December 14, 2021

Executive & Government Relations Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Present: John Carroll, Chair; Stephen McGee, Vice-Chair; Candice Cheney, Secretary/Treasurer

Absent: None

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Executive & Government Relations Committee was called to order by Commissioner Carroll at 8:00 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

There being no business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 a.m.

Administration & Legal Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Present: Steven R. McGee, Chair; Zebulon Winstead

Absent: Candice Cheney

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

The Committee heard a report from John Theriot, of Knight Masden CPA Firm, on the November 2021 Financial Statements. A discussion was held.

The Committee held a discussion regarding the 2022 Proposed Budget. A discussion was held. Mr. Theriot informed the Committee that a Notice of Public Hearing will be placed in the official Journal and the final Budget with 2021 Budget Amendments will appear on the January 2022 agenda for final adoption.

It was moved by Commissioner Winstead and seconded by Commissioner McGee to recommend approval of the November 2021 Financial Statements. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Winstead and seconded by Commissioner McGee to recommend ratifying the payment of the November 2021 Accounting Bill. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Winstead and seconded by Commissioner McGee to recommend ratifying the payment of the November 2021 Legal Bill. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 a.m.

Economic Development Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Present: Zebulon Winstead, Chair; Curtis Lewis

Absent: Steven R. McGee

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Economic Development Committee was called to order by Commissioner Winstead at 8:15 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

There being no business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 a.m.

Capital Projects Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Present: Zebulon Winstead, Chair Steven R. McGee

Absent: Candice Cheney

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Capital Projects Committee was called to order by Commissioner Winstead at 8:17 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

There being no business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:18 a.m.

Operations Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Present: Curtis Lewis; Renee White-Goolsby

Absent: Charles F. Smith, Chair

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Operation’s Committee was called to order by Commissioner Lewis at 8:18 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

There being no business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:18 a.m.

Human Resources Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Present: Curtis Lewis

Absent: Candice Cheney, Chair; Charles F. Smith

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Human Resources Committee was called to order by Commissioner Cheney at 8:19 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was not present.

There being no business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 a.m.

Regular Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Treasurer; Zebulon Winstead; Curtis Lewis; Renee White-Goolsby

Absent: Charles Frederick Smith

The monthly regular meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority was called to order by Commissioner Carroll at 8:18 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

It was moved by Commissioner Winstead and seconded by Commissioner Goolsby 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 Zebulon Winstead-Yes Charles Frederick Smith-Absent Curtis Lewis-Yes Renee White-Goolsby-Yes There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Board held final discussions regarding the 2022 Proposed Budget. There being no comments, the Executive Administrator commented that a Notice of Public Hearing will be placed in the official Journal. The Motion to adopt the 2022 Budget will appear on the January 2022 Agenda for approval.

The Executive Director gave a status report on several projects he and other commissioners are working on. They include but are not limited to the following:

Potential cooperative endeavor with the Rapides Sheriff’s office and golf courses in the city for at-risk youth. A discussion was held.

Potential cooperative endeavor with Rugg Elementary Ambassador Program project. Mr. Moller commented that Commissioner McGee initiated conversations with the principal of the school to see how GAEDA can assist with the program if it meets GAEDA’s criteria for funding. A discussion was held.

Potential cooperative endeavor with a company regarding a Hydroponic Plant Project. The Executive Director stated that this endeavor will include partners such as Kisatchie Delta. A discussion was held.

The Executive Director commented on the strong fiscal year GAEEDA has had despite Covid and other events during the year. He further stated that GAEDA will continue to research ways to spend funds on reasonable, mission-related programs and events.

The Executive Director concluded his report by stating that GAEDA plans to begin holding monthly meetings in person starting in January 2022. A discussion was held.

Commissioner McGee reiterated the comments made by the Executive Director regarding the Rugg Elementary Ambassador Program. A discussion was held. He commented that the program will aim to train children to be business owners and leaders in the community and ask the Board for support in this endeavor.

Commissioner Winstead commented that he concurs with the Executive Directors outlook for 2022. He stated that he believes that the new infrastructure bill for Louisiana will be a game changer for the state. He also stated that he will be submitting a resignation letter in the afternoon. A discussion was held.

Ms. Sherry Ellington, Executive Director of the Alexandria Conventions and Visitor’s Bureau, commented that she agrees with the Executive Director that GAEDA and the CVB are in good financial position and that she looks forward to a continued partnership with GAEDA.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:37 a.m.