I
MINUTES
MIDDLE FLINT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
WINDSOR HOTEL
AMERICUS, GA
WEDNESDAY, MARCH
24, 2004
12:30 P.M.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Ralph Brown, Chairman, Marion Co.
Terrance Bryant, 1st Vice Chairman, Sumter Co.
Richard Turk, 2nd Vice-Chairman, Taylor Co. Jeff Couturier, Treasurer, Crisp Co.
Dave Wills, 3rd Vice-Chairman, Webster Co. George Crawford, Secretary, Webster Co.
Bill McGowan, Sumter Co. LaVonne Jernigan, Marion Co.
Willie James Larry, Macon Co. Dan Gattis, Schley Co.
Steve Arrington, Schley Co. Ronald Graham, Marion Co.
Jerry Kirksey, Webster Co. Terrell Hudson, Dooly Co.
Mary Ayers, Taylor Co. J. B. Williams, Taylor Co.
Jared Stevens, Sumter Co. Greg Speight, Dooly Co.
A. J. Rivers, Crisp Co. Willie Davis, Dooly Co.
Sarah Trask, Macon Co.
James Harris, Crisp Co. DCA APPOINTMENT ABSENT
Roosevelt James, Macon Co. Barbara McCarty
Cora Black, Schley Co.
OTHERS
PRESENT
STAFF PRESENT Debbie Cannon, US Senator Saxby Chambliss Office
Don ten Bensel Harold Heath, Butler City Councilman
Grace Howell Geta Reid, WIA Administrator, GA DOL
Gerald Mixon
Sarah Walls
Mickey Holloway
Tammy Collins
Ebony White
WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ralph Brown called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.
INTRODUCTIONS
Chairman Ralph Brown introduced and welcomed guests Debbie Cannon, District Representative from U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss Office; Harold Heath, Councilman from City of Butler; and guest speaker Geta Reid, WIA Director with the Georgia Department of Labor, Atlanta.
MINUTES
Minutes of the February 25th 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/AUDIT
Tammy Collins reviewed with the Board the RDC=s general bank account balance, current standings of 3rd quarter dues collected and the internal service fund budget. In addition, Tammy stated the Middle Flint RDC annual audit for FY 03 had been completed. She made mention of the fact that the audit was an unqualified audit and presented the general purpose financial statements to the Board. She also brought to the attention of the Board, the audit finding as well as Middle Flint=s response regarding not having WIA information posted to the general ledger until after year end. There were no questions from the Board regarding the financial presentation.
OLD BUSINESS
E-911 Update
Gerald Mixon reported that last night at their regular monthly meeting the Middle Flint E-911 Authority employed Michael Yates as the Regional E-911 Executive Director. Mr. Yates would be taking over the job on April 7, 2004. Gerald stated there would be approximately 30 employees to be hired to work at the E-911 Center. Gerald said that Warren Scott Construction has begun construction for the new Center and the Authority signed the contract with Albany Motorola for the E-911 communications equipment.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans
Ebony White reported that the Georgia Department of Transportation has charged Middle Flint RDC with the responsibility to create a regional bicycle plan that will serve as a tool to integrate bicycle and pedestrian activities into statewide and local decision-making processes. Ebony explained that the Planning Advisory Committee is composed of three members from each of our eight county area. Ebony stated that the draft plan to DOT is due in September 2004 and the final plan is due in December of 2004. Enclosed in the Board packets was a sheet explaining the importance of bicycle and pedestrian transportation, the mission of the plan, a planning outline and a copy of the advisory committee members.
CDBG Applications Due March 31
Don ten Bensel reported that the staff is currently working on a deadline of March 31 for ten Community Development Block Grant Applications. The municipalities that are applying for CDBG funding are: Andersonville, Buena Vista, Crisp County, Ellaville, Reynolds, Schley County, Taylor County, Unadilla, Vienna, and Webster County.
NEW BUSINESS
Possible Regional AWeatherization@ Program for the Elderly
Don ten Bensel reported he would like to pursue the idea of getting a regional weatherization program for the elderly funded with a federal special purpose grant. Don stated that this program would assist the elderly and low income homeowners with financial hardship to have the damages to their house repaired before further damage is done. Don said that he talked with a representative from Sanford Bishop=s office and also is planning to talk with a representative from U.S. Representative Jim Marshall=s office for their assistance.
Consideration of Regional Agenda Update
Gerald Mixon presented results of the eight county meetings held to update the Regional Agenda, which, with input from the board=s working committee, have been incorporated into the existing Agenda. After explanation of the agenda, staff requested authorization to submit the draft Regional Agenda update to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and to the Economic Development Administration to satisfy planning requirements of the two agencies.
Motion: Motion was made by Dave Wills and duly seconded to grant the request as presented. Vote was unanimous.
SPECIAL GUEST
Ms. Geta Reid, WIA Administrator with the Georgia Department of Labor gave a brief presentation on the Workforce Investment Program.
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.