Heart of Georgia Altamaha RDC

HEART OF GEORGIA ALTAMAHA REGIONAL COMMISSION COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Council Members Present Staff Present Bob Brockman Brett Manning Dr. Michael Stoy Rafael Nail William M. “Billy” Trapnell James Pope Vernon Owens James Waters Wayne Hall Jack Foskey Guy Singletary Guests John Roller Mr. Keith Dixon, Job Training Unlimited, Inc. Charlie Williams Claxton, Georgia Bernie Weaver Ms. Patty Griffin, Job Training Unlimited, Inc. Pat Ray Claxton, Georgia John Raymond Turner Ms. Sandy Bunton, Job Training Unlimited, Inc. Mary Ann Carvin Claxton, Georgia Izell Stephens, Jr. James Canady, Emanuel County Keith E. McNeal Mrs. Yvonne Trapnell, Metter, Georgia G.M. Joiner, Jr. Ms. Patrina Carvin, Treutlen County Jowan Johnson Michael Estes David Brown CALL TO ORDER

The Regional Council meeting for September 24, 2015, was held at the Mount Vernon/ Montgomery County Community Service and Senior Citizens Center in Mount Vernon, Georgia. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 P.M. by Chair John Raymond Turner. Chair Turner welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave the invocation.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

Chair Turner introduced and welcomed the following guests: Mr. Keith Dixon, Ms. Patty Griffin, and Ms. Sandy Bunton, Job Training Unlimited, Inc., Claxton, Georgia; James Canady, Emanuel County; Mrs. Yvonne Trapnell, wife of Honorable Billy Trapnell, Mayor of Metter; and Ms. Patrina Carvin, guest of Honorable Mary Ann Carvin, County Commissioner, Treutlen County.

ROLL CALL

Chair Turner asked Brett Manning to call the roll. The roll was called by Brett, and a quorum was present with twenty (20) Council members present at the meeting.

APPROVAL OF THE JUNE RC COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Chair Turner stated that the Minutes for the June 25, 2015 RC Council Meeting had been mailed out to all Council Members and he would entertain a motion for approval. A motion was made by John Roller and seconded by Billy Trapnell to approve the Minutes as mailed. The motion passed unanimously.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Chair Turner called on Brett Manning, due to Janice Jones being absent from the meeting, to give the financial report. Brett informed the Council that July and August financial statements were included in the packet. Brett explained that for the period ending August 31st the year-to-date revenues exceed the expenses in the amount of $170,928. Brett then asked if anyone had any questions. There being no questions, a motion was made by Keith McNeal and seconded by Charlie Williams to approve the financial statement. The motion passed unanimously.

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA) REPORT

Chair Turner then called on Keith Dixon to report to the Council on WIOA activities. Keith updated the Council on the unemployment rate stating Georgia’s Unemployment Rate for July was at 6.5%. He let the Council know that the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Region was at 8.3% unemployment rate. Keith pointed out that our region is still one of the highest in the state. Keith then went over the Customer Counts Report for August. He stated that the total customers served were 1,029. Keith stated that for each funding category the total served for Adults - ITA and OJT, 272; for Dislocated Workers - ITA and OJT, 120; for Youth, 285; for Transition Center, 32; and Incumbent Worker Training (IWT), 320. He also let them know that on this report they could see how many were served by individual county. Keith also let them know that the Staff Activities Report was included in the Council packet to inform them of the ongoing activities of JTU.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Brett informed the Council that a Nominating Committee would need to be formed in order to elect new officers for the next two years. These officers would assume office as of January 1, 2016. In the past, the Executive Committee has served as the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is required to have a member from each county. Brett informed the Council that it was their decision to form a Nominating Committee or to elect the Executive Committee as the Nominating Committee. A motion was made by G.M. Joiner, Jr., for the Executive Committee to serve as the Nominating Committee. Chair Turner then called for a second. A second was made by Billy Trapnell. The vote passed unanimously.

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITIES ACT (WIOA) PRESENTATION

Chair Turner called on Keith Dixon to make the WIOA presentation to the Council. Keith informed the Council that in July they changed from WIA to WIOA. He explained that one of the big changes was to the youth program. Before the change the youth program was 70% for in school youth and 30% for out of school youth and now 75% of the funds are for out of school youth and 25% for in school youth. He stated that they set their budget at 80% to make sure they hit the 75% expenditure rate.

Keith stated that he wanted to go over Board appointments for WIOA since it was time to start appointing new Board members. Keith then asked them to look at the handout named Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Development Board. He explained that the sheet shows the makeup of the Board. He let them know that under WIA they only had to have the 51% for business representation or private sector business. Now under WIOA they are required to have 51% business representation and 20% workforce representation. He then let them know that the worksheet titled WIOA LWBD Composition Requirements was a breakdown of the columns on the Workforce Development Board handout. He explained to them that when they are appointing new members for the WIOA Board they should first check with Alex Clements in the HOGARC Eastman office. By checking with Alex or Keith, they can make sure they fall in the private sector or workforce representation category so they remain in compliance. He also let them know that the WIOA Board is certified.

Keith then directed their attention to a handout of a policy that the Board has had in place for several years. He explained that the policy is if a Board member failed to attend three consecutive board meetings without cause they would be automatically removed and replaced. He stated this policy has never been enforced because they have always had quorums. He let them know that this is a state policy and nothing can be done to change it. He explained to them if there is a reason they cannot attend a meeting to please call them and let Sandy know so that she can document the cause for the absence.

Keith then commended the Regional Council for appointing members to the WIOA Board. He let them know that they held a Board retreat in August, and it was well attended. Keith stated that the quorum percentage is being increased, but we have not had a problem meeting a quorum. He let them know that some areas have had a problem reaching 30% membership and have to run everything through their Executive Committee. He stated that our Board has been outstanding and thanked them for their commitment. He let them know that the state is looking at consolidating some of the areas who are not functioning as Boards.

Keith stated that they are working on a Regional Plan for our area. He explained that we are only one area and that others are going to have to work with several areas. For example, metro Atlanta is going to have to work with five areas to get their Regional Plan done and approved and ours would just be our area.

Keith then stated that if anyone had any questions about the WIOA Board makeup to please call Sandy, Brett, or Alex. He then asked if anyone had any questions.

Brett let them know that Alex is very good at contacting people when he knows that their terms are about to expire. Alex will be able to guide you on what position needs to be appointed.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Chair Turner called on Executive Director Brett Manning to report to the Council.

Executive Director Brett Manning reported to the Council the following:

1. DHS Transportation Resolution

Brett informed the Council that in their Council packet is a resolution for the DHS 5310 Transportation Contract. This resolution certifies that Brett has authorization to sign the contract on behalf of the Council. Chair Turner called for a motion to approve Brett to be authorized to sign the contract. A motion was made by Vernon Owens and seconded by Charlie Williams. The vote passed unanimously.

2. WIOA Board Appointments

Brett informed the Council that several appointments needed to be made to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act Board. The first two appointments are area wide. They are Jason Whitlow from Tattnall County representing Workforce, and Roy Williams from Laurens County representing Education. Tattnall County requests to reappoint Carolyn Crume Blackshear and Joe Sikes. Treutlen County requests to reappoint Kimberly Edge. Emanuel County requests to appoint Beau Gunn and Bleckley County requests to appoint Bob Brockman to replace Dr. Michael Stoy who has resigned from the Board. All these appointments are for two-year terms. Chair Turner called for a motion to approve all the appointments as requested. A motion was made by Billy Trapnell and seconded by John Roller. The vote passed unanimously. 3. Department of Human Services Transportation Program

The Council was provided information about the Department of Human Services Transportation Program that is administered by the Regional Commission. The total trips during the FY15 contract totaled 149,289 which are 12,281 more trips than we were able to provide in FY14. For FY16 the year-to-date total the program has provided is 25,160 trips around the region. A copy of the trips was included in the Council’s packet of information.

4. TIA Update

Brett informed the Council that there were several handouts in the Council packet for the local TIA distribution. The TIA amount collected in July was over $2.4 million. The year-to-date total TIA funds collected for FY 15 stands at $16.4 million. Through July 2015 a total of $73.5 million has been collected. The total allocated to approved projects for this year is $12.3 million and the total local distribution is $4.1 million.

Brett also let them know that in the ACCG magazine there was an article about TIA and the new law that passed this legislation.

5. Comprehensive Planning Update

Brett informed the Council that the planning staff has finalized this year’s comprehensive plans. The Montgomery County and Wayne County plans have been submitted to DCA for review. Wayne County has been approved by DCA, and it is now up to the County and the municipalities to adopt the plan at their next commission/council meeting in order to retain their QLG status. Telfair County’s plan is expected to be submitted before the end of the month.

6. Trails Grant

Brett informed the Council that the Department of Natural Resources has announced that the FY15 Recreational Trails Grant Program will be opening the application process October 13, 2015. The notice in the Council packet has more information as well as dates for the pre-application workshops. This information was mailed out to all local governments on the 15th.

7. Grant Awards

Brett informed the Council that the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced the FY15 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Awards. The awards ceremony was held on Jekyll Island on the 11th of September. The total amount of the CDBG awards totaled $31.9 million. Sixty-six CDBG projects were awarded in Georgia. The number is down from previous years due to a 20% decrease in funding over the last five years.

The Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission prepared seven applications that were funded bringing almost $3.5 million in federal funds to our region

The projects are as follows:

City of Glenwood - $500,000 for water improvements

Johnson County - $500,000 for a new Health Department

Montgomery County - $500,000 for Street and Drainage Improvements

City of Oak Park - $398,218 for Street and Drainage Improvements

City of Vidalia - $500,000 for the expansion of the Boys and Girls Club

Wayne County - $500,000 for a new Mental Health Facility

City of Wrightsville - $500,000 for Sewer Improvements

ADJOURN

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the Regional Council Meeting at 7:50 P.M. was accepted unanimously.