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	MINUTES MIDDLE FLINT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING GRANNY’S KITCHEN AMERICUS, GA WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2005 12:30 P.M.
	BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Ralph Brown, Chairman, Marion Co. Richard Turk, 1st Vice-Chairman, Taylor Co. Dave Wills, 2nd Vice-Chairman, Webster Co. Jeff Couturier, Treasurer, Crisp Co. James Harris, Crisp Co. A. J. Rivers, Crisp Co. Cora Black, Schley Co. Clinton Perry, Taylor Co. Willie James Larry, Macon Co. Steve Arrington, Schley Co. Jared Stevens, Sumter Co. Andrea P. F. Brooks, Sumter Co. Melvin Crimes, Webster Co. Bill McGowan, Sumter Co.	BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT Dan Gattis, Schley Co. Sarah Trask, Macon Co. Greg Speight, Dooly Co. Mary Ayers, Taylor Co. . Terrell Hudson, Dooly Co. Willie Davis, Dooly Co. LaVonne Jernigan, Marion Co. Roosevelt James, Macon Co. Jerry Kirksey, Webster Co. Ronald Graham, Marion Co.
	DCA APPOINTMENT ABSENT Barbara McCarty
	STAFF PRESENT Don ten Bensel Grace Howell Gerald Mixon Mickey Holloway Sarah Walls Matt McDaniel	OTHERS PRESENT Dr. Carole Rutland, Exzecutive Director, Riverway South, Columbus Doug Redmond, Schley County Manager
	CALL TO ORDER Chairman Ralph Brown, called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. INTRODUCTION Guest Doug Remond, Schley County Manager and Special Guest Dr. Carole Rutland, Executive Director of RiverWay South, Columbus, GA were introduced and welcomed. MINUTES Minutes of the April 2005 Board meeting were presented for the Board’s review and approval. Motion: Motion was made by James Harris and duly seconded by Bill McGowan that the minutes be accepted as presented. Vote was unanimous. FINANCIAL REPORT Don ten Bensel presented the financial report for the period ending May 25, 2005 to those present. OLD BUSINESS Cooperative Purchase of Flights/Aerial Photography for Tax Assessing Gerald Mixon reported that a meeting was held May 11 in Ellaville with the twelve counties that have shown an interest in the multi-county aerial photography. Gerald said that things are going well. He stated that hopefully by September 1st we will know what counties will be participating in this cooperative effort and it is estimated of a 15 to 20 percent savings for the counties that do participate. Middle Flint Regional E-911 Center Dedication Doug Redmond, E-911 Authority Vice Chairman, reported that the E-911 dedication has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 1:30pm. Rural Business Enterprise Grant Approval Sarah Walls reported that approximately three months ago three Rural Business Enterprise Grant Applications were submitted to the USDA Rural Development. Sarah stated that one of these applications was submitted by Middle Flint RDC with the funding earmarked for the City of Byromville to assist in their downtown revitalization. Sarah reported that we were successful in getting this application funded. The grant is in the amount of $99,999. Workforce System Update Mickey Holloway reported that a funding reduction of 17 to 20 percent is expected for the next Fiscal Year for the Workforce Program in our area. Mickey stated that adjustments will be made where they can be made. Mickey stated that contractors for the Workforce Program are: GA Department of Labor - On-the-Job Training services; Paxen Group - Youth Services; South Georgia Technical College - Classroom Training; Department of Family and Children Services in Crisp County - to provide necessary staff for case management for out-of-area participants. Mickey briefly explained the Census 2000 Georgia Demographic changes that was included in the Board packet. Tolleson’s Preston Mill Project Dave Wills reported that Tolleson has completed their expansion. The mill is running two shifts a day, 20 hours per day. The City of Preston and Webster County have been awarded a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant and the money will be used to extend water main to Tolleson’s mill. Mr. Wills stated that Webster County is waiting to hear of approval on grants from EDA and OneGeorgia. Summary of FY 05 CDBG Submissions Don ten Bensel reported that in the Board packet is a summary of the nine Community Development Block Grant applications that the Middle Flint Staff submitted to the Department of Community Affairs. He stated that now is the time to start working on next year’s applications. NEW BUSINESS Adoption of Regional Work Program Update Gerald Mixon reported that at the March 2005 Middle Flint RDC Board Meeting the Board authorized submission of the Middle Flint RDC Annual Work Program Update to the Department of Community Affairs. DCA has reviewed the Work Program and has determined that it adequately addresses the requirements of the Minimum Standards and Procedures for Regional Planning. Gerald stated that the RDC Board must now adopt this update and provide notification of the adoption to the DCA office. Motion: Motion was made by A. J. Rivers and duly seconded by Cora Black that the Regional Work Plan be adopted as submitted to the Department of Community Affairs. Vote was unanimous. Selection of Auditor for MFRDC for Fiscal Years 2005 - 2009 Jeff Couturier reported that three financial audit proposals were received for Fiscal Years 2005 thru 2009. The audit committee met and after reviewing all three proposals recommends Fricke and Associates, P.C. of Atlanta to the Middle Flint Board as the Auditor for FY 05 thru FY 09. Jeff stated that the Committee consisted of: Don ten Bensel, Sarah Walls, Tammy Collins and himself. Motion: Motion was made by James Harris and duly seconded by Willie James Larry to accept Fricke and Associates, P.C. of Atlanta as the Financial Firm for Fiscal Years 2005 - 2009. Vote was unanimous. Request for Support for Perry to Fort Valley Excursion Train Don ten Bensel reported that in the Board packet is a handout of a letter of request from the Fort Valley Downtown Development Authority. They are trying to get an Excursion Train that will run from Perry to Fort Valley. The second phase of this project will be to create a state-wide Rail Trail which will feature the SAM Shortline from Cordele to Plains, the Perry to Fort Valley Excursion Train, the Blue Ridge Railroad and the Tennesse Valley Railroad. The project will include an Excursion Train Association and an association of volunteers to assist passengers on the train rides. Don asked the Board members to review this request and vote on it at the June meeting. Idea for Regional Tourism/Economic Development Don ten Bensel reported that there is a group that is trying to redevelop US 41 and one of the ideas is for renovation or redevelopment of an outdoor drive-in movie theater along US 41 in Crisp or Dooly County. This would be an important addition to the tourism resources of this region and have a significant economic impact. Presentation of Proposed Goals and Work Program for FY 05-06 Don ten Bensel noted that a draft copy of the MFRDC FY05-06 Work Program was included in the Board packet. Don asked the members to review the information and be ready to vote at the next meeting. Appointment of Nominating Committee for FY 05-06 RDC Officers A. J. Rivers, Jared Stevens, and Dan Gattis were appointed to serve on the nominating committee. There were no objections from the floor. Forms for Annual Board Review of RDC Programs and Executive Director Chairman Ralph Brown reported that in the Board packet are forms used by Board members to complete their annual performance reviews of the Executive Director and RDC program activities. Both of these documents are necessary to fulfill the RDC’s obligations to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs under the Georgia Planning Act of 1989. Chairman Brown asked each member to fill out the forms and return them to Middle Flint RDC. PROGRAM Dr. Carole Rutland, Executive Director of RiverWay South from Columbus, GA gave an interesting and informative presentation on the natural and cultural resources-based tourism project for the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint (ACF) River System. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Due to lack of time there were no Board Member reports. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.