Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority

Special Call Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Thursday, January 27, 2022

Treasurer; Curtis Lewis; Renee White-Goolsby Charles Frederick Smith

Absent: None

The Special Call Meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority (GAEDA) was called to order by Commissioner Carroll at 8:02 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

A discussion was held regarding the proposed Rules of Procedure for GAEDA. Legal Counsel was informed to submit a final draft for approval at the next meeting.

A discussion was held regarding the 2022 Election of Officers. The board agreed to have the 2022 election at the next regular scheduled meeting on February 15, 2022.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner McGee to approve the December 2021 Consent Agenda. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve a Lease Agreement with 24K, LLC for one year (1). A discussion was held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner McGee to approve the 2022 Accounting Engagement Letter from Knight Masden, CPA’s- A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve the 2022 Engagement Letter from The Law Firm of Tiffany N. Sanders. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with General Athletics in an amount not to exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Basketball Tournament Bid Fee; an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to assist with meals and advertisement; and an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to assist with meals of the 2022 Tennis Invitational. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Absent There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Alexandria Museum of Arts in the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) for the 2022 Exhibits. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-No There being no public comments, motion passed by 5 votes.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner McGee to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the River Oaks Art Center in the amount of TwentySeven Thousand Dollars ($27,000) for the 2022 GAEDA Educational Series and other /Exhibitions. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner McGee to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra in the amount of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for the 2022 Concerts. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-No Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-No There being no public comments, motion passed by 4 votes.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Arts Council of Central Louisiana in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) for the 2022 Performing Arts Series. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner McGee to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Alexandria Baseball Foundation in an amount not to exceed Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500) to assist with meals and advertising for the 2022 Red River Prep Classic Baseball Tournament. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote. It was moved by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner Lewis to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Manna House in an amount not to exceed Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000) to assist with meals and advertising of the 2022 APT/Coca Cola Professional Golf Tour. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-No Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-No There being no public comments, motion passed by 4 votes.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Lewis to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Alexandria/Pineville Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men’s/Women’s Opening Round Basketball Tournament Bid Fee. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner McGee to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars in an amount not to exceed Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000) to assist with meals for the 2022 Mid-Winter Conference; in an amount not to exceed Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000) to assist with meals for the 2022 Council of Administration Meeting and an amount not to exceed Nine Thousand Dollars (9,000) to assist with meals for the 2022 State Convention. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner McGee to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs in an amount not to exceed Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000) to assist with meals for the 2022 Regional Training Conference. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Friends of Bringhurst in an amount not to exceed Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500) to assist with for meals and advertisement for the 2022 Bayou Rapides Junior Invitational. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner White-Goolsby to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Alexandria/Pineville Conventions and Visitors Bureau (CVB) in an amount not to exceed $20,000 for co-hosting the 2022 Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) Annual meeting. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Board heard a report regarding the proposed Rules of Procedure document prepared by Legal Counsel. The item will appear on the February 2022 agenda for final approval.

The Board also discussed the 2022 Election of Officers. The election of officers will be conducted at the February 2022 meeting.

The Chair called to order a Public Hearing regarding the 2022 Budget.

It was moved by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner White-Goolsby to adopt the 2022 Budget. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner White-Goolsby to approve the 2021 Budget Amendments. A discussion held. A roll call vote was as follows: John Carroll, Chair-Yes Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair-Yes Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Yes Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Executive Director thanked all for attending. He stated that another group of applications will be processed for the next meeting. He also commented on a conversation with Commissioner Lewis regarding local events. Mr. Moller stated that Commissioner Lewis proposed GAEDA sponsoring college of high school events and pair it with local festivals to create a weekend or multiple day experience. A discussion was held.

The Executive Administrator commented that GAEDA Commissioners and staff have been invited to the Alexandria Regional Black Chamber of Commerce Business Mixer. The event is scheduled for Friday, February 19, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at the Hotel Bentley. The event is free and formal attire is required.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 855 a.m.