MINUTES
MIDDLE FLINT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
GRANNY’S KITCHEN
AMERICUS, GA
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2008
12:00 NOON

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

 

Dave Wills, Chairman, Webster Co.
Roosevelt James, 1st Vice Chairman, Macon Co.
Ralph Brown, 3rd Vice Chairman, Marion Co.
Cora Black, Secretary, Schley Co.
Terrell Hudson, Dooly Co.
Eddie Daniels, Dooly Co.
Willie James Larry, Macon Co.
Frank Powell, Marion Co.
LaVonne Jernigan, Marion Co.
Patricia Jones, Schley Co.
Andrea P. F. Brooks, Sumter Co.
Clinton Perry, Taylor Co.
Joel Posey, Taylor Co.
Dale Melton, Middle Flint WIB
Wally Summers, SGTC

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT

A. J. Rivers, 2nd Vice-Chairman, Crisp Co.
Jeff Couturier, Treasurer, Crisp Co.
James Harris, Crisp Co.
Greg Speight, Dooly Co.
Gerald Beckum, Macon Co.
Dan Gattis, Schley Co.
Barry Blount, Sumter Co.
Jared Stevens, Sumter Co.
Jonathan Knight, Taylor Co.
Marie Hunter, Webster Co.
Melvin Crimes, Webster Co.

 

STAFF PRESENT

Don ten Bensel
Sarah Walls
Grace Howell
Gerald Mixon
Kay Hagler
Janice West
Jarrod McCarthy

INTRODUCTIONS

Don ten Bensel introduced Tara Cooner. Tara began employment at Middle Flint on December 26 to fill the position of Historic Preservation Planner.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Don ten Bensel presented the financial report for the period ending January 22, 2008 to those present.

MINUTES

Minutes of the November 2007 Board meeting were presented for the Board’s review and approval.

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

OLD BUSINESS

Community Development

Kay Hagler reported that the Community Development staff have been working hard on Community Development Block Grant projects and assisting Crisp and Dooly Counties with USDA Empowerment Zone projects.

Planning

Gerald Mixon reported that the staff continues to assist with comprehensive plans, pre-disaster plans, solid waste plans, tax parcel updates, and local government preparations for the 2010 census.

Revolving Loan Fund Activities

Sarah Walls reported that money is still available in the Revolving Loan Funds.

Update on RDC Boundaries Issues

Chairman Dave Wills reported that for the past few months Board discussion has been about 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 “dismembering” 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. Dave stated that each government that is served by the Middle Flint RDC was asked to support a resolution in support of the retention of the RDC that would be approved and signed and sent to the legislators.

Dave also reported that things have changed since the last meeting and the DCA board officially approved a resolution that, if ratified by the general assembly, would merge us with Lower Chatt RDC, but without any of the provisions that were included in the Governor’s Joint Task Force recommendation that would have provided additional money to the RDC. He said that on the new DCA map shows all of Middle Flint eight counties together.

After a lengthy discussion from the Board, Dave suggested that the signed resolutions be sent to the legislators with a cover letter including the concerns and statements made from the Middle Flint Board.

Update on State Water Plan

Chairman Dave Wills reported that the Water Plan Regions were adopted by the House and Senate. The Governor is expected to sign it shortly. Included in the Board packet was a map that showed the Water Planning regions.

USS Georgia Flag Ceremonies

The USS Georgia Return to Service Committee announced a project which will involve the entire State of Georgia in helping to welcome home the state’s namesake submarine to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay at Camden County, GA. As part of the submarine’s relocation to Georgia, the Navy League is planning to honor the return to Georgia by getting the flag taken to every county in Georgia which will be placed permanently in the USS Georgia. After its visit to all 159 counties, the Georgia State Flag is to be presented by Governor Perdue to the commanding officer of the USS Georgia at the Return to Service Ceremony in Kings Bay on March 28, 2008. Included in the Board packet was a schedule for the USS Georgia Return to Service Flag Ceremonies in the Middle Flint area.

NEW BUSINESS

Annual Update of Regional Plan

Gerald Mixon reported that a copy of the preliminary draft of the annual update to the Middle Flint Regional Plan will be ready for Board review at least by the February Board meeting. Board input is needed at the February and March meetings for any Plan revisions.

OTHER

FY 2007 Audit

Sarah Walls reported that in the Board packet is a handout of the auditor’s summary results. There were no significant findings.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.