I
MINUTES
MIDDLE FLINT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
JACK=S RESTAURANT
MONTEZUMA, GA
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2004
12:30 P.M.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Ralph Brown, Chairman, Marion Co. Terrance Bryant, 1st Vice Chairman, Sumter Co.
Dave Wills, 3rd Vice-Chairman, Webster Co. Jeff Couturier, Treasurer, Crisp Co.
Sarah Trask, Macon Co. Richard Turk, 2nd Vice-Chairman, Taylor Co
Willie James Larry, Macon Co. George Crawford, Secretary, Webster Co.
Cora Black, Schley Co. Otis Mathis, Jr., Taylor Co.
Steve Arrington, Schley Co. Terrell Hudson, Dooly Co.
Bill McGowan, Sumter Co. James Harris, Crisp Co.
A. J. Rivers, Crisp Co. LaVonne Jernigan, Marion Co.
Greg Speight, Dooly Co.
Roosevelt James, Macon Co.
STAFF PRESENT Mary Ayers, Taylor Co.
Don ten Bensel Dan Gattis, Schley Co.
Gerald Mixon Ronald Graham, Marion Co.
Sarah Walls Jerry Kirksey, Webster Co.
Mickey Holloway Willie Davis, Dooly Co.
Grace Howell Jared Stevens, Sumter Co.
Kay Hagler
Matt McDaniel DCA APPOINTMENT ABSENT Barbara McCarty
OTHERS PRESENT
Joyce Hardy, City Clerk, Montezuma
Bill Sawyer, Economic Development Director
Hobby Stripling, U. S. Congressman Jim Marshall=s Office
Representatives from Bird=s Eye Foods
Representatives from Flint River Foods
Representatives from Integrated Composite Technologies (ICT)
WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ralph Brown welcomed all Board Members, Guests, and new Middle Flint RDC Staff member, Matt McDaniel.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
The City of Montezuma was presented 2 checks totaling $1,000,000 representing a recently announced grant from the Economic Development Administration. The money will be used to update and improve the waste water treatment facility used by Flint River Foods, Birds Eye Foods, and Integrated Composite Technologies. It will also be used to create new jobs in Macon County.
One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) of this money was due to the 10% bonus grant that is awarded to communities that are members in good-standing with the Middle Flint Regional Development Center.
Don ten Bensel reported that the staff have worked diligently with the City of Montezuma, the Development Authority of Macon County, Birds Eye Foods, Flint River Foods, and Integrated Composite Technologies in getting this grant funded.
Both, Mayor Willie James Larry of Montezuma and Bill Sawyer, President of the Development Authority of Macon County, thanked all parties involved who worked so hard to make this award possible.
MINUTES
Minutes of the July 23, 2004 Board meeting were presented for the Board=s review and approval.
Motion: Motion was made by Dave Wills and duly seconded by Willie James Larry that the minutes be accepted as presented. Vote was unanimous.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Don ten Bensel presented the financial report for the period ending September 28, 2004 to those present. There were no questions from the Board regarding the financial presentation.
OLD BUSINESS
Total Maximum Daily Load Update (TMDL)
Gerald Mixon gave a brief update on the Total Maximum Daily Loads studies. Gerald stated that basically the staff have been working with creeks that have high fecal coliform bacteria count or sediment count. He stated that seven meetings have already been held in the region during the last six weeks to get public input on each of these creeks.
This work is being performed through two contracts with the Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division.
Gerald mentioned that as part of the studies the Middle Flint staff have put together plans to have additional testing done as well as plans to identify what could be contributing causes of the bacteria.
Workforce System Update
Mickey Holloway commented on the handout included in the Board packets showing last year=s number of people served and the services that were provided.
Mickey said that more people were actually served than the 386 shown on the handout that were officially entered into the accounting services.
Mickey also reported that residents of all of the Middle Flint eight counties were served.
Historic Preservation Update
Matt McDaniel, Historic Preservation Planner, gave a brief update on Historic Preservation. Matt told the Board that within the one and a half months he has been at Middle Flint he has made contact with individuals, organizations, or city governments in each of the Middle Flint counties. Matt said he was looking forward to working with everyone in the area.
Georgia Association of Regional Development Centers Annual Meeting
Don ten Bensel reported that the Georgia Association of Regional Development Centers Annual Training Conference will be held on November 10-12 at the King and Prince Hotel on St. Simons Island. A handout was included in the Board packet containing all necessary information needed for the conference. Don encouraged all Board Members to attend if possible.
NEW BUSINESS
Board Support for 10% Bonus Grant for Webster County EDA Application
Due to the Board not having a quorum, no action could be taken on the board support for the 10% Bonus Grant for the Webster County/Preston EDA Application.
Board Member, Dave Wills, was asked to explain to those present the reason for the 10% Bonus Grant for Webster County.
Mr. Wills explained that Tolleson Lumber Co., the largest employer in Webster County that currently employs 115 people, is adding a second shift which would create an additional 85 new jobs. In an effort to facilitate the expansion, Tolleson Lumber Co requested assistance from Preston and Webster County. Mr. Wills stated that the primary item Tolleson is needing help with is extending water mains out to the plant. Road improvements leading to the plant will also be made. Because the City of Preston is needing assistance to be able to provide the water needed by the plant, Webster County is asking for Grant monies that would pay for installation of a new deep well plus an elevated water tank Mr. Wills stated that the cost of the equipment Tolleson Lumber Co. is purchasing that is necessary in running the plant is over seven million dollars.
Reply to State Request for Proposal for Preparation of Regional Water Plan
Don mentioned that several of the local governments have responded to our request for resolutions in support of Middle Flint=s involvement in the Statewide Water Plan. Don stated that it is his understanding that the State will be sending out a request for proposal in the very near future and needs permission from the Board for Middle Flint to continue with this project.
PROGRAM
Gerald Mixon gave a brief presentation on some of the work that the staff is doing with the seven counties on Pre-Disaster Mitigation Planning.
As mention previously, Gerald Mixon reported that the Federal law requires state and local governments to have an approved disaster plan in place by the extended deadline of September 5, 2005, to be eligible for federal disaster assistance in the event a federally-declared disaster occurs in their jurisdiction. Gerald explained that Crisp County has completed the planning process and their Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan has been approved by GEMA and FEMA and has been adopted locally within the past 3 weeks.
Gerald stated that the other seven counties in the Middle Flint area have been awarded funds for this and the staff will be working with these counties in completing their Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. Gerald said that because of a federal mandate the plans have to address all the communities within the county.
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Board Members that were present were given the opportunity to report on things of interest pertaining to their cities and counties.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.