Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority

Executive & Government Relations Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Present: Michael Caffery, Vice-Chair; Paula Nelson, Secretary/Treasurer

Absent: Tamara Battles, Chair

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Executive & Government Relations Committee was called to order by Commissioner Caffery at 8:02 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

The Executive Director reported on his current efforts with Kisatchie Delta to possibly enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement. A discussion was held.

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 a.m.

Human Resources Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Present: Paula Nelson

Absent: Zebulon Winstead, Chair; Tamara Battles

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Human Resource Committee was not called to order due to lack of a quorum.

Administration & Legal Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Present: John Carroll, Chair; Jay Sharplin

Absent: None

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Administration & Legal Committee was called to order by Commissioner Carroll at 8:06 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

The Committee heard a report by the CPA regarding the December 2019 draft financials. It was moved by Commissioner Sharplin and seconded by Commissioner Covington to recommend approval of the December 2019 Draft Financials. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Sharplin and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to recommend payment of the December 2019 legal bill. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Sharplin and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to recommend payment of the December 2019 accounting bill. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

There being no further business to come before the Administration & Legal Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 a.m.

Economic Development Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Present: Paula Nelson, Chair; John Carroll; Jay Sharplin

Absent: None

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Economic Development Committee was called to order by Commissioner Nelson at 8:10 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to recommend amending the approval of the grant to the Processional Gathering of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International in the amount not to exceed Five thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the 2020 Louisiana State Convention to reflect a recommendation to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Processional Gathering of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International in the amount not to exceed Five thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the 2020 Louisiana State Convention. There being no comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Sharplin and seconded by Commissioner Carroll recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Alexandria Museum of Arts in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) for the 2020 Exhibition Series. A discussion was held. There being no further comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Sharplin and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with River Oaks Art Center in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) for the 2020 Exhibition Series. A discussion was held. There being no further comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Sharplin and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (CLEDA) in the amount of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) to provide support for the 2020 CLEDA economic development services and programs. A discussion was held. There being no further comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Sharplin and seconded by Commissioner Carroll recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce in the amount of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) to provide support for 2020 programs. There being no comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Future Farmers of America (FFA) in the amount not to exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for the 2020 Convention & Expo. A discussion was held. There being no further comments, motion passed by 2 votes, Commissioner Sharplin recused.

The Committee heard a report from the Executive Director regarding the 2020 Alexandria Dixie Girls World Series. He stated that due to the December 2019 tornado, this item would not be considered. The organization would have to apply for any events it may obtain that directly impacts the city of Alexandria. A discussion was held.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for the 2020 Concert Series. There being no further comments, motion passed by 2 votes, Commissioner Sharplin recused.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Arts Council of Central Louisiana in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) for the 2020 Performing Arts Series. There being no further comments, motion passed by 2 votes, Commissioner Sharplin recused.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Taxidermy Association in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the 2020 Louisiana Taxidermy Association Convention and Competition. There being no further comments, motion passed by 2 votes, Commissioner Sharplin recused.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to recommend approval of a Letter of Intent to fund the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in an amount not to exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for the 2021 State Convention. A discussion was held. There being no comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

There being no further business to come before the Economic Development Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 834 a.m.

Capital Projects Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Present: John Carrol, Jay Sharplin

Absent: None

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Capital Projects Committee was called to order by Commissioner Carroll at 8:35 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

There being no business to come before the Capital Projects Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 a.m.

Operations Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Present: Michael Caffery, Chair; Zebulon Winstead

Absent: None

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Operations Committee was not called to order due to lack of a quorum.

The Executive Administrator commented that staff members are still working on the website and available options.

Regular Meeting Agenda

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Vice-Chair; John Carroll; Jay Sharplin

Absent: Zeb Winstead

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority was called to order by Commissioner Battles at 8:37 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

It was moved by Commissioner Caffery and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to amend the grant to the Processional Gathering of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International in the amount not to exceed Five thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the 2020 Louisiana State Convention to reflect approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Processional Gathering of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International in the amount not to exceed Five thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the 2020 Louisiana State Convention . There being no comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was move by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Alexandria Museum of Arts in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) for the 2020 Exhibition Series. There being no comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was move by Commissioner Caffery and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with River Oaks Art Center in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) for the 2020 Exhibition Series. There being no comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was move by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (CLEDA) in the amount of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) to provide support for the 2020 CLEDA economic development services and programs. There being no comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was move by Commissioner Caffery and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce in the amount of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) to provide support for 2020 programs. There being no comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was move by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Future Farmers of America (FFA) in the amount not to exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for the 2020 Convention & Expo. There being no comments, motion passed by 4 votes, Commissioner Sharplin recused.

It was move by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for the 2020 Concert Series. There being no comments, motion passed by 4 votes, Commissioner Sharplin recused.

It was move by Commissioner Caffery and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Arts Council of Central Louisiana in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) for the 2020 Performing Arts Series. There being no comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was move by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Caffery to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Taxidermy Association in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the 2020 Louisiana Taxidermy Association Convention and Competition. There being no comments, motion passed by 4 votes, Commissioner Sharplin recused.

It was move by Commissioner Caffery and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve a Letter of Intent to support the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in an amount not to exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for the 2021 State Convention. A discussion was held. There being no further comments, motion passed by 4 votes, Commissioner Caffery Opposed.

The Executive Director sated that GAEDA will hold a 2020 Retreat. Recommendations for dates would be sent to the Board.

There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:44 a.m.