Minutes of the KPFK Local Station Board Meeting of August 29, 2012
The regular monthly meeting of the KPFK Local Station Board was held on
Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 7:09 PM at the Echo Park United Methodist Church,
1226 N. Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA, 90026-3127, the Chair (Michael Novick)
being in the Chair and the Secretary (John P. Garry III) being present. The
minutes of the two previous meeting (July 28, 2012, August 11, 2012) were
approved.
Twenty members were present, constituting a quorum: Ken Aaron, Chuck Anderson,
Ankine Antaram, Rodrigo Argueta, Fred Blair, Lydia Brazon (arrived 7:13), John
Cromshow, John De Simio, Aryana Gladney, Leonard Isenberg, Kim Kaufman, Fred
Klunder, Jim Lafferty, Brenda Medina, Margie Murray, Michael Novick, John
Parker (arrived late), Lawrence Reyes, John Wenger (arrived 7:38), Lamont
Yeakey (arrived 7:17).
Four members were excused: Tej Grewall, Ali Lexa, Dutch Merrick, Summer Reese.
Also present: Members of the public.
Authority and Notice: This meeting, originally scheduled for Wednesday, August
15, 2012, was authorized by the LSB by a motion approved at its special meeting
of August 11, 2012. The new date was posted on KPFTX.org on August 11, 2012.
The location was noticed to the board via email and posted on KPFTX.org on
August 14, 2012. Additional notice was posted on other websites beginning on
August 22, 2012 (see Appendix A).
Audio Recording: The audio for this meeting is available at KPFTX.org.
[Audio Part 1 kpfk120829a.mp3]
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL (7:09)
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:09 PM with a quorum of 15.
EXCUSED ABSENCES (7:13)
The excused absence requests of Grewall, Lexa, Merrick, and Reese were accepted
without objection. Without objection, prior absences by Klunder and Merrick
shall be changed to excused absences.
AGENDA APPROVAL (7:13)
The time-certain for adjournment was changed to 9:30 without objection.
Responding to a request by Argueta, Lafferty moved ten minutes for a
discussion: item IVa. Seconded by Argueta. Passed without objection. The
amended agenda was approved without objection.
GROUND RULES FOR COMMUNICATION (7:19)
The Chair reiterated principles of Board decorum and public participation.
There shall be a 90 second time limit for speaking.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (7:19)
There were no announcements.
MINUTES APPROVAL (7:19)
The Secretary was directed to correct the minutes to reflect Klunder's excused
absence on August 11, 2012. The minutes of July 28, 2012 and August 11, 2012
were approved without objection.
II. SCHEDULING / LOCATION / NOTICE OF MEETINGS (7:20)
The next LSB meeting is Saturday, September 15, 2012, location TBD. Reyes
noticed a Town Hall Task Force meeting on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at Radio
Station KPFK
III. PNB REPORTS (7:26)
Brazon and Aaron reported. Aaron announced that Summer Reese was serving as the
Pacifica interim Executive Director. Blair reported on the recent PNB Audit
Committee meeting. The Chair committed to hold an election for two Audit
Committee positions (one Director member, one LSB member) at the next meeting.
Murray reported on the Affiliates Task Force. Novick reported on the
Programming Committee.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT I (7:43)
Public comment was heard for eight minutes.
IV (a). STATION STAFF PROCEDURES (7:51)
There was a discussion of staff access to station technology.
Kaufman moved that the General Manager submit to the LSB, by noon tomorrow, a
log of on-air election carts to check compliance with election rules. Lafferty
called the question.
Isenberg moved: The prerequisite for closing the election is that carts have
been played. No vote taken.
Motion failed by a roll call vote: Yes-8, No--9, Abstain-3.
Yes-Aaron, Blair, Cromshow, De Simio, Isenberg, Kaufman, Wenger, Yeakey.
No-Anderson, Argueta, Brazon, Gladney, Klunder, Lafferty, Medina, Parker,
Reyes.
Abstain-Antaram, Murray, Novick.
[Audio Part 2 kpfk120829b.mp3]
Lafferty moved: The LSB determines that if computers are to be shut off each
night, every staff member or member of each collective shall be issued a code
to operate station computers within one week.
Passed without objection. The Chair committed to take this motion to the GM the
next day.
Lafferty moved: If sufficient carts have not been run, the LSB recommends
extension of the election nomination period commensurate with the fulfillment
of the required number of plays.
Motion passed by a show of hands: Yes-18, No-1, Abstain-1.
V. PRESENTATION OF GENERAL MANAGER'S PROPOSED BUDGET (8:25)
The budget was forward electronically to the Board prior to the meeting and
distributed in paper to the Board and the public. The General Manager was not
in attendance.
Kaufman (Finance Committee Chair) made comments on the FY2013 KPFK Budget.
Discussion followed.
VI. Public Comment II (8:51)
Public comment was heard for six minutes.
VII. LSB BUDGET DISCUSSION (8:57)
There was a general discussion of the FY2013 station budget.
Wenger moved: The LSB sanctions the General Manager and the Business Manager
for not submitting a complete FY2013 station budget.
[Audio Part 3 120829c.mp3]
Discussion continues.
Reyes moved to extend 30 minutes Motion failed by a majority show of hands.
A motion to extend 10 minutes passed by majority show of hands. (9:24)
The Chair allowed two additional comments-one for, one against-on the pending
motion.
Reyes moved to table. Motion failed by a roll call vote: Yes-8, No-9.
Yes-Anderson, Brazon, Cromshow, Gladney, Klunder, Lafferty, Medina, Reyes.
No-Aaron, Antaram, Argueta, Blair, De Simio, Kaufman, Murray, Wenger, Yeakey.
Present not voting-Novick.
The main motion failed by a roll call vote: Yes-8, No-9, Abstain-2.
Yes-Aaron, Argueta, Brazon, De Simio, Kaufman, Murray, Wenger, Yeakey.
No-Anderson, Antaram, Brazon, Cromshow, Klunder, Lafferty, Medina, Novick,
Reyes.
Abstain-Antaram, Gladney.
Brazon moved to accept the General Manager's FY2012 station budget with an LSB
quarterly review. (9:34)
Motion failed by a roll call vote: Yes-3, No-14, Abstain-2.
Yes-Brazon, Lafferty, Medina.
No-Aaron, Anderson, Argueta, Blair, De Simio, Gladney, Isenberg, Kaufman,
Klunder, Murray, Novick, Reyes, Wenger, Yeakey.
Abstain-Antaram, Cromshow.
Reyes moved to table the budget until the GM is present to answer questions.
The Chair ruled the motion out of order.
The public meeting adjourned at 9:37 PM due the expiration of time. After a
recess the Board reconvened in executive session until 10:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted by John P. Garry III, Secretary
(these minutes were approved on September 15, 2012)
********
Appendix A-Public Notices
Emailed by Terry Goodman on August 22, 2012:
The KPFK Local Station Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, August
29, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Echo Park United Methodist Church, 1226 N
Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90026-3127, one block north of Sunset
Blvd. This meeting is expected to included a short closed session to
approve language for reporting out from a previous closed session.
Refs:
http://www.kpfk.org/lsbpnbmenu/93-calenderandnotices/6303-lsb-meeting-
82912.html
http://www.kpfk.org/eventcal.html?task=view_detail&agid=2933&year=2012&month=08&
day=29
http://www.kpftx.org/pacalendar/cal_show1.php?eventdate=20120829
********
Appendix B-Approved Agenda
Proposed Agenda for the KPFK LSB Meeting of 8-29-2012
(all times include board discussion time)
Public Session
I. Call to Order, Roll Call, Excused Absence Requests, Agenda Approval,
Ground Rules for Communication, Announcements, Minutes Approval (10
min)
II. Scheduling / Location / Notice of Meetings including on-air Town Hall
(10 min)
III. PNB Reports (15 min)
a. Directors
b. Committees
IV. Public Comment I (Question regarding PNB)
(7.5min)
IV (a). Station Staff Procedures. (10 min)
V. Presentation of General Manager's proposed budget FY2013 (12.5
min)
VI. Public Comment II (questions regarding budget) (7.5
min)
VII. LSB Budget Discussion (75 min)
VIII. Public Comment III (before any pending motions) (7.5
min)
IX. Town Hall Task Force (5 min)
X. Public Comment IV (7.5 min)
Time Certain for Adjournment: 9:30 PM
Executive Session
I. Roll Call (2 min)
II. Program Director Search report-out discussion (20
min)
III. Report-Out (5 min)
********
Appendix C-General Manager Report
PACIFICA RADIO KPFK 90.7 FM
MANAGER'S REPORT TO THE LOCAL STATION BOARD
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
(Bernard Duncan, General Manager)
Manager's Overview
. The August fund drive concluded on 21 August, and including funds from
Southern California collected during KPFA's August drive resulted in a
total of $606,000.
. Pursuant to a recent LSB resolution, a recording of the Pacifica
Mission Statement is being scheduled to play once every day.
. KPFK's operating budget for the 2013 Fiscal Year will be voted on by
the LSB at this meeting. Unfortunately, due to a prior commitment the
GM is unable to attend the meeting (the date of which has been moved),
but the budget was distributed on Monday. The GM understand that the
LSB treasurer does not support this budget.
. During the recent fund drive the GM mentioned on air the necessity for
a new transmitter to work in tandem with the solid state transmitter we
bought at the end of last year. A call from a major donor followed with
an offer of $10,000 to kick off a capital campaign. The logistics of
such a campaign are being worked on now.
Outreach and Development
. Events - Dr. Mario Martinez: August 8, English-language presentation.
Attendance was 800-1,000 in the sanctuary. The event was well-promoted
for 2 months. Door sales were $1,585. Most of our attendance was
through fund drive pledges and online sales. This was followed by
another presentation in Spanish by Dr. Martinez on Friday evening,
August 10 to a room of 85 people. Both events were recorded for use as
premiums. Final earnings from the fund drives are still being
generated.
. Community Advisory Board (CAB) - A CAB meeting is being planned for the
third week in September.
. Career and Internship Program 2012 - A new Fall period of Cooperative
Education internships have been organized by the Volunteer/Outreach
Coordinator with Los Angeles Valley College and Los Angeles City
College. Cooperative Education is a program that establishes a three-
way relationship between the student, the college, and the employer.
This structured relationship allows the student to create short-and-
long range career goals and to recognize his/her progress by
establishing three measurable learning objectives for the semester.
. Film Club - Film Club offerings and their respective cross-promotions
of the station have been especially fruitful this month with Docuweeks
and the 1st Annual Korean-American Film Fest. Among the Film Club films
offered were: Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same; Compliance;
Death by China; Downtown Express; Heist: Who Stole The American Dream?;
It Is No Dream: The Life of Theodor Herzl; Life Is Strange; Little
White Lies; Nuit; Painted Skin; The Resurrection; Samsara; Speak;
Supercapitalist; The Ambassador; The Green Wave; Until They Are Home;
We Women Warriors; You've Been Trumped.
. Development Proposal to Monetize Public Service Announcements - The
following represents a proposal for LSB consideration. It suggests a
model by which the station could be paid for making public service
announcements and represents a change in direction that requires
considerable thought. Management would appreciate LSB advice on this
issue.
KPFK 90.7 FM Proposal for a PSA Campaign for "Empower L.A."
Neighborhood Council Elections 2012
KPFK Radio 90.7 FM would like to help Empower L.A. reach residents
of Los Angeles County with an outreach message designed to educate
the public about Neighborhood Council Elections and the importance
of participation. With a weekly cumulative listenership of
approximately 107,000 listeners, KPFK is a public media outlet with
a community radio sensibility, whose mission is to foment political
and social justice discourse in our society. As such, KPFK is
uniquely positioned to reach a civically engaged audience with the
"Empower L.A." message.
Fee Schedule
Value of a 30-sec radio spot: $250
Number of spots per day: 2
Start Date of Campaign: September 1, 2012
End Date: TBD
Duration of campaign: 30 days (may be more)
Number of PSAs: 60 x $250 = $15,000
Corresponding website banner = $125 per week x 4 weeks = $500
General Guidelines for KPFK 90.7 FM Recorded Announcements
1. All scripts must follow Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
guidelines (listed below). All announcements are subject to final
approval and editing by KPFK 90.7 FM/Pacifica Radio Los Angeles.
2. On-air announcements for events and activities in which money is
requested or accepted are exclusively for use by non-profit
entities. A copy of your organization's current 501(c)(3)
documentation should be attached. State non-profit designation is
acceptable as well.
3. Any reference to corporate underwriting and/or sponsorship may
be edited out of the announcement.
Specific Guidelines for the PSA Campaign (based on feeback from
FCC Attorney John Crigler)
1. The spots may not run within a radio show. They can only run
before or after a scheduled show.
2. There can be no value-added or advocacy language within the
promo, and no calls to action.
3. Advocacy for specific candidates is not permitted. Rather, the
message should educate the listeners about neighborhood council
elections in general and the "Empower L.A." program specifically
with a link to more information at http://empowerla.org/elections/.
Programming
. At the time of writing this report the program director is in Tampa
following the Republican National Convention, so a full programming
report will be made for the September LSB meeting. Pacifica is covering
both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions on a network
level with stations carrying two-hour Democracy Now! editions in the
morning, and four hours of live coverage from the conventions in the
evening. The evening program is presented by KPFA's Mitch Jeserich and
Davey D, and KPFK's Margaret Prescod.
Operations
. EEO - The EEO report for 2011 - 2012 has been filed, placed with in our
public file and uploaded on to the web. A copy of the EEO 2011-2012
report is attached (with this report) to the email sent to the LSB.
. Plumbing - We continue to have periodic problems with our drainage. The
kitchen sink backed up and its drain all the way to the access point in
the ladies room was filled with lots of debris. Once it was cleared a
few days later the bathrooms got clogged because some of the debris
backed it up in the drain outside the building before the city sewage.
It has been recommended that we do a high pressure cleaning in the
pipes from the kitchen. A decision is pending based on further
investigation of other options and the return on our investment for
moving forward with the cleaning.
. KPFK Dispatch - The format of the KPFK weekly Dispatch has been changed
to include a few more features such as: program highlights, links to
contacts and links to follow programmers.
. A G+ page was created for KPFK, and a link to the Dispatch gets posted
there along with Twitter and Facebook
Engineering
. Studios - The KPFK studios are generally in good condition and
repair. There are continuing problems with the computer server that is
the studio audio source for programs, themes, promos and other copy. A
complete rebuild of the system will be done within the next few weeks.
. Malibu Booster site - No word from the FAA about the KPFK
application for an "Outgrant" to use FAA space at the Saddle Peak
booster site for the KPFK FM receive antenna. We are working on
alternate areas on Saddle peak where we can place the antenna so we
will be able to increase KPFK signal penetration along Pacific Coast
Highway and in the canyon areas.
. Rancho Bernardo translator site - This translator is in good
condition and is operating well covering Northern San Diego County.
There are occasional moments of interference from the FM station on
90.7Mhz in Tijuana particularly during hot weather.
. Santa Barbara translator site - The translator is in good condition
and is operating properly and is covering the coastal area of Santa
Barbara from Isla Vista to Montecito. There are also occasional moments
of interference from the FM station on 90.7Mhz in Tijuana during hot
weather.
. Mt. Wilson transmitter site - The KPFK Nautel NV-20 solid state
backup transmitter is on the air into the main antenna system. Repairs
have been attempted and completed on the old Armstrong transmitter only
to have other problems arise. Repair of the current KPFK transmitter
has become a continuing process with no end in sight. The FCC has
approved temporary transmission from Mt. Wilson at lower power while
the difficulties are addressed. Current antenna ERP is sufficient to
cover the main KPFK coverage area. The need to replace the current
problematic Armstrong transmitter with another new Nautel solid state
transmitter is becoming more and more imperative if we are to maintain
our coverage in Southern California. With reliable solid state
transmitters in place electrical power usage would also be cut nearly
in half and the cost of electric service for the transmitter site would
be reduced significantly.
The emergency electrical generator and the backup transmitter will keep
KPFK operating during electrical power outages.
Business Office
. Financial status as at August 28 (cf. July 28) -
o Total Cash in Bank is $565,000 (407,000)
o Total payables stand at $25,000 (43,000).
o Central Services fees owed to National Office stand at $326,000
(211,000).
We have not yet received the CPB funding due to us, but this funding
will be used to offset some of our National Office dues.
Bernard Duncan
General Manager
August 28 2012
********
Appendix D-Personnel Committee Report
TO: KPFK Local Station Board
FROM: John Cromshow, Chair
Personnel Committee
RE: Monthly Report
DATE: Wednesday, 8/29/2012
The KPFK LSB Personnel Committee met on Monday (8/27/12) from 4-6 PM at the
station.
In attendance: Fred Blair, John Cromshow, Kim Kaufman & Michael Novick.
We have completed a first draft of the General Manager evaluation.
Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled for the last week in September.
*******