BRUNSWICK AND GLYNN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MINUTES – April 28, 2014
Chamber Large Board Room
11:30 AM

BOARD MEMBERS BOARD MEMBERS OTHERS PRESENT
PRESENT ABSENT
MEL BAXTER CHUCK SCRAGG, STAFF RON ROBERTS DAVE SMITH, STAFF
CEDRIC KING JOHN SCOTT, STAFF
BRUCE DIXON SHERRI PRUITT, STAFF
MISSY NEU REES SUMERFORD, COUNSEL
ROBERT BURR, GCAC
JULIE MARTIN, CITY COMMISSIONER
ALAN OURS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
DAVID MANNING, MANNING AVIATION
SARAH LUNDGREN, BRUNSWICK NEWS
PAM SHIERLING, SAINT SIMONS ISLANDER
JAN MELCHER, GA QUICK START
I. CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Baxter

II. INVOCATION
WELCOME GUESTS – Mr. Scragg gave the invocation and Chairman Baxter welcomed Mr. Burr of Glynn County Airport Commission, Commissioner Martin of the City Commission, Mr. Ours of Glynn County Commission, Ms. Melcher of Georgia Quick Start, Mr. Manning of Manning Aviation, Ms. Sheirling of the Saint Simons Islander and Ms. Lundgren of the Brunswick News.

III. NEW BOARD MEMBER OATH – Melissa Clark “Missy” Neu – Rees Summerford, Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority Attorney, Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford and Martin PC, Law Firm – Mr. Sumerford had Ms. Neu take the oath as a new Board member for the remaining term to replace Mr. Colberg’s due to his resignation in January (expiring term is 7/31/16).

IV. GCAC – Mr. Burr reported that the Glynn County Airport Commission Budget Workshop will be held on May 9th to review the Master Plan update for the next 20 years.

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approve Minutes for March 24, 2014

A MOTION was made by Mr. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Roberts and passed unanimously to approve the March 24, 2014 Meeting Minutes.

VI. FINANCIALS

A. Approve Financials – March 2014 – Mr. Smith reviewed the March 2014 financial statements. Mr. Smith reported that the Gateway tract (70 acres near Exit 42 with frontage on I-95) which was acquired by the Authority on March 28 is reflected as a new asset on the balance sheet along with $500,000 new loan from South Coast Bank on the liability side. The remaining financial details for March were typical. The Share-the-Future fund balance at the end of March was just over $350,000.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. King and passed unanimously to approve the March 2014 financials.

VII. DIRECTOR’S REPORT

A. New Business Recruitment – Mr. Scragg reported activity is down slightly as it is everywhere currently. Mr. Scragg reported that Canal Crossing site is in need of dirt for their site while the airport is in need of getting rid of dirt so the two will get together to help each other with their needs.

B. Retention and Expansion Update – Mr. Scott updated the Board on the progress and success with retention and expansion of current businesses and will keep the board apprised of the progress.

1. Results from Manufacturer Appreciation Week – Mr. Scragg was pleased to report that Gulfstream won the large MAW of the year.

2. Atlanta MAW Dinner and Luncheon – Mr. Scott reported several guests attended the dinner hosted by the Authority and Georgia Power prior to the Luncheon Ceremony.

3. Glynn County Manufacturer’s Nominated, King & Prince Seafood, Pinova, IAP, Georgia Pacific, PaR Marine/Jered and – Mr. Scott reported on several nominations for the MAW from Glynn County and a great turn out.

4. Gulfstream, Georgia’s Large Manufacturer of 2014 – Mr. Scott shared the video for Gulfstream MAW that was posted on Facebook with over 16,000 views.

5. Update on Coastal Business Institute Training – Mr. Scragg reported on the updates from Gary Cross on the 6-9 week course for training on how to start a business in Glynn County.

6. Student Tours of Glynn County Manufacturers – Mr. Scott reported that over 120 students will be participating in the tours of the various manufacturing companies in Glynn County. Mr. Scott will keep the board apprised of the progress.

7. Glynn County Commission Manufacturer’s Appreciation Proclamation – Mr. Scragg shared the framed County Proclamation with the Board and thanked the County Commission for their support.

8. Brunswick City Commission Manufacturer’s Appreciation Proclamation – Mr. Scragg shared the framed City Proclamation with the Board and thanked the City Commission for their support.

C. Airport Cooperation Report –

1. Northside Airport Improvements, Primary Design Study – Mr. Smith reported on the process of putting together a grant for expansion at the airport. The Authority agreed to fund the preliminary engineering study which is an essential part of the application for the 1 million dollar grant for infrastructure for general purpose use.

2. Eastside Airport Improvements – Mr. Scraggs reported that the Authority will also apply for a grant with OneGeorgia for airport improvements. Mr. Scraggs reported that half of the funding will need to be paid by the County (approximately $300,000) and will keep the board apprised of the progress.

D. Leadership Georgia – Mr. Scragg is working in conjunction with the Chamber to welcome the Leadership Georgia to our community. Leadership Georgia is being held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center May 8th thru the 12th.

E. Economic Development Forum – Mr. Scragg reported that the Authority is in the preliminary planning stages of the forum in July and plans to have a venue ready in June.

F. General Need for Infrastructure to our Industrial Areas – Mr. Scragg and Mr. Smith discussed the needs in our community for infrastructure to industrial areas. More to come.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

A. OneGA Fire Suppression Grant Update – Mr. Smith reported that the OneGa project is in the final stages and he will keep the Board apprised of the progress.

B. Gulfstream Expansion Update – Mr. Smith reported that the final design and construction for the Gulfstream expansion is 50% complete with the loan scheduled to close at the end of the week. The groundbreaking is expected in June with a completion date of May 2015.

C. Minority Lending Initiative – Lisa Williams Proposal – Mr. Scragg met with the County Commissioners regarding the funding for a minority initiative in our community. Lisa Williams helped establish Savannah’s minority lending initiative and has sent a proposal to the Authority. Mr. Scragg recommends funding Ms. Williams trip here to discuss the proposal but clarifies that it is not the Authority’s intent to fund the initiative. Mr. Scragg will get clarification on how to move forward with the proposal as it is not in the Authority’s budget to fund it.

A MOTION was made by Mr. King, seconded by Ms. Neu and passed unanimously to approve funding of Mr. Williams trip not to exceed $5,000.

D. 70 Acre Trac Land Swap – Mr. Smith reported that the north end of the 70 acre trac is at very acute angle and would be challenging to build for both the Authority and the owners of the northern side of the trac. The Authority has reached out to the owners of the northern trac and proposed that the Authority would square off the portion with them at a no cost transfer and they have agreed.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Dixon, seconded by Ms. Neu and passed unanimously to approve execution of documents necessary for land exchange.

IX. NEW BUSINESS

A. Board Application Selection and Upcoming Board Opening – Mr. Scragg reported that Mr. Roberts, Mr. Dixon and Mr. King’s terms expire July 31st with Mr. Roberts rolling off the board and Mr. Dixon and Mr. King eligible for another term. Mr. Scragg reported that the Authority will advertise the positions again in the paper. Mr. Scragg will send a letter to all applicants that applied previously to let them know if they are still interested in the position the Authority will reactivate their application on file so they will not have to resend it.

B. Eastgate and McBride Park Water Improvements Contract – Mr. Smith reported that a study from the fall of 2012 by Thomas and Hutton has now been presented to the new Director, Steve Swan and Commissioner Provanzano of the Joint Water and Sewer Commission (JWSC). Mr. Smith discussed a $750,000 no interest loan available for public use from the US Department of Agriculture with Mr. Swan and Commissioner Provanzano. Mr. Smith reported that the US Department of Agriculture may also have an additional $1.1 million interest free loan available but a preliminary engineering study must first be completed in order to qualify for the latter. Thomas and Hutton submitted a bid for $9,450 for the preliminary study. The total cost of the project will be approximately 4.5 million. The balance of the project funding will come from the JWSC financing.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. King and passed unanimously to approve the preliminary engineering study to be awarded to Thomas and Hutton in the amount of $9,450.

X. CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS

Chairman Baxter recommends that Rod Sawall represent the Economic Development Authority as liaison with the Golden Isles Career Academy to begin in May.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Dixon, seconded by Mr. King and passed unanimously to approve Rod Sawall as Economic Development Authority liaison to the Golden Isle Career Academy.

Ms. Melcher announced that Quickstart has begun the Training Need Analysis for Gulfstream and will plan to have a training plan signing event in the near future. Ms. Melcher reported that Quickstart continues to work with King and Prince, Scojet and Quaker City Plating to help facilitate their needs as well.

XI. IMPORTANT DATES

A. Development Authority Board Meeting – 11:30, Monday, June 2, 2014

XII. LEGAL

A. Closed Session – Purchase and Sales of Real Estate, Personnel, Potential Litigation

A MOTION to go into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing the Purchase and Sale of Real Estate, Personnel and Potential Litigation was made by Ms. Neu, seconded by Mr. Dixon and passed unanimously.

A MOTION to return to Open Session was made by Mr. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Roberts and passed unanimously. The Board invited guests to join the Board upon returning to Open Session.

XIII. ADJOURN

A MOTION to adjourn was made by Mr. King, seconded by Ms. Neu and passed unanimously.

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Approved Board Meeting Submitted by:

Attachments may be viewed in the Minutes Book at the Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority office at 4 Glynn Avenue.