Chairman Dave Wills  called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTIONS

 

All guests were introduced and welcomed.

 

MINUTES

                                                                             

Minutes of the June 2007 Board meeting were presented for the Board=s review and approval.

 

Motion: Motion was made by Frank Powell and duly seconded to accept the minutes as presented.  Vote was unanimous.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

 

Don ten Bensel presented the financial report for the period ending July 25, 2007 to those present.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Workforce System Programs

 

Janice West reported that services were provided to 325 customers in WIA/Trade Act funded training activities during PY 2006.  WIA anticipates estimated grant funds for the  Middle Flint area in 2007 of approximately $1,142,000.  Janice stated that contracts for PY 2007 are in place and services have begun for ITAs, OJT, and Youth GED.  Plans are to serve around 300+ customers during the PY 2007.

 

Planning

 

Gerald Mixon reported that we are expecting to hear from the state any day now concerning the review process of the Crisp County Solid Waste Plan.              Regional review of the Marion County Solid Waste Plan  review process was recently completed and the RDC issued favorable results for that plan.  Staff is preparing responses for Aadministrative@ additions requested by the state as part of their review.   Dooly and Marion Counties Comprehensive Plans are in the review process and the staff is working on the Taylor County Comprehensive Plan.

 

Landuse Plan

 

Gerald Mixon reported that staff is participating in the Joint Land Use Study being performed to better prepare counties surrounding Fort Benning for the military reservation=s expanded role in military preparedness.  Public information meetings are scheduled to be held in Buena Vista August 20 and September 20.

 

Census

 

Gerald Mixon reported that the staff is working with local governments in preparing for the 2010 Census.  Staff is in the process of preparing maps and address databases that will be useful for local government review.

 

Community Development

 

Kay Hagler reported that Community Development and Economic Development are very important to our communities.  She stated that Dooly County, Pinehurst, and Byromville recently received two grants from the Empowerment Zone. 

 

            Kay also reported that the staff are continuing to work on the Comprehensive Economic

Development Strategy (CEDS).  A copy of the CEDS was handed out to each board member.

 

Administration

 

Don ten Bensel reported that Sevanne Steiner, Historic Preservation Planner, resigned and will be leaving August 3. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Report of Nominating Committee and Election of FY 2008 Officers

 

Terrell Hudson reported that the Nominating Committee, which consisted of Terrell Hudson, A. J. Rivers, and Willie J. Davis, met and recommended  to the full Board the officers for 2007-2008 as follows: Dave Wills - Chairman; Roosevelt James - 1^st Vice-Chairman, A. J. Rivers - 2^nd Vice-Chairman; Ralph Brown - 3^rd Vice-Chairman; Jeff Couturier - Treasurer, and Cora Black - Secretary.

 

Motion: Motion was made and duly seconded that the recommendation be accepted as presented.  Vote was unanimous.

 

PROGRAM  

 

At the April 2007 meeting Board Members joined in a discussion of regional issues.  One

matter brought forward was the availability of municipal gas.  Staff was requested to gather information for presentation at a later date. 

 

Mr. Eric Groom, with the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia, gave a very informative and interesting presentation on the availability of municipal gas in our region and how it  would help our  region develop economically.