Forest Park/Fort Gillem Local Redevelopment Authority
Board of Directors Meeting
May 30, 2007
Minutes
A called meeting of the Forest Park/Fort Gillem Local Redevelopment Authority was held on Wednesday, May 30, 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; Wes Lord.
Staff, Legal Counsel and Others: Fred Bryant, Executive Director; Phil Browning, Executive Director, GMACC; Frank Barton, DOD OEA; Herb Wolverton, Base Transition Coordinator-Fort Gillem; 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 table the minutes of the May 23rd meeting, seconded by David Halcome. The Board voted unanimously to table the minutes.
Chairman’s Announcements and Comments:
Shane Short strongly reminded members of the meeting with the Army BRAC Office at City Hall at 10AM on May 31st as well as the Public Meeting from 7-9 PM on May 31st at City Hall.
He reminded the Board of the July ADC Meeting in Miami and encouraged the members to take contact Fred Bryant who will take care of registration, travel and hotel arrangements.
Executive Director’s Update:
None.
Old Business:
The Board of Directors discussed the alternative reuse plans and the staff recommendation to select Alternative A as the Preferred Alternative and an Economic Development Conveyance (EDC) as the preferred disposition tool. Wes Lord indicated Alternative A offered the best economic engine for the community and ensured that Forest Park would remain one community connected by Main Street to Hood Avenue. John Parker discussed how Alternative A enables the overall development of the city now and in the future. He requested continued negotiations with the Army to allow the direct connection of Main Street and Hood Avenue without having to pursue a route off Forest Parkway or elsewhere. David Halcome agreed and was pleased with how green space and the light industrial areas were dealing with potential environmental constraints. Forrest Robinson commented that Alternative A can be redrawn to directly connect Main Street to Hood Avenue, and that Alternative A is the most economically sustainable. He also described possible light industrial uses in response to a question by Cynthia Easley. David Halcome made a motion to select Alternative A as the Preferred Alternative Reuse Plan provided that it is amended to depicit a road network directly connecting Forest Park with Fort Gillem via Main Street to Hood Avenue and the EDC as the preferred disposition tool, seconded by Corine Deyton. The Board voted unanimously to approve the motion.
The Board of Directors then discussed the homeless provider notices of interest and the staff recommendation to negotiate with Clayton County Community Services Authority and Calvary Refuge to accommodate the need for a facility for women and male children ages 11-17. John Parker made a motion to go into executive session to discuss a property acquisition matter, seconded by Wes Lord. The Board voted unanimously to approve the motion. The Board entered executive session at 6:25 and adjourned to reenter open session at 6:40.
Sparkle Adams made a motion to authorize the Executive Director and Legal Counsel to negotiate with Clayton County Community Services Authority and Calvary Refuge to provide the emergency shelter for women with male children ages 11-17 per their Notice of Interest at 4265 Thurmond Road, Forest Park, GA, such negotiations to include the stipulation that should the facility cease to be used for homeless services the facility, or the value thereof, shall revert to the Forest Park/Fort Gillem Implementation LRA, seconded by John Parker. The Board voted unanimously to approve the motion.
New Business:
Fred Bryant discussed the reuse plan and homeless application submission timeline of June 22, 2007, and indicated it may be necessary to request a 30-day extension from the Army and US Dept of HUD in order to complete the homeless application and legally binding documents. Wes Lord made a motion to authorize the Chairman to send a request for a 30 to 45-day extension to the Army and HUD should the need arise, seconded by Donald Judson. The Board voted unanimously to approve the motion.
Shane Short recommended the Board select a vice Chairperson who could run the agenda in his absence. Donald Judson made a motion to select John Parker as the Vice Chair, seconded by Wes Lord. The Board voted unanimously to approve the motion.
Open Discussion:
Wes Lord commended the consulting team and staff for the hard work to date.
Wes Lord made a motion to cancel the regular June Board meeting, seconded by John Parker. The Board voted unanimously to approve the motion.
Adjournment:
A motion was made by John Parker to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Corine Deyton. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Recorded By:
Executive Director
Approved:
July 25, 2007
Fred E. Bryant
Executive Director