In Attendance:
Ethan Calhoun, President
Lisa Jackson, Past President (by phone)
Toussaint Kirk, Vice-President
Norman Pope, Treasurer
Randy Mannino
Jeanne Anne Marsh
Clifford McGrady
Nayna Mistry, Secretary
Others in Attendance
Sharon Fenneran, UGA
Chrissy Marlowe, UGA
Unable to Attend:
Loretta Hylton
Brandon Bowen
1. Call To Order
President Calhoun called the Board meeting of GAZA to order at 4.13pm.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting
President Calhoun asked for a motion on the minutes of the previous board meeting held virtually on April 29, 2025. Randy Mannino made a motion to approve the minutes. His motion was seconded by Clifford McGrady, which then passed unanimously.
3. Financial/Treasurer’s Report
Norman Pope mentioned that 2-3 sponsors were interested and one is about to pay $3000.00. Norman Pope gave a summary of the Financial/Treasurer’s Report. The total expenditure is $6,330.73 and the current checking balance is $47,354.79. Membership dues for 2025 stand at $3,740.00. The summer conference in Columbus was a great success and the deposit made was $15,873.92. This brings the balance to $66,968.71. Norman Pope stated that the total funds, including the CD of $6,907.36 and Edward Jones investment account of $13,568.62, were $81,112.96. Norman Pope cited that this is the best financial position we have been in and that the Board may consider another CD to allow us to earn more interest. Discussion followed. President Calhoun asked for a motion on the financial/treasurer’s report. Randy Mannino made a motion to accept the financial/treasurer’s report as presented. The motion was seconded by Clifford McGrady which then passed unanimously.
Clifford McGrady made a motion to transfer $25,000.00 from the checking account to a CD and we should shop around for the best interest rates. The motion was seconded by Norman Pope which then passed unanimously.
4. Committee Discussion/Reports
a. Scholarship Committee
Norman Pope remarked that we had received 10 excellent applications this year. The committee has received emails on all the applications and has reviewed the documents. The votes were handed to Norman Pope. No action was taken.
b. Legislative Committee
Randy Mannino reported that we have Robert Walker from Jenkins, Bowen and Walker speaking on legal topics. We also have Katrina Cohran, GMA and Kaylon Day, ACCG giving legislative updates at this conference. The Board now has Brandon Bowen as a member who may share the latest actions on proposed bills. The bills on rezoning and variance processes were passed and effective as of July 1, 2025.
c. Communications Committee
President Calhoun cited that the certificates for membership were being emailed to new and renewing GAZA members which helps members track their status. The future emails will also explain the benefits of membership. President Calhoun thanked Courtney Andrews, Assistant Director at Putnam County Planning and Development for her work as the photographer at the GAZA events. The email blasts to the whole membership are very popular and helpful. President Calhoun reminded the members that they can email him with any questions that they want any input on from the membership.
Lisa Jackson mentioned that there is $4500.00 in funds. The generous sponsors are The Brick Industry, Schneider Geospatiol, TDS and Nelson Law Firm.
e. Membership/Nominating Committee
Norman Pope reported that we have 197 members with 2 more being added. This brings us up to 199 paid members. Ethan mentioned that he was emailing members who had lapsed membership in October 2024 and that helped to increase the numbers. Norman Pope said there was one Board vacancy to fill. He will ask Mercedes Dodd to fill Tom O’Bryant’s seat. Tom O’Bryant’s term expired in February 2025 and his service is greatly appreciated. Lisa Jackson made a motion to table this item and the motion was seconded by Randy Mannino which then passed unanimously.
Toussaint Kirk confirmed that he had continued work on the online credit card payment option to be added to the website and registering with the Secretary of State. This was almost complete and Ethan will work on a separate email address for that account. Lisa Jackson Thanked Toussaint Kirk for working on this project.
f. Award Program Update
President Calhoun reported that two applications had been received. The two award winners are Mary Elizabeth Burgess (Planning and Development Director at the City of Jasper) and Paul Van Haute (Manager at Putnam County). Mary Elizabeth Burgess received the award on behalf of the City of Jasper for their outstanding project for zoning code and permitting updates. Paul Van Haute received the distinguished leadership award after being nominated by Lisa Jackson. President Calhoun will present the awards after the last presentation on Thursday.
5. Future Conference Locations 2026-2028
a. Winter 2026 Athens, GA
The Winter Conference will be planned for February 4-6, 2026, in Athens, GA.
b. Summer 2026 Savannah, GA
The Summer Conference will be planned for August 26-28, 2026, in Savannah, GA.
c. Winter 2027
Sharon Fenneran, UGA reported that she was working on details for this conference and getting estimates for Lake Lanier locations.
d. Winter 2028 Athens, GA
The Winter Conference will be planned for February 9-11, in Athens, GA.
President Calhoun thanked Sharon Fenneran and Chrissy Marlowe for their hard work and they left the meeting to work on set up for the conference.
6. 2025 Summer Conference Agenda
President Calhoun handed out the speaker introduction sheets to the members.
7. Board Member Introduced Topics
Jeanne Anne Marsh mentioned that “smart tags” are the giveaways with apple or android options. President Calhoun thanked Jeanne Anne Marsh for her work in getting this work done. We have 157 attendees registered and we are ordering enough food for the whole group. Ethan Calhoun called for a vote on the food purchase. Jeanne Anne Marsh made a motion to spend up to $2,000.00 and the second was made by Toussaint Kirk which then passed unanimously.
9. Set Date and Time for Next BOD Meeting
The next board meeting is TBD.
10. Strategic Planning Session – Board Members Only
No planning session required.
11. Adjourn
With no other topics to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5.20pm.