Forest Park/Fort Gillem Local Redevelopment Authority

Board of Directors Meeting

 

May 23, 2007

Minutes

 

 

A regular meeting of the Forest Park/Fort Gillem Local Redevelopment Authority was held on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at the Forest Park City Hall, 745 Forest Parkway, Forest Park, GA 30297.

 

Board Members: Mr. Shane Short, Chairman; Sparkle Adams; Cynthia Easley for Mike Beatty; Corine Deyton; David Halcome; Donald Judson; John Parker; Debbie Youmans.

 

Staff, Legal Counsel and Others: Fred Bryant, Executive Director; Phil Browning, Executive Director, GMACC; Frank Barton and COL David Jones, DOD OEA; Herb Wolverton, Base Transition Coordinator-Fort Gillem; Glynn Ryan, BRAC Office, Fort McPherson; Victor Bonilla, BRAC Environmental Coordinator; Wyn Seille, Army Corps of Engineers; Richard Jenkins, GA DOL.

 

Chairman Short called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. It was determined that a quorum was present. The following matters were addressed:

 

Approval of Minutes:   John Parker made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 25th meeting, seconded by David Halcome. The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes. 

      

Chairman’s Announcements and Comments:

Shane Short strongly encouraged members of the LRA Board of Directors to participate in the Public Meeting from 7-9 PM on May 31st at City Hall. The Board approved Preferred Alternative Reuse Plan and Homeless Accommodation will be presented.

 

He reminded the Board of the July ADC Meeting in Miami and encouraged the members to take advantage of this important informational opportunity. Board members were asked to contact Fred Bryant who will take care of registration, travel and hotel arrangements.  

 

Executive Director’s Update:

Fred Bryant briefly discussed the May 3rd and 10th meetings with the Army and Fort Gillem environmental staffs, the GA EPD, and environmental contractors. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss and finalize a site investigation work plan to provide additional background information required by GA EPD before they can complete a risk assessment and advise as to an appropriate remediation plan.

 

He informed the Board that ARC and GA DOL, in consultation with the Governor’s Staff, had decided to cancel an earlier workforce grant. That grant will now be used to complete a life science workforce study that could positively impact Forts McPherson, Gillem and Athens.  Forest Park and the LRA are still eligible to apply for other multi-year grants to accomplish workforce studies and/or evaluate the need for a Transitional Benefit Corporation.

 

The Consulting Team has provided a rough draft of its Phase II Report for review and comment. Fred has forwarded recommended changes to Forrest Robinson. The final report will be available on or before June 1st, 2007.

 

Army BRAC Office will meet with the LRA leadership at 10AM, May 31st, at City Hall to discuss transfer timelines and disposition strategies and tools. The results will be briefed at the June LRA meeting.

 

Victor Bonilla, BRAC Environmental Coordinator discussed the NEPA process and public meetings. Anticipate having a public meeting at City Hall in July 2007.

 

Old Business:

None.   

 

 New Business:

Shane Short asked Herb Smetheram, Cousins LNR Consulting Team, to provide an update a briefing on the on the three updated alternate reuse plans under development for Fort Gillem. Herb provided each board member a packet that contained pros and cons for each possible reuse plan and updated maps. He then discussed how each plan supported overall redevelopment goals, each plan’s economic feasibility and long term sustainability, and each plan’s handling of environmental constraints. After Board discussion and questions, Fred Bryant recommended that the Board approved Alternative A as the preferred reuse alternative, and an Economic development conveyance as the preferred disposition tool.  The Board deferred decision until May 30th.

 

Fred Bryant discussed the homeless outreach process, the four notices of interest (NOI) submitted by homeless service providers by the September 25th deadline, and the two late notices. He provided each Board member a packet that contained a copy of the legal notice requesting NOIs, the agenda and attendance list for the July 13, 2006 outreach meeting, the four timely notices of interest, and a matrix that described each project and known or estimated costs. He indicated that Clayton County Community Services Authority had clarified its support for Cavalry Refuge Center’s project rather than requesting a separate facility. Base on the priorities set by the Clayton Task Force to End Homelessness, the demonstrated experience and history of the provider, the scope of the project, and cost estimates, Fred recommended the Board approve staff and legal enter into negotiations with the Clayton County Community Services Authority and Cavalry Refuge to draft agreements required to accommodate their NOI. Fred also advised the Board they may approve additional accommodations based one the other two timely NOIs. The Board deferred decision until May 30th.     

 

 

Open Discussion:

None.

 

Shane Short reminded the Board of the Called Meeting on May 30th, 2007, at 6PM at City Hall. He also advised that the regular monthly June meeting scheduled for June 27th may be rescheduled due to conflicts.

 

Adjournment:

A motion was made by David Halcome to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by John Parker. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Recorded By:

 

Fred Bryant, Forest Park/Fort Gillem LRA

Executive Director

 

 

Approved:

 

July 25, 2007

 

 

Fred E. Bryant

Executive Director