February 28, 2023

Executive, Administration and Legal Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Present: Mr. Stephen McGee, Chair; Dr. Curtis Lewis Vice-Chair; Ms. Trayce Snow, Secretary/Treasurer

Absent: None

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Executive, Administration and Legal Committee was called to order by Commissioner McGee at 8:01 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Snow to recommend approval of the January 2023 Financial Statements. The Committee heard a report from John Theriot, Knight Masden CPA’s regarding the Financial Statements. A discussion was held. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Snow to recommend ratifying payment of the January 2023 Legal Bill. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Snow to recommend ratifying payment of the January 2023 Accounting 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 8:06 a.m.

Governmental Relations Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Present: Ms. Candice Cheney, Chair; Dr. Curtis Lewis; Mr. Chris Patel

Absent: None

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Governmental Relations Committee was called to order by Commissioner Cheney at 8:06a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

Legal Counsel gave an overview of the 2010 Intergovernmental Agreement between GAEDA and the City of Alexandria. A discussion was held. The Committee agreed to discuss the matter further at a Special Call meeting to be held on Tuesday, Mar 7, 2023, at 3:00p.m. at the GAEDA office.

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:21 a.m.

Economic Development Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Present: Dr. Curtis Lewis, Chair; Trayce Snow; Mr. John Carroll; Mr. Chris Patel

Absent: None

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Economic Development Committee was called to order by Commissioner Lewis at 8:22 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Snow to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Alexandria Dixie Girls Softball in the amount not to exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) to assist with meals and advertisement of the Dixie Softball World Series to be held July 28, 2023 -August 3, 2023. Mr. Brian Thompson of the Dixie Softball World Series gave a brief overview of the event. A discussion was held. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Lewis-Yes Commissioner Snow-Yes Commissioner Carroll-Yes Commissioner Patel-Yes

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Snow to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Today’s Praise and Worship, Inc. in an amount not to exceed Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500) to assist with advertisement and marketing of the Southern Gospel Gathering to be held April 21, 2023. Mr. Steve Woodham, CEO of Today’s Praise and Worship, Inc. gave a brief overview of the event. A discussion was held. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Lewis-Yes Commissioner Snow-Yes Commissioner Carroll-Yes Commissioner Patel-Yes

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Snow to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Horsepower Promotions in an amount not to exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) to assist with advertisement and marketing of the Jeff Foxworthy-The Good Old Days Tour to be held April 1, 2023. Mr. Rick Reno, Executive Director of the Rapides Parish Coliseum gave a brief overview of the event. A discussion was held. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Lewis-Yes Commissioner Snow-Yes Commissioner Carroll-Yes Commissioner Patel-Yes

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Snow to recommend approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in an amount not to exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) to assist with the bid fee for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men/Women’s Opening Round Tournament to be held March 6-8, 2023. Ms. Shirley Ingram of the Alexandria/Pineville Convention’s and Visitors Bureau gave a brief overview of the report. A discussion was held. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner Lewis-Yes Commissioner Snow-Yes Commissioner Carroll-Yes Commissioner Patel-Yes

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:56 a.m.

Capital Projects Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Present: Ms. Trayce Snow Chair; Mr. John Carroll; Ms. Candice Cheney

Absent: None

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Capital Projects Committee was called to order by Commissioner Snow at 8:57 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

The Executive Director gave a report regarding the appraisal of 1751 Jackson Street. A discussion was held. He further reported that Ms. Heather Urena, Executive Director of Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning & Development District would be working on obtaining a grant to assist with the acquisition of a building. A discussion was held. There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:04 a.m.

Operations & Human Resources Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Present: Mr. John Carroll, Chair; Dr. Curtis Lewis; Ms. Renee White-Goolsby

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Operations and Human Resource Committee was called to order by Commissioner Carroll at 9:04 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

The Executive Administrator informed the Committee of the required Annual Training for commissioners and staff. She stated that all commissioners are required to file Disclosure Form Tier 2.1 by May 15th of each year that a commissioner serves on the board and the year following termination of service on the board. Sher further stated that commissioners and staff are required to complete the One-hour Ethics Training and the Sexual Harassment Prevention Training by December 31st of each year. Directions and links have been mailed to all staff and commissioner for assistance. A discussion was held.

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:07 a.m.

Regular Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Present: Mr. Steven R. McGee, Chair; Dr. Curtis Lewis, Vice-Chair; Ms. Trayce Snow, Secretary/Treasurer; Mr. John Carroll; Ms. Candice Cheney; Ms. Renee WhiteGoolsby; Mr. Chris Patel

Absent: None

The monthly regular meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority (GAEDA) was called to order by Commissioner McGee at 9:07 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to approve the February 2023 Consent Agenda. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to approve the final draft of the December 2022 Financial Statements. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to approve a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Alexandria Dixie Girls Softball in the amount not to exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) to assist with meals and advertisement of the Dixie Softball World Series to be held July 28, 2023-August 3, 2023. There being no public comments, motion passed by (6) Yeas and (2) Nays. A roll call vote was as follows: Commissioner McGee-Yes Commissioner Lewis-Yes Commissioner Snow-Yes Commissioner Carroll-Yes Commissioner Cheney-No Commissioner White-Goolsby- Yes Commissioner Patel- Nay

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to approve approval of a Cooperative endeavor Agreement with Today’s Praise and Worship, Inc. in an amount not to exceed Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500) to assist with advertisement and marketing of the Southern Gospel Gathering to be held April 21, 2023. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to approve approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Horsepower Promotions in an amount not to exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) to assist with advertisement and marketing of the Jeff Foxworthy-The Good Old Days Tour to be held April 1, 2023. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Carroll to approve approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in an amount not to exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) to assist with the bid fee for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men/Women’s Opening Round Tournament to be held March 6-8, 2023. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

Legal Council commented on the matter of City Council Ordinance 286-2003 To consider final adoption of an ordinance to amend and reenact Alexandria City Council Ordinance No. 2862003, §II.; and, to repeal Ordinance No. 37-2013, relative to appointments and terms of office for commissioners of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority (“GAEDA”) District Commission; to provide for appointments to and removal or replacement of GAEDA District Commissioners by members of the City Council; to provide for officers for the district and otherwise to provide for related matters. She stated that she had not been notified of the matter as legal counsel for GAEDA and has still not been contacted by the City. She further stated that she will try to gain more information as it relates to the aforementioned. A discussion was held.

The Executive Director reported that several events that were held within the past month did exceptionally well in the city. He further reported that reports from Placer.AI would be forthcoming. A discussion was held.

Commissioner McGee commented that he was able to secure the 2023 Governor’s Games hosted by the Louisiana Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The boxing tournament is scheduled to take place June 24-25, 2023 at the Alexandria Convention Center. A discussion was held.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m.