MINUTES
MIDDLE FLINT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
PRESTON WILLIAMS CENTER
MONTEZUMA, GA
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2005
12:30 P.M.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

 

Ralph Brown, Chairman, Marion Co.

Dave Wills, 2nd Vice-Chairman, Webster Co.

Jeff Couturier, Treasurer, Crisp Co.

Sarah Trask, Macon Co.

LaVonne Jernigan, Marion Co.

Bill McGowan, Sumter Co.

A. J. Rivers, Crisp Co.

Steve Arrington, Schley Co.

Willie Davis, Dooly Co.

Mary Ayers, Taylor Co.

Jerry Kirksey, Webster Co.

James Harris, Crisp Co.

Greg Speight, Dooly Co.

Cora Black, Schley Co.

Melvin Crimes, Webster Co.

Andrea P. Fuse Brooks, Sumter Co.

Willie James Larry, Macon Co.

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

 

Richard Turk, 1st Vice-Chairman, Taylor Co.
Roosevelt James, Macon Co.
Terrell Hudson, Dooly Co.
Ronald Graham, Marion Co.
Jared Stevens, Sumter County
Dan Gattis, Schley Co.

STAFF PRESENT

Don ten Bensel
Sarah Walls
Mickey Holloway
Grace Howell
Gerald Mixon
Ralph Adkinson
Kay Hagler

MINUTES

Minutes of the December 8, 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 January 26, 2005 to those present.

OLD BUSINESS

Regional Plan/Agenda

Gerald Mixon presented a copy of the draft Report of Accomplishments for the FY 2004 Regional Agenda. Board members were asked to review the document over the next month for input concerning activities accomplished in the Region and activity which should be continued/initiated in FY 2009. Input will be solicited at the February board meeting after which the committee appointed by the chairman in November will be asked to meet to formalize recommendations to be presented to the full board.

Regional E-911

The Regional E-911 Authority has employed 24 dispatchers, and expects to add 2-3 more in
the near future. Start up is planned for March/April. Mayor Larry of Montezuma had questions about address numbering and placement standards.

Marion County Comprehensive Plan

Staff has started working on the joint Marion County-Buena Vista Comprehensive Plan and Solid Waste Management Plan. Anticipate draft completion in July.

Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plans

Activity continues with pre-disaster mitigation planning. Four of the seven plans are
approximately 50% complete.

Bicycle Pedestrian Plan

Staff completed a draft version of the regional bicycle and pedestrian plan for submission to DOT. The draft will be placed on the RDC website in the next few days.

Workforce System Update

Mickey Holloway gave a brief update on the Workforce System. Mickey stated that the staff has been working with Tolleson Lumber Company in Webster County with their plant expansion for on the job training. Mickey also mentioned that the Georgia Department of Labor has one of the leading computerized internet system in the nation. He stated that it will soon be possible for job seekers to register on line rather than physically going to a DOL Career Center and the system will enable employers to post on line their available jobs.

Mickey reported that in the Board packet are handouts comparing the Georgia Regional Development Centers Labor Force Statistics and a list of Georgia’s careers to 2012.

Revolving Loan Application

Sarah Walls reported briefly on the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) Applications. Sarah stated that these grants are made available through the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The RBEG Applications that were submitted included: Development Authority of Macon County ($99,999.00); Schley-Sumter-Macon Joint Development Authority ($99,999.00); Middle Flint RDC, for use in Byromville, GA ($99,999.00); and the City of Reynolds ($99,999.00). A description of the scope of work for each application was included in the Board packet.

Status of FY-04 Audit

Don ten Bensel reported that our accounting firm, Chambliss, Sheppard, Roland, & Baxter, are now finalizing their portion of the Audit Report. Don stated that this year the Federal Department of Audits is requiring a “Management Analysis” and this will be completed by the Staff once the audit was received back from them.

Don reminded the Board that in June 2004 our accounting firm approached us and said that under new federal rules that they cannot audit us and consult with us also. They told us that they could better serve us by advising us through the year in getting ready for the audit instead of actually doing the audit. A contract has been signed with Chambliss Sheppard Roland & Baxter for consultation. Don stated that this will help us to keep up in a shorter time span than what we have been able to do in the past. Don said that by eliminating the accountant position in the workforce system in June 2004 were we able to make this change.



NEW BUSINESS

Officer Vacancies

Don ten Bensel reported that as of January 1, 2005 there were three vacancies on the Middle Flint RDC Board. Two of these three vacancies were officers. The counties that had vacancies were Sumter, Taylor, and Webster Counties.

Richard Turk is now 1st Vice-Chairman and Dave Wills 2nd Vice-Chairman. The slots for Secretary and 3rd Vice-Chairman are still open.

Don asked the Board if they wanted to go ahead and fill these slots at the February meeting or wait until the regular time in July to appoint someone. There were no suggestions from the Board.

As mentioned earlier in the minutes, replacements on the Middle Flint RDC Board are Mr. Melvin Crimes Webster County and Ms. Andrea P. F. Brooks from Sumter County. Taylor County will be appointing someone to replace Mr. Otis Mathis before our February meeting.

Proposed Cuts to DCA FY-06 Planning Grant Contracts

Don ten Bensel reported that in the Board packet is a handout from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) pertaining to budget cuts for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) as much as 50%.

Don stated that also included in the Board packet is information pertaining to another 3% cut by the Governor for the RDC. Don said that the two previous years we had a budget cut of 5% each year.

Don encouraged everyone to contact their legislators asking for their help concerning these budget cuts.

Southwest Georgia RDC Proposal to Provide Special Bus Service

Don ten Bensel presented a letter to the Board concerning the Southwest Georgia RDC proposing to provide Non-Emergency Transportation Services for State Department of Community Health (DCH) Region 5, which includes the Middle Flint counties. Don stated that DCH is trying to consolidate their bus services, having only one provider for each district.

Southwest Georgia is requesting that we concur by writing a letter stating that we agree for them coming into our area and providing this service.


Motion: After some discussion by the Board motion was made by Dave Wills and duly seconded by Jeff Couturier that we approve a letter that would state that we support the concept of providing service to those who don’t currently have service but we express our concern that service might be duplicated. Vote was unanimous.

PROGRAM:

FOCUS on Macon County

The Chief Elected Officials of Macon County were given the opportunity to share with the Board things of interest pertaining to their communities. A few of the items mentioned were: well problem in Marshallville, upgrading sewage treatment facility in Montezuma, upgrading the airport and submitting a CDBG application for a new community center for the youth.

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.