September 2007 Minutes

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

INTRODUCTIONS

Board Member and Mayor of Butler, Harold Heath, introduced Lea Wainwright, City Clerk of Butler.

Janice West introduced new staff member, Merri Spence. Merri is the new WIA Specialist, replacing Carley Huguley.

Former DCA Field Services Rep for Region 8, Spencer Mueller, introduced his replacement, Doug Redmond. Doug is no stranger to the RDC. Due to Doug previously being county manager for Schley County and City Manager of Ellaville he has been coming to the Middle Flint Board meetings for sometime. Doug and the RDC have established a great working relationship and we are looking forward continuing to work with Doug in the future.

MINUTES

Minutes of the September and October 2007 Board meetings were presented for the Board=s review and approval.

Motion: Motion was made by Jared Stevens and duly seconded by Roosevelt James to accept the minutes as presented. Vote was unanimous.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Don ten Bensel presented the financial report for the period ending November 27, 2007 to those present.

OLD BUSINESS

Community Development

Kay Hagler reported that presently the staff is busy working on twenty-five active projects in the eight county area. These projects include: EIP, EDA, OneGA, etc.

Kay also reported the Community Development staff will be attending a CDBG Recipients Workshop in Augusta on December 5, 6, and 7.

Planning

Gerald Mixon reported that the staff is continuing to work on three solid waste plans, Taylor County Comp Plan, and census update. Gerald also announced that Middle Flint was the first RDC to successfully register all of their local governments into the Local Update Census Addresses (LUCA) program.

Workforce Development Activities Report

Janice West reported that at present there are 272 customers in various WIA projects. She also reported that she and Merri will be attending the annual Georgia Workforce Training in Savannah on December 4 - 7

Sarah Walls reported that the staff has been busy working on 2 loan closings in Crisp County, one in Americus, and is continuing to administer existing loans. Sarah announced that there is still approximately $34,000 - $35,000 in the Revolving Loan Fund for Crisp and Dooly Counties.

Don ten Bensel reported that Buddy Strength has been transferred from the WIA Dept. to the Community Development Dept. and we will be hiring someone for Buddy=s position in the WIA Dept.

The Board discussed the Governor=s newly created Service Delivery Task Force which would eliminate the current Regional Development Centers and replace them with Regional Commissions. It would also include Adismembering@ of the Middle Flint Region, with six of the eight counties being shifted to the new, Columbus-centered Regional Commission and two of the eight counties being shifted to the new, Macon-centered Regional Commission.

Motion: After much discussion, motion was made by Patricia Jones and duly seconded by Willie James Larry to authorize the Middle Flint RDC Board to: (1) create a formal resolution for all the eight Middle Flint counties and cities to sign in support of the retention of the RDC; (2) comprise a packet of information with an executive summary (maximum of two sheets) that summarizes our position with attachment of copies of the resolutions from as many of the jurisdictions as possible and send to as many of the state representatives and senators that represents any portion of our eight county area. Vote was unanimous.

The next meeting of the Middle Flint Regional Development Center Board of Directors is scheduled for Wednesday, January 23 at Granny=s Kitchen in Americus.