|
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 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 this report.
Following introductions, Culpepper called for the ratification
of the minutes from the February RAC meeting, held at the Classic
Center in Athens. Rope Roberts motioned that the minutes be approved.
Danny Stone seconded the motion. Without further discussion or
corrections, the motion carried and the minutes were approved.
Culpepper then called for a report from the Nominating Committee,
explaining that the changes in state leadership delayed nominations
and appointments also affected the nominating committee’s
ability to complete its task. He noted that Sonny Turner had been
appointed to replace Bob Sosebee, whose term expired between the
creation of the committee and the time of the report. Culpepper
then acknowledged nominating committee chair Charlie Crawford,
who announced the committee’s recommendation that Culpepper
complete the year as RAC Chair, joined by Jack Bone as Vice-Chair.
Wendell Dawson motioned that the new officers be accepted. Roberts
seconded the motion. Without further discussion, the motion carried
and the new officers were approved. Following the approval of new officers, Culpepper called for
a vote to formally accept newly appointed members Jack Bone, Don
Cannon, Archie Chaney, David Lynn, and Marvin White to the Council.
Culpepper shared Art Dunning’s request that Griff Doyle
replace him as the University of Georgia liaison to the RAC. Roberts
motioned that the new members be accepted. Paul Chambers seconded
the motion. Without further discussion, the motion passed and
the new members were accepted. Culpepper then opened the floor to general business, reminding
the group of its next meeting in Covington, on June 26, 2003.
He then asked if anyone had additional business to discuss. Rope
Roberts offered an update on his activities surrounding the Council’s
growth management initiative, which is detailed in the growth
management section of this report. Without further delay, Culpepper welcomed Paul Kreager, of the
University of Georgia’s Business Outreach Services, Small
Business Development Center, to facilitate the group’s 2003
program of work. Kreager emphasized the importance of a work agenda,
noting that an annual planning session served as an efficient
way to refresh old members, indoctrinate new members, and refocus
the group’s attention on new and continuing initiatives.
Roberts expressed a desire to insure that the work of the RAC
is meaningful, with visible results. Chambers echoed this sentiment,
saying that it was important to advise on issues that DCA could
address. Stan Coley commented that it was also important to consider
personal conviction when identifying tasks for the work plan.
He further asserted that the RAC should use its vision and influence
to advise and propel change in the area, acting in the spirit
of regional cooperation. Sonny Turner agreed, saying that the
RAC needed to be regionally minded, recognizing the impact of
localized issues on the well-being and long term success of the
region as a whole. With Kreager’s guidance, the group elected to confine their
work plan to six issues of regional significance: education, growth
management, leadership, transportation, water, and workforce development. Education will be addressed by Don Cannon and Sonny Turner. They
will investigate mentoring programs for ages K-12, as well as
opportunities to support programs that strengthen local school
systems, making the region more attractive to relocating industries. Leadership will be addressed by Paul Chambers and Marvin White.
Their work will focus on identifying opportunities for the RAC
to support the resolution of issues that have regional importance
at the state level. They will also address the status and progress
of local leadership programs, as well as offer continued support
to the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. In an effort
to strengthen the RAC’s ties to local leadership, Chambers
motioned that a single page summary of each RAC meeting be forwarded
to local officials. Roberts seconded the motion. Without further
discussion, the motion passed. Transportation will be addressed by Jack Bone, Archie Chaney,
Stan Coley, Griff Doyle, Danny Stone, and Iola Stone. The group
will keep the RAC apprised of the activities of the University
Parkway Alliance, and will investigate the combining Georgia Highways
316, 441, and 72 under a regional system. The committee will author
a letter advocating the participation of local governments in
state transportation policy and practice decisions. Water issues, deemed beyond the RAC’s sphere of influence,
will be monitored by EH Culpepper, Wendell Dawson, Iola Stone,
and Sonny Turner. The group will provide periodic updates to the
RAC regarding water initiatives in the region. Workforce Development will be addressed by Tim Bramlett, Don
Cannon, and Charles Crawford. Because the determinants of quality
of life and workforce development are so closely linked, the group
will study a variety of projects including, but not limited to,
the upcoming Workforce Investment Board’s summit to create
a comprehensive youth development system, plans to expand the
QuickStart program, the work of the Hospitality Careers Panel,
and other related organizations. Growth Management will be addressed by Rope Roberts and David
Lynn. Their efforts will concentrate on the development of workforce
housing and the completion of the RAC’s regional growth
management initiative. Roberts updated the Council on his efforts
surrounding these initiatives during the strategic planning session.
The third and final component of the group’s growth management
initiative is currently being defined. Roberts plans to review
a modeling program that could be used to help educate communities
about smart growth practices, e.g. infill and mixed use development.
Roberts and Lynn will research this and other possibilities for
the growth management initiative. In the interim, they will meet
with representatives from DCA to explore funding options for the
subsidization of an infill workforce housing development that
incorporates mixed incomes and takes advantage of existing infrastructure
and amenities.
|
