Minutes of the KPFK Local Station Board Meeting of 3/28/04 A special meeting of the KPFK Local Station Board was held on Sunday, March 28, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. in the Auditorium of Venice United Methodist Church, 1020 Victoria Avenue, Venice, California. The meeting was chaired by Don White. This being a special meeting, no minutes were read or approved. Twenty-one Members present, constituting a quorum: Grace Aaron, David Adelson, Maria Armoudian, Marie Deary (left early), Nile El-Wardani (late), Jim DiEugenio, Israel Feuer, Bill Gallegos, Sherna Gluck, Jan Goodman (left early), Terry Goodman, Jane Hallaren, Sonali Kolhatkar (late), Alan Minsky (late), Ed Pearl, Leslie Radford (late), Madeline Schwab, Fernando Velazquez, Donna Warren, Harrison Weil, Don White Four Members absent: Sara Amir, Eva Georgia, Margaret Prescod, Julie Rodriguez Chair: Don White The meeting was recorded by Jack VanAken and an audio version is currently online at http://www.dogsofnow.net/lsb/28mar04lsb/28mar04lsb.html. Bracketed numbers in these minutes refer to section starts in the elapsed timings of twelve MP3 format audio files, named by date and sequentially numbered. The meeting was called to order by Don White at 10:40 a.m. [28mar04lsb1.mp3, 0:30] Without objection, a special rule was adopted to limit time of LSB speakers in debate to one and a-half minutes, for this meeting only. [5:00] There was discussion on proposed agendas. All late members arrived during this discussion. Point of order by Weil [13:50] None of the proposed agendas include reading and approval of minutes. Not well taken. The published agenda was adopted without amendment. [28mar04lsb2.mp3, 5:30] Motion by Warren [7:30] Whereas, Lew Hill envisioned better radio programs for listener sponsors, and Whereas, The Local Station Board (LSB) is charged with the oversight of local governance and the development of the station to ensure those better programs, and Whereas, Committees derived by bylaws will enable the LSB to carry out its duties, and Whereas, The Bylaws require 2 LSB Delegates be assigned as members of each advisory committee, and Whereas, Participation by individuals known as listener sponsors possess concern and experience in areas of oversight to ensure best practices, Therefore, be it resolved that: An election of interim committees for Finance, Management Evaluation and Review, Programming Oversight, Outreach, and Committee of Inclusion to be headed by a member of the LSB be made, and that these committees meet, review letters of intent from listener sponsors wishing to serve on said committees, and present a strategic plan to the chair to report back to the LSB at the next meeting regarding the results and progress of these interim committees, and Therefore, be it resolved that: These said interim committees evolve into permanent committees with a LSB member as chair or co-chair to work on the business of KPFK to effect attainment of stated goals of each said committee, and Therefore, be it resolved that The KPFK Volunteer Coordinator at the instruction of the General Manager assist with the outreach of listener delegates to create a pool of applicants for service on these said committees. Motion was replaced by substitution. There was discussion on the motion. Motion to amend by Adelson [12:00] Motion failed by a show of hands. [28mar04lsb3.mp3, 9:00] YES 5 NO 15 There was discussion on the motion to amend. Substitute motion by T. Goodman [12:30] Whereas: Article Seven, Section 3 of the Pacifica Bylaws assigns specific duties and responsibilities to the Local Station Board, and Whereas: Efficient governance requires the creation of committees corresponding to these responsibilities, Resolved: a) That five standing committees of the LSB shall be immediately established, b) That each such standing committee shall initially include between two and five LSB members, c) That if more than five LSB members express a willingness and desire to serve on a committee then the initial membership of that committee shall be determined by STV election, d) That the convener of each committee, for the purpose of calling a first meeting, shall be the member receiving the most votes, e) That, in the event that committee seats are filled without a vote or in the event of a tie, the LSB presiding officer shall select a convener, f) That each committee shall select its own chair and decide upon a regular meeting schedule, g) That each committee shall meet and develop an initial list of issues for its consideration and report this progress at the next regular LSB meeting. h) That the names of these committees shall be as follows: 1) Finance Committee 2) Management Evaluation and Review Committee 3) Programming Oversight Committee 4) Outreach Committee 5) Structure Committee i) And that the duties of each committee shall include: 1) to perform such tasks as the LSB may assign and to report and recommend to the LSB as circumstances require. Motion passed by roll call. [28mar04lsb4.mp3, 16:00] YES 15 (Aaron, Adelson, Armoudian, Dearie, El-Wardani, Feuer, Gallegos, Gluck, J. Goodman, T. Goodman, Kolhatkar, Minsky, Pearl, Schwab, Warren) No 5 (DiEugenio, Hallaren, Radford, Velazquez, Weil) There was discussion on the substitute motion. Time was extended to allow for a roll call vote. Motion to amend by Hallaren [6:00] Motion failed by a show of hands. [14:30] YES 6 NO 13 Orders of the day by Gluck [28mar04lsb5.mp3, 1:30] Motion on the agenda by Adelson to add fifteen minutes for the population of committees, beginning at 2 p.m. [2:00] Motion passed by a show of hands. YES 14 NO 4 There was a background presentation on interim Program Council issues by Sherna Gluck and Jack VanAken [5:00] There was public comment from iPC Electeees (see APPENDIX A). [13:30]. This was followed by general public comment (see APPENDIX A). [28mar04lsb07.mp3, 0:00] There was general LSB discussion of iPC issues. [28mar04lsb7.mp3, 16:30] Motion by Adelson [28mar04lsb9.mp3, 3:40] Resolved: 1) That the LSB recognize all members elected to the iPC by their respective constituencies to date. 2) That the LSB request that those members of the iPC already elected meet to initiate the work for which they were elected. 3) That the LSB request that the Programming Oversight committee of the LSB meet with the elected members of the iPC to work out any additional details that the LSB needs to consider in order to move the work of the iPC forward, and 4) That the Programming Oversight committee bring forth any necessary motions to the LSB at the LSB's next scheduled meeting. Motion passed by a show of hands. [28mar04lsb10.mp3, 8:00] 16 YES 1 NO Marie Deary and Jan Goodman left the meeting before this vote. Orders of the day by Adelson [6:00] There was a short final period of public comment (see APPENDIX A). [9:00]. Ballots for the election of standing committee members were distributed and candidates were announced. [28mar94lsb11.mp3, 4:00] Announced candidates for the Finance Committee were Adelson, DiEugenio, Hallaren, Kolhatkar, Radford, and Warren. Announced candidates for the Programming Oversight Committee were Aaron, Adelson (withdrew), Armoudian, El-Wardani, Feuer, Gallegos, Gluck, Hallaren, Minsky, Pearl, Prescod, Velazquez, and Warren. Announced candidates for the Outreach Committee were Aaron, Deary, El-Wardani, Pearl, Radford, Rodriguez, Schwab, and Weil. Announced candidates for the Management Evaluation and Review Committee were Adelson, Deary, DiEugenio, Feuer, Gluck (withdrew), J. Goodman, Hallaren, Kolhatkar, Minsky, Prescod, Radford, Schwab, Velazquez, Warren, Weil, and White. Announced candidates for the Structure Committee were Armoudian, Gluck, J. Goodman, T. Goodman, Pearl, and White. LSB Members marked their ballots. Ballots were collected, shuffled, numbered, and initialed by two witnesses. The Secretary Pro-Tem accompanied the ballots to a room upstairs for tallying using the ChoicePlus Lite software. The audio recording of the meeting ends before a formal adjournment. [28mar94lsb12.mp3, 9:00] The reading of ballots was by Jim DiEugenio, verified by Terry Goodman or Casey McFall. Data entry was by Dave Adelson, verified by Fred Blair or Harrison Weil. Also present as witnesses were Learner Goude and Jane Hallaren. Don White observed a portion of the talleying, after the LSB meeting concluded. Ties were decided by having a non-LSB Member draw a name from a hat. A summary of the election results is attached as APPENDIX B. A Teller's Report and Declaration of Chair with full ballot detail is attached as APPENDIX C. Software-generated reports showing the transfer of votes in each round for each election are attached as APPENDIX D through APPENDIX H. The meeting was presumably adjourned at approximately 2:30 p.m. Terry L. Goodman, KPFK Secretary Pro-Tem (Continuing) These minutes were approved on 4/13/04. APPENDIX A - Summary of Public Comments This report on public comments has been prepared by the Secretary Pro-Tem and is attached to the minutes for general reference. Inclusion of this report is no representation from the LSB or the speakers mentioned as to its accuracy or completeness, nor is it an endorsement of any content herein. FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT SEGMENT [28mar04lsb5.mp3, 14:30] John Bachar [15:00] "We exist for educational purposes... I will push very hard for diversity of content." KPFK's coverage of state ballot issues was inadequate, indicating a failure of programming structure. People need education in science. We should focus on the educational mission and expose injustice, but avoid balkanization. Michael Novick [28mar04lsb6.mp3, 0:00] We need to restore banned African-American programmers to the air, support and expand the Spanish-language programming, use the internet and side bands to expand programming space, take our microphones to communities to record in the field, and produce programs featuring grassroots voices not normally heard. There was no quorum requirement for the iPC election. Response was poor, in part, due to the manner of balloting. Seven listener candidates and three LAB candidates were elected and should be seated, either with the proposed diversity adjustment applied or the addition of seats for diversity. Rafael Renteria [6:00] "The way the Program Council was designed was based largely on what the CPB calls Community Advisory Boards." There should be a way for listeners to have direct and independent input into program policy. The KPFK iPC is the culmination of a grassroots effort by listeners. Program Councils at other Pacifica stations advise or function as management, but KPFK's iPC is the only such body that was elected. I urge you to consider making the Program Council the core of a Community Advisory Board. Linda Krausen [10:50] "Whether we become a part of this Board or not, ... we should just get moving." The authorities, powers, and composition of the iPC should be as specified in the establishing language and not diluted or altered in any way. The iPC should be free to choose its own chair. Learner Goude [14:30] The iPC was fully empowered by the KPFK LAB before the new Pacifica Bylaws were passed. The iPC election merely populated that body. Since the LAB was advisory, the iPC may be only advisory until it is recognized by the LSB as part of the program decision-making process. The LAB members elected to the iPC should be seated until the next election, at which time those seats may go to LSB members. Randy Smith [18:45] "I think the iPC should start its work right now, without the missing members." The LAB candidates were elected and should be retained. If the constituencies granted seats were not interested enough to offer candidates, the iPC should proceed without them. This may spur them to elect representatives. The iPC should not be a committee of the LSB. KPFK needs radically new ideas in programming, representing as diverse a mix as possible of ideas, viewpoints, communities and cultures. The current GM and PD are moving us in this direction and need to go much further. Some on the LSB may, with good intentions, seek to control the iPC, but this is not their proper role. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT SEGMENT [28mar04lsb7.mp3, 0:00] Arturo Lemus [1:15] "That was the wrong way to do it." The implementation of Spanish language programming occurred with inadequate notice for preparation, resulting in a programming mix that is not united in addressing the needs of the community. We need a Program Council so that programming decisions can be discussed thoroughly in advance and planned, rather than imposed unilaterally. Luis Garcia [2:30] Listener comment should be scheduled to preceed any votes. Chicano/Mexicano communities have priority in representation under domestic and international law. The KPFK LSB should take to the PNB the resolution on the broadcasting needs of Mexican-Americans that was passed three times by the KPFK LAB and never presented to the iPNB. Bernie Eisenberg [5:30] "If you want to isolate yourself from the listener community, then you're doing fine..." The LSB verbally committed itself to hearing listener comment before important votes. I urge you to empower the iPC to work with station management in a fair, collaborative, and respectful manner to insure quality programming, under the oversight of the LSB. Fred Willis [7:15] "Isn't it ironic that Pacifica is letting itself to be guided by procedures devised by a military mind... What is the plan to keep the previous power grab from ever happening again?... If brevity is the soul of wit, then excessive verbiage must be the spirit of half-wit." Lawrence Reyes [8:40] "I'm gonna be watching you." LSB Members should not be whispering, passing notes, or leaving the room during public comment. It's disrespectful to the listeners. Was it management or certain powerful staff members that wanted to pre-empt Spanish language programming during the recent fund drive? Why does the elected iPC think it needs LSB approval to begin work? Dele [11:50] "Outreach, outreach, outreach!" It is essential that the communities we intend to serve are properly represented on the iPC. You can't blame them for not being included in the programming collectives or the election process, particularly when KPFK has failed to do the necessary outreach. The South Central Women and Youth Collective, for example, has not been granted representation on the iPC. Shel Plotkin [14:15] "Get rid of Roberts Rules." The LSB needs to begin the job of management oversight. Each faction in the listenership needs a program or two. Collectives aren't a bad idea. THIRD PUBLIC COMMENT SEGMENT [28mar04lsb10.mp3, 9:00] Len Vucci [9:45] "We don't seem to be trusting each other; and, worse than that, we don't seem to be trusting the listeners." Quote: We don't want to play games, just give us something to believe in. Lawrence Reyes [10:50] In staffing the LSB committees, it's important to reach out to the candidates from the Delegates election, who've indicated a willingness to get involved, invite listeners to participate through broadcast announcements, and welcome the listeners who've demonstrated their interest by attending LSB meetings. Rafael Renteria [12:45] "We need these committees to be open ..." The LSB shouldn't hand pick who gets on committees. The African-American candidate for LSB Treasurer didn't get called to attend the recent illegal meeting of the Finance Committee. What's up with that? Arturo Lemus [14:15] "Dear friends, you are doing fine." Can LSB members communicate some way before meetings so that less time is wasted during meetings? Patricia [15:40] "You've come a long way." There's still too much wrangling over picayune points of procedure, but you're improving rapidly and starting to work together. I'm disturbed that the General Manager has missed recent meetings. It's critical that she send a management representative when she cannot attend, to maintain LSB-management communication and dialogue. Bernie Eisenberg [17:10] There have been no minutes posted. Are agendas going to be posted before meetings? Where and how far in advance? I like the idea of getting rid of Roberts Rules of Order. John Doe 2 [19:00] The potential to add multiple broadcast channels through use of side bands accessible with a $5 decoder has been there for ten years. Dele [20:15] The iPC should add members from underrepresented communities, and the Outreach Committee should see that that do so. Michael Novick [28mar04lsb11.mp3, 0:00] "The first meeting of the iPC will take place Monday, April 19th, at 7 pm." We would appreciate the LSB getting the roster of the iPC as designated constituted prior to that date, so that a formal and complete meeting of the iPC can take place. Linda Krausen [1:15] I want to know what the actual composition and responsibilities of the iPC will be.