October 20, 2020

Executive & Government Relations Committee Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Present: Michael Caffery, Vice-Chair; Steven R. McGee

Absent: Paula Nelson, Secretary/Treasurer

The monthly meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s Executive & Government Relations Committee was called to order by Commissioner Caffery 8:02 a.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado called the roll. A quorum was present.

Legal Counsel administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Candice Cheney and Commissioner Steven R. McGee.

The Committee heard a report from the Executive Director regarding the application submitted to the Economic Development Agency (EDA) by Kisatchie Delta. A discussion was held. The Executive Director stated that the Executive Director of Kisatchie Delta (KD) is still willing to work with GAEDA under the existing Memorandum of Understanding between GAEDA and KD.

Legal Counsel gave a status report of the Attorney Generals (AG) Opinion requests filed September 24, 2020. She stated that under new requirements by the AG’s office, the Attorney General's Office is requiring a resolution be provided in support of the attached written request for opinion. A discussion held.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Caffery to add to the agenda a motion to approve a Resolution authorizing Legal Counsel to submit a Request for Opinion to the Attorney General’s Office with the following questions:

1. Is it permissible under Louisiana law for GAEDA to create a non-profit organization with an any entity to include but not limited to a State Planning District, a nonprofit and/or any other type of entity in the State of Louisiana with both entities being the sole members?
2. Is it permissible under Louisiana law for GAEDA to donate a building to a with any entity to include but not limited to a State Planning District, a nonprofit and/or any other type of entity in the State of Louisiana non-profit entity?
3. Is it permissible under Louisiana law for GAEDA to provide a financial match to secure? an EDA grant with an any entity to include but not limited to a State Planning District, a nonprofit and/or any other type of entity in the State of Louisiana?
4. Is it permissible under Louisiana law fo r GAEDA and any entity to include but not limited to a State Planning Dist rict, a nonprofit and/or any other type of entity in the State of Louisiana to hold joint title to a property or a building?
5. Is it permissible under Louisiana law for GAEDA to rent a space from any entity to include but not limited to a State Planning District, a nonprofit and/or any other type of entity in the State of Loui siana a non-profit organization in which it has a controlling interest?

There being no further discussion, motion was added by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner McGee and seconded by Caffery to approve a Resolution authorizing Legal Counsel to submit a Request for Opinion to the Attorney General’s Office with the following questions:

1. Is it permissible under Louisiana law for GAEDA to create a non-profit organization with an any entity to include but not limited to a State Planning District, a nonprofit and/or any other type of entity in the State of Louisiana with both entities being the sole members?
2. Is it permissible under Louisiana law for GAEDA to donate a building to a with any entity to include but not limited to a State Planning District, a nonprofit and/or any other type of entity in the State of Louisiana non-profit entity?
3. Is it permissible under Louisiana law for GAEDA to provide a financial match to secure? an EDA grant with an any entity to include but not limited to a State Planning District, a nonprofit and/or any other type of entity in the State of Louisiana?
4. Is it permissible under Louisiana law fo r GAEDA and any entity to include but not limited to a State Planning Dist rict, a nonprofit and/or any other type of entity in the State of Louisiana to hold joint title to a property or a building?
5. Is it permissible under Louisiana law for GAEDA to rent a space from any entity to include but not limited to a State Planning District, a nonprofit and/or any other type of entity in the State of Loui siana a non-profit organization in which it has a controlling interest?

There being no further discussion, motion was approved by unanimous vote.

The Committee also heard a report from the Executive Director concerning pursuing the activities and endeavor until a strategic retreat could be scheduled due to the high turnover of GAEDA Commissioners. A discussion was held. The Committee requested that staff map out the vision of pursuing to work with other agencies and also to purse alternative federal funding and grant opportunities. A discussion was held. Commissioner Caffery requested again that a depiction be presented at the retreat so that the meeting will be more of a working retreat rather than informational one. A discussion was held.