MINUTES

OF THE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OF THE

KENTUCKY RIVER AREA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

HELD

FEBRUARY 28, 2007

 

CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME

 

Chairman Judge Cale Turner called the meeting to order and welcomed all new incoming board members.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Chairman Judge Cale Turner led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

MOMENT OF SILENCE

 

A moment of silence was observed in memory of Dr. C. Vernon Cooper, Jr.

 

INVOCATION

 

 Mayor Charles Long gave the invocation.

 

CALL OF ROLL

 

 Secretary Reverend John Pray called the roll with the following members present:

 *Denotes designated representative

 

BREATHITT                                        -           Mayor Mike Miller

                                                                        Gary Campbell

                                                                        Len Noble

                                                                        Marcus Mullins

                                                                       

KNOTT                                               -           Mayor Scott Cornett

                                                           

LEE                                                     -           Judge Steve Mays, Jr. *Eugene Barrett

                                                                        Mayor Joseph Kash

                                                                                   

LESLIE                                               -           Hiram Cornett

 

LETCHER                                           -           Judge Jim Ward

Mayor Charles Dixon

Mayor James W. Craft

Jack Burkich

                                                                        James McDannel

                                                                       

 

 

OWSLEY                                             -           Judge Cale Turner

Mayor Charles Long

                                                                        Dale Bishop

 

PERRY                                                 -           Mayor Bill Gorman

                                                                        Mayor Veda Wooton

                                                                        Mayor Ernest Back *Vernon Anderton

                                                                        Freddie Combs

                                                                        Reverend John Pray

                                                                        Tony D. Whitaker

 

WOLFE                                              -            Judge Raymond Hurst

                                                                        Reva Terrill

                                                                        Roger Milligan           

                                                                                                                                                           

KRADD Staff Present                         -           Paul Hall, Executive Director

                                                                        Benny Hamilton, Assist. Dir./Physical Res. Planner

                                                                        Annette Napier, Program Director

                                                                        Carolyn Howard, Public Administration Specialist

                                                                        Gladys Slone, Executive Secretary

                                                                        Greg Pridemore, Community Resources Planner

                                                                        John Chester, GIS/GPS Technician

                                                                        Stacie Noble, Human Services Coordinator

                                                                        Sherry Burchell, Human Services Planner

                                                                        Kimberly Coomer, Staff Acct./Grant Administrator

                                                                        Eunice Fitzpatrick, Transportation Planner             

                                                                       

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

A motion was made by Mayor Mike Miller to approve the minutes of the January 24th, 2007 Board meeting; Motion seconded by Mr. Gary Campbell; Motion carried.

 

APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL REPORT

 

A motion was made by Mr. Jim McDannel to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented; Motion seconded by Mr. Dale Bishop; Motion carried.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUEST SPEAKER

 

Mr. Paul Hall introduce guest speaker Mr. Tom Cravens Director of the Challenger Learning Center in Hazard.

 

Tom Cravens Director of the Challenger Learning Center

 

Mr. Tom Cravens began by explaining that in September of 1996, Hazard, Kentucky was the first rural site ever to be approved by the Challenger Center for Space Science Education for a Challenger Learning Center.    The Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky in Hazard opened in 1999 and was the 34th Center in Operation.  The Challenger Center Space Center for Space Science Education was created in response to the grief and tragedy of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion in which seven Americans lost their lives, including Christa McAuliffe, who was to be the first “teacher in space”.

 

The Challenger Learning Centers are a living memorial to the Challenger crew – the world’s first interactive space science education center where teachers and their students could use state-of-the-art technology and space-life simulators to explore space themselves. Challenger Learning Centers use space exploration as a tool to excite and inspire students to learn science, mathematics and technology.  Students visit the Challenger Learning Center where they apply the skills they have learned in the classroom in either the “Mission Control” or “Space Station” simulator.  These simulators look and feel like NASA machinery and are equipped with research computers, robots, remote glove boxes, NASA star charts, video cameras and monitors.  Student astronauts and mission controllers have to communicate and work together as a team to successfully complete their 2.5 hour mission.

 

The Challenger Learning Centers goals are:

 

1.      To increase student interest in and enthusiasm for the sciences, mathematics, and technology;

2.      To improve students’ knowledge and problem-solving skills in these fields; and

3.      To teach students to work in teams and think critically.

 

Mr. Cravens explained that the Challenger Center generates operating funds by charging schools participation fees, corporate donations and grants. Federal and state funds were received early on, however there is no on-going federal or state funding.  The Center is independent from the Hazard Community and Technical College although the Center is located there.  The Center’s building and maintenance is provided through the college.  The Center receives no funding from the Challenger Center for Space Science Education.  The Center actually has to pay the Challenger Center for Space Science Education to be a licensee of that organization.

 

Mr. Cravens asked the Board to encourage our schools to participate in the Challenger Center Program and help them to try to find the funds to be able to come to the Center.  Encourage legislators to find funding to support the Center as well.

 

Mr. Joel Schrader, Deputy Director, Kentucky Office of Homeland Security

 

Mr. Paul Hall introduced Mr. Joel Schrader, Deputy Director, of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security.

 

Mr. Joel Schrader gave a brief update of changes over the last couple of years at the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security.  The changes were brought about by State Legislation.  One change is the Phase II Enhanced payments received from the Commercial Mobile Radio Services Board (CMRS) by 911 Centers have increased 40 – 50% in the last two quarters.  The next change was the CMRS Board, which collects the cell phone taxes and certifies 911 centers, was attached to the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for administrative purposes only.  Governor’s Fletcher mission was to pool the CMRS Board’s and the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security’s monies together in order to ensure Enhanced 911 Centers across the state.

 

 

 

Mr. Schrader explained that Kentucky River ADD has approximately $1 million dollars available in funding when CMRS and Kentucky Office of Homeland Security funds are pooled together.  The Kentucky River ADD counties have the potential to share equipment that is located off-site so that not every 911 Center has to buy every piece of equipment or pay the long distance charges to Winchester, KY.

 

Mr. Schrader explained that selective routers, a fairly expensive piece of equipment, could be placed in several locations throughout the state that 911 Centers could share and share in the cost of the equipment.  Current 911 Centers would not have to consolidate, nor would this cost any jobs anywhere. No equipment would be taken out of current centers - simply adding to centers that are not enhanced at this point.

 

Mr. Schrader explained that they would work with the ADD in finding the most beneficial ways to use the funding. 

 

Judge Raymond Hurst commented that the ADD is willing to do whatever will benefit the area, as a whole, most efficiently and cost effectively. 

 

BUSINESS

 

Drug Task Force Report

 

Mr. Jim McDannel gave an update on the NET detoxification demonstration project.  The two-week long demonstration was conducted at Buckhorn State Park Lodge and ended on February 24th.  Mr. McDannel reported that in his opinion the demonstration was successful and the NET device does indeed work.  The individuals were detoxed in a rather painless manner without any extremely adverse effects. Within four days their clarity of thought was restored.  The individuals were drug tested upon arrival and again on two separate occasions.  They were all on drugs in the beginning but all were clean and drug-free in the end.

 

Mr. Paul Hall read a touching letter to everyone from one of the detox individuals.  Mr. Hall stated that the Drug Task Force Committee will do a final report with the conclusion that the device has potential and needs further investigation and further study. The devise is not a cure for drug addiction, but a method of detoxification without extreme pain.

 

Mr. Hall noted that at the January Board meeting there was discussion of how this demonstration project would be paid for.  The Board decided to send each county judge and mayor a request for financial support in the amount of $1,000.  The total cost for the demonstration was just under $6,500 which mostly consisted of meals and lodging for the individuals.  The amount received from the donations was $7,000.  If the rest of the funding is received a demonstration for females could possibly be conducted later in the year.

 

Judge Cale Turner asked that each Mayor and County Judge study their budgets and give strong consideration to financially supporting this detoxification program if anyway possible.

 

Reverend John Pray expressed his opinion on the importance of supporting the NET program.

 

 

 

 

Leslie County Local Dues Payment Schedule

 

Mr. Paul Hall brought everyone’s attention to a copy of a letter along with a local dues payment schedule proposal received from Judge/Executive Jimmy Sizemore of Leslie County.

 

Mayor Mike Miller made a motion to approve the payment schedule as presented in the Board packet; Motion seconded by Mr. Gary Campbell; Motion carried.

 

ADF Committee Report

 

Mayor Charles Long reported that the ADF Committee had the following projects for consideration:

 

1.      LETCHER COUNTY - $33,593.21 – towards the purchase of a vehicle and office furniture.

2.      PERRY COUNTY - $15,850 – towards the purchase of maintenance equipment for the Perry County Park.

3.      LESLIE COUNTY - $30,065 – towards the purchase of office equipment.

 

Mr. Jim McDannel made a motion to accept the ADF projects as presented; Seconded by Mr. Gary Campbell; Motion carried.

 

Ms. Annette Napier presented two ADF checks as follows:

 

1.      Owsley County – $5,513 – For Senior Center renovations

2.      City of Jenkins –$853 – For Water and Sewer Department equipment

 

 JFA Resolution

 

Ms. Annette Napier brought everyone’s attention to the Resolution in Support of Joint Funding Administration (JFA) Funds included in the Board packet.

 

Mr. Gary Campbell made a motion to accept the resolution as presented; Seconded by Mayor Mike Miller; Motion carried.

 

Aging Program Computer Program Requirements

 

Mr. Benny Hamilton gave a brief history of the KRADD Aging Program Computer software requirements noting several problems with the current software program and not being compatible with the State software system.  Mr. Hamilton explained that KRADD does need to purchase a new software program that is compatible with the State software program. Mr. Hamilton explained that KRADD is proposing to buy out of the current software program and purchase the new software.  With the new program senior centers would have to purchase site license as well as purchase upgrades each.  Most senior centers are in favor of this.  Mr. Hamilton explained that the total expenditure for the new software program is approximately $33,000 with the ADD paying $18,000 or slightly more after passing the cost of the individual licenses and training on to the senior centers.

 

Mr. Freddie Combs made a motion to purchase a new Aging program software program as proposed; Seconded by Judge Raymond Hurst; Motion carried

 

RLF Report

 

Mr. Benny Hamilton noted the Revolving Loan Fund Committee met prior to this Board meeting.  One application request for funding was submitted by a produce company named the Produce Hut. The business is proposing to locate in the old Brown’s Produce in Wolfe County.   The loan request amount was $100,000.  The loan review committee requested additional information from the company before approving the loan.  More information will be provided as soon as possible.

 

Other Business

 

Mr. Paul Hall introduced Ms. Lois McIntyre.  Ms. McIntyre in turn introduced Mr. Billy Harper, Republican candidate for Governor in the primary election. 

 

Mr. Harper spoke very briefly about his agenda and goals for the future of Kentucky.

 

Ms. Scoville noted that Senator Jim Bunning is sponsoring a bill known as “Coal-to-Liquid Fuel”.  Ms. Scoville noted that the bill would be huge for this region and requested that the ADD Board do a letter of support for this bill.

 

Mayor Bill Gorman made a motion that the Board support Senate Bill #155 “Coal to Liquid Fuel.”  Seconded by Mayor Mike Miller; Motion carried.

 

Mr. Bob Mitchell introduced Mr. Pat Wooton as new staff member from Congressman “Hal” Rogers’ office.

 

Mr. Jim McDannel introduced Ms. Cody Pauley a new field representative from the Governor’s Office for Local Development.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

With no further business a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Gary Campbell; Seconded by Mr. Dale Bishop; Motion carried.

 

 

 

                                                                                                ______________________________

                                                                                                Judge Cale Turner, Chairman

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                ______________________________

                                                                                                Reverend John Pray, Secretary