Minutes
Service Delivery Region Seven Regional Advisory Council Meeting
December 13, 2002
Savannah Rapids Pavilion-Columbia County

Members Present: Joyce Blevins, Alana Burke, Dan Crumpton, William Edwards, Evelyn Kendrick, Donald Kent, Jerry Long, Tim Maund, Theo McDonald, Bryan Quinsey, Phil Ricketson, Frank Thomas.

Members Absent: Phil Brown, Gayle Boykin, Hayward Cordy, Aray Darden, Joe Gore, Gardner Hobbs, Sistie Hudson, Walker Norman, Ben Tarbutton, III.

Regional Staff Present: Hezekiah Aikens, Jeannie Buttrum, Andy Crosson, Todd Hurd, Jennifer Fordham.

1. Chairman Maund welcomed everyone in attendance and called the meeting to order.

2. Chairman Maund asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the September 12th meeting. Bryan Quinsey made a motion, which was seconded by Alana Burke. The motion passed unanimously.

3. Chairman Maund proceeded to the topic of electing a new RAC Chairman Maund discussed the fact that Georgia has new state leadership coming to power in January and that the future status of the RAC is unknown. William Edwards suggested that Chairman Maund stay on as Chairman until the March 2003 meeting, at which time there would be more information on the status of the RAC. Edwards also suggested that a nominating committee be formed. Edwards, Donald Kent, and Bryan Quinsey volunteered to serve as the nominating committee. The nominating committee will present its recommendation for Chairman to the members at the March 2003 RAC meeting.

4. Hezekiah Aikens presented the DCA regional staff update. Aikens announced that Louisville, Wadley and Warrenton were awarded LDF grants in November. Aikens added that OneGeorgia awards would be announced in mid-to-late December.

5. Jeannie Buttrum presented the DITT regional staff update. Buttrum announced that the 2003 Georgia On My Mind travel guide, 2003 Georgia Golf Guide, and 2003 Calendar of Events (January-June edition) would be out in January 2003. Buttrum also announced that the City of Augusta has been selected as the host city for the Governor's Conference on Tourism. The conference will be held September 24-26, 2003. Buttrum also informed the members that the Cancer Coalition bike race would be traveling through Augusta April 12, 2003. She also informed the members that the Classic South Travel Association will be involved in the Travel South Tour on February 14, 2003.

6. Andy Crosson gave an update on the RDC's study of the regional mega site. Crosson stated that the study was currently 85-87 percent complete and that there would be funds remaining after the study. Crosson stated that the RDC had discussed using the remaining funds for permitting for the site. Crosson added that the grant contract expires March 2003.

7. With no additional regional staff updates, Chairman Maund proceeded to the next item of discussion-the future of the region. The Chairman stated that the future of the region relies heavily on the newly elected Governor and how much he supports DCA and DITT. Maund discussed the fact that state budget cuts would be made, but no one is sure how the cuts will effect the region. Maund suggested that the RAC members stay energized and focused on the projects and concerns that are important to the region. Maund asked the members what their future concerns for the region were. Donald Kent stated that he does not want funding cut for technical colleges. Kent supports talking to elected officials about this concern. Joyce Blevins stated that she is concerned about the GRIP program and the potential $964 million impact to the region. Alana Burke suggested contacting the newly elected Governor for his support of the Lincoln County conference center. Dan Crumpton asked if there was anything that the RAC members could do to speed up the progress of the regional mega-site. Andy Crosson stated that the next step is getting infrastructure to the site. Crosson stated that the local governments involved in the project should be working together to get the necessary infrastructure in place.

8. With no further business, Chairman Maund adjourned the meeting.

©2001 Georgia Department of Community Affairs
All rights reserved.