MINUTES of KXNM BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING
Wednesday September 27, 2017
Directors Present: Art Swenka, Ladd Hagmaier, Barbara Kinney, Bill Simms, Dixie Swenka, Randy Wright
Directors Not Present: Rhoda Geduld, John Griego, Jo Onarheim, Norm Onarheim
Guests: Peggy Schwebach, Chair of the Community Advisory Committee
Keith Smith, Pastor United Methodist Church
Daniel Boone, Radio Enthusiast
Art Swenka called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all present.
A quorum was met with six of ten directors present.
AGENDA: Dixie Swenka made a motion to accept the agenda as submitted; Ladd Hagmaier seconded the motion and all directors approved it.
MINUTES: Barbara Kinney made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 16, 2017 meeting as submitted. Bill Simms seconded the motion, and all directors approved it.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Art Swenka provided an update on the availability of Internet Access Providers (IAP’s) including AT&T, Plateau, Wi-Power and reported on fiber optic availability. Art researched internet options to replace Wi-Power, which has worked well for the past four years, but is now causing issues including brief, but frequent broadcast interruptions, and problems keeping the new website server connected to the Internet.
Currently, a fiber optic connection from the station to the transmitter is not feasible, since fiber is only installed from Willard to the tower in Encino. There is no fiber connection from the station to Willard, and it would cost about $1.2 M to install it. So, the best option is to remain with Wi-Power, and to find a solution to fix the broadcast interruptions and website server operability.
B. Dixie Swenka described updates and changes to the web site, kxnm.org. The Program Schedule and Community Calendar are currently being updated to reflect the changes made over the past several months. Dixie also reported that Wi-Power does not support the new website server, which is needed to replace Weebly, the current website provider. Bills Simms recommended using Plateau as the Website and office ISP, which would also support changing the telephone system to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). VOIP offers new communication features and would eliminate the current telephone bill.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Barbara Kinney substituting for John Griego provided and explained a detailed P&L Statement and Balance Sheet through September 27, 2017. The financial reports show a revenue surplus since July 2017. Barbara attributed this to increased underwriting sales, and particularly to Art Swenka’s success in reinstating inactive underwriters. Dixie Swenka made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report; Ladd Hagmaier seconded the motion, and all directors approved it.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT: Peggy Schwebach reported on activities to “re-form” the Community Advisory Committee (CAC). Peggy and Dixie Swenka planned and scheduled an informational meeting and tour of the station and invited 13 prominent individuals with diverse community interests to attend the meeting. The goal is to educate and inform these individuals about the mission of KXNM and to recruit new members for the CAC. The Visit/Tour of the station is scheduled for October 6, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. Peggy also reported that the “School Zone” show would resume with new programs starting in December 2017.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Bill Simms reported the requirement to shut-off the transmitter within the three minute notification time frame required by the FCC is done. Art Swenka and Bill worked with John Chidester to accomplish this. Currently Art, Bill, Dixie and Collette Valdez have the capability to shut-off the transmitter remotely from a computer or smart phone, and Bill will provide this capability to additional staff and volunteers.
Bill also reported that the project to replace the florescent lighting with LED lighting is underway with help from Keith Smith, Pastor at the United Methodist Church in Estancia. Four new lights are installed and the remaining old lights are scheduled for replacement with LED lighting, which is brighter and cheaper to operate.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Art Swenka reported on the success of attracting new underwriters, servicing existing and inactive underwriters and introduced a new show. New underwriters include Nacho’s in Moriarty. Art and Bill Simms visited Burger Boy in Cedar Crest, an existing underwriter, and replaced equipment that significantly improved reception of the station. Since, Burger Boy plays KXNM’s broadcast in the restaurant during business hours, this was an important example of servicing underwriters.
Art described an initiative to increase underwriting of the weather report to 48 spots each day (24 spots from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.), which doubles underwriting revenue. Art also introduced a new show, “Retro Country” produced by Daniel Boone, which will air on Saturday at 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 4 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Bill Simms reported on the FCC transmitter shutdown requirement in the Vice President’s Report.
B. Art Swenka read the letter from the CPB stating that the station’s application for a grant was denied, because it did not meet the required Non-Federal Financial Support (NFFS) minimum of $300,000. Randy Wright reported the station’s NFFS acceptable to the CPB was $270,000, about $30,000 less than required. The shortage was created, because the CPB disallowed the building donation of $64,000. Otherwise, the station’s NFFS reported to the CPB was $324,000, which met the minimum requirement
.
The projected NFFS shortage for next year would be even larger, because of the change in fiscal year reporting from July-June, to
January-December. Since, only July-December could be used to calculate the next year’s NFFS, Art recommended that the station
defer applying for a CPB grant until the station can meet the minimum NFFS requirement.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday October 18, 2017 at 2 pm at the KXNM Offices and Studios in McIntosh.
Art Swenka adjourned the meeting at 3:35 PM.
Submitted on 9/29/2017 Approved:
Randy Wright, Secretary Arthur J. Swenka, President
________________________ _______________________
END
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Wednesday September 27, 2017
Directors Present: Art Swenka, Ladd Hagmaier, Barbara Kinney, Bill Simms, Dixie Swenka, Randy Wright
Directors Not Present: Rhoda Geduld, John Griego, Jo Onarheim, Norm Onarheim
Guests: Peggy Schwebach, Chair of the Community Advisory Committee
Keith Smith, Pastor United Methodist Church
Daniel Boone, Radio Enthusiast
Art Swenka called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all present.
A quorum was met with six of ten directors present.
AGENDA: Dixie Swenka made a motion to accept the agenda as submitted; Ladd Hagmaier seconded the motion and all directors approved it.
MINUTES: Barbara Kinney made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 16, 2017 meeting as submitted. Bill Simms seconded the motion, and all directors approved it.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Art Swenka provided an update on the availability of Internet Access Providers (IAP’s) including AT&T, Plateau, Wi-Power and reported on fiber optic availability. Art researched internet options to replace Wi-Power, which has worked well for the past four years, but is now causing issues including brief, but frequent broadcast interruptions, and problems keeping the new website server connected to the Internet.
Currently, a fiber optic connection from the station to the transmitter is not feasible, since fiber is only installed from Willard to the tower in Encino. There is no fiber connection from the station to Willard, and it would cost about $1.2 M to install it. So, the best option is to remain with Wi-Power, and to find a solution to fix the broadcast interruptions and website server operability.
B. Dixie Swenka described updates and changes to the web site, kxnm.org. The Program Schedule and Community Calendar are currently being updated to reflect the changes made over the past several months. Dixie also reported that Wi-Power does not support the new website server, which is needed to replace Weebly, the current website provider. Bills Simms recommended using Plateau as the Website and office ISP, which would also support changing the telephone system to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). VOIP offers new communication features and would eliminate the current telephone bill.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Barbara Kinney substituting for John Griego provided and explained a detailed P&L Statement and Balance Sheet through September 27, 2017. The financial reports show a revenue surplus since July 2017. Barbara attributed this to increased underwriting sales, and particularly to Art Swenka’s success in reinstating inactive underwriters. Dixie Swenka made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report; Ladd Hagmaier seconded the motion, and all directors approved it.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT: Peggy Schwebach reported on activities to “re-form” the Community Advisory Committee (CAC). Peggy and Dixie Swenka planned and scheduled an informational meeting and tour of the station and invited 13 prominent individuals with diverse community interests to attend the meeting. The goal is to educate and inform these individuals about the mission of KXNM and to recruit new members for the CAC. The Visit/Tour of the station is scheduled for October 6, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. Peggy also reported that the “School Zone” show would resume with new programs starting in December 2017.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Bill Simms reported the requirement to shut-off the transmitter within the three minute notification time frame required by the FCC is done. Art Swenka and Bill worked with John Chidester to accomplish this. Currently Art, Bill, Dixie and Collette Valdez have the capability to shut-off the transmitter remotely from a computer or smart phone, and Bill will provide this capability to additional staff and volunteers.
Bill also reported that the project to replace the florescent lighting with LED lighting is underway with help from Keith Smith, Pastor at the United Methodist Church in Estancia. Four new lights are installed and the remaining old lights are scheduled for replacement with LED lighting, which is brighter and cheaper to operate.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Art Swenka reported on the success of attracting new underwriters, servicing existing and inactive underwriters and introduced a new show. New underwriters include Nacho’s in Moriarty. Art and Bill Simms visited Burger Boy in Cedar Crest, an existing underwriter, and replaced equipment that significantly improved reception of the station. Since, Burger Boy plays KXNM’s broadcast in the restaurant during business hours, this was an important example of servicing underwriters.
Art described an initiative to increase underwriting of the weather report to 48 spots each day (24 spots from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.), which doubles underwriting revenue. Art also introduced a new show, “Retro Country” produced by Daniel Boone, which will air on Saturday at 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 4 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Bill Simms reported on the FCC transmitter shutdown requirement in the Vice President’s Report.
B. Art Swenka read the letter from the CPB stating that the station’s application for a grant was denied, because it did not meet the required Non-Federal Financial Support (NFFS) minimum of $300,000. Randy Wright reported the station’s NFFS acceptable to the CPB was $270,000, about $30,000 less than required. The shortage was created, because the CPB disallowed the building donation of $64,000. Otherwise, the station’s NFFS reported to the CPB was $324,000, which met the minimum requirement
.
The projected NFFS shortage for next year would be even larger, because of the change in fiscal year reporting from July-June, to
January-December. Since, only July-December could be used to calculate the next year’s NFFS, Art recommended that the station
defer applying for a CPB grant until the station can meet the minimum NFFS requirement.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday October 18, 2017 at 2 pm at the KXNM Offices and Studios in McIntosh.
Art Swenka adjourned the meeting at 3:35 PM.
Submitted on 9/29/2017 Approved:
Randy Wright, Secretary Arthur J. Swenka, President
________________________ _______________________
END
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