Minutes of the Meeting

Vice-Chair Melissa Mills called to order a meeting of the OK Alliance on at 5:06 PM.

MINUTES REPORT

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented.

CHAIR REPORT

Discussion was held on the absence of Chair Barb Bodner. It was reported that Ms. Bodner was no longer in employed in access and had not been heard from in several months. Bi-Laws provide that a board member may be replaced by membership, by the Board or if they miss two consecutive meetings. Suzanne Patzer from Columbus has expressed interest in an appointment to Chair if Ms. Bodner relinquishes the position. Mr. Bishop and Ms. Mills agreed to attempt to make contact with Ms. Bodner and report back to the Board.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

NATIONAL REPORT: TOM BISHOP -- The 2002 ACM International Conference & Trade Show was scheduled for the second week of July in Houston. The ACM Board approved a 2 year contract for Executive Director Bunnie Reidel. National Chair Rick Hayes has stepped down with DATV’s John Rocco, voted as chair. This is an election year for the Central States ACM Board, with a minimum of five seats open. Mr. Bishop encouraged that if anyone needs more information on running for a position to see him. The Central States Region can provide financial assistance up to $1000 per year for those elected to the Board. Nominations will be held on Saturday.
CONFERENCE PLANNING: JOHANNA PERRINO -- Looking at the potential for a streaming video, distant learning or archiving mini conference for the end of summer. Central States 2002 Fall conference will be held in Kalamzoo, MI in October.
GRASS ROOTS: MELISSA MILLS -- Four attendees at the conference are here on scholarship, two from Ohio. Scholarships for the national conference will be available by mailing or on Central States web site.
FINANCE: CHIP BERGQUIST - No activity. Chapter balance stands at $1,245.
INFO SERVICES/LIST SERVE: BRIAN VONDERSCHMIDT -- Questions was raised to open list serve to non-members. Although it may be a good tool to attract new members, it would not be good in emergency cases. Non-members do have the availability to access the web site. A Motion to restrict the list serve to members only was made by Tom Bishop, seconded by Rod Swartz and passed unanimously.
PUBLIC POLICY: TOM BISHOP -- Kentucky had two proposed bills die in committee. Both will come back next year. Ohio’s provision barring local governments from charging fees for use of right of way has been struck down. Three issues cited - all bills must be single subject/interfered with home rule/state cannot remove city regulation without replacing it. National board voted money for statenet to better monitor state legislation. On the national level, Touzin/Dingle bill, which deregulates local bell companies with broadband passed in the House; chairman of Senate committee against and is expected to fail there. FCC served notice of proposed rule change that would classify cable modem as an information service not a cable service, meaning local communities could no longer collect franchise fees. Time Warner/Charter/Comcast stopping collection. National League of Cities, NATOA, NAACO and ACM filing comments & suit against this cable modem fee.
A motion for the OK Chapter to donate $250 to the Cable Modem suit fund was made by Rod Swartz, seconded by Tom Bishop and unanimously approved.
A motion for the OK Chapter to donate $125 to the ACM public policy fund was made by Chip Bergquist, seconded by Tom Bishop and unanimously approved.
Reports were accepted.

NEW BUSINESS

New membership drive will begin this summer. Mr. Bishop and Ms. Mills agreed to oversee this activity if Ms. Bodner was unavailable to do so.
Questions were raised concerning the lack of Philo entry forms being received in Ohio. Mention was made that a news report indicated that individuals had been arrested for hijacking several loads of mail coming from Michigan to Ohio. CTN in Ann Arbor is organizing this years Philo competition and will send out duplicated forms if necessary.
Tom Schubert encouraged Chapter to develop membership at state level and state mailing list. State membership will hopefully increase national membership. Anyone with potential names should send them to Mr. Schubert.
Patty Dallas -- Seeking help to create education piece about public access to help promote access in Yellow Springs. Ms. Mills said she would talk with Board members to potentially set-up a trip there.

NEXT MEETING

The meeting will be held at 2002 Central States Fall Regional Conference in Kalamazoo, MI.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:41 PM

Submitted by:
Thom Schneider