Greater Nashville Regional Council

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GNRC

Greater Nashville Regional Council

501 Union Street, 6th Floor

Nashville, Tennessee 37219-1705

Executive Committee Meeting

Wednesday, July 16, 2014–10:45 a.m.

Music City Central

400 Charlotte Avenue

Nashville, Tennessee

MINUTES

THOSE IN ATTENDANCE:

Jimmy Alexander / Nolensville
Rogers Anderson / Williamson County
Howard Bradley / Robertson County
Fred Burton / Wilson County
Mike Carter / Westmoreland
Sam Childs / Coopertown
Philip Craighead / Lebanon
Wayne Hall / Fairview
Gerald Herman / White House
Anthony Holt / Sumner County
Denise McBride / THDA
Ken Moore / Franklin
Beth Sartain / Berry Hill
Robin Wollaeger / Ashland City
Ken Wilber / Portland
Tauna Blaisdell / GNRC
Patty Cavanah / GNRC
Sam Edwards / GNRC
Amanda Evilcizer / GNRC
Amanda Giner / GNRC-MADC
Grant Green / GNRC
Chad Hayes / GNRC
Jovia King / GNRC
Norma Powell / GNRC
Tim Roach / GNRC
Matt Von Lunen / GNRC
Nathan Wade III / GNRC
Gayle Wilson / GNRC

CALL TO ORDER

President Rogers Anderson called the Executive Committee Meeting to order at approximately 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2014at the Music City Central Station, 400 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee.

President Anderson welcomed any new members and guests.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

AREA AGENCY ON AGING AND DISABILITY

Norma Powell, Director of Area Agency on Aging and Disability, reported that 40+ agencies are partnering with GNRC’s Home and Community Based Services program. However, TennCare has reduced their rates by 1% so staff is in the process of issuing amendments to the 2015 fully executed contracts to reflect this change.

Catholic Charities has now become a partner and we’ve received $18,000 through the United Way for the Evidenced Based Program. Clients involved will be in this program for six (6) weeks.

Since last meeting, two (2) staff members have left GNRC, one through retirement and the other through relocation to the West Coast. Ms. Powell introduced Chad Hayes and Nathan Wade III.

TDEC PERSONNEL AND PROGRAM UPDATE

Meredith Benton, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), shared that TDEC has made changes to improve consistency throughout Tennessee.

Field Office Staffing includes:

Bill McCabe, Air Pollution Control615-687-7046

Jim Barnes, Underground Storage Tanks 615-687-7018

Ann Morbitt, Water Resources615-687-7119

Evan Spann, Remediation615-687-7032

Jason Repsher, Solid Waste Management615-687-7019

Beth Shelton, Radiological Health615-687-7017

Ms. Benton explained these changes involved having a Deputy Director for Field Office Operations and state-wide procedures instead of the individual region’s procedures. Public participation and input is being encouraged.

Ms. Benton urged members to check out the Customer Focused Government website: to see customer satisfaction. The state is averaging 85% extremely satisfied or satisfied on the surveys.

Ms. Benton announced that approximately $1 million in revenue had been gained during the last eight (8) months with on-line registration for the Tennessee State Parks. One can complete online reservations for the state parks at

Mr. Peter W

DRIVE TO 55 INITIATIVE AND THE TENNESSEE PROMISE

Michael Krause, Executive Director of Drive to 55, stated that the economic and community development problem is masquerading as an education problem. Vacancies cannot be filled because residents do not have the education. Governor Haslam’s Drive to 55/Tennessee Promise is gear to correct this problem.

Tennessee Promise will begin with the Class of 2015 and provide Tennessee high school graduates the opportunity to attend a community or technical college free of tuition and fees. The communities will also be engaged in this process as they will be partners with community leaders and local stakeholders to establish Tennessee Promise advisory counties that will assist in recruiting volunteer mentors, educate students and parents about the program and advocate for postsecondary education in their communities.

This program is hoping to capture the first generation college students. Every student will have a mentor and there will be no academic requirements. Each student will be asked to give back through 8 hours of community service for each term enrolled and semester funded. No student will have to say, “I can’t afford college.” Students must also attend two (2) mandatory meetings in order to retain their scholarship.

Mr. Krause urged members if they have any questions or wish to have someone come to their city/county to explain this program and how Tennessee Promise is a community drive process.

Community and technical colleges will sit with employers to determine what courses would be needed and these courses would be offered.

Another program is Tennessee Reconnect which is aimed at helping adults earn a postsecondary credential. As part of the Reconnect initiative, Tennessee adults will be able to attend and earn a certificate at one of Tennessee’s 27 colleges of applied technology (TCATs) completely free of tuition and fees.

A copy of both programs are attached and made part of these minutes.

Governor Haslam has met with Western Governors University (WGU) and has asked them to come to Tennessee. WGU-TN would be $3,000 per 6-month term. At present there is no state financial help but participants may be eligible for the Pell Grant.

Portland Mayor Ken Wilber asked Mr. Krause if there were any plans to offer a 25% discount on tuition for governmental entities and not just the education system.

Peter Westerholm, Office of Energy Programs, announced that TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs is launching a second open competitive proposal process to allocate Federal Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) to local governments. A copy of the handout is attached and made a part of these minutes.

MID-CUMBERLAND AREA DEVELOMENT CORPORATION

Amanda Giner, Acting MADC Director, thanked everyone that had returned their MADC Board Appointment forms. MADC’s website: all loan programs.

Ms. Giner urged members to contact MADC staff if they have any questions or wish to have staff meet with potential borrowers.

RESEARCH, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Tim Roach, Deputy Executive Director of Research, Planning and Development, reported:

• Research – Grant Green, Chief of Research, is updating the GNRC website to include information on the county level. We want GNRC’s website to be a resource for our cities and counties. Census data, including estimated figures, is in the process of being put on our website. Also placed on our website are the resolutions which govern dues cost and which figures to use.

• Planning – all expected planning contracts except for one (1) has been received.
  
• Development – We are anticipating assisting in the FastTrack Grant application process this year. Staff has submitted one for Trousdale County for this grant cycle. The Community Block Grant Program submission date for applications is fast approaching. At present we have two (2) communities who are resubmitting their applications. We hope to hear this fall about the applications awarded.

Ms. Robin Wollaeger, Ashland City, reported that Ashland City does not meet CDBG requirements due to having to use Cheatham County data which puts them into a higher tier.

Mr. Roach explained that due to other smaller cities with needs being eliminated due to county incomes, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development is researching how best to look at income needs separately for cities and counties. Mr. Roach has been informally told that this may happen the next CDBG cycle. They are aware of the problem and we are strongly encouraging the change to keep these communities.

SALE/MOVE UPDATE

Sam Edwards, Executive Director/Chief Legal Counsel, reported that there has been no progress made.

ACTION ITEMS

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

President Rogers Anderson called for corrections or additions to the minutes of the June 18, 2014Executive Committee meeting.

Robertson County Mayor Howard Bradley made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Portland Mayor Ken Wilber seconded the motion. There being no discussion, a vote was taken and the minutes were unanimously approved.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Tauna Blaisdell, Deputy Executive Director of Administration/Operations and Chief Fiscal Officer, presented the financial report for the month ending June 30, 2014. The total expenditures for the month of June were $466,032.56with $33,751.07in pass through funds for the THDA Emergency Repair Program and other aging programs. Year-to-date expenditures were $8,196,269.46 with $3,245,938.95 in pass through funds expended. The total revenues were $9,334,870.95. Ms. Blaisdell explained that at least two (2) months of aging expenditures have not yet been completed.

Robertson County Mayor Howard Bradley made a motion to accept the financial report as given. Franklin Mayor Ken Moore seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously passed.

PROJECT REVIEW

Tim Roach, Deputy Executive Director of Research, Planning and Development, presented three (3) new projects that were reviewed this reporting period. Staff found no conflict with existing or planned activities and recommended approval.

Lebanon Mayor Philip Craighead made a motion to approve the projects as submitted. Robertson County Mayor Howard Bradley seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously passed.

President Anderson reported that the Finance and Personnel Committee met prior to this meeting to review the resolutions and recommended approval.

RESOLUTION GNRC 2015-01

Sam Edwards, Executive Director/Chief Legal Counsel, presented Resolution GNRC 2015-01: Establishing Procedures for Public Inspection of, Access to, and Duplication of Public Records.

Mr. Edwards explained GNRC had recently determined there was a need for policy on copy requests of public records. According to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-501, et seq.)

Discussion determined that under procedures regarding access to and inspection of public records, item (3) 2. And changing the color copy price from $.15 per page produced to $.50 per page produced.

Robertson County Mayor Howard Bradley made a motion to approve Resolution GNRC 2015-01: Establishing Procedures for Public Inspection of, Access to, and Duplication of Public Records as presented. Westmoreland Mayor Mike Carter seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously passed.

RESOLUTION GNRC 2015-02

Sam Edwards, Executive Director/Chief Legal Counsel, presented Resolution GNRC 2015-02: Authorizing State Required Bonds.

Mr. Edwards explained that this resolution authorizes the President to execute the statutorily required bonds and brings GNRC into compliance under Tennessee Code Annotated § 64-7-109.

Franklin Mayor Ken Moore made a motion to approve Resolution GNRC 2015-02: Authorizing State Required Bonds as presented. Sumner County Executive Anthony Holt seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously passed.

OTHER BUSINESS

President Anderson reminded everyone that the 47th Annual Business Meeting and Awards Banquet will be held September 18, 2014 in Williamson County. Location and times will be sent out at a later date.

Sam Edwards, GNRC Executive Director/Chief Legal Counsel, reminded everyone that a legislative meeting similar to October 2013 would be held October 2014.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Patty Cavanah

Recording Secretary

Executive Administrative Assistant/Fiscal Assistant

SHE/pyc

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