KAPA Meeting Notes from June 23 XXX... Lionel Richie Dancing on the Ceiling... Kenny Loggins I'm Alright Caddyshack Gopher beginning...

My apologies for the delay on this. I had to go out today and look (whether I'll be able to handle it or not...) for PAID employment - plus I'm in a legal dispute with a company that I published some books with... and busy (in that regard) preparing for the next stage...

Whatever. Life is (Even the spell check isn't working today!) TOUGH.

["Lionel Richie - Dancing On The Ceiling"; as submitted to You Tube by danatthebridge on 7/26/07; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdQDXs75Ulo]

Here are the remainder of the KAPA meeting notes from the June 23, 2009 Commission meeting. Please see below for prior entries.

Joe Marchetti gave an update on the Ellenbogen building / contract. Henry Ellenbogen (a new KAPA Commissioner?) reputedly said that KAPA could start operations there [Seven 21 Media Center building] within a week or two. Henry Ellenbogen reputedly requested a meeting with the KAPA Commissioners, U.C. Executive Mike Hein, Maurice Hinchey and Kevin Cahill. It was stated that all FOPA Board Members and KAPA Commissioners should be (no date was set as of yet) there. [I think it would be good to have Mayor Sottile there, as well.]

It was also stated that a contract has reputedly been signed (and that it is approximately two months old at this point) - and that no rent (these funds would apparently have to come through FOPA?) had been received (as per contractual agreement) as of yet.

One or more of the KAPA Commissioners - and the Temporary KAPA Chairperson Bob Smith asked FOPA Chairperson Lisa Alt for a copy of the contract with the Ellenbogens - and Lisa Alt stated that she had no copies on hand / that she only had one hard copy. Bob Smith (KAPA) asked Lisa (FOPA) to make and give copies of this contract to the KAPA Commissioners.

Joe Marchetti mentioned something about the Ellenbogen contract and tax issues - but I did not totally catch nor understand this - so I won't write it up...

KAPA Commissioner Geri Breen asked for earlier notifications regarding meetings.

KAPA Commissioner Mercedes Ross asked Lisa Alt (FOPA) for more clarification about the Ellenbogen contract... [Big Issue / No Real Answers Given / Copies of Contract Pending?]

Other than that, the KAPA Commissioners discussed finding individuals to fill vacant Commission slots...

KAPA Commissioner Bob Smith said a voucher ($400) from the Mayor (for children's programming) was pending...

KAPA Commissioner Bob Smith stated that he had left messages for Nicky Worner (sp? - Town of Ulster) - but had not yet recieved a response.

After which, the proposed revision of the KAPA Bylaws regarding what constitutes a quorum was discussed...

1. KAPA Commissioner Bob Smith stated his resolution on the topic as had been put forth on the Agenda.
2. Legal questions were raised by some KAPA Commissioners and FOPA Representatives. [This could not go to any kind of vote because legal clarification is needed - and there was no "as written" (and as per ususal) quorum.

KAPA Commissioner Bob Smith made the point that even at this meeting - with all of the (active / confirmed) KAPA Commissioners present (except the new elect) - a vote could not be held on anything (typical) due to the way the Bylaws regarding a quorum are currently written. KAPA Commissioner Bob Smith stated that without having the ability (for the most part) to vote on pertinent issues - the KAPA Commission had just been "shoveling smoke" for the past couple of years.

FOPA Board Member Tim Morrison gave his opinion that the KAPA Commission [KINGSTON Area Public Access...] should entirely break away from any dealings with the City of Kingston - and that FOPA should handle all KAPA business...

The financial report, from FOPA - given by Lisa Alt - was along [I might not have this perfect / there were no documents presented] these lines:

Current Balance: $1,527.55 [Not inclusive of monies from Walter Mawwell (?????)]

It was stated that the current KAPA P.O. Box (Lisa Alt, FOPA, had both keys)] was
# 3613. KAPA Commissioner Bob Smith asked Lisa Alt to give these keys to KAPA Commissioner Joe Marchetti and a second KAPA Commissioner.

Asked (by someone) about FOPA - as an organization - it was explained (by Lisa, Tim and/or Colin) that the three of them were the "Incorporators of Record" - and that the organization (right word?) had been legally formed (with Lisa Alt as spearhead?) in March of 2006.

KAPA Commissioner Joe Marchetti asked how KAPA was to access / utilize FOPA monies for KAPA business - and if FOPA would continue to be a "fundraising branch" for KAPA... [Apparently KAPA has no checking account of its own... and KAPA is not allowed to access funds from FOPA (say, to pay the rent?) without "permission"]

According to FOPA Board Member Tim Morrison, if I heard this right, FOPA does not belong "to" KAPA - and FOPA is not accountable "to" KAPA...

KAPA Commissioner Mercedes Ross stated that this did not seem right...

Lisa Alt (FOPA), Shelly Zimbler (KAPA) and Joe Marchetti (KAPA) spoke about not wanting FOPA and KAPA to have a conflicted relationship [although, from observation, this seems to be the case - and has been for a while!]

FOPA was alternatively described as a not-for-profit 401-K (Do I have the latter written right?) - a private corporation and an open organization. There are three FOPA Board Members (period) - and (apparently) all FOPA meetings (to this point) have been held [this is seen as there right, which may (?) be the case] privately...

KAPA Commissioner Shelly Zimbler asked if he could - if he so chose - join FOPA...
Commissioner Zimbler was (if I understood this right) informed that this was not the way FOPA "was structured".

KAPA Commissioner Mercedes Ross stated that she was there on behalf of her municipality - and it was her understanding that she (I'm rewording this accordingly) worked for her Municipality and KAPA - rather than FOPA. KAPA Commissioner Ross asked how the transition from KAPA (and City of Kingston / other municipality) controls --- to FOPA control had occurred. KAPA Commissioner Ross stated that she was not comfortable with the FOPA / KAPA situation as put forth.

FOPA Board Member Colin Evans said that FOPA did not have to go along with what the KAPA Commission (or Commissioners) wanted - especially in regard to legal contracts. Colin Evans (FOPA) stated that FOPA did not want to be (if problems occurred) legally "liable" for KAPA...

KAPA Commissioner Bob Smith stated that there seemed to be a "divide between KAPA and FOPA".

FOPA Board Member Tim Morrison apparently (I did not see this) brought a document - and handed this out (I'm not clear on this... more later) to the KAPA Commissioners. FOPA Board Member Tim Morrison stated that FOPA had just entered a contract (re the 7-21 Media Center) - and that the monies were not currently available to follow up / honor the agreement... FOPA Board Member Tim Morrison complained [iyiyi...] about a lack of documentation by KAPA...

In that vein, FOPA Board Member Tim Morrison requested that the KAPA Commissioners do some analysis and document some plans...

At which time KAPA Commissioner Bob Smith asked exactly what FOPA's "Fundraising Arm" was... [Answer: FOPA Board Members, Lisa Alt, Tim Morrison and Colin Evans...]

[A lot of answers to questions aren't recorded here specifically because none were given specifically.]

It was stated that only one of the three FOPA Board Members actually signed on the contract with the 7-21 Media Center / Ellenbogen building.

KAPA Commissioner Shelly Zimbler spoke of the need for fundraising...

[And the mess (my opinion - and I am NOT going to record all of this - in this kind of detail - again!) went on...

KAPA Commissioner Mercedes Ross again stated that she did not understand why KAPA should be accountable to FOPA. KAPA Commissioner Ross stated that she felt she was accountable to her municipality in regard to Kingston Area Public Access television (via the KAPA Commission) - period.

A lot of other "stuff" (of the same or a similar nature...) was tossed about (as per ususal...) - and the KAPA Commissioners appeared to determine that having a copy of said contract (7-21 Media Center / Ellenbogen building) "in hand" was a priority issue.

There was also something said about the receipt (via FOPA?) of a grant from Walter Maxwell... [This was not included (although mentioned) in the budget report total that was given by FOPA Board Member Lisa Alt... all in all making one wonder why the rent for the 7-21 Media Center is reputedly two months (???) in arrears (without KAPA even utilizing the studio space) already...]

Theresa Washington, a KAPA Commission hopeful, also spoke on the need for more transparency and documentation from FOPA (and in general?). Ms. Washington utilized the example of how the school budget is layed out for everyone to see...

FOPA Commissioner Tim Morrison stated that a yearly FOPA report (all that is required of them?) had been submitted in January.

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In the open speaking session at the end of the meeting, there was some anger and angst (including my own) in the room. The highlights:

FOPA Boardmember Colin Evans stated that as Director of FOPA he didn't want to sign / engage in anything for which FOPA (or he personally?) could be held accountable. He also expressed concern re. revenues (including some monies that were reputedly coming from other municipalities) not coming through.

A bunch of folks spoke about just wanting to see KAPA get back "on the air."

KAPA Commissioner Bob Smith stated that it was very clear that KAPA had no money... and that he was not clear as to where FOPA (budget reports, etc.) stands...

KAPA Commissioner Bob Smith stated (to this effect...) that the lack of documentation / unanswered questions re. FOPA and KAPA could lead to the "appearance of improprietry" (and problems for the station) --- even if (as might be the case) no such "impropriety" existed...

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Other than that [This is about as comprehensive as its going to be... Geesh!]

(1) A KAPA workshop, as noted, was set for Tuesday night (tomorrow night) as listed in sidebar [7PM City Hall, Conference Room One, Open to the Public]

(2) FOPA did not set (at this meeting) a date or place for their next FOPA meeting (Lisa Alt left this meeting early) - and apparently (?!?) the FOPA members (those that spoke on the issue) don't feel that FOPA has to open its meetings or reveal its documents (This could be true... What do I know?] to the KAPA Commission and/or the general public.

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That is all folks. If you note any errors (I have corrected some already...) please let me know and I will check it out / make corrections as (upon investigation) called for.

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Stress (I hope...) Reliever:

["I'm Alright - Kenny Loggins - Caddyshack Gopher beginning"; as submitted to You Tube by jaredthomas13 on 3/19/08; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFGpgt4EC3I]

Peace, Love, Equality and Humane Justice,

N.S.