Governing Council

Minutes

MCA-Armenia
Governing Council Meeting Minutes
(Type of Meeting-Regular)
(September 8, 2006)
(4:00 p.m., Prime Minister's Office)

Council Members:
Present: 
Andranik Margaryan, Prime Minister;
Vahram Nercissiants, Chief Economic Advisor to the President;
Hovik Abrahamyan, Minister of Territorial Administration;
David Avetissian, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy;
Andranik Manukyan, Minister of Transport and Communication;
Nazeli Vardanyan, Stakeholders Committee (SC) delegate, Armenian Forests NGO
Tonakan Ghazaryan, SC delegate;
Karen Nazaryan, SC delegate,Inter ChurchUnion
Vanik Soghomonyan, SC delegate, Armenian Farmers Union
Vartan Urutsyan, SC delegate;

Absent:
David Lokyan, Minister of Agriculture.

Quorum present? Yes

Others Present:
Alex Russin,MCC Country Director
Ara Hovsepyan, MCA-Armenia CEO
Alexander Bakhtamyan, MCA-Armenia Procurement Officer

Person Acting as Chairman:  Andranik Margaryan

Person Acting as Secretary:  Alexander Bakhtamyan

Proceedings:
Meeting called to order at 4:00 p.m.

The Chairman called the meeting to order, declared the presence of a quorum as required by Governance Agreement of MCA-Armenia.

The Chairman appointed Alexander Bakhtamyan, as secretary of the meeting.  The Chairman confirmed that a majority of the members of the Governance Board were present at this meeting.  The meeting was then duly and legally convened and opened for the transaction of business.

The Chairman noted that notice of the meeting was provided in writing to the members of the Governance Board on September 4, 2006 and attendance to the meeting was confirmed by the members named above.
The Chairman further noted that the notice of the meeting distributed to the members included an agenda.  No member of the Governance Board attending the meeting objected to the calling of the meeting or the items on the agenda.
Agenda Items, Discussion and Action

?Summary of discussion:
The proposed composition of Evaluation Panel was as follows:

?Recommended Action:
To approve the composition of the Evaluation Panel as suggested and proposed to change above.
If vote occurred, results of vote:
Unanimous.

?Summary of discussion:
The proposed composition of Evaluation Panel was as follows:

?Recommended Action:
To approve the composition of the Evaluation Panel as suggested and proposed to change above.
If vote occurred, results of vote:
Unanimous

?Summary of discussion:
Some revisions have been made by MCC in the draft RFP approved by MCA-Armenia Board of Trustees on June 16, 2006.
?Recommended Action:
To approve revised version of the RFP.
If vote occurred, results of vote:
Unanimous.

?Summary of discussion:
The proposed Work and Financial Plans provide detailed information for Compact Year 1 and consolidated information for each subsequent year.
?Recommended Action:
To approve proposed Work and Financial Plans.
If vote occurred, results of vote:
Unanimous.

?Summary of discussion:
The proposed Procurement Agreement sets the guidelines for MCC funded procurements of goods, services and works. The Government of Armenia has already approved the Agreement.
?Recommended Action:
To approve text of the Procurement Agreement.
If vote occurred, results of vote:
Unanimous.

?Summary of discussion:
According to the MCC Compact Section 2.1(a)(iii), Compact Implementation Funding in amount not to exceed USD $500,000 will be used for payments for set-up and administrative expenses of MCA-Armenia and fiscal and procurement administration activities.
?Recommended Action:
To approve the Financial Plan
If vote occurred, results of vote:
Unanimous.

?Summary of discussion:
The first IDR in the amount of USD $1,818,000 will be used for the first quarter programme implementation expenses, in accordance with the approved projects work and financial Plans.
?Recommended Action:
To approve the Initial Disbursement Request in the presented format, subject to the subsequent
signature by  the fiscal agent, MCA-Armenia CEO and the Prime Minister
If vote occurred, results of vote:
Unanimous.

?Summary of discussion:
The proposed Employment Agreements set the applicable terms of employment of the Rural Roads Project Officer, Irrigation Project Officer, WTM Officer, Procurement Officer, Environmental & Social Impact Officer, and Monitoring & Evaluation Officer.
?Recommended Action:
To approve the proposed Employment Agreements.
If vote occurred, results of vote:
Unanimous.

II.        Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.

Certified by:               _______________________________
                                    Secretary, MCA-Armenia

Acknowledged by:                  _________________________
                                    Chair of the Governing Council