Regional Advisory Council (RAC) - Region Five
First Methodist Church, Greensboro Georgia
April 24, 2002 - 2:00 p.m.
- Minutes -

The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by Chairman E.H. Culpepper who provided a brief welcome and a call for self-introductions. The list of meeting attendees (RAC members, staff and guests) is located at the end of these minutes.

Following introductions, Chairman Culpepper called for ratification of the minutes from the September 27, 2001 meeting held at the Unisia Drive Speculative Building in Monroe, Georgia. Charles Crawford moved, seconded by Iola Stone, that the minutes be approved. Without further discussion or corrections, the motion carried and minutes were approved.

Chairman Culpepper then introduced Chrissy Marlowe, newly appointed Growth Management Specialist with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and invited her to discuss how she might assist Region Five with growth management issues. Marlowe began by explaining that DCA's growth management program was originally launched by efforts of the Region One RAC in 1999 when it identified managing growth as one of its primary priorities. Through the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, the Region One RAC pursued and was awarded Regional Assistance Program (RAP) funding to develop a growth management study for the 15 county area. Now complete, the Region One RAC has presented the study to area local governments and, accordingly, made recommendations on guiding growth. With Marlowe's assistance, Region One is currently in the implementation stage of its study.

Because other regions of the State, including Regions Two (Gainesville area), Four (Newnan area) and Five (Athens area), are experiencing similar growth patterns and could also benefit from the development of growth management programs, RAP funding was awarded to those RACs, as well. As a result, Marlowe will be working with subcommittees in each of those regions to develop regional projects that would incorporate the use of best management practices. It is hoped that local actions will evolve from this regional initiative, particularly on the part of local governments. Based upon a review of the 2002 work plan developed at the recent RAC Retreat (October 30, 2001), corridor development growth management was identified as an example project for Region Five.

Marlowe also explained that RAC committee meetings for growth management would begin in January 2002, and a presentation to local elected officials could be expected in April 2002. Chairman Culpepper requested that prior to January, members of the RAC volunteer for appointment to this committee.

Following Marlowe's discussion, Susan Peacock of Oglethorpe Power Company facilitated the discussion of the 2002 Region 5 RAC strategy/work program. Peacock began by presenting the written results from the RAC Planning Retreat held October 30, 2001 [see copy appended].

Matters that received particular attention follow:

With respect to transportation, Jim Burgess was asked to discuss his efforts in managing development along I-20. Burgess explained that as Mayor of the City of Social Circle, he has been working with four other cities (Covington, Madison, Monticello, and Oxford) along the I-20 corridor to develop common development standards that would cross county lines. Recognizing the need to involve the four counties (Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton) wherein the five cities are located, Burgess further explained that county participation is being sought, and that the group may change its name from "Five Towns East" to "Four Counties East". To support the group's efforts, grant monies are being pursued to develop a corridor study that would assist with the development of land use and development regulations for the length of the corridor within those counties, and having a width of between 5 and 6 miles on either side of the interstate. An added benefit to such management would be the development of appropriate, complimentary growth around the 4-County Industrial Park, which is currently under construction and located along I-20 in Morgan, Newton, and Walton Counties. Burgess further advised that the group's actions would ideally culminate into the creation of a regional planning development authority by the State Legislature that would oversee planning within the designated area. Some opposition to the creation of such an authority is expected, however, in that the involved counties would be required to relinquish planning authority in the designated area. Awaiting the completion of an area-wide water basin study, submission of the grant application is expected to be delayed until spring 2002.

Following Burgess' comments, Jim Hunt recommended that Greene County be considered as a participant in the "Four Counties East" initiative. Hunt noted that Greene County is located adjacent to Morgan County, and shares the common element of being located along the I-20 corridor. Additionally, Hunt noted that good planning in Greene County would compliment the efforts of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton Counties.

Culpepper suggested, and Burgess concurred, that the legislation used to create the metro-Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) could be modeled, with some modifications, to create the proposed four or five county planning authority (I-20). Culpepper additionally suggested that similar actions could be taken along the GA 316 corridor involving Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, and Oconee Counties, and along the US 78 corridor involving Elbert, Greene, Madison and Oglethorpe Counties.

Peacock then suggested that transportation corridor committees be assigned to work with Marlow in the development of growth management strategies for I-20, GA 316, and US 78. Culpepper asked interested RAC members to select a corridor and report to him so that effective committee compositions may be developed.

The next matter of discussion related to the 2002 RAC Strategy/Work Program was the creation of a regional leadership program specific to Region Five. Culpepper asked that Peacock provide background information on the upcoming Georgia Academy for Economic Development Leadership program (hereafter referred to as the "Academy"). Peacock explained that the Academy program for 2002 has been expanded from four classes over four months to eight classes over six months to allow for the inclusion of region-specific leadership programs. Additionally, the course will be outcome-based, resulting in the implementation of a project by each regional class. So as to allow previous graduates to gain region-specific leadership skills, and also allow them to participate in a regional project, invitations to the last five sessions will be extended to those individuals at a reduced fee.

Peacock stressed that the purpose of the Academy is to ensure the long-term economic vitality of the State of Georgia, and that such success relies on the participation of all sectors in the Academy program. In support of this inclusionary effort, Sosebee suggested that the RAC could be actively involved in the recruitment of class attendees.

Rope Roberts then questioned the need for a Region Five leadership program, as described in the 2002 RAC Strategy/Work Program, arguing that the RAC program would duplicate the Academy's program. Culpepper noted this concern, but delayed any action of the RAC until Susan Holmes, who was not present at the meeting, could be consulted.

Following the discussion of leadership, workforce issues were introduced. Susie Haggard explained that the workforce partnership is continuing its work with a meeting scheduled for January 9, 2002 at the Department of Labor office in Athens.

Culpepper commented that the Classic Center Authority has recently held two hospitality expos, with Governor Barnes being present at one and Department of Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond present at both. As a result of these productions, as well as the activities of the Technical Career Academy (TCA) of Northeast Georgia, Culpepper was pleased to report that the Georgia Travel Association has agreed to include hospitality within its promotional campaigns. Culpepper also thanked Haggard for her ongoing support of the TCA, and expressed the RAC's ongoing support of the program for the upcoming year.

The next matter of discussion was workforce housing. Peacock noted that during the RAC planning retreat held in October 2001, the proposal of supporting the development of workforce housing in the region was introduced. Jim Hunt reported that in keeping with this proposal, he had been in contact with Rob Mitchell of the Reynolds Plantation development in Greene County. Hunt explained that Reynolds Plantation will soon open its Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which will employ a significant number of people requiring housing which is both desirable and affordable. Hunt suggested that the Ritz-Carlton's efforts to create such housing could become a demonstration program for the State.

Burgess added that the City of Social Circle is pursuing a developer for the redevelopment of an old mill village in the City, and expressed concern about the profitability of such an endeavor. Sosebee concurred offering that an incentive void exists for the construction of affordable single-family housing where profitability is relatively low and risk is relatively high. Sosebee advised that a priority of the Georgia Rural Development Council (GRDC) is the development of such housing, and that the GRDC is considering a number of options to advocate to the General Assembly, including a lease-purchase option where lease payments would go toward the down payment of a home. Sosebee emphasized that the GRDC is being deliberate in its pursuit of a program that will be both financially feasible and supportable by the Legislature.

Cardee Kilpatrick then asked of the definition for affordable housing, and questioned the existence of a uniform standard. Sosebee commented that DCA utilizes guidelines established by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency that are specific to counties and individual family sizes.

Burgess followed this discussion with expressed concern about "slum landlords" who are often the sole providers of housing to low-income persons. In response, Sosebee highlighted the City of Commerce's success in combating such situations. According to Sosebee, the City of Commerce has employed a full-time code inspector who prohibits the connection of utility services until all code violations are properly addressed. The City is empowered to make such decisions based upon its ownership of gas and electric utilities.

Following this discussion, Rope Roberts was appointed to chair the affordable housing committee.

The development of the RAC 2002 Region 5 RAC strategy/work program was then concluded, and the group applauded Peacock for her assistance.

During the course of this meeting, the following committee appointments were made:
Committee Appointments
Water	Iola Stone, Wendell Dawson, Sonny Turner, and Davis Morgan (ex officio)
Transportation *	Jim Burgess
Affordable Housing	Rope Roberts (Chair), Jim Hunt (ex officio)
*Volunteers for GA 316 and US 78, as well as others to serve on the I-20 committee were solicited for future appointment. Committee appointments made during the October 30, 2001 RAC Retreat are appended.

Chairman Culpepper then requested DCA Regional Representative Jennifer Normanly to update the RAC on the status of DCA appointments. Normanly explained that Jim Hunt (Greene County) and Davis Morgan (Newton County) will be "rolling off" the RAC effective December 31, 2001, and that the DCA Board has received nominations for their replacement. Appointments are expected prior to the next RAC meeting of February 2002. [At the time of the writing of these minutes, Tim Bramlett, Chairman of the Greene County Board of Commissioners, and John Howard, a City of Covington Councilman, had each accepted two-year terms to the RAC]

Susie Haggard also announced that David Maynard (Barrow County), a DITT appointee to the RAC, announced his resignation effective December 31, 2001. A nominee for his replacement has been submitted to the DITT Board, and an appointment for this position is also expected prior to February 2002. [At the time of the writing of these minutes, Dr. Stan Coley had accepted the RAC appointment for the remainder of Maynard's term]

Following this discussion, Culpepper reminded all present of attendance requirements identified in the RAC's by-laws. As stated in the by-laws, "the failure of any members of the Council to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the Council without discussing the reason for the absence with the Chair may be deemed by the Council to be abandonment and resignation by the member…". Culpepper then applauded the members of the RAC for their strong participation records.

Dates for upcoming RAC meetings in 2002 were then presented for    consideration. As suggested, the RAC would meet bi-monthly on the    fourth Thursday of the month beginning in February, with    subcommittee meetings to be held during opposing months. The    following dates were established for general RAC meetings: February    28, April 25, June 27, August 22, October 24, and December 12,    2002. Additionally, all meetings will begin at 10:30 a.m. [At the time    of the writing of these minutes, the February meeting had been    rescheduled for February 26, 2002]

The next matter of discussion was the update of the Northeast Georgia RDC short-term work program. In view of DCA's requirement that the RAC annually approve the RDC's work program, and in view of the requirement that the work program be submitted to DCA by March 2002, Culpepper requested that a committee be formed to review the work program prior to the RAC's February meeting. Because of their membership on both the RDC Board and RAC, the following were named to the committee: Charlie Crawford, Lam Hardman, Susan Holmes, and Iola Stone.

Culpepper followed this discussion by announcing the promotion of Jennifer Normanly to Regional Representative, replacing Winfred Owens who recently accepted the position as Director of the Office of Regional Services for DCA.

Susie Haggard was then called upon to provide a staff report. Haggard asked the RAC to review the recently completed DITT news report for September and October 2001, which was provided. Haggard also brought to the attention of the RAC the recently completed Metis Associates, Inc. report entitled "Northeast Georgia Workforce Development Partnership Labor Market Trends and Opportunities".

As follow-up to Haggard's comments, Ken Easom offered that the findings of the Metis Associates, Inc. study are most favorable with respect to the quality and availability of the workforce in the region. Additionally, Easom noted that when coupled with Expansion Management magazine's recent ranking of the State of Georgia as number one in workforce training, this report should serve as a valuable marketing tool in attracting prospects to the region. In response, Culpepper asked if the report would be made available to local chamber of commerce offices. Haggard advised that the information will soon be available online via the web, making the report readily accessible to all interested parties.

Culpepper then reminded the group of Rope Roberts' upcoming presentation on behalf of the RAC to the Georgia Rural Development Council (GRDC). The presentation, planned for December 13, 2001, will mirror the presentation previously given by Roberts to DITT project managers and other developers which showcased economic development opportunities in Region Five. All RAC members were invited to attend.

Bob Sosebee presented the next matter of discussion, DCA Board attendance at RAC meetings. Sosebee explained that to increase the level of communication between the DCA Board and the RACs across the State, a commitment was recently made on the part of the DCA Board to have members present at RAC meetings.

Charlie Crawford then raised the issue of the RAC's support of the Technical Career Academy (TCA) of Northeast Georgia. Crawford explained that until recently, limitations with State legislation had prevented the TCA from receiving monies from school districts across county boundaries. In his conversations with Ken Easom, he learned that this issue has been resolved; however, other limitations remain with the direct allocation of monies to the TCA. Sosebee suggested that the GRDC could be informed of these limitations at the next GRDC meeting scheduled for December 13, 2001. Easom suggested that prior to this meeting, the TCA Chairman, Russ Yeany, should be contacted for guidance as to exact needs. Crawford volunteered to pursue this information.

Iola Stone then informed the RAC that a study, commissioned by Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), was recently completed regarding water sources in the ARC area. Stone asked that a copy of the study be requested from the ARC to determine how the Region Five area may be affected.

Howard "Sonny" Turner then thanked the guests present at the meeting, and requested that in the future, all handouts provided to RAC members also be made available to guests.

Turner also discussed the recently held GRDC Youth Summit. Turner suggested that the youth in the area that participated in the program be recognized, and that the RAC could serve a vital role in supporting this recognition. In keeping with this suggestion, Culpepper requested that a list of attendees from the region be provided to the RAC for distribution.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:15p.m.

Regional Advisory Council members in attendance included: Jim Burgess, Paul Chambers, Charlie Crawford, E.H. Culpepper, Wendell Dawson, Kenneth Easom, Lam Hardman, Jim Hunt, Cardee Kilpatrick, Roy Lambert, William "Bill" Lewis, Davis Morgan, Rope Roberts, Bob Sosebee, Danny Stone, Iola Stone, and Howard "Sonny" Turner. Regional guests included (some affiliations not indicated): Allen Nicas of the Elbert County Economic Development Authority, Doug Eza of Oconee County Schools, Gene Matthews of the City of Loganville, Wendell Geiger, Misti Martin of the Newton County Chamber of Commerce, Stephanie Wolfe of the Newton County Chamber of Commerce, Melanie Arias of the Jasper County Economic Development Authority, Stanley Coley of The University of Georgia, and Susan Peacock of Oglethorpe Power Company. Winfred Owens and Chrissy Marlowe of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs were also present. Staff present included Susie Haggard, Regional Marketing Manager with the Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism, and Jennifer Normanly, Regional Representative with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.