Board Members in Attendance:
- Allison Slocum, President
- Richard Osborne, Vice-President
- Norman Pope, Secretary/Treasurer
- Lisa Jackson
- Jeanne Anne Marsh
- Mike Mastrario
- Mary Teter
- Ethan Calhoun
- Tom O’Bryant
Board Members Absent:
- Ken Patton
Others in Attendance:
- Jean Lord, UGA
President Allison Slocum called the scheduled board meeting of GAZA at 11:00 a.m.
Minutes of the previous board meeting held on February 3, 2016, in Athens, Georgia, had been e-mailed to all board members previously. Copies were distributed at this meeting. After review and discussion, Richard Osborne made a motion, seconded by Lisa Jackson, to accept the minutes as written. Unanimous approval.
A financial report was distributed by Norman Pope, Treasurer, to all in attendance. After a short report, Tom O’Bryant made a motion, seconded by Mike Mastrario, to accept the financial report. Unanimous approval.
Board member Mike Mastrario brought up a question concerning the possible usage of some of the “CD” money and any restrictions on its use. Since there are no restrictions on the money’s use, the board discussed the possibility of utilizing some of the money to offer “scholarships” for conference attendance and travel expense to those jurisdictions that do not normally attend GAZA conferences. After further discussion, President Slocum appointed a committee composed of Lisa Jackson, Mary Teter and Norman Pope to gather data and make recommendations to the Board at the next scheduled board meeting to be held August 17, 2016, at Callaway Gardens.
Jean Lord, from UGA’s CVIOG, distributed several reports regarding the GAZA Winter Conference held in Athens on February 4th and 5th of 2016. The evaluations indicated the conference was successful and enjoyed by the membership, but several members indicated a problem with hearing presentations due to many “side conversations” going on around them. This item will be addressed at the beginning of the next conference.
Under committee reports, the scholarship committee reported that the deadline for receiving applications for the 2016-2017 year is May 30, 2016. The GAZA president is seeking assistance with the GAZA newsletter and all board members were asked to get involved in membership recruiting.
Jean Lord, from UGA’s CVIOG, provided the board with potential sites, dates, and costs for the GAZA 2017 Summer Conference. After review and discussion, Lisa Jackson made a motion, seconded by Ethan Calhoun, to reserve space at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Helen, Georgia for the dates of August 23, 2017, thru August 25, 2017. Unanimous approval.
The 2016 GAZA Conference is scheduled for the Callaway Lodge and Spa on August 17th thru August 19th. Room rates will be $131.00/night plus $5.00/night state fee. Deadline for room reservations will be July 20, 2016. The following presentations will make up the agenda for the 2016 Summer Conference:
- Session I Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Alternatives to Stick Built Housing
- Session II Thursday 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. EPD-Best Practices
- Session III Thursday 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Conditional Uses & Special Uses
- Session IV Thursday 2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Solar Energy
- Session V Friday 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Agricultural Based Business
- Session VI Friday 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Legal and Legislative Update
A discussion was held regarding “giveaways” for the 2016 Summer conference. Mary Teter made a motion, seconded by Lisa Jackson, to provide all attendees at the conference with a tumbler with the GAZA logo on it. Unanimous approval.
With no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 2:12 p.m.