Columbus, Georgia

Exhibit A

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE

DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS GEORGIA

April 1, 2004



MEMBERS PRESENT

Dick Ellis, Bob Gilson, Stella Shulman, Fernando Verdree



MEMBERS ABSENT

Steve Butler, Allen Taber, Jimmy Yancey



ALSO PRESENT

Billy Blanchard, Becca Hardin, Biff Hadden, Jack Key, Bob Poydasheff, Dayton

Preston, Ed Sprouse, Janeen Tucker, Katherine Kelly



Bob Gilson, Chairman, noting that a quorum was present and proper notice had

been given in accordance with the requirements of Georgia law, called the April

1, 2004 meeting to order.



MINUTES

Upon motion made by Dick Ellis and seconded by Fernando Verdree, the Authority

unanimously approved the minutes of the March 4, 2004 meeting hereto attached

as Exhibit ?A?.



FINANCIAL REPORT

1. Fernando Verdree reviewed the financial report for February 2004. He

reported that the Authority has paid the $25,000 request for 2003 funds to

Future Partners Fort Benning in support of hiring Wexford Group to work on BRAC

strategy. The moneys itemized as Advertising Expenses were reported to be for

ads in marketing magazines and were paid from the Millage Account. Upon motion

made by Stella Shulman and seconded by Dick Ellis, the Authority unanimously

approved the March 2004 Financial Report which is attached hereto as Exhibit

?B?.



ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE ? Becca Hardin reviewed the status of current

projects. Her report is attached as Exhibit ?C?. Even though the reported

number of new jobs for The Waggoners Trucking project was 150, the number will

most likely be 365 and maybe even up to 500. This project is also significant

since it involves 3 sites in Columbus South. Techsphere Systems International

announced $25 million capital investment with 250 new jobs and expecting to

increase to 1000 new jobs. There are 26 active projects with 4 of them being

?hot?. There has been a prospect visit each day this week. Final proposal has

been given to Taylor County prospect. Jerry Grillo from Georgia Trend will do

feature article on Columbus Region in the April. Data for Rockefeller Group

(FTZ consultants) is being compiled. Char Broil is applying for FTZ subzone

status. ED staff has been working with both Marion and Talbot Counties on

their industrial parks. Lynx Chemicals was granted a waiver by DCA so it could

use job tax credits. The organizational meeting of the Economic Development

Advisory Board will be on April 14, 2004.





OLD BUSINESS

None



NEW BUSINESS

none



LEGAL ISSUES

1. Upon motion made by Fernando Verdree and seconded by Dick Ellis, the

Authority unanimously approved the Inducement Resolution in the form attached

hereto as Exhibit ?D? for Project Publish for $3,000,000 bond issue and 100

jobs. Biff Hadden explained the project.

2. Upon motion made by Dick Ellis and seconded by Stella Shulman, the Authority

unanimously approved ratification of the execution of the Quitclaim Bills of

Sale for TSYS representing disposition of bond-financed assets.

3. Ed Sprouse reported that in approving an inducement resolution in the amount

of $15,700,000 for Hall Properties that the Authority did nothing different

from other projects of that type. The article in the newspaper was misleading.

4. Bob Gilson reported that the zoning applications for FLBC went before the

Planning Advisory Commission (PAC). The amended zoning for the part already

zoned M-1 went well. The back portion of property which Authority was

requesting zoning from A-1 to M-1 received some negative comments from

residents but was approved by the PAC.



PROPERTY

1. Dayton Preston reported that the RFI for the spec building on Lot 2 MTP has

been approved by Ed Sprouse and Bob Gilson has one area needing clarifying.

The request will be sent to all contractors who are members of the Greater

Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The latest MTP map will be e-mailed to

the members.

2. Dayton also reported that no land in MTP should be used to mitigate failed

wetlands. The status of failed wetlands in FLBC is being pursued with DOT.

3. Biff Hadden presented the proposed costs for cut and rough grade of the 35

acres for H&K in MTP from two quotes which ranged from $600,000 to $1,500,000.

Eric Bruce sees MBIA as an option even though it has limited expansion

capacity. Biff has talked with a heavy equipment training instructor who might

be available to work the MTP site at a considerable reduction in cost. Further

discussion was postponed until after H&K makes further site decisions. Biff

also reminded the Authority that sites in MTP need to be surveyed every 180

days to ensure that the covenant is maintained. After discussion, it was

decided that Becca would clarify the status of who is responsible for making

sure survey is done and she will report to the Authority in May.

4. Ed Sprouse has contacted Masterbuilt in regards to the status of the lot in

CRIP. After discussion, it was decided that Ed Sprouse would notify

Masterbuilt that it is in default with the CRIP Covenants and the Authority

wants to re-acquire that land. It was suggested that discussions include the

availability of sites in MTP.



OTHER ISSUES

none



There being no further business to come before the Authority and upon motion

made by Dick Ellis and seconded by Fernando Verdree, the Authority unanimously

approved to adjourn the meeting.



By:_____________________________

J. Edward Sprouse, Secretary



Approved by:



____________________________________

Robert M. Gilson, Jr., Chair



DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY



AGENDA



April 1, 2004 ? 8:30a.m.

======================================================



ITEM 1: Call to Order Bob Gilson, Chair



ITEM 2: Minutes of March 2004 Meetings (Ex A) Bob Gilson



ITEM 3: Financial Report (Ex B) Fernando Verdree



ITEM 4: Economic Development Ex C) Becca Hardin





ITEM 5: Old Business Bob Gilson





ITEM 6: New Business Bob Gilson





ITEM 7: Legal Issues Ed Sprouse

Inducement Resolution for Project Publish



ITEM 8: Property Dayton Preston

Update MTP Spec Building Bidding

MTP Lot 10 Site Preparation

Status on FLBC



ITEM 9: Other Issues Bob Gilson



ITEM 10: Executive Session (if needed) Bob Gilson



ITEM 11: Meeting Adjourned Bob Gilson