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	MIDDLE FLINT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MIDDLE FLINT REGIONAL E-911 CENTER ELLAVILLE, GA WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2004 12:30 P.M.
	BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Ralph Brown, Chairman, Marion Co Richard Turk, 2^nd Vice-Chairman, Taylor Co Jeff Couturier, Treasurer, Crisp Co George Crawford, Secretary, Webster Co. Jared Stevens, Sumter County Dan Gattis, Schley Co. Cora Black, Schley Co. Steve Arrington, Schley Co. Bill McGowan, Sumter Co. James Harris, Crisp Co. J. Rivers, Crisp Co. Terrell Hudson, Dooly Co. Greg Speight, Dooly Co. Mary Ayers, Taylor Co. Roosevelt James, Macon Co. Willie Davis, Dooly Co.	BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT Terrance Bryant, 1^st Vice Chairman, Sumter Co. Willie James Larry, Macon Co Sarah Trask, Macon Co Otis Mathis, Jr., Taylor Co. Ronald Graham, Marion Co. LaVonne Jernigan, Marion Co. Jerry Kirksey, Webster Co.
	DCA APPOINTMENT ABSENT Barbara McCarty
	STAFF PRESENT Don ten Bensel Sarah Walls Gerald Mixon Mickey Holloway Ralph Adkinson Matt McDaniel Grace Howell	OTHERS PRESENT Hobby Stripling, U. S. Congressman Jim Marshall’s Office Michael Yates, E-911 Executive Director Hugh Turner, Ellaville Mayor Doug Redmond, Schley Co. Manager

	WELCOME Chairman Ralph Brown welcomed all Board Members and Guests. CALL TO ORDER Due to the absences of Chairman Ralph Brown and First Chairman Terrance Bryant, Second Vice Chairman, Richard Turk called the meeting to order. Chairman Brown had to leave early due to a prior commitment. PROGRAM Michael Yates, Executive Director of the Middle Flint Regional E-911 Authority, gave a most informative and interesting presentation on the Middle Flint Regional E-911 Center. Mr. Yates told the Board that an E-911 multi-project has never been done before. The three major components that are being worked on are: 1) phone address data basis; 2) construction of facility; and 3) radio spectrum. Mr. Yates said that seventy (70) applicants have been tested and seventy percent (70%) of those have passed. Those applicants that are hired are expected to go to work approximately eight weeks before the E-911 Center is in progress. There will be four to six dispatchers on duty at one time. Mr. Yates has over twenty (20) years of experience in public safety and said this has been the most challenging project he has ever worked with. After the presentation Mr. Yates entertained questions and a tour of the E-911 Center was given to the Board Members. MINUTES Minutes of the September 29, 2004 Board meeting were presented for the Board’s review and approval. Motion: Motion was made by Bill McGowan and duly seconded by Cora Black that the minutes be accepted as presented. Vote was unanimous. FINANCIAL REPORT Don ten Bensel presented the financial report for the period ending October 27, 2004 to those present. Motion: Motion was made by Jared Stevens and duly seconded that the financial report be accepted as presented. Vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plans Update As mention previously, Gerald Mixon reported that seven counties in the Middle Flint area are participating in developing Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plans. Gerald said hopefully these plans will be completed in draft form to send to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency by June of 2005 for their review and input before being adopted by the local governments. Gerald stated that the staff is working with approximately 28 committees (four committees in each of the counties) with five-eight people serving on each committee. Workforce System Update Mickey Holloway reported that in the Board packet is a handout showing PY 2003 Actual Performance. Middle Flint exceeded fourteen of the seventeen performance standards. Mickey stated that there were some challenges in the youth category which was discussed in the past but those issues have since been addressed and taken care of. Historic Preservation Update Matt McDaniel reported that two Section 106 reviews for CDBG projects have been approved and can move forward. They are Webster County’s Youth and Family Center in Preston and City of Montezuma’s road and railroad construction at the industrial site. Section 106 Reviews have been submitted for At-Risk/Community Resource Center in Buena Vista, Innovative Crop Technologies in Cordele, Redevelopment and expansion of Flint Technical College Campus in Butler, and the Tolleson Expansion Project in Webster County. Matt stated he would be attending an Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Workshop in Washington, GA next week. RDC Manual Don ten Bensel reported that included in the Board packet are excerpts from the recently released RDC Manual. Don said he thought this information would be helpful and if anyone would like to give one to their local governments let us know and we can print some. Montezuma/Macon County OneGA and EIP for Integrated Composite Technologies Ralph Adkinson reported that the staff have been working with the City of Montezuma, Macon County, the Industrial Development Authority, and Integrated Composite Technologies (ICT) in receiving a OneGeorgia Grant for $479,459 to purchase equipment and lease back to ICT. Ralph also reported that we are expecting to hear that the City of Montezuma will be receiving a grant for approximately $500,000 for infrastructure that will support ICT to hire sixty (60) additional employees. Ralph stated that we are also working with Webster County on the expansion of Tolleson Lumber Company creating eight-five (85) new jobs. NEW BUSINESS Board Support for 10% Bonus Grant for Webster County EDA Application Don ten Bensel reported that the Economic Development Administration offers 10% bonus grants to communities for projects to create jobs if that community is a member in good-standing with the Economic Development Districts of Regional Development Centers in Georgia. Don ten Bensel reported that at the September 2004 Board Meeting, Dave 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. Don stated that Preston/Webster County is asking for Grant monies and needs the Board support so they can qualify for the 10% Bonus Grant. Don said that the Board needs to take action stating that they are in good-standing with the RDC and that the Board feels this a good regional project. Motion: Motion was made by Bill McGowan and duly seconded by Mary Ayers that the letter (copy included in Board packet) be accepted in supporting the 10% bonus grant for Preston/Webster County. Vote was unanimous. Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Matt McDaniel explained that the Georgia Department of Transportation charged regional development centers to develop plans for regional bicycle and pedestrian plans. Matt stated that the Advisory Committee will assess current conditions, establish goals and objectives and make recommendations. Matt said the focus will be on: Recreation/Health, Tourism, and Safety. FY 05/06 Regional Work Plan Gerald Mixon reported that staff has started updating the annual work program component of the Regional Plan. The update consists of an enumeration/description of scheduled activities addressed over the course of the past year, and the addition of a fifty year to the work program. The document must be reviewed by the Regional Advisory Council before submission to DCA by March 31, 2005 for state approval. Staff is near completion of a draft “report of progress”, and now needs a committee of the board to supplement the “report” and help develop a fifth year work program. The Board Members appointed to the working committee are as follows: A. J. Rivers, Greg Speight, Sarah Trask, LaVonne Jernigan, Cora Black, Jared Stevens, Mary Ayers, & Dave Wills. Travel Reimbursement Don ten Bensel urged all Board Members to turn in their reimbursement forms at the end of each Board meeting. This will help to keep down confusion on who has been paid/not paid for travel and will help avoid extra work for the finance department. 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.