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OTHERS PRESENT Stone Workman, State
Director, U.S.D.A.
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| CALL TO ORDER Chairman Dave Wills called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. INTRODUCTIONS All guests were introduced and welcomed. MINUTES Minutes of the January and February 2007 Board meetings were presented for the Board’s review and approval. Motion: Motion was made 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 March 28, 2007 to those present. GUEST COMMENTS Mr. Stone Workman, State Director of USDA Rural Development, spoke briefly of happenings that are going on in Rural Development. Mr. Workman announced that Georgia received funding of approximately one-half of a billion dollars last year from USDA. A couple of other items he spoke on were the tornado damage in Americus and Sumter County and the farm bill. Mr. Workman stated that USDA Rural Development was ready to assist in any way it can. OLD BUSINESS Community Development Activities Report Kay Hagler reported that the staff is preparing fourteen Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Applications for submission to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). She stated that the deadline is Monday, April 2nd. Kay announced that the City of Cordele was awarded One Million Dollars from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to assist two businesses (Owens Corning and Norbord) in Cordele. Planning and GIS Activities Gerald Mixon reported that staff are continuing to work on comprehensive plans, solid waste plans and pre-disaster mitigation plans. He announced that field work has been completed on the DOT contract in collecting Bridge GPS data. Historic Preservation Sevanne Steiner reported that she has been working with the City of Americus and the Americus Historic Preservation Commission in assisting individuals that had historic homes or business structure damaged by the tornado. Workforce Development Activities Janice West gave a brief report on the Workforce Investment Program. Some of the items the staff have been working on includes: WIA Strategy Plan Update for 2007/2008; assisting dislocated workers due to plant closures and tornado effected workers. At this time, there have been 225 disaster related Unemployment Insurance claims filed with the Georgia Department of Labor. Also, planning is underway for PY 2007 WIA and Trade Act services for the area. NEW BUSINESS Annual Update of Regional Work Program Gerald Mixon presented the annual update of the Regional Work Program. He asked the Board to approve the plan as presented and authorization be given to the staff to submit the plan to the Department of Community Affairs. Motion: Motion was made by A. J. Rivers to accept the plan as presented and authorization be given to the staff for submittal to DCA. Vote was unanimous. Resolution for Southwest Georgia RDC to Provide Services in the Middle Flint Area At the January meeting Don ten Bensel presented to the Board a resolution giving permission to the Southwest Georgia RDC to provide, through contracts with private companies, non-emergency transportation services for Medicaid recipients living in the Middle Flint Region. Due to insufficient information Don was asked to get more information and bring back to the Board at the February meeting. At the February meeting, Mr. Dan Bolinger, Executive Director of the Southwest Georgia RDC and President of the National Association of Development Organizations spoke on these services. Since there was not a quorum, action was not taken. Don ten Bensel presented the resolution to the Board again at the March meeting. Motion: After some discussion motion was made by Gerald Beckum and duly seconded by Terrell Hudson to accept the resolution as presented. Motion was carried with one opposition. Mayor Willie Davis of Vienna opposed. Wireless Internet Gerald Mixon briefed the Board on staff's previous efforts toward wireless internet development, the length of time required to complete the state's wireless internet incentive program (BRIDGE), and the potential that the private sector could become involved independently and offer the service during the BRIDGE process. During the discussion the Board expressed the desire that the service be made available, and concurred with the suggestion that outside sources of financial assistance be pursued to fund staff activities related to BRIDGE development. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. |
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