MINUTES KXNM BOARD of DIRECTORS MEETING
Thursday – September 17, 2020
Present: Art Swenka, Dixie Swenka, Babbi Baker, Lacey Cromer, Frank McKinnis, Joyce McKinnis, Ladd Hagmaier, Bill Simms,
Randy Wright
Not Present: Keith Smith
Art Swenka called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. All 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 present.
A quorum was met with 9 of 10 directors present.
CONSENT AGENDA: Ladd Hagmaier motioned to approve the agenda for the September 17, 2020 and the minutes for the August 20, 2020 board meetings as submitted. Joyce McKinnis seconded the motion and directors unanimously approved the consent agenda.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Update on Pattern Energy Partnership - Art Swenka reported that the lead official from Pattern Energy involved in the partnership was in the process of moving to California, and there have been no discussions since the last meeting. Art will initiate contact with Pattern Energy to resume discussions and complete an agreement.
b. Rebroadcasting KXNM’s Signal from Moriarty - Art Swenka reported that the initiative by Ernie Sanchez to rebroadcast KXNM’s signal from Don Davis’ tower in Moriarty has ceased, and that no future action is expected. Directors previously advised Art to focus on the partnership with Pattern Energy, and to delay any potential partnership with Don Davis at the Moriarty site, unless circumstances change.
NEW BUSINESS:
Broadcasting Estancia High School Drama Class Shows - Art Swenka
and Lacey Cromer reported on a request from Estancia H.S. to broadcast their Drama Class shows. KXNM agreed to broadcast the Drama Club shows scheduled for October 3rd and for Halloween, as well as shows in November and December.
The high school has the equipment needed for a professional broadcast including sound effects. Some of the shows will be prerecorded and others are scheduled for live broadcast. Lacey Cromer will coordinate promotional spots for these shows, after specific show dates and times are available.
Directors and station managers applauded this initiative as a great community service, and for creating awareness for both the high school and the station.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Joyce McKinnis, Treasurer, distributed copies of financial statements including the Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Income by Comparison. Joyce reported that revenue is up largely because of streaming underwriter payments, and a $3,200 payment from the Census Bureau for ads in July and August.
Ladd Hagmaier motioned to approve the Treasurer’s Report as submitted; Randy Wright seconded the motion and directors unanimously approved it.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: No Committee Reports were presented.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Bills Simms provided an update on new Internet service to the station provided by Dwayne Parker, which was needed to support streaming. The new service is wireless and after testing, reliably provides 27 MB download and 8 MB upload speeds. The old service provided 1 MB upload, so this is a significant improvement and commitment to streaming the broadcast. Wi-Power will continue to be used as a backup Internet Service Provider.
Austin Burch, Station Engineer, provided troubleshooting and fixed malfunctioning equipment allowing the new connectivity to work properly.
Bill further reported changes in how the FFA reporters are selected. The FFA Chapters at the Estancia, Moriarty and Mountainair High Schools will now designate their elected chapter reporters to be the KXNM reporters for their respective shows:
Estancia HS – Belen Livestock Report
Moriarty HS – Commodity Report
Mountainair HS – Clovis Livestock Report
Dixie Swenka commented that it would make sense to give these reporters some type of credit for their work, which would help insure higher quality and consistency in their reports. Bill Simms also expressed concern about the loss of the Corona High School livestock report. Art Swenka agreed to meet with the FFA advisor at Corona HS to discuss restarting the Roswell Livestock Report previously broadcast by the FFA Chapter at Corona HS.
Bill Simms reported that the Archaeology in Your Backyard show is broadcasting reruns, some of which were originally broadcast in 2016. Bill said that many current listeners may not have heard the original broadcasts. Bill also commended Kerry Jones from the National Weather Service for his exemplary broadcasts of the Estancia Valley Weather.
PRESIDENTS REPORT: Art Swenka discussed the KXNM billboard on I-40 and noted that it is in disrepair, the message is outdated, and that the billboard owner wanted payment. Currently the owner donates the billboard as a quid pro quo for advertising on the station.
Directors commented on the value and effectiveness of the billboard and expressed concern about paying commercial rates of about $300/month for the billboard. Art will meet with the owner to negotiate a new agreement to update the message and to continue using the billboard at minimal cost.
Art also discussed the next steps in the sale of the .45 acres to Torrance County, and reported that new deeds (one for the station and one for the county) are required. The closing needs to be scheduled and will probably take place in Albuquerque, because there are no title companies, etc. that can do closings in Estancia or nearby.
The next Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the KXNM Offices and Studios in McIntosh.
The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted: Approved:
RandyWright
Randy Wright, Secretary Arthur J. Swenka, President
September 18, 2020
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KXNM Community Foundation Officers and Directors
Officers: Art Swenka, President | Bill Simms, Vice President | Joyce McKinnis, Treasurer | Randy Wright, Secretary
Directors: Babbi Baker | Lacey Cromer | Ladd Hagmaier | Frank McKinnis | Keith Smith | Dixie Swenka
Directors Emeritus: Pat Lincoln | Norm Onarheim | Matt Page | Rhoda Geduld