2011-08-16 N ew Hanover County ABC Board
Meeting Minutes
August 16, 2011
1. Call to order
Chairman Thomas Wolfe called to order the regular meeting of the New Hanover
County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board at ;3oam on August 16, 2011 in the
General office at 523 S. 17 1h Street, Wilmington, IBC.
IL Roll call
Ms. Martin, Board Secretary conducted a roll call. The following Members of the
Board were present:
Thomas Wolfe, Chairman
Cedric Dickerson, Vice Chairman
David Matthews, Member
Augustus C. Everett, Jr. Member
Robert W. Martenis, Member
Wanda Copley, Legal Counsel
Avail Pinder, Ex-Officio Member
Others in attendance were:
Daniel Sykes, es, Chief Executive officer
Carol Martin, Board Secretary
Gary Cain, Retail and LBD operations Manager
Colonel Jones, NHC Sheriff's Department
Officer Megan Reinhart, Wilnnington Police Department
Officer Kendall Murphy, Wilmington Police Department
,Justin West, WET Television Reporter
Jim Smith, The oleander Company, Inc
Nelson McRae, The oleander Company, Inc
Sarah Poe, ABC Board Part Time Sales Associate
III. Appr oval of minutes from last meeting
Ms. Martin presented the minutes from the last regular meeting and Closed
Session portion of July 19, 2011. Mr. Marte is motioned to approve the minutes
with two minor context changes (were vs. was and naming the seconding person
in one Grote); Mr. Matthews seconded, and all approved.
V. of of proposed agenda
Motion to adopt the prepared consent agenda was approved as written by Mr.
Dickerson, seconded by Mr. Matthews, all approved.
1
V. New business
a ABC Law Enforcement office's Unit Monthly (ALE) Report for July was
presented by Colonel Jones, NHC Sheriff's Department. Officers rs rf r .e l the
following activities for the month of July, 2011:
*668 Store Visits
*298 Bank Deposits
9 Bank Change Deposits Trips
' f Inspections (five by Wilirgtn Police Department
x=116 Arrests
124 Charges
Video Investigations
2 DUI Checks
23 Assist Agencies
Mr. Jones apprised the board that having three reconditioned breath alcohol
sensors for the downtown waits would be beneficial.
b Mr. Sykes apprised the Board of two updates:
1. Carol Fowler, a Board employee since October 1984, gave notice that she
intends to retire, with her last day being October 31
2. ) CEO Dan Sykes, officer Joe Jewell, and Sales Associate Eric Sykora gave
a well received presentation to the Cape Fear Coalition for a Orin -Free
Tomorrow on Friday, July 29 "'. The presentation was before about 1
attendees. The coalition is currently operating under "Coastal forions ".
c Mr. Sykes presented the July 2011 and Rolling 12 -Month Comparison. For July,
Retail stores showed a net 0.54% 11.8 decrease in sales. L D sales were
down with a 3.74% ($3'710 decrease. Mr. Byres noted that June 2011 was the first
month for L D sales at Store #110 Porters Neck. Total Sales were down 1.54%
($48.7k). In July, L D sales represented almost 30.6% of total sales for the
month. For the 12-Month Rolling Comparison, Retail stores showed a 5.01 %
($1.05 million) increase in sales, L D sales were down .8 7 % $83.9k and Total
sales were up 3.1 6% (about $96710.
d Mr. Sykes presented the Statewide Sales for July, 2011. This information is for
spirituous beverages only no wines /mixers are included):
Retail: We had a.56% decrease compared to 0. 86% decrease Statewide
We had a 3.74 % decrease compared to .88% increase S Late ri le
Overall: We had a 1.56% decrease in spirituous beverages compared to a
.53% decrease Statewide. our overall sales figures were below the State
average by $32.3k.
2
Mr. Byres presented the Board with Comparative Financial Statements for July
which included the balance sheet and income statements. 'these compared Actual
2011 - t- Aetu al 20 10 figures and Aetu al 2011 -- t- B u dget 20 11 figures.
f Mr. Sykes presented the Board with an Architectural Services update. He noted
that Ms. inder's office staff had prepared and distributed a R Q, "Request for
Qualifications" for Architectural Services for the 17 1h Street/Castle project. Mr.
Sykes noted that the deadline for submission by interested firms was :prn
August 16, 2011, the date of the board meeting. The hoard discussed whether it
should favor the services of a local architect firm. The hoard determined that due
diligence suggests that all firms should be considered, and not just those in New
Hanover County. Mr. Matthews made the motion to authorize the New Hanover
County ABC Board's Real Estate C nnittee, with the expertise of County
personnel, to negotiate a contract for architectural services at a fair and reasonable
fee with the best qualified firm in accordance with NC GS 143-- 64.31. Mir.
Dickerson seconded and all approved.
g Mr. Sykes presented the Board with the renewal of Flood Insurance policies. He
noted that the Board carries flood insurance on the Wrightsville Beach, Carolina
Beach and Castle Hayne properties because they may be subject to flooding. He
noted that for another $309.00 in premium dollars that it made sense to increase
the total co verage by $1 50,000.00. Mr. Everett made the notion to renew the
flood insurance coverage for the period 09/01/1 1 - 08/31/12 with this premium
increase for a total premium amount of $5,048.00. Mr. Martenis seconded, and
all approved.
h Mr. Byres presented the Board with a proposal for Replacement Hand-held
Inventory Scanners from Carolina Data. He noted that a new wireless, real -time
inventory-taking process is now available. It is more compatible with our newer
computer system, and inventory would be able to taken while the store is
open - thereby saving overtime dollars. Mr. Sykes noted that $1 6,000.00 was
included for this purpose in the budget, based on estimates available at the budget
processing time. Mr. Matthews made the motion to approve this capital outlay of
approximately $26,200.00; Mr. Dickerson seconded, and all approved.
i Mr. Sykes presented the Board with a "Ion- Personnel Expense Reduction and
Revenue Enhancement Consulting proposal" by Highpoint NC's Robert S. Segal,
CPA, PA firm. After board discussion, Mr. 1 lartenis made the motion to table
this item, Mr. Dickerson seconded, and all approved.
j Mir. Sykes presented the Board with a Break even en Analysis which compared
various lease gates to assist the board in deciding the prudence of opening an
additional retail ABC store. No motions were made.
VI. Closed Session
The Board entered into Closed Session to discuss a potential real estate
acquisition In accordance with NC GS 143 Mr. Mar ms made the
motion to enter into closed session, Mir. Matthews seconded, all approved. After
several minutes In private closed discussion, the general session began again.
Mr. Dickerson made the motion to restart the open session, Mr. Martenis
seconded, all approved. It was stated that the Closed Session resulted in n
action, and that necessary research would continue.
V11. Return to open Session
Mr. Marte is made the motion to nominate Mr. Matthews and Mr. Dickerson to
New Hanover County ABC Board Strategic Planning Committee. Mr. Matthews
seconded, and all approved.
V111. Ldiournment.
Mr. Dickerson made the motion to adjourn n the meeting; Mr. M artenis seconded,
all approved.
Minutes submitted by:
; C ar 1 E. Martin, Secretary
{
Minutes approved h : te.�, 70 7,011
Thomas Wolfe, Chair