Boundary County Translator District

Regular Meeting—Board of Directors

 

October 9, 2007

Chairman Greg Garrison called the regular meeting of the Boundary County Translator District Board of Directors to order at 10:00a.m. 

 

1.     Roll Call Present:

a.       Board Members:

Barry Coleman             Carl Hendricks

Michael Listman                       Greg Garrison

Sherrie Hendricks

 

Also Present:

Mike Ladely                             Deborah Youngwirth

Olaf Betat                                 Charly Dreschel

Gary Gage

 

 

2.     Minutes of Previous Meeting

Barry Coleman moved the minutes be approved as presented. Carl Hendricks seconded, motion carried.

 

3.     Treasurer’s Report

The Board reviewed the treasurer’s report; Barry Coleman moved to accept the treasurer’s report as presented, Mike Listman seconded, motion carried.

 

4.     Old Business:

a.       Tower Rental Fees – The District received a letter from Rod Bacon from Password Paging on the rental rates they are currently paying to other sites.  The amounts are much lower than what was proposed at last month’s meeting.  Also received was a copy of the bill Gary Gage pays to Day Wireless.  Gary Gage questioned why others are not paying rent.  An email was received from John Bartnett in response to this question and he stated that in the past public TV has not generally been charged rent, however he says we should likely be charging everyone.  Gary Gage suggested the District approach the public TV stations about helping with the cost of the digital upgrade as opposed to paying a monthly rent.  Mike Ladely estimates an additional $21,000 will be needed for equipment alone and this does not include the costs of labor and customer service calls from problems with the switch over to digital.  Barry Coleman motioned to approve the new tower rental fees at $10 per atennae foot in two foot increments, with a $50 addition for electric share and a $50 addition per rack space.  No change will occur with the USFS site fees currently paid and these new rates will apply to Copper Mountain as well as Black Mountain.  Mike Listman seconded, motion carried.  Barry Coleman motioned to make the effective date of increase for January 1, 2008 with a notice going out to users in the next month’s billing giving notice of increase.  Mike Listman seconded, motion carried.

b.      KBMI – Mike Ladely has been dealing with some interference issues. It is currently turned off as it is now interfering with Password Paging. 

c.       Gary Gage – Copper Ridge Site – Gary would like to put an antennae up to reach Northern customers.  Currently the District has enough propane to support the District use through winter.  To bring Gary on we would need more power which means an upgrade to the generator or power source.  Gary Gage proposed to put up solar panels at his cost in leu of rent.  He would pay for the concrete, panels, poles and batteries.  Gary will put together a proposal to present.  The board discussed the possibility of providing Gary rent free use of the Copper Ridge Site for a period of 5 years in exchange for his costs in setting up the additional power that would be needed.  The office will check on the potential issues with USFS in adding additional structures to the site.

d.      Gary Gage inquired previously about putting a camera on Black Mountain.  Gary Gage presented a proposal to the board to trade internet service fees to access the PLC panel in exchange for no fees on web cam installed by Gary Gage at his cost.  Barry Coleman motioned to accept Gary Gage’s proposal to install the web cam on Black Mountain at his cost in exchange for internet service fees and no additional rental fee will be charged.  Mike Listman seconded, motion carried.

e.       Boundary Amateur Radio Club – no update on letter.  The equipment was installed a couple of weeks ago and seems to be working well.  A new lease agreement is needed and Anthony Compton will be contacting the office in regards to this. 

 

5.     Maintenance Report                                                                       

a.       3ABN has been down.  The PC has not been working and there have been some interference problems with Password Pager.  Mike Ladely is going up to Black Mountain on Thursday and will be taking care of several issues on this visit. 

b.      Idaho Public TV put in new equipment and is getting interference.

c.       99.3 is having problems and Mike is working with John Bartnett to resolve.

d.      Propane tank should have been filled and Mike Ladely will be getting this taken care of.

e.       Mike is hoping to work on the generator at Black Mountain on Thursday.  Discussion took place regarding Verizon as our current backup for power. 

f.        Discussion occurred regarding rent rate increase and the agreement surrounding KPBX and Dick Kunkel.  The office will send out a letter stating the new rate to be charged effective when the 10 year agreement is up.  The contract will be negotiated at that time as we understand KPBX’s economic situation.

 

   

6.     New Business:

a.       BF Seventh Day Adventist Church – FM station – They would like permission to broadcast a non-commercial FM station from Black Mountain.  The antennae required would be estimated to be about 20 to 30 feet.  The station would be located in Bonners Ferry and transmitted from Bonners Ferry.  They are requesting a letter of assurance for purpose of the FCC license application.  Final approval will be pending approved BC Translator lease agreement.  Barry Coleman motioned to approve the above letter, Mike Listman seconded, motion carried.

b.      Awards for service – Greg Garrison presented the plaque and gift that will be awarded to Bud Larson, Jack Tice and Ruth Ann Wilson for their service to the District. 

c.       The Commissioners asked if the District has legal council to consult for various issues that arise.  Mike Ladely will talk with John Bartnett and see if he has anyone he can recommend.

d.      Mike Listman received an email from John Moss asking what authority the District has to charge private entities.  In researching this, Mike Listman found that we are actually able to levy up to $30 per month but it is unclear if we are subject to the 3% increase per year that most taxing districts are subject to.

e.       Mike Listman is getting lots of calls regarding antennae recommendations.  Customers will need to check with EL Automation to see if site evaluations can be done and would EL Automation want to do this and would they even have time.  Greg Garrison suggested a bulk mailed survey to all residents to survey what types of antennae, service, and channels customers have.  This issue tabled to next month’s meeting.

 

7.     Tax Waiver Applications:

a.       None. 

 

8.     Emergency Response Committee Report:

a.       None.

 

   10.  Adjournment:

Barry Coleman moved and Mike Listman seconded, the meeting adjourn, motion carried.

 

 

Next Meeting:  Tuesday, November 13, 2007, 10:00 A.M.  @ Chic N Chop Restaurant.