March 15, 2022

Executive & Government Relations Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Present: Dr. Curtis Lewis, Chair, Mr. Stephen McGee, Vice-Chair

Absent: Ms. Candice Cheney, Secretary/Treasurer

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Executive & Government Relations Committee was called to order by Commissioner Lewis at 8:05 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

Legal Counsel to administer Oath of Office to Ms. Tracye Snow.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Lewis to recommend approval of the GAEDA Rules of Procedures. There being no public comments. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Committee heard a presentation from Ms. Elizabeth A. Domite, Chief Financial Officer for the Rapides Parish School Board requesting support for the upcoming District 62 Bond for Rapides Parish Schools. A discussion was held.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Lewis to recommend a resolution of support for the upcoming District 62 Bond for Rapides Parish Schools. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Lewis to recommend restructuring the committees to the following:

• • Executive, Administration, and Legal
• • Governmental Relations Committee
• • Capital Project Committee
• • Economic Development Committee
• • Operations and HR Committee

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 8:27 a.m.

Administration & Legal Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Present: Mr. Steven R. McGee, Chair; Dr. Curtis Lewis

Absent: Ms. Candice Cheney

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Administration & Legal Committee was called to order by Commissioner McGee at 8:28 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

The Committee heard a report from the CPA regarding the February 2022 Financial Statements. A discussion was held.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner McGee to recommend approval of the February 2022 Financial Statements. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner McGee to recommend ratifying the payment of the February 2022 Accounting Bill. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner McGee ratifying the payment of the February 2022 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 8:11 a.m.

Economic Development Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Present: Mr. Steven R. McGee, Chair; Ms. Renee White-Goolsby; Charles Frederick Smith; Mr. John Carroll

Absent: None

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Economic Development Committee was called to order by Commissioner McGee at 8:12 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner McGee to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alexandria in an amount not to exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for meals and advertisement/marketing of the 2022 Steubenville South High School Youth Conference to be held June 24-26, 2022. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner McGee-Yes Commissioner White-Goolsby- No Commissioner Smith-Absent Commissioner Carroll-Yes Motion passed by 2/3 votes

The Committee heard a discussion regarding a grant request from L.S. Rugg Elementary School in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for the Ambassador Club/Student Leaders project. The Executive Director commented that he would contact the superintendent to discuss.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Central Louisiana Urban Businesses (C.L.U.B.) /Cares in an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for advertisement/marketing of the 2022 Community Business Academy Program April – June 2022. Commissioner White-Goolsby recused herself from voting. Motion died for lack of a second.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner McGee to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Rapides Parish Coliseum in an amount not to exceed Twenty-Three Thousand Dollars ($23,000) for advertisement/marketing and meals for the artists to assist with the “Franky Beverly and Maze” Concert to be held June 3, 2022. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner McGee to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Rapides Parish Coliseum in an amount not to exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for advertisement/marketing and meals for the artist to assist with the “Oak Ridge Boys” Concert to be held October 22, 2022. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner McGee to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners (LANP) in an amount not to exceed Twenty-Seven Thousand Dollars ($27,000) for meals at the 28th Annual LANP Conference to be held October 6-9, 2022, at the Randolph Riverfront Center in Alexandria, LA. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

The motion to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the C & R Mentors in an amount not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for the 2022 A Night Under the Lights with Lenny Williams (featuring Karen Wolfe) was tabled so Legal Counsel can research whether there are any legal restrictions on prohibiting GAEDA from granting funds to individuals seeking public office or to organizations represented by persons seeking public office.

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:16 a.m.

Capital Projects Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Present: Mr. Steven R. McGee, Chair; Mr. John Carroll; Ms. Trayce Snow

Absent: None

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Capital Projects Committee was called to order by Commissioner McGee at 9:17 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 9:17 a.m.

Operations Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Present: Ms. Renee White-Goolsby; Ms. Trayce Snow

Absent: Ms. Candice Cheney, Chair

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Operation’s Committee was called to order by Commissioner White-Goolsby at 9:18 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 9:18 a.m.

Human Resources Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Present: Ms. Renee White-Goolsby; Ms. Trayce Snow

Absent: Ms. Candice Cheney, Chair

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Human Resources Committee was called to order by Commissioner White-Goolsby at 9:18 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:19 a.m.

Regular Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Present: Dr. Curtis Lewis, Chair; Mr. Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair; Mr. John Carroll Mr. Charles Frederick Smith; Ms. Renee White-Goolsby; Ms. Trayce Snow

Absent: Ms. Candice Cheney, Secretary/Treasurer

The monthly regular meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority was called to order by Commissioner Lewis at 9:20 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Lewis to approve the March 2022 Consent Agenda. There being no public comments. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to approve the GAEDA Rules of Procedures. There being no public comments. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to approve a resolution of support for the upcoming District 62 Bond for Rapides Parish Schools. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to approve restructuring the committees to the following:

• • Executive, Administration, and Legal
• • Governmental Relations Committee
• • Capital Project Committee
• • Economic Development Committee
• • Operations and HR Committee

There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alexandria in an amount not to exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for meals and advertisement/marketing of the 2022 Steubenville South High School Youth Conference to be held June 24-26, 2022. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Lewis-Yes Commissioner McGee-Yes Commissioner Cheney- Absent Commissioner Carroll-Yes Commissioner Smith-Absent Commissioner White-Goolsby- No Commissioner Snow- Yes Motion passed by 4/6 votes

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Central Louisiana Urban Businesses (C.L.U.B.) /Cares in an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for advertisement/marketing of the 2022 Community Business Academy Program April – June 2022. Commissioner White-Goolsby recused herself from voting. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Lewis-No Commissioner McGee- No Commissioner Cheney- Absent Commissioner Carroll-Yes Commissioner Smith-Absent Commissioner White-Goolsby- Recused Commissioner Snow- No Motion failed.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Rapides Parish Coliseum in an amount not to exceed Twenty-Three Thousand Dollars ($23,000) for advertisement/marketing and meals for the artists to assist with the “Franky Beverly and Maze” Concert to be held June 3, 2022. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Lewis-Yes Commissioner McGee-Yes Commissioner Cheney- Absent Commissioner Carroll-Yes Commissioner Smith-Absent Commissioner White-Goolsby- Yes Commissioner Snow- Yes There being no public comment, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner McGee to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Rapides Parish Coliseum in an amount not to exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for advertisement/marketing and meals for the artist to assist with the “Oak Ridge Boys” Concert to be held October 22, 2022. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Lewis-Yes Commissioner McGee-Yes Commissioner Cheney- Absent Commissioner Carroll-Yes Commissioner Smith-Absent Commissioner White-Goolsby- Yes Commissioner Snow- Yes There being no public comment, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Snow and seconded by Commissioner McGee to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners (LANP) in an amount not to exceed Twenty-Seven Thousand Dollars ($27,000) for meals at the 28th Annual LANP Conference to be held October 6-9, 2022, at the Randolph Riverfront Center in Alexandria, LA. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Lewis-Yes Commissioner McGee-Yes Commissioner Cheney- Absent Commissioner Carroll-Yes Commissioner Smith-Absent Commissioner White-Goolsby- Yes Commissioner Snow- Yes There being no public comment, motion passed by unanimous vote.

The motion to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the C & R Mentors in an amount not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for the 2022 A Night Under the Lights with Lenny Williams (featuring Karen Wolfe) was tabled so that Legal Counsel can research whether there are any legal restrictions on prohibiting GAEDA from granting funds to individuals seeking public office or to organizations represented by persons seeking public office.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner McGee to add to the agenda a motion to authorize Legal Counsel to research with regards to whether there are any legal restrictions on prohibiting GAEDA from granting funds to individuals seeking public office or to organizations represented by persons seeking public office. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Lewis-Yes Commissioner McGee-Yes Commissioner Cheney- Absent Commissioner Carroll-Yes Commissioner Smith-Absent Commissioner White-Goolsby- Yes Commissioner Snow- Yes There being no public comment, motion was added by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to authorize Legal Counsel to research with regards to whether there are any legal restrictions on prohibiting GAEDA from granting funds to individuals seeking public office or to organizations represented by persons seeking public office. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Lewis-Yes Commissioner McGee-Yes Commissioner Cheney- Absent Commissioner Carroll-Yes Commissioner Smith-Absent Commissioner White-Goolsby- Yes Commissioner Snow- Yes There being no public comment, motion passed by unanimous vote.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:37 a.m.