I
MINUTES
MIDDLE FLINT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
WINDSOR HOTEL
AMERICUS, GA
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2004
12:30 P.M.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Richard Turk, 2nd Vice-Chairman, Taylor Co. Ralph Brown, Chairman, Marion Co.
Dave Wills, 3rd Vice-Chairman, Webster Co. Terrance Bryant, 1st Vice Chairman, Sumter Co.
George Crawford, Secretary, Webster Co. James Harris, Crisp Co.
Jeff Couturier, Treasurer, Crisp Co. Dan Gattis, Schley Co.
LaVonne Jernigan, Marion Co. Ronald Graham, Marion Co.
Terrell Hudson, Dooly Co. Jerry Kirksey, Webster Co.
Mary Ayers, Taylor Co. J. B. Williams, Taylor Co.
Jared Stevens, Sumter Co. Sarah Trask, Macon Co.
A. J. Rivers, Crisp Co. Greg Speight, Dooly Co.
Bill McGowan, Sumter Co.
Willie James Larry, Macon Co. DCA APPOINTMENT ABSENT
Roosevelt James, Macon Co. Barbara McCarty
Cora Black, Schley Co.
Willie Davis, Dooly Co.
OTHERS PRESENT
Steve Arrington, Schley Co. Lee Mertins, Program Specialist, EDA, Atlanta
Regional Office
STAFF PRESENT Mr. Daniels, Representative from Congressman Sanford
Don ten Bensel Bishop=s Office
Grace Howell
Gerald Mixon
Sarah Walls
Mickey Holloway
WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER
In the absence of
Chairman Ralph Brown and First Vice-Chairman Terrance Bryant the meeting was
called to order by Second Vice-Chairman Richard Turk. Second Vice-Chairman Turk welcomed
everyone to the meeting.
INTRODUCTIONS
Guests Lee Mertins, Program Specialist with the Economic Development Administration, Atlanta Regional Office and Mr. Daniels from Congressman Sanford Bishop=s Office were introduced and welcomed.
MINUTES
Minutes of the December 9, 2003 Board meeting were presented for the Board=s review and approval.
Motion: Motion was made by Jared Stevens and duly seconded by Roosevelt James that the minutes be accepted as presented. Vote was unanimous.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Don ten Bensel presented the Financial Report for the period ending January 28, 2004 and reviewed it with those present.
Motion: Motion was made by Dave Wills and duly seconded by Willie James Larry that the Financial Report be accepted as presented. Vote was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
Regional Plan
Gerald Mixon reminded the board that at the December meeting staff was authorized to submit the Technical Staff Report to the Department of Community Affairs, one of the Regional Plan Update requirements. Gerald stated that input is needed from the communities as to how 2000 Census information may alter plans & goals established in the regional plan. Meetings are planned for February-March to get input from a cross-section of the region. The information gathered will be presented to the Board at the February and March meetings before it is submitted to the Department of Community Affairs. Part of the planning process entails preparing a new work program for the next five years and input is needed from the Board on this issue and also in updating the plan itself in terms of goals and objectives.
Gerald stated that a committee made up of at least five members of the Board is needed to work with the staff in more of the specifics relating to updating the plan. Gerald said that a meeting in February and early March will be necessary to have this accomplished by the end of March. Dave Wills, Jared Stevens, Mary Ayers, A. J. Rivers, and Willie Davis were appointed to this committee.
Regional E-911
Gerald Mixon reported that at last night=s meeting the Middle Flint Regional E-911 Authority awarded the bid for equipment to be used in the E-911 center, and that the Authority will now work toward entering into a contract with the Motorola dealer.
Gerald also stated that bids were opened for construction for the E-911 Center and a contractor will be selected in the near future.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
Gerald Mixon reported that efforts to develop a Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan have been initiated for Patsiliga Creek in Taylor County and Lanahassee Creek in Webster County. These creeks have been found to have elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria. Meetings have been scheduled for February 5 in Webster County and February 12 in Taylor County to notify the general public of the presence of contamination and to get local input on what could be contributing causes of the bacteria.
Crisp County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan
Gerald Mixon reported that copies of the Crisp County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan were mailed recently to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA). GEMA has reviewed the plan and it must now be reviewed by FEMA. Gerald stated that in order for a community to receive federal financial assistance after a presidentially declared disaster, government entities must have a pre-disaster mitigation plan adopted in accordance with federal requirements. Staff assisted the seven other member counties submit applications for financial assistance to develop their respective plans.
By-Laws Revision - Second Reading
Don ten Bensel reported at the December Board Meeting that last summer the Economic Development Administration (EDA) informed the Middle Flint Board that there were five members on the Executive Committee and we have a 50/50 minority/non-minority population. The Board voted to add a 6th person, but failed to amend the By-Laws to reflect the change. To rectify this, the Board created a new position called Third Vice-Chairman. Don stated that the first reading of the By-Laws Revision was in December and today he is bringing the Second Reading before the Board for approval.
Motion: Motion was made by Steve Arrington and duly seconded by Cora Black to accept the By-Laws Revision as presented. Vote was unanimous.
Approval of Board Policy on charges to local governments for GIS/GPS/Mapping Services
Don ten Bensel reported that at the December meeting a policy for charging GIS/GPS Mapping services to local governments was adopted by the full Board. Don stated that in the board packet is a copy of the policy signed by Chairman Ralph Brown and himself.
Status of FY-03 Audit
Don ten Bensel reported that the FY-03 audit is complete with the exception of the WIA account. This is expected to be completed soon.
NEW BUSINESS
Middle Flint Area Development Corporation Overview of Loan Programs
Sarah Walls gave a brief report on the overview of the Middle Area Development Corporation Loan Programs. A handout was included in the Board packet explaining the types of loans we have, the description and benefits of each loan.
Unallowable Charges to Indirect Cost for Board Meetings
Don ten Bensel reported that included in the Board packet is a letter from Michael Casper, Senior Performance Auditor of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, stating that costs associated with RDC Board meetings should not be charged to a RDC=s indirect cost pool. Don stated that there was no other category to charge this cost to and asked for the Board=s input. After some discussion concerning this matter, no solution was found and Don asked Board members to continue thinking about this and would discuss it at a later date.
Governor=s Proposed Cut to DCA=s FY-05 Planning Grant Contracts with RDCs
Don ten Bensel reported that Governor Perdue is proposing an additional 5% budget cut for FY-05 DCA Budget.
PROGRAM
Lee Mertins, Program Specialist with the Economic Development Administration, Atlanta Regional Office, briefly reviewed the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) process.
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Board Members present were given the opportunity to give a brief report on things of interest pertaining to their cities and counties.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.