By JIM BUTLER
The re-constituted Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority moves to its next chapter this week.
Its first monthly meeting agenda since February’s upheaval includes election of a president and what to do next, if anything, regarding an attorney general’s opinion on a matter that sparked disagreement with city officials a year ago.
The Authority has committee meetings beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Hotel Bentley, followed by the March regular monthly meeting.
Not on the posted agenda but central to the February flap, is the board’s decision to remove “acting” from the new executive director’s title rather than adhering to a 90-day search plan, a decision that clearly miffed some though she has worked at GAEDA for years.
Discussion of that may be included in meeting minutes once they are formalized and posted though such detail is more commonly omitted. Minutes postings generally are not made for at least 30 days by most agencies.
The executive committee discussed the succession plan (adopted several years ago) at an 8 a.m. February 16 session and evidently heard also from the executive director-designate. “Acting” had been used on a committee agenda three days earlier.
At 9 a.m. on the 16th, the operating and human resources committee held an executive session, then voted to recommend board approval of a compensation and contract package for the executive director.
The post became open in January when longtime chief Clifford Moller was unable to return following medical issues.
On February 20 the board passed the employment resolution, the same day its chairman was removed by City Council action.
Two days later another member was replaced. Members serve at the pleasure of council members who have one appointment each, a change made a year ago.
That was about the same time GAEDA moved to enter an intergovernmental agreement with the England Authority to assist with location of the Ucore rare earth plant at the Airpark.
The city’s Economic Development office objected vociferously, believing GAEDA could not spend for enterprises outside the city, in this case $360,000 grant to offset half of lease payments by Ucore for two years.
The Attorney General’s Office agreed in a March 6 opinion, noting that while there are common and overlapping purposes between the two it doesn’t think GAEDA has the authority.