MINUTES
MIDDLE FLINT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
GRANNY’S KITCHEN
AMERICUS, GA
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2005
12:30 P.M.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

 

Richard Turk, 1st Vice-Chairman, Taylor Co.
Jeff Couturier, Treasurer, Crisp Co.
Willie Davis, Dooly Co.
Melvin Crimes, Webster Co.
Terrell Hudson, Dooly Co.
Jerry Kirksey, Webster Co.
Clinton Perry, Taylor Co.
Willie James Larry, Macon Co.
Andrea P. F. Brooks, Sumter Co.
Ronald Graham, Marion Co.
Bill McGowan, Sumter Co.

Dan Gattis, Schley Co.

STAFF PRESENT

Don ten Bensel
Grace Howell
Gerald Mixon
Mickey Holloway

Dave Eigenberg, Director of Agricultural Water Conservation, Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Hooks-Hanner Environmental Resource Center, Dawson, GA

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Ralph Brown called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.
INTRODUCTION

Chairman Ralph Brown introduced Dave Eigenberg, Director of Agricultural Water Conservation with Hooks-Hanner Environmental Resource Center, Dawson, GA.

MINUTES

Minutes of the February 2005 Board meeting were presented for the Board’s review and approval.
Motion: Motion was made by Mary Ayers and duly seconded by Jared Stevens that the minutes be accepted as presented. Vote was unanimous.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Don ten Bensel presented the financial report for the period ending March 23, 2005 to those present.

OLD BUSINESS

Cooperative Purchase of Flights/Aerial Photography for Tax Assessing

Gerald Mixon reported the RDC hosted a meeting in Ellaville on March 3 attended by representatives from nine counties, two from outside the region. The meeting was in response to an interest expressed by the region’s tax assessors to work together to contract a joint flight for aerial photography. Dooly County was flown earlier this year, but the rest of the region’s county tax assessors are using photography which is several years old. Considerable savings can be realized from a multi-county contract to secure new photography. As word spreads of this joint effort, counties beyond the Middle Flint region are expressing an interest in participating. Southwest Georgia RDC initiated a similar effort earlier and is currently discussing their project with four counties, and there is the possibility 2-4 more may join. The RDC staff expressed an interest in possibly linking these two region efforts. If all parties presently participating in the discussion were to participate in the contract, every county along U. S. 19 from Pike County to the Florida state line would be included, along with Middle Flint counties on both sides of U. S. 19. At present, one dozen counties intend to attend this region’s May 11 follow-up meeting.

Middle Flint Regional E-911 Update

Gerald Mixon reported that the E-911 Center has plans of initiating emergency communications directly with Americus, Sumter and Webster Counties any day. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is still on schedule for 10:00a.m., Saturday, July 16.

Workforce System Update

As mentioned at last month’s Board meeting, RFPS were issued for On-the Job Training and Youth Services. Mickey Holloway reported that one proposal for each service was received. The Paxen Group submitted a proposal for Youth Services and the Americus/Cordele Career Centers of the Georgia Department of Labor for OJT. Mickey stated that the Staff would be proceeding with these two proposers in providing services.

Mickey also reported that the Staff have been updating the Area Plan for Workforce Services.
Mickey announced that a new staff person has been hired in the WIA Department. Carley Averett will be replacing Yolanda Tyson who has taken a job with Georgia Southwestern University.

Proposed State Cuts to DCA Grants

Don ten Bensel reported that as mentioned at the last Board meeting, there was a concern of a State Budget cut to DCA’s FY-06 Planning Grants and Historic Preservation Grants. Don told the Board that he was happy to announce that there would not be a Budget cut regarding these two grants. The money will remain the same as last year.

Status of FY-04 Audit

Don reported that the Auditors have completed the audit and there were no significant findings. Don did state that there was one problem in the Financial Dept. within the WIA Program. Don said that the previous financial person failed to complete some of the data recordings in the time allotted. Don went on to say that that position has been eliminated and an outside accounting firm will be handling this work. The books are now up to date.

Possible Negative Impact of President’s Proposed Budget on Local Governments and RDCs

Don gave a brief report on the possible negative impact of the President’s proposed budget on local government and the RDC. A handout was included in the Board packet concerning the community development cuts.

NEW BUSINESS

Regional Plan/Agenda

Gerald Mixon reminded the Board that formal action is needed today to authorize the staff to forward the draft 2005 Annual Work Program (Regional Plan) to DCA. Gerald stated that the working committee met immediately after the February meeting for a final discussion, and agreed to add one item to the new work program. That recommendation is to, “Investigate the benefits of, and if appropriate pursue, creation of a Middle Flint Regional Development Authority.”

Motion: With that addition to the previous draft of the 2005 Work Program, motion was made by A. J. Rivers and duly seconded by James Harris to authorize submission of the draft Middle Flint RDC 2005 Work Program with 2004 Report of Accomplishments to the Department of Community Affairs for review. Vote was unanimous.

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.
 

PROGRAM

Mr. Dave Eigenberg, with Hooks-Hanner Environmental Resource Center, Dawson, GA, gave an
interesting and informative presentation on agriculture water conservation.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.