Indian Wells Valley TV Booster, Inc.

Minutes of the May 4, 2009 board meeting

A. Opening
1. Call to order
President Cole called the meeting to order at 5:08 pm.
2. Attendance
Board members present: Blazek, Cole, Katzenstein, Manos, Middlemiss Starr, Wetzel
Board members absent: Ash, Longo
Visitors: Ron Garback, Roy Mayhugh
3. Approval of minutes
The minutes of the April 6 meeting were approved as distributed (Cole's motion, 2nd by Manos, passed on a voice vote, 7 ayes, no nays, no abstentions).
4. Treasurer's report
Katzenstein distributed the final financial report for March. Gross income for that month totaled $410, all from donations; expenditures totaled $186, including the monthly Verizon phone bill ($51) and payment of $135 to the Daily Independent for the Booster booth at the Home Show on March 28-29. ($75 of the latter payment was a refundable deposit; refund not yet credited.) At the end of March, total balances in all accounts amounted to $23,108. According to West, another $400 in donations arrived in April.
5. Correspondence
Katzenstein reported receiving a solicitation from the sponsor of the Santa's Art Shop event, to be held early in December. It is expected that we will follow through with an application for booth space.
6. Announcements
Mr. Mayhugh reported that the displacement application to trade transmitter channel 41 for channel 19 has now been filed with the FCC, with technical assistance from Greg Best. Also, Roy attended the NAB conference in Las Vegas during April 18-20. Notable news from that source was that the FCC will open a "rolling window" for frequency assignments, meaning that broadcasters will be able to apply for licenses and permits at any time. It is expected that this will heighten competition and increase the pricing for available slots.
7. Review of calendar and agenda
Cole, Middlemiss, and Mayhugh will represent the Booster at the annual meeting of the National Translators Association (NTA), scheduled for May 15 through 17 in Denver.
B. Committee reports
1. Standing committees
b. Operations
Wetzel and Mayhugh reported that analog Channel 7 ('B' Mountain) is currently operating on a standby converter while they fix problems with the Channel 4 set-top box from that site.
E. Discussion items
1. NTIA LPTV and Translator Upgrade Program
Effective April 20, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) withdrew its Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Low-Power Television and Translator Upgrade [grants] Program in connection with the digital TV transition. Instead, NTIA said it would issue a Notice of Availability of Funds giving "detailed information concerning the implementation of the program" as well as discussion of the public comments received so far. No target date was given for issuance of the NOAF. There is concern that the rural grants program might be scrapped completely due to diversion of funds during the current financial and budget crisis. In that event, although completion of the Booster's DTV transition could take place on June 12 as planned, money for enhancements beyond the basic service might not be forthcoming.
F. Closure
1. Next meeting: 5:00 PM, June 1, 2009, Vaughn Realty Meeting Room, Ridgecrest
2. Adjournment: There being no further business, President Cole adjourned the meeting at 5:45 pm.

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