Minutes of the KPFK Local Station Board Meeting of October 17 2012
The regular monthly meeting of the KPFK Local Station Board was held on
Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at Jewel's Catch One, 4067 West Pico Boulevard, Los
Angeles, CA 90019, 7:21 PM, the Chair (Michael Novick) being in the chair and
the Secretary (John P. Garry III) being present. The minutes of the previous
meeting (September 15, 2012) were approved.
Twenty members were present, constituting a quorum: Ken Aaron, Chuck Anderson,
Ankine Antaram (arrived 7:53), Rodrigo Argueta, Fred Blair, Lydia Brazon
(arrived 7:33),
John Cromshow, John De Simio, Aryana Gladney, Tej Grewall (arrived 7:25),
Leonard Isenberg, Kim Kaufman, Fred Klunder (arrived 7:32), Ali Lexa, Brenda
Medina, Margie Murray, Michael Novick, Lawrence Reyes, John Wenger (arrived
7:30),
Lamont Yeakey (arrived late).
Three members were excused: Jim Lafferty, Dutch Merrick, Summer Reese.
One member was absent: John Parker.
Also present: Bernard Duncan (KPFK General Manager), Terry Goodman (Audio
Recordist, Web Liaison), Dan Fritz (KPFK News Reporter) and members of the
public.
Authority and Notice: This meeting date was authorized by the LSB by a motion
approved at its meeting of February 15, 2012. The date was posted on KPFTX.org
on February 18, 2012. Additional notice was posted on KPFK.org and other
websites beginning on September 19, 2012 (see Appendix A). The location was
noticed to the Board via email and posted on various websites on September 24,
2012 and on KPFTX.org on September 25, 2012.
Audio Recording: The audio of the meeting is available for a limited time at
KPFTX.org
A preliminary recording by Terry Goodman (VOC002) was also used for these
minutes.
Archive Audio Part 1: kpfk121017a.mp3
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL (7:21) [VOC002 8:58]
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:21 PM with an initial quorum
of 13. The excused absence requests of Lafferty, Reese and Merrick were
approved without objection.
AGENDA APPROVAL (7:24) [VOC002 11:46]
Murray moved for Dan Fritz to speak for five minutes before the GM Report.
Aaron seconded. Failed by substitution. Medina moved to substitute: Dan Fritz
shall speak as part of the GM report. Argueta seconded. Substitute motion
passed by a majority show of hands (6).
Aaron moved to cancel the executive session. Kaufman seconded. Cromshow called
the question.
Motion to end debate failed by a show of hands: Yes-7, No-7. [VOC002 16:37]
Discussion continued. Murray called the question. A second vote to end debate
was inconclusive. Aaron requested a roll call vote.
The second motion to end debate passed by a roll call vote: Yes--9, No-8,
Abstain-0. [VOC002 21:41]
Yes-Aaron, Blair, Cromshow, De Simio, Isenberg, Kaufman, Lexa, Murray, Wenger.
No-Anderson, Argueta, Brazon, Gladney, Grewall, Klunder, Medina, Reyes.
Present not voting-Novick.
Motion to cancel executive session passed by a roll call vote: Yes-10, No-8,
Abstain--0. [VOC002 24:14]
Yes-Aaron, Blair, Cromshow, De Simio, Isenberg, Kaufman, Lexa, Murray, Wenger,
Yeakey.
No-Anderson, Argueta, Brazon, Gladney, Grewall, Klunder, Medina, Reyes.
Present not voting-Novick.
Aaron moved approval of the agenda. Murray seconded. Aaron called the question.
Amended agenda approved by a show of hands: Yes-9, No-6. [VOC002 29:36] (see
Appendix A).
GROUND RULES FOR COMMUNICATION (7:44) [VOC002 31:04]
The Chair reiterated principles for Board communication, with special attention
to the unusual circumstances (meeting in an outdoor gazebo).
MINUTES APPROVAL (7:44) [VOC002 31:44]
The minutes of September 15, 2012 were approved without objection.
II. SCHEDULING / LOCATION / ANNOUNCEMENT OF MEETINGS (7:45) [VOC002 32:14]
Saturday, November 17, 2012, 1:00 PM, People's College of Law.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 7:00 PM, Peace Center West.
January 2013, Peace Center West, date TBD.
Reyes moved to reschedule the current meeting. Murray seconded. No vote taken.
Aaron moved to amend: Adjourn after Dan Fritz and the GM Report. No vote taken.
Without objection, the Chair committed to entertain a motion to adjourn at that
time.
Reyes moved to hold a special one-hour budget meeting after the regularly
scheduled LSB meeting of November 17, 2012. Kaufman called the question.
Motion passed by a show of hands: Yes-9, No-2, Abstain-6. [VOC002 41:17]
III. IMPLEMENTATION / FOLLOW UP / ACTION ITEMS (7:55) [VOC002 42:44]
The Chair asked the GM to help create an LSB letterhead, incorporating the KPFK
logo.
IV. GENERAL MANAGER REPORT SUMMARY AND Q&A (7:57) [VOC002 43:59]
Dan Fritz made comments on KPFK news production. Discussion followed. Reyes
moved to extend until the stack is completed (5 mins). Motion failed by a show
of hands: Yes-5, No-7. [VOC002 55:08]
The GM summarized his report (see Appendix B). (8:08) [VOC002 56:06] A draft
fund-raising letter ("From the Desk of Bernard Duncan, General Manager") was
distributed to the Board and the public (on file with the Secretary).
Discussion followed.
Archive Audio Part 2: kpfk121017b.mp3
Board comment to the GM continues.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT I (8:25) [VOC002 1:12:54]
Public comment was heard for eight minutes.
VI. GM RESPONDS TO PUBLIC COMMENT (8:36) [VOC002 1:23:25]
The GM responded briefly to public comment. Responding to public and Board
comments, Kaufman moved that people submit written complaints to the Committee
of Inclusion (who shall work with the GM) for resolution. Murray seconded. The
GM committed to consider any complaints brought to him.
Reyes moved to refer this matter to the Governance Committee. Medina seconded.
Brazon called the question.
Motion to refer passed by a roll call vote: Yes-8, No-7, Abstain-2. [VOC002
1:34:34]
Yes-Aaron, Anderson, Blair, Cromshow, De Simio, Kaufman, Lexa, Yeakey.
No-Brazon, Gladney, Grewall, Klunder, Murray, Reyes, Wenger.
Abstain-Antaram, Medina.
Present not voting-Novick.
Aaron moved to adjourn. Lexa seconded. Point of order from Wenger: We have a
policy that we always have PNB reports. To cancel the meeting would be a
violation of LSB policy. The Chair ruled that a motion to adjourn is always in
order and allowed the vote to go forward.
Motion to adjourn passed by a show of hands: Yes-11, No-2, Abstain-1.
The meeting adjourned by majority vote of the Board at 8:53 PM. [VOC002
1:40:14]
Respectfully submitted by John P. Garry III, Secretary
(these minutes were approved on November 17, 2012)
********
Appendix A-Public Notices
Emailed by Terry Goodman on September 19, 2012:
The KPFK Local Station Board will hold it's regularly scheduled
monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 17 at 7:00 PM, at a location to
be announced. The agenda will include a substantial executive session
to complete the process of selecting a candidate pool for the position
of Program Director to submit to the General Manager. During the
public period of the meeting, there will be opportunity for public
comment. You may also send your comments to the LSB by email at
LSBoard@kpfk.org.
http://www.kpfk.org/lsbpnbmenu/93-calenderandnotices/6419-lsb-meeting-open-and-
closed-10172012-700-pm.html
http://www.kpfk.org/eventcal.html?task=view_detail&agid=2805&year=2012&month=10&
day=17
http://www.kpftx.org/pacalendar/cal_show1.php?eventdate=20121017
********
Emailed by Terry Goodman on September 24, 2012:
The KPFK Local Station Board will hold it's regularly scheduled
monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 17 at 7:00 PM, in the Community
Room at Jewel's Catch One, 4067 West Pico Boulevard (near S. Norton, 2
blocks east of Crenshaw Blvd.), Los Angeles, CA 90019. Parking is in
the rear via a driveway entrance from Pico on the west side of the
building.
The agenda will include a substantial executive session to complete
the process of selecting a candidate pool for the position of Program
Director to submit to the General Manager. During the public period of
the meeting, there will be opportunity for public comment. You may
also send your comments to the LSB by email at LSBoard@kpfk.org.
http://www.kpfk.org/lsbpnbmenu/93-calenderandnotices/6419-lsb-meeting-open-and-
closed-10172012-700-pm.html
http://www.kpfk.org/eventcal.html?task=view_detail&agid=2805&year=2012&month=10&
day=17
http://www.kpftx.org/pacalendar/cal_show1.php?eventdate=20121017
********
Appendix B-Approved Agenda
Amended Agenda for KPFK LSB Meeting of 10-17-2012
(all times include board discussion time)
I. Call to Order, Roll Call, Excused Absence Requests, Agenda Approval,
Ground Rules for Communication, Announcements, Minutes Approval
(10 min)
II. Scheduling / Location / Announcement of Meetings (5
min)
a) Reyes notice to request a special LSB budget meeting
III. Implementation / Follow Up / Action Items (5
min)
IV. General Manager Report Summary and Q&A (20 min)
a) Guest Speaker-Dan Fritz, 5 min
b) GM Summary 2 min.
c) Board questions 13 min.
V. Public Comment I (questions to GM) (7.5min)
VI. GM responds to public comment (3 min)
VII. PNB Reports (15 min)
a) Directors
b) Committees
VIII. Public Comment II (questions to PNB Directors) (7.5
min)
IX. PNB Directors respond to public comment (2 min)
X. Public Comment III (during debate on pending motions) (7.5
min)
XI. Finance Committee Report (5 min)
XII. LSB Fund Raiser Work Group Report (5 min)
XIII. Town Hall Task Force Report (5 min)
XIV. Public Comment IV (7.5 min)
Meeting Total 100 min
********
Appendix C-General Manager Report
PACIFICA RADIO KPFK 90.7 FM
MANAGER'S REPORT TO THE LOCAL STATION BOARD
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
(Bernard Duncan, General Manager)
Manager's Overview
. The October fund drive concludes on Monday October 22. As this report
is being written the phone room total stands at just over $491,000.
. The letter campaign for the fund to purchase a new transmitter has so
far resulted in donations of more than $5,300, with donations trickling
in daily. The largest single donation so far has been $1,500 with a
couple of $1,000 contributions as well. Respondents to the letter
campaign are being invited to attend this Friday's Amy Goodman event.
. The build up to the 2012 Local Station Board election has been moving
along its course, and a number of candidate statement carts have been
recorded. Candidate forums will begin to be broadcast after the fund
drive is over.
Outreach and Development
. Fund Drive - We went into the fall fund drive knowing that there would
be pressure for listeners to tune to news for elections coverage. To
address this while fundraising, we decided to add a feature to the
front page of the website highlighting our programming segments dealing
with elections coverage specifically, and providing a way for listeners
to donate online. To complement this, there is a promo running on air
highlighting our continuing elections coverage and where listeners can
go on our website to hear segments and donate.
. Live events, remotes and specials from the last six month:
. Tavis Smiley & Cornel West Reporting Back from the Poverty Tour
. LA Times Festival of Books with a live remote broadcast
. Van Jones on Rebuilding the Dream
. Public Citizen Art exhibit about the 99%
. Chris Hedges and Truthdig
. Mario Martinez on the Mind Body Code
. KPFK Film Club - Film Club is being highlighted during this Fall Fund
Drive, with the pitch point that many of the DVD titles offered during
fund drive were films offered to our audience first through the KPFK
Film Club.
. Upcoming events and Sponsorships - We are in full production and
promotion mode for the October benefit with Amy Goodman on October
19th: Amy Goodman on tour with the book The Silenced Majority: Stories
of Uprisings, Occupations, Resistance, and Hope. In addition to this
event, we are recording at the Center for the Study of Political
Graphics (honoring Tom Morello), the Whittier event with David
Barsamian, and the talk with Vandana Shiva. We plan to use these
recordings as archival material and thank-you gifts for fundraising.
. Community Advisory Board (CAB) - A meeting of the ad hoc CAB took place
on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 7pm at the Episcopal Church in
Whittier. The meeting was hosted by The Whittier Area Peace & Justice
Coalition, and had about 20 people in attendance, with several
interested in participating on a permanent CAB for one year. At the
meeting, a programming survey was distributed. Results of the survey
will be available in the CAB quarterly report. In an effort to recruit
more people for the CAB, there will be a meeting in Fullerton (OC) on
Saturday, November 3rd; and in Long Beach on Saturday, November 10th.
. Volunteer and Outreach Updates -
HOLLYWOOD HOMELESS YOUTH PARTNERSHIP
On October 3rd KPFK took part in the Hollywood Homeless Youth
Partnership Job/Resource Career Fair, to outreach and offer internships
to at-risk youth looking to gain experience and build their resumes.
The Saban Research Auditorium was the location for the meeting - 4651
Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027.
From the organizers: The goal of the event is not only to help youth 16-
24 find employment but to also expose them to a myriad of career and
job opportunities in order for them to conceptualize a greater vision
for themselves. Taking the time to speak to and positively influence
these bright young individuals can leave a lasting impact which can
change their lives. Your participation in this event is received with
tremendous gratitude and appreciation.
WORK EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE PROGRAM, ACADEMIA AVANCE CHARTER HIGH
SCHOOL
We have also partnered this fall with Academia Avance Charter School in
Highland Park and their Work Educational Experience (WEE) program. This
provides a professional career work experience prior to students
investing $40-100k in college.
Two High School Seniors have started internships already and will be at
KPFK twice a week for three hours for their entire Senior year. They
will shadow in various departments and will be part of KPFK Outreach.
LOS ANGELES VALLEY COLLEGE/ MEDIA ARTS/BROADCASTING DEPT
We are continuing to build a strong partnership with LAVC's Media Arts
Department. On September 20th KPFK hosted 10 advanced Broadcast
Journalism students who help to run LAVC's student radio station. They
had a great visit and several of these students have already started
internships here with both Programming and Music Depts.
VOLUNTEER LOS ANGELES, COURT REFERRED COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM
It has been nearly a year that KPFK has been a Community Partner for
this program. We host mostly traffic violators that have chosen
Community Services over paying a substantial fine. We signed up for
this to fill our phone room during Fund Drives and it has certainly
helped. We have even gained some new listeners and several Community
Service Volunteers have continued past their court ordered time!
Programming
. Fund Drive - We expected a considerable drop off in our daily totals
due to competition for dollars from political campaigns and this has
come to pass - though we are raising enough money to keep the station
running.
. Local News - The most significant development in the Programming
department is the pending expansion of local news that is planned to
commence next week. Currently the plan is to incorporate a 15 minute
cut-away during the 6pm news hour. This will represent a significant
increase in local news coverage during the 6pm hour.
The cut away will feature both news reports that include "field sound,"
as well as a significant number of local news stories that will be
summarized by the news anchor, this latter element has been largely
absent from the 6pm news hours in recent years.
As budget permits we also have plans to continue the expansion of the
news department in the coming months, to include hourly afternoon on-
air headlines and an expanded web-presence for local news coverage.
This expansion of local news coverage will allow KPFK to better
serve Southern California listeners; and will complement our local
coverage on public affairs talk shows.
. Pilots - There were three pilot shows that aired over the summer, all
of which will be coming back in the coming weeks for another "pilot"
installment or a series:
- Basich Family Values focused upon the rising cost of aging in the
United States and provided strategies for the elderly and their
families to remain financially secure and avoid being ripped off.
- U.S. Veterans Unplugged addressed issues faced by American
veterans, providing guidance while also reporting on the experiences
of veterans.
- On Resistance is a show co-hosted by Southern California activists
who participated in the Occupy movement. Their pilot show discussed
the ways that they work towards building a less-sexist society.
Operations
. LADWP - This past month the Los Angeles City Council voted to approve a
proposed Department of Water and Power rate hike. This year's increase
of 4 percent kicks in in November. A 6-percent increase will come into
effect next year, totaling an 11 percent rate increase over two years.
Water rates are expected to increase at least 5% over the next two
years, although the city council hasn't voted on it yet, but it is
expected to pass
. HVAC & ACCO - It has been 4 months since we have had any problems with
our HVAC units. We continue to do some of the extra maintenance in
house to help keep the units running smoothly, and have ACCO to thank
for supplying (at no additional cost) the extra materials to do so.
ACCO will be raising its annual maintenance rate within the terms of
our agreement by a little under $200. We will now be charged $3888 (up
from $3700) annually. The payments are billed quarterly. The increase
is related to fuel costs, employee benefits, and an increase in
production materials. This is consistent with many other services as
fuel prices go up.
. Telecom System - On the day before the fund drive the computer (ACD
system) that manages the phone calls in the phone room malfunctioned.
The motherboard died, and is now being repaired. We decided to purchase
another unit which was installed 3 days after the fund drive began;
otherwise we would not have been able to manage calls for the whole
fund drive. Repairs to the old unit were estimated to take about 6
weeks, because it has to be shipped to Toshiba for repairs. Having
purchased a new unit and having the old one repaired puts us in a more
reliable position, since we will now use the older unit as a back in
the event of a similar situation.
. Telepacific - As of October 8th of this year Telepacific's rate hike
went into effect. We will see approximately a 2-4% increase in our
monthly bill
. Facilities - Repairs to lights in studio and a couple of burnt out
electrical outlets in the upstairs conference room were done in the
month of September, and graffiti near the garbage dumpster was painted
over, but high pressure cleaning of our drain from the kitchen to our
sewage line has been postponed until the end of the year, when there
are fewer people in building.
Engineering
. Studios - The KPFK studios are generally in good condition and
repair. The audio network server has been replaced and is operating
very well. It's made a big improvement in the studio operation of KPFK.
. Malibu Booster site - We are still working on alternatives to an
antenna at the Saddle Peak site as well as other means of program
delivery to the booster.
. Rancho Bernardo translator site - This translator is in good
condition and is operating well covering Northern San Diego County.
. Santa Barbara translator site - The translator is in good condition
and is operating properly covering the coastal area of Santa Barbara.
. Mt. Wilson transmitter site - The old Armstrong transmitters are
completely unreliable and cannot be put into service. The Armstrong
transmitters will never be useable from the KPFK site on Mt. Wilson. We
are relying on the backup transmitter to keep KPFK on the air. We must
order another Nautel solid state transmitter which will bring KPFK back
up to full power and allow KPFK to broadcast over all the southern
California coverage area.
On Thursday, October 11th, we experienced the first major, however
brief, rain, hail and snow storm of the season on Mt. Wilson. There was
a brief power failure shortly before 12noon and the KPFK emergency
generator performed as expected and kept KPFK on the air. Edison power
was restored about 12:10pm.
Business Office
. Financial status as at October 16 (cf. September 13) -
o Total Cash in Bank is $330,000 (500,000)
o Total payables stand at $42,000 (35,000).
o We are awaiting a CPB funding installment of around $85,000.
Bernard Duncan
General Manager
October 16 2012
********