The Avard Regional Rail Park Authority met on Tuesday night and, although it was a small group, a quorum was made. Present were Stan Bixler, Ed Sutter and Todd Holder (who participated via telephone).

After approving the minutes of last month’s meeting, board members determined there was no need to enter into executive session although it was an option on the agenda.

The next order of business was the acknowledgment of the resignation of board member Joe Royster. Woods County Clerk Shelley Reed read the letter aloud per Bixler’s request. In it, Royster said he enjoyed his service on the Avard Rail Board, but feels that he is a non-contributor to the mission of the board because of hearing loss. He wrote that the submission of his resignation was made in great sadness.

“He’s exactly like we thought he would be -- a great board member. He’ll be a hard guy to replace,” Bixler said. Holder chimed in, saying he appreciated all of Royster’s contributions. Sutter voiced his sentiments next, telling the others how good it was to have somebody with his expertise and ability serve on the board. The resignation was accepted.

Board members briefly discussed the finance report next. Reed told the board that she received December’s rent check that day from Martin-Marietta and she had deposited it. Bixler asked Holder for his input on financials, to which Holder replied with positive feedback. He said things were busier as more places were using rock. Members were pleased with accrual numbers and Sutter’s motion to approve was accepted.

Woods County Economic Development Director Sonja Williams couldn’t make it to the meeting, but Holder stepped in to tell members that he didn’t know of any new activity except that the project on writing the Rural Economic Development Loan/Grant (REDLG) was still in the works and their focus was still on the water infrastructure of the park and its roads.

“They are listening. We just have to jump through a lot of hoops,” he said, and added that there was nothing else that needed action that he knew of.

Sutter asked Holder if, in his opinion, the change in the legislative body after the recent election would have an effect on infrastructure money. Holder said he didn’t know if the shift would hurt or help, but that they were very well aligned with the present administration. He said that, for what it was worth, there were “good vibes.”

Before the short meeting adjourned, the board approved the regular scheduled meeting dates for 2019. The authority will still meet the second Tuesday of each month.