Regional Advisory
Council members attending: James Askew, Jack Banks, Jim Bleckley,
Carlyle Cox, Charles Craig, Joe Hatcher, Jim King, Tom Murphy,
Rob Murray, Joni Owens
Regional Advisory
Council members absent: Jimmy Adams, Randy Dilliot, John Erbele,
Gary Fesperman, Helen Fincher, Steve Gooch, Ben Hulsey, Ginger
Johnson, James Neal, Joe Satterfield, Judy Taylor
Guests present:
Erik Brinke, Tom Croteau, Bob Hitch, John Phillips
Guest speakers: Joseph Brown, David Word
Staff present: Carole Ciriacks, Joel Cordle, Dave Grisham, Kathy
Papa, Cheryl Smith
Council Member
Joe Hatcher filled in for Chairman Randy Dilliot and called the
meeting to order at 9:45 a.m. He and Kathy Papa presented framed
certificates of appreciation to those whose terms are expiring.
They included James Askew, Jim Bleckley, Carlyle Cox, and Jim
King (Randy Dilliot and James Neal were not present).
Council Member
Hatcher introduced the host of the meeting, RAC Member Joni Owens,
who welcomed everyone to the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of
Commerce.
Council Member
Hatcher introduced Cheryl Smith who presented a summary of the
recent Georgia Tourism Summit. The event was organized by the
Tourism Development Alliance, a grassroots initiative to cultivate
unified support and advocate for additional funds to promote tourism
for Georgia. Top issues addressed during the summit included protecting
the hotel/motel tax for tourism promotion, partnerships between
the tourism industry, businesses and elected officials, and rallying
legislators to allocate more funding to GDITT for tourism promotion.
The Alliance has a website for more information:
www.tourismdevelopmentalliance.org
and can be reached by phone at (800) 437-2416 ext.23
Council Member Hatcher introduced Joseph Brown from the Georgia
Technology Authority to speak about the state’s Information
Technology Plan. Joseph, who manages the Business Development
Group of GTA, provided handouts on GTA programs. He explained
that GTA was created to achieve cost savings for state, county,
and city governments in their information technology efforts.
Joseph explained the GTA’s “Georgia Portal”
project, which has the goal of providing the most direct and comprehensive
access to all Georgia State Government services. He also explained
the “Converged Communications Outsourcing Project”
which is intended to provide comprehensive information technology
systems and support for all state government offices and school
systems. This “CCOP” project also aims to provide
a network that will reach every county in the state and expand
educational, work and business opportunities, especially in rural
areas.
Joseph Brown can be reached at:
Jwbrown@gta.ga.gov
Or by telephone at 404-463-7212
And the Georgia Technology Authority website is
www.gagta.com
Council Member
Hatcher introduced speaker David Word from the Georgia Department
of Natural Resources to present information about the State of
Georgia’s Water Conservation Plan. David explained the EPD
permitting process and how it relates to conservation. He noted
that agriculture is exempt from the permitting process. David
also explained that additional short-term conservation processes
have been developed and implemented in response to drought conditions
in the state. David recognized Carlyle Cox’s membership
and activity with the 16 county Metro Area Water Council, and
he noted that this council has recommended that strong conservation
methods are needed throughout this region. David talked about
the 44 counties in Northeast Georgia that are eligible for future
reservoir construction, and he added that conservation planning
is an essential part of any new reservoir construction. Alison
Kiefer is the Reservoir Specialist for DNR. He noted that ultimately
there could be four to five new reservoirs in Northeast Georgia.
David stated that DNR expects a statewide water conservation plan
will be considered in the next legislative session. He projected
that all of the state’s water conservation planning efforts
could culminate within two years. David also projected that over
the next five years the water supply will still be adequate, but
he expects local governments to consider water conservation through
new rates to customers based on an adjusted price per gallon of
water consumed.
David can be reached at:
David Word, Asst. Director
Georgia Environmental Protection Division
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive S.E.
Suite 1166 East Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
Telephone 404-656-7413
E-mail: David_Word@dnr.state.ga.us
Council Member Hatcher asked for discussion and a motion for action
on the Litter Control Committee’s recommendation for a sample
litter ordinance and enforcement system for local governments.
Jack Banks and John Phillips explained some details about the
recommendation, and following discussion the full RAC voted unanimously
to approve the item. The RAC asked the committee to work on implementation
with local governments by recommending that cities and counties
adopt the ordinance and enforcement plan. The RAC asks the committee
to explain to cities and counties that the RAC is concerned about
this region-wide problem and encourages them to implement these
control measures.
Council Member
Hatcher asked for discussion and selection of a date and place
for the RAC Planning Retreat for 2003. Staff was asked to try
to set up the session at Wolf Mountain Winery and Conference Center
near Dahlonega in February.
Council Member
Hatcher announced that Chairman Dilliot had appointed a nominating
committee to recommend members for the positions of 2003 Chairman
and Vice-Chair. The nominating committee of Charles Craig, Gary
Fesperman, and Joe Satterfield was asked to present their recommendations
to be voted on at the business meeting during the February RAC
Planning Retreat.
Council Member
Hatcher asked for reports from Region 2 staff. Kathy Papa handed
out copies of a project proposal to study the economic impact
of the Northeast Georgia Mountains’ wine industry. Carole
Ciriacks updated the RAC on Business Retention and Expansion Process
projects conducted in White and Dawson counties. Dave Grisham
expressed the Regional Office staff members’ gratitude to
RAC members whose terms are expiring. Dave also noted that by
the end of 2003 all 13 counties in the region should have established
Adult Leadership programs. Dave also noted that a sales team for
Dawson County is being developed. Joel Cordle provided an update
on the progress of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development
Leadership, which has a total of 55 new participants and alumni
involved in the January-March sessions. He expressed appreciation
to RAC members for assisting with promoting and recruiting participants.
Bob Hitch announced that Georgia Tech’s Economic Development
Institute was recently ranked number one by the Southern Growth
Policies Board for “Best Practices.”
Council Member
Hatcher asked for any county reports from RAC members. Jim Bleckley
expressed his appreciation on being involved with service on the
RAC. Joni Owens presented news about the Army Corp of Engineers’
water management plans. The Corp is taking public comment and
it is particularly important for them to hear about regional concerns
for the Etowah and Chattahoochie River Basins. This study does
not include the Savannah River Basin lakes that are managed by
a different Corp division. Joni asked everyone to contact:
Robert B. Keyser, P.E.
Colonel, US Army
Commander and District Engineer
109 Saint Joseph St.
P.O. Box 2288
Mobile, AL 36628-0001
Website: www.sam.usace.army.mil
E-mail: Robert.keyser.COL@sam.usace.army.mil
Or telephone (251) 690-2511
Joe Hatcher
announced that the November elections resulted in two new White
County Commissioners. Joe also noted that Truett McConnell College
has recently expanded into a four-year college.
The meeting
was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
THE NEXT RAC
MEETING WILL BE THE ANNUAL PLANNING RETREAT TO BE HELD IN FEBRUARY
– DATE AND PLACE TO BE ANNOUNCED
