MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE KENTUCKY RIVER AREA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT HELD FEBRUARY 27, 2008
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
Chairman Larry Parke called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Larry Parke led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
INVOCATION
Mr. Richard Pigman gave the invocation.
CALL OF ROLL
Mayor Veda Wooton called the roll with the following members present: *Denotes designated representative
BREATHITT - Mayor Mike Miller Gary Campbell Len Noble
KNOTT - Mayor Scott Cornett Larry Parke Richard Pigman Paul Sandlin
LESLIE - Mayor Lonnie Hendrix *Mary Ethel Wooton Hiram Cornett
LETCHER - Judge Jim Ward Mayor James W. Craft Mayor Charles Dixon Mayor Susan Polis *James Collins Jim McDannel Jack Burkich
PERRY - Mayor Ernest Back
WOLFE - Reva Terrill Roger Milligan
KRADD Staff Present - Paul Hall, Executive Director Benny Hamilton, Assist. Director/Phys. Resources Planner Annette Napier, Program Director Jennifer McIntosh, Community Resources Planner Gladys Slone, Executive Secretary Carolyn Howard, Public Administration Specialist Angelia Smith, Transportation Safety Coordinator Peggy Roll, Human Services Director Sherry Burchell, Human Services Planner Dave Adams, GIS Technician Michelle Allen, Finance Officer Kimberly Coomer, Staff Acct./Grant Administrator Stacie Noble, Human Services Coordinator Julie Haynes, Aging/Disability Resources Marketer Marcia Swartzentruber, Homecare Case Manager Eunice Holland, Transportation Planner Betty Green, Human Services Assistant
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Mr. Roger Milligan to approve the minutes of the January 23, 2007 Board meeting; Motion seconded by Mr. Jim McDannel; Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL REPORT
A motion was made by Mr. Roger Milligan to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented; Motion seconded by Mr. Richard Pigman; Motion carried.
INTRODUCTION OF GUEST SPEAKER
Mr. Paul Hall introduced Mr. Rick Baker Assistant Director of L.K.L.P. Community Action Council.
Guest Speaker
Mr. Rick Baker Assistant Director of the Leslie, Knott, Leslie and Perry Community Action Council, Inc. (LKLP), explained that LKLP is a non-profit organization, serving the counties of Leslie, Knott, Letcher and Perry. It is designed as a community action service and planning agency to develop, to the fullest potential, the human and natural resources in the four- county area. Although the LKLP’s primary focus is the poor, it is actively and substantially involved in all segments of the community, in an effort to alleviate the distress of poverty.
Mr. Baker stated that Kentucky has 23 Community Action Agencies serving 120 counties. KY River ADD is served by two Community Action Agencies, LKLP Community Action Agency and Middle Kentucky River Community Action Agency. Community Action Agencies are mandated, by law, to have three sectors represented on their Board of Directors (1/3 elected officials, 1/3 private sector and 1/3 low- income/target groups). Mr. Baker explained that LKLP provides over 20 human service related services to individuals and families. Services are provided mainly in Leslie, Knott, Perry and Letcher counties however many services are provided throughout the entire KRADD area. L.K.L.P. is the Human Services Transportation Delivery brokerage in Region 13 serving 62 counties from Eastern, Western, Central and Northern Kentucky with a fleet of over 125 vehicles, L.K.L.P. also provides public transportation in Leslie, Knott, Letcher and Perry Counties.
Mr. Baker noted several other major services provided by LKLP Community Action Agency as follows:
Head Start – a Federally funded program for pre-school children from low-income families. This program offers a variety of educational activities along with healthy meals and snacks. Participants also receive free medical and dental care. Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) – LKLP Outreach provides services through Community Service Block Grant funding to children, adults, elderly and all persons with disabilities who incomes are at or below 125% of the current Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Some services provided are as follows: emergency services, self-sufficiency, employment, education, nutrition, health and housing. Workforce Investment Act Program (WIC) – Assists low-income individuals to acquire skills necessary to become gainfully employed. This program provides assistance with tuition, books, fees, and other training-related costs. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Provides home energy assistance to needy families throughout the LKLP service area. Adult Day Health – Provides a save and socially stimulating environment, offering caregivers an alternative to nursing home care, giving them an opportunity to continue their daily activities. Safe House Domestic Violence Program – A 24/7 program which provides residential and non- residential services for victims of domestic violence and their dependent children. Nutrition – LKLP provides Congregate, Home Care and Home-Delivered meal services to seniors in the area through the Homecare Program. LKLP expects to serve approximately 25,861 meals this fiscal year.
BUSINESS
ADF Committee Report
Ms. Annette Napier reported that the ADF Committee had the following projects for consideration:
City of Fleming Neon - $1,217 towards the purchase of police radios. City of Jackson - $2,020 towards the purchase of computer equipment.
Mr. Roger Milligan made a motion to accept the ADF projects as presented; Seconded by Mr. Gary Campbell; Motion carried.
Ms. Napier brought to everyone’s attention the ADF Balance report, included in the board packet for each county and city, urging everyone to spend the balances as soon as possible.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Sam Adams Coordinator for the Green Rivers Project in Letcher County noted that a pre-application for ARC funds has been filed on behalf of the Letcher County Fiscal Court, Parks Department and the Tourism Commission. The pre-application requests $80,000 to be paired with $21,000 of local match to conduct a feasibility study for a camp-ground, cabins and RV Park at Fish Pond Lake.
Mr. Adams asked the KRADD Board to support this application.
Ms. Donna McClure invited everyone to the 5th Congressional District Lincoln Day Dinner in Corbin on March 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the EKU Technology Center.
Mr. Paul Hall explained that Mr. Jim McDannel had previously suggested that KRADD and KRCC work together in providing information, in the form of a forum or gathering, to address the disparities in health, health accessibility, mental health and mental retardation in Appalachia and specifically in the coal producing counties.
Mr. Hall reported that one organizational meeting has been conducted, and that ARC is very interested in providing information through a Regional Forum. ARC has funded research which indicates that there are disparities in Appalachia and that in coal producing counties “we live a shorter life, we live an unhealthier life, and we live a life that is filled with drug abuse.
Mr. Hall noted that KRADD, in conjunction with KY River Community Care, is planning an informational gather in the fall of 2008. ARC has agreed to financially support, as well as participate in, the effort.
Ms. Stephanie Marsh announced that The Center for Rural Development will be hosting a seminar to assist communities with strategic planning on March 6, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. at the Rural Law Enforcement Center in Hazard, Kentucky. The topic for the seminar will be Resource Identification: Where can communities turn for strategic planning help? Representatives of organizations such as GOLD, local area development districts, the Kentucky League of Cities, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and The Center for Rural Development will present information about the services they provide and will answer questions from the audience.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned.
______Larry Parke, Chairman
______Mayor Veda Wooton, Secretary