WARNER ROBINS – The city’s Downtown Development Authority unanimously elected Ken McCall as its vice chairman at Wednesday’s meeting.

Chairman Tony Robbins said the action was to provide continuity in the authority’s scope of responsibilities.

Voting for the motion were Robbins, Gena Vaughan, Shirlyn Johnson-Granville, Tom Simms Jr. and Richard Weldon.

In other action the DDA:

• asked Simms, also a member of the City Council, to get with Mayor Chuck Shaheen and explore the training members need to receive to comply with the law, along with the cost. Some classes may be scheduled in Marietta in September, Simms said.

• heard a report from Simms about cleanup projects in the Commercial Circle area. Vaughan noted that $72,000 has already been approved by the city council this year for the area, and work is to include milling down the road and extending sidewalks in addition to cleaning up. Simms said scheduling the city’s public works employees has been an issue. Robbins said the project could possibly be split between the city and private contractors. “We need to showcase the area, make the downtown the heartbeat of the city,” said Vaughan. Gary Lee, Regional Development Authority executive director, said that while the funds have been approved for the project, the sticking point is getting the work crews together.

• discussed a proposed memorial to military veterans to be placed near the Commercial Circle/Davis Drive intersection. Lee said local developer Charlie McGlamry has indicated he would donate to a memorial, a tribute to veterans. “He’s willing to put money on the table for that,” said Lee, adding that McGlamry is not asking that he be the contractor. Weldon is to get together with various veterans groups and people at Robins Air Force Base and bring a report to next month’s DDA meeting.

• discussed getting together with other municipal development authority members in Perry and Centerville to exchange ideas and possibly work together on projects. “They need us; we’re bigger but they are more experienced,” said Vaughan. “We can learn from their successes and their mistakes.”

The DDA’s next meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Aug. 10.