Parker (guest)
Present in Zoom: Babbi Baker, Angela Gonzales, Ladd Hagmaier, Randy Wright
Not Present: Keith Smith, Dixie Swenka
Bill Simms, President called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. In-person participants maintained Covid-19 safety protocols throughout the meeting by wearing a facemask, and practicing social distancing.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all directors present.
A quorum was met with 8 of 10 directors present.
CONSENT AGENDA: Frank McKinnis motioned to approve the agenda for the February 18, 2021 and the minutes from the January 21, 2021 board meetings as submitted; Lacey Cromer seconded the motion. Bill Simms conducted a vote and directors approved the consent agenda.
Discussion and Resolution Honoring Art Swenka - Bill Simms asked directors for a moment of silence to honor and reflect on the accomplishments of Art Swenka. Bill asked Randy Wright, Secretary to read a resolution from the Board honoring Art.
Leadership Transition - Bill Simms initiated a discussion on leadership transition at the station and referenced the bylaws, which state “If the President's office becomes vacant, the Vice-President shall assume the office of President.” Bill Simms is the new President of KXNM.
In addition the bylaws state, “Vacancies arising in any elective office, with the exception of the President, shall be filled by the President's appointment and confirmed by an affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Board members. Appointees shall serve the remainder of the term of the person they succeed.”
Bill requested that the Board affirm the appointment of Frank McKinnis to fill the Vice President’s vacancy. Babbi Baker motioned to appoint Frank McKinnis as Vice President, Lacey Cromer seconded the motion and directors approved the appointment of Frank Mckinnis as Vice President.
Station Status - Bill Simms further reflected on Art Swenka’s many accomplishments at the station and how everyone at the station would be needed to keep the station operating efficiently.
Bill commented on several operational concerns and asked for more detailed reports concerning these issues:
1. Partnership with Pattern Energy,
2. Reflected power at the transmitter,
3. Installation of Ivolume and Team Viewer and
4. Broadcast links from the studio to the tower
1. Partnership with Pattern Energy – Angela Gonzales provided an update on Pattern Energy, who approved a disbursement $75,000 to KXNM for 2021, and asked for an invoice from Lacey Cromer. Angela indicated that it would take about 30 days to process the invoice and send a payment. She also reported that Pattern Energy is pleased with the station’s community and school involvement.
2. Reflected power at the station’s transmitter – Austin Burch, Station Engineer identified a problem with the reflected power probably caused by water leaking into a coax cable or jumper on the tower. Once the water dried up, the reflected power levels returned to normal. Bill Simms indicated that this problem will recur and needs to be fixed by climbing the tower to find
and fix the leaks. Bill Simms said, that Austin can recommend a company to do these repairs.
3. Installation of Ivolume and Team Viewer – Lacey Cromer reported that the installation of Ivolume equalized the volume and balance fluctuations in the broadcast, and also allowed the loading of 9,000 songs significantly increasing the daily playlist. Lacey also installed Splashtop, replacing Team Viewer as the remote desktop software connecting to the tower. Splashtop has improved features and costs $100/year, instead of $600/year for Team Viewer.
4. Broadcast links from the studio to the tower – Bill Simms summarized the problems with Transworld’s broadcast links from the station to the tower and the immediate need to replace them with a fiber optic connection. Bill asked Frank McKinnis to report on the status of Plateau installing fiber optic connection the studio to the tower.
Frank McKinnis contacted Beverly Berry at Plateau and reported that a 5-year contract to install a fiber optic link was approved including excavation costs. Frank will contact the Wettermans, owners of the property where the tower is located to secure an excavation agreement, which is required before Plateau can install the fiber optic cable to the tower.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Update on Ceiling Repairs – Lacey Cromer, Assistant Station Manager reported that she has received one bid to repair the tile ceiling at the station. The bid was a range of $7,442 - $11,319 which included materials and labor to install wood strips bracing the metal grid system holding the tiles in place. The difference in the bid range was for additional workers to complete the installation quicker.
In full disclosure, Lacey said the bid was received from her husband, Westley Cromer, who is a contractor. Lacey and directors recommended that she secure at least a second bid for transparency in order to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest. Dwayne Parker, a guest attending the meeting said that he could recommend other contractors who could provide a bid.
b. Update on Plateau Fiber Optic Connection – Frank Mckinnis provide an update earlier in the meeting under the topic, Broadcast links from the studio to the tower.
c. Update on Fundraising Auction – Lacey Cromer reported that the silent auction fundraiser had netted over $6,500 since Friday, February 12, 2021. Lacey said that 190 baskets of goods (baby items, beauty, toys and Easter) were donated. The station expended about $160 to support the auction, which was conducted online from February 12 - February 20 on the Facebook Page of Friends of the KXNM Foundation. Bill Simms noted that this is the most successful fundraiser in the history of the station and effusively praised Lacey and Joyce, as well as the volunteers from the Friends of the KXNM Foundation.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Update on McCune Charitable Foundation and CPB Grant Opportunities – Randy Wright reported on the eligibility requirements for a McCune Charitable Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Corporation grants.
The McCune Charitable Foundation supports community-based work in the State of New Mexico. Randy identified potential areas of interest for grants, which include projects with the FFA, Estancia Drama Club, music development with various high schools and community outreach with TCAS. These projects are likely to support several McCune priorities: Education Transformation and Advancement, Arts and Community Engagement and Rural Development. McCune typically awards $10,000 – $15,000 annual grants. Applications are open from August 15 –September 15, 2021.
Randy also reported that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) awards Community Service Grants (CSG) to public radio stations. Based on the KXNM coverage area population of less than 20,000, KXNM is eligible for $100,000 CPB grant with bonus funding for being a rural station. The station meets all requirements for a grant, except for revenue ($250,000/FY with half direct funding and half donations and gifts-in-kind) and two fulltime or fulltime equivalent employees, which cannot include administrative or clerical staff. Applications for CPB grants are open from April – August 2021.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Joyce McKinnis, Treasurer reported that the station received a New Mexico Finance Grant for $10,000. She also reported that revenue is down $900 from this same time period last year, which is largely due to the loss of high school sports broadcasting, which generated $1,200 at this time last year. Joyce noted that the station has funds of $17,439 in two accounts, PPP and savings. She also reported accounts receivable of $2,262 and zero in accounts payable.
Randy Wright motioned to approve the Treasurer’s Report as submitted; Lacey Cromer seconded the motion and directors approved it.
PRESIDENTS and VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT: Bill Simms reported that
the Estancia and Moriarty FFA Livestock and Commodity Shows are working smoothly, but there are Internet problems with the Mountainair show.
Bill also reported on the New Mexico Broadcasters Association (NMBA) Alternative Inspection Program, which substitutes or replaces an FCC inspection to shutdown the station remotely. The NMBA inspection program costs $500.00 for five years or $100/year. After much discussion and questions about the NMBA compliance certificate replacing the FCC’s inspection, Bill Simms tabled approving the NMBA inspection until the next meeting, and asked Frank McKinnis to investigate and report on the efficacy of NMBA’s compliance certificate and alternative inspection.
Bill Simms requested that a discussion and vote to appoint Dwayne Parker to the KXNM Board of Directors be added to the agenda for the next meeting.
Bill Simms also announced that the next board meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2021 at 2 p.m. and would be conducted as a hybrid meeting using Zoom.
The meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted: Approved:
RandyWright
Randy Wright, Secretary Richard Simms, President
February 20, 2021
# # # END # # #
KXNM Community Foundation Officers and Directors
Bill Simms, President | Frank McKinnis, Vice President |Joyce McKinnis, Treasurer | Randy Wright, Secretary
Directors: Babbi Baker | Lacey Cromer | Angela Gonzales | Ladd Hagmaier | Frank McKinnis
Keith Smith | Dixie Swenka
President Emeritus: Art Swenka
Directors Emeritus: Rhoda Geduld | John Griego | Pat Lincoln | Norm Onarheim | Matt Page