I
l
|
MINUTES |
|
|
BOARD MEMBERS
ABSENT
|
|
|
|
||
|
OTHERS PRESENT
|
|
| CALL TO ORDER Chairman Ralph Brown called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. INTRODUCTION Guests, Representative Lynmore James, District 135; Cynthia Brown, Executive Director of West Central Georgia Community Action Council; and Carley Averett, new staff member of Middle Flint RDC were introduced and welcomed. MINUTES Minutes of the March 2005 Board meeting were presented for the Board’s review and approval. Motion: Motion was made by Jared Stevens and duly seconded by Willie Davis that the minutes be accepted as presented. Vote was unanimous. FINANCIAL REPORT Don ten Bensel presented the financial report for the period ending April 27, 2005 to those present. OLD BUSINESS Cooperative Purchase of Flights/Aerial Photography for Tax Assessing Gerald Mixon reported that the second planning meeting for a proposed multi-county aerial photography project is scheduled for May 11 in Ellaville. Originating from the need for updated aerial photography for tax assessors, the RDC is promoting this because of the wide-ranging benefits to daily local government management. At present, seven of the region’s counties (Dooly recently purchased mandated photography), and four counties outside the region are participating. Middle Flint Regional E-911 Update It was reported that Sumter and Webster Counties are now tied into the E-911 system with Schley County being scheduled next. All seven counties are expected to be tied in before the July Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. It was also reported that Stewart County has expressed an interest in joining the Middle Flint E-911 System when reasonable to do us. More on this as it progresses. Workforce System Update Mickey Holloway reported that the Requests for Proposal yielded two providers for the coming Fiscal Year. The Paxen Group has been selected as the Service Provider for the Youth Services Program and the Americus/Cordele Career Centers have been selected as the Service Provider for the On-the-Job Training Program. Mickey stated this is pending on the WIA Board Approval at their May 19th Meeting. Mickey stated that the Staff have been working on the Area Plan for Workforce Services and should be completed within the next week or so. Mickey also reported on the proposed severe budget cuts for the Workforce Program beginning July 1, 2005. The cut would affect most of Georgia, especially the area south of Atlanta. This cut would be very crucial to the operation of the program. Areas that would be most affected by this cut met and came up with some options that were presented to the Georgia Department of Labor. Mickey said the meetings and contacting influential persons have gotten the attention of the Labor Commissioner, Michael Thurmond, and he has scheduled a meeting for Saturday in Macon with the Directors to discuss this situation. Mickey stated that a suggestion was made to provide a base funding map of each area, then apply the formulas for distribution purposes. Action is needed by the Board showing support of this suggestion. Motion: Motion was made by Bill McGowan and duly seconded by A. J. Rivers that the Board show support of this suggestion. Vote was unanimous. Tolleson’s Preston Mill Project Don ten Bensel reported that Tolleson has received word from the Department of Community Affairs that their request for $490,000 EIP money have been approved. The Economic Development Administration has notified Webster County to go ahead and submit a full application by the May 13 deadline. Tolleson has hired 100 new employees; 15 more than their commitment. GMA/ACCG moves to Support CDBG and CSBG Chairman Ralph Brown reported that members of the State-wide CAP Agencies met recently with ACCG in Savannah to discuss the need for both county and the ACCG support of the federally funded Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) Program. Mr. Brown stated that there is a lot of confusion between the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) Program. A lot of people think these two are the same but they are not. Each one needs support to retain federally funding for next Fiscal Year. NEW BUSINESS New Staff Member Mickey Holloway introduced new Staff Member, Carley Averett. Carley will be replacing Yolanda Tyson who has taken a job with Georgia Southwestern University. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Update Don reported that the Economic Development Administration allows us to use the Regional Agenda that was adopted by the Middle Flint Board at the March meeting. However, EDA wants more local input into the plan so meetings will be scheduled with different county groups to present the same material and get their input. Idea for Regional Economic Development Gerald Mixon reported that the staff had some initial discussion concerning a regional effort to seek funding to aid: (1) the development of marketable arts and crafts among residents of the area and; (2) marketing strategies for the products. This could provide a valuable source of income for a number of area residents. PROGRAM Representative Lynmore James, District 135 gave an informative talk not only things that were discussed at the Georgia General Assembly but also the needs of our area and how they can be addressed. He also encouraged everyone to get in touch with their legislators with their concerns because their call does make a difference. Representative James thanked Middle Flint for the great job being done trying to make sure rural Georgia stays together and grow together. 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. |
||
|
||
