Exhibit A
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS GEORGIA
March 1, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT
Billy Blanchard, Dick Ellis, Bob Gilson, Stella Shulman, Allen Taber Fernando
Verdree
MEMBERS ABSENT: Carmen Cavezza
ALSO PRESENT
Steve Adams, David Arrington, Tiffani Cunningham, Mike Gaymon, Becca Hardin,
Isaiah Hugley, Gary Jones, Seiko Kabumoto, Joe Sanders, Brian Sillitto, Lee
Snider, Ed Sprouse, Clint Taylor, Jim Wetherington, Chuck Williams, 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 March
1, 2007 meeting to order.
MINUTES
Upon motion made by Billy Blanchard and seconded by Dick Ellis, the Authority
unanimously approved the minutes of the February 1, 2007 meeting hereto
attached as Exhibit ?A?.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Upon motion made by Dick Ellis and seconded by Allen Taber, the Authority
unanimously approved the February 2007 Financial Report which is attached
hereto as Exhibit ?B?.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Becca Hardin reported that there will be several announcements in March. There
are 18 active projects in the region. There is an emphasis on marketing and
the staff will be going to Atlanta to make a presentation to the state project
managers with GDEcD, Georgia Power and GEMC. Becca introduced Tiffani
Cunningham who is working with Gary Jones and Brian Sillitto. Becca presented
the new Valley Partnership website to the Authority. Her report is attached as
Exhibit ?C?.
PROPERTY
Bob Gilson reported that Dayton Preston is absent since his wife is having
surgery. There was no new information about property.
OLD BUSINESS
Dick Ellis gave an update on the signage. The members prefer Concepts 1 and
4. He handed out a packet with estimates and asked members to review before
the next meeting. There are some options in the proposals. The document is
attached as Exhibit ?D?.
Becca reported that she and Gary Jones met with people in Atlanta last Friday
and put defense contractors on their radar. It was pointed out that this is a
statewide need and not just Columbus since Augusta, Savannah and Warner Robins
are also affected. It is important to have a short-term task force to
concentrate on defense contractors. Members of the Defense Contractors Task
Force are Billy Blanchard, Carmen Cavezza, Bob Gilson and Allen Taber.
NEW BUSINESS
None
LEGAL ISSUES
Upon motion made by Dick Ellis and seconded Stella Shulman, the Authority
unanimously approved the Bond Resolution in the amount of $20,000,000 for the
Cougar Village, LLC project to develop mostly student housing in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit ?E? and proceed with the bond validation petition.
Ed Sprouse reported that a letter has been sent to the Board of Tax Assessors
listing all the bonds approved by the Authority in 2006 with the date and
amount approved and a list of the Inducement Resolutions. This will be done
annually to keep the Board of Tax Assessors informed and to improve
communications.
Upon motion made by Dick Ellis and seconded by Fernando Verdree, the Authority
unanimously approved being the financial conduit for Hands on Columbus funds
subject to clarification of the status of Hands on Columbus with United Way.
Mike Gaymon reported that the City Council approved International Building Code
which will help with development of older buildings. This was an item that
David Arrington brought back from the Intercity visit to Baltimore.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
By:_____________________________
Rebecca Brown Hardin, Secretary
Approved by:
____________________________________
Robert M. Gilson, Jr., Chair
Attachments
No attachments for this document.