Regular Telephonic Meeting of the Board of Directors
Tuesday, November 13, 2014
9:30 a.m.
Board Room
MAET Administration Building
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, Mississippi
Directors present: Perry Sansing, Chair, David Allen, Vice-Chair, Eric Clark, Alan Perry and Bob Sawyer
Directors absent: Pete Smith
Directors participating telephonically: None
Staff present: Ronnie Agnew, Ryanne Duffie-Saucier, Ed Ellington, Mari Irby, Jason Klein, Mary McDonald (interim Human Resources contract employee), Claudia Morris, Paul Moore, Maggie Stevenson and Ezra Wall
Foundation Staff present: LeAnne Brewer
Others present: Ann Day Becker (Foundation Board of Directors), Steven Cooksey (Rea, Shaw, Giffin and Stuart, LLP) and Leyser Hayes
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made by Vice-Chair Allen and seconded by Director Sawyer that the Board approve the agenda, and upon a unanimous vote, the motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Vice-Chair Allen and seconded by Director Clark that the Board approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors held on September 9, 2014, and upon a unanimous vote, the motion carried.
AUDITOR’S REPORT
Chairman Sansing recognized Steven Cooksey of Rea Shaw Giffin and Stuart, LLP to present the report from the auditor.
Steven Cooksey reported that the audit for fiscal year 2014 received a “clean and good opinion”.
The Auditor’s Report was accepted by the Board and is made a part of these Minutes as Exhibit A.
[Leyser Hayes joined the meeting.]
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Operating Budget and Grants
Paul Moore presented the Operating Budget and Grants report and noted several items.
The report was accepted.
The Operating Budget report is made a part of these Minutes as Exhibit B.
Budget Modifications
Paul Moore presented the Budget Modifications report.
The Budget Modifications report is made a part of these Minutes as Exhibit C.
Expenses and Contract over $50,000
Paul Moore presented the Expenses and Contracts over $50,000 report.
A motion was made by Director Sawyer and seconded by Vice-Chair Allen that the Board approve the Expenses and Contracts over $50,000 (up to $315,000 to proceed with the bidding of the studio wiring and lighting project and $75,910 to Evans Construction Company for tower repair and improvements in Ackerman) as presented by Paul Moore, and upon a unanimous vote, the motion carried.
Updates
Paul Moore gave the board a report on the implementation of the MAGIC system now in use by state agencies.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion was made by Vice-Chair Allen and seconded by Director Sawyer that the Board consider going into a closed determination session for the purpose of discussing whether it had cause to go into executive session. The motion to go into closed determination session was unanimously passed by the Board member present.
In closed determination session, a motion was made by Vice-Chair Allen and seconded by Chairman Sansing that the Board go into executive session for the purpose of discussion concerning the positions of Director of Education, Director of Human Resources and Director of Public Relations. The motion to go into executive session was unanimously approved by the Board members present.
Upon conclusion of the business for executive session, the Board voted, upon a motion made by Director Sawyer and seconded by Vice-Chair Allen to return to open session.
No action was taken by the Board.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ronnie Agnew mentioned that he was recently asked to serve on the Community Service Grant review committee (with Corporation for Public Broadcasting) and that this will require him to attend meetings in Washington D.C. once every month for some time.
Ronnie Agnew stated that he will attend the board retreat for Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) November 17-19.
Ronnie Agnew announced that he again contacted Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) regarding the long-standing arrangement between MHSAA and
MPB to air the Mississippi high school football championship games. Ronnie Agnew noted that the response by MHSAA is that they were looking at a different business model. Ronnie Agnew added that the cost to carry the championships due to MHSAA moving the location was too high for MPB to carry. Ronnie Agnew mentioned that MPB will be letting viewers know why the championships will not be airing on our stations this year.
FOUNDATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT
LeAnne Brewer stated that the fall radio drive increased the number of Foundation members to 7700 and that the effort is being made to convert 50% of the membership to sustaining members.
STAFF UPDATES
Ronnie Agnew recognized various staff to give updates by departments.
Ezra Wall announced that MPB News has provided news segments upon request to both Public Broadcasting System (PBS News Hour) and National Public Radio.
Ezra Wall stated that MPB News director Teresa Collier was elected to the board of Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI).
Maggie Stevenson noted that MPB Education department is the recipient of both an American Graduate grant and a Ready to Learn grant. Maggie Stevenson mentioned activities associated with these grants and programs.
Jason Klein mentioned that the ongoing radio studio upgrades will improve the sound of the broadcast and will have MPB ready as technology develops in the future.
Jason Klein noted that, with the recent death of Tom Magliozzi, Car Talk producers are rebranding and will produce “The Best of Car Talk”.
Ed Ellington showed the Board the spots produced by MPB for the Department of Marine Resources and a part of Mississippi By Storm.
Ed Ellington announced that other productions in the works include a special on Robert St. John and Wyatt Waters
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
