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Home My WebLink AboutTDA Board Meeting October 26 2016 NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS OCTOBER 26, 2016 PRESENT: Jonathan Barfield, NHC Commissioner Bill Blair, Mayor – Wrightsville Beach Anne Brodsky, Hotel/Motel – Kure Beach Kim Hufham, President/CEO – NHC TDA Carl Marshburn, Attractions Nicolas Montoya, Hotel – (150+) Wrightsville Beach Chuck Pennington – County Bed and Breakfast Daniel Perkins, Hotel – (150+) Wilmington Emilie Swearingen, Mayor – Town of Kure Beach Bill Saffo, Mayor – City of Wilmington Lisa Wurtzbacher – Authority Finance Officer EXCUSED: Frank Jones, Angela Rhodes, Mayor Dan Wilcox STAFF: Jeanette Foster, Administrative Services Manager/Recording Secretary Shawn Braden, Executive VP of Marketing Linda Brothers, Financial Analyst, New Hanover County Connie Nelson, Communications/PR Director Karla Thompson, Technology/Systems Manager GUESTS: Cherry Bekaert, CPA’s (Carol Guttery, Linda Suggs) Vice-Chairman Nicolas Montoya called the meeting of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority Board of Directors to order at 5:30 p.m. at the New Hanover County Government Complex in the Lucy B. Harrell Conference Room. President/CEO Kim Hufham read a letter of resignation, effective October 31, 2016, from Frank Jones who has accepted another position out of the area. We wish him the best in his new endeavors. ITEM #1 – EXCUSED: Frank Jones, Angela Rhodes, Mayor Dan Wilcox 1 ITEM #2 – APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES – AUGUST 31, 2016 \[Motion made by Anne Brodsky, seconded by Chuck Pennington and unanimously accepted to approve the August 31, 2016 Board minutes as read.\] ITEM #3 – AUDIT PRESENTATION – CHERRY BEKAERT, CPA’S Lisa Wurtzbacher, Authority Finance Officer, introduced Carol Guttery and Linda Suggs of Cherry Bekaert, CPA’s to present our 2015-2016 audit presentation. They explained that the role of an external auditor is to first plan and then perform the audit. According to their findings, our audit went very smooth. They issued an unmodified opinion which is the highest opinion that can be given. The auditors went over key financial asset and financial reports. (Board members had copies of same.) They noted all transactions had been recognized in the financial statements in the proper period. No significant difficulties in completing the audit were encountered or were there any misstatements. Everything had been recorded correctly. There being no questions from the Board, \[Motion made by Mayor Bill Saffo, seconded by Chuck Pennington and unanimously accepted to approve the 2015-2016 audit as presented.\] ITEM #4 – BUDGET AMENDMENT – LISA WURTZBACHER Lisa presented – BA#2017-002 to appropriate the following funds per the Fiscal Year 15-16 audit:  To appropriate the available fund balances as outlined in the FY 15-16 nd Annual Audit from remaining funds of the 2 3% ROT for Promotions at Carolina, Kure, and Wrightsville Beaches and District U. Total of $329,414.  To appropriate the available fund balances as outlined in the FY 15-16 nd Annual Audit from remaining funds of the 2 3% ROT for Tourism related Activities at Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville Beaches. Total of $706,833.  To appropriate remaining funding received FY 15-16 from the City of Wilmington for Convention Center Marketing. Total of $8,914.00. Total Amendment in the amount of $1,045,161. 2 Following some questions from Board members, \[Motion made by Mayor Emilie Swearingen, seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Barfield and unanimously accepted to approve the Budget Amendment BA#2017-002 as presented.\] (Copy of Budget Amendment in Budget Amendment notebook) ITEM #5 – FINANCIALS/ROT REPORT – LISA WURTZBACHER st Total Expenses – July 1, 2016 – September 30, 2016 – total expenses for 1 3% - nd 23% spent for first quarter; 2 3% for beaches promo/activity, District U promo/activity – total of 10% for July – September, 2016. Convention Center has spent total of $162,435 or 39% for first quarter. Revenues – based on one month of collections – total income of 22% collected or actual amount of $1,154,866. ROT Collections: st 1 3% for July and August, 2016-17 compared to last Fiscal Year: 11.03% increase; based on Calendar Year (January –August, 2016 ) 11.01% increase nd 2 3% Fiscal Year of July and August 2016 and Calendar Year – January, 2016 – August 2016: Carolina Beach: 12.34% increase FY; 12.51% increase CY Kure Beach: 4.10% increase FY; 3.49% CY Wrightsville Beach7.04% increase FY; 5.81% CY nd 2 3% collections compared to last Fiscal Year of July, 2016 and August, 2016 and Calendar Year, January – August, 2016 for City of Wilmington, Convention Center and District U: City of Wilmington: 18.85% increase FY; 15.89% increase CY Convention Center 6.71% increase FY; 10.51% increase CY District U: increase of 8.88% FY; 11.05% increase CY ITEM #6 – EXPENDITURE REQUESTS: Carolina Beach – KIM HUFHAM President/CEO Kim Hufham presented a funding request from the Town of Carolina Beach: The Town of Carolina Beach respectfully requests TDA funds in the amount of $189,772.86 for expenses incurred for life guard salaries and benefits as well as expenses for the period of July 1, 2015 – March 31, 2016. Lifeguards are on duty 7 days a week during the tourist season. 3 Total amount of $189,772.86 is available. \[Motion made by Anne Brodsky, seconded by Chuck Pennington and unanimously accepted to approve the expenditure request from the Town of Carolina Beach in the amount of $189,772.86.\] ITEM #7 - HURRICANE MATTHEW RECAP – KIM HUFHAM Kim gave a recap of Hurricane Matthew by sharing all that the CVB did during time lines prior, during and after Matthew. A lot of hard work was done by staff members during the week before the storm, during the storm (at work and at home). Everyone was kept abreast of what was happening. Major efforts were taken to make sure tourists were aware of our being open after the storm and also advising Iron Man of coming for their event. Kudos go to all of those involved in many hours of keeping on top of what to expect, especially to Connie, Shawn and her staff and Karla. Thanks, also, to EOC, Visit NC and to the beach towns for their assistance during this time. ITEM #8 – PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS – KIM HUFHAM Comments:  Just had third General Managers’ Roundtable meeting last week. Was successful. Working on a closed social network for this group called Yammer. The police are working closely with us and want to be part of Yammer as well as it will benefit all who decide to get involved with it. The police department plans to host our January meeting. Three of our legislators attended this meeting.  Prepared the Parks Bond resolution for the City.  Final stages of new Visitors Guide as well as finishing new website.  Holding regional meeting next week for Wells Fargo Championship in May.  Kim thanked the Board for their continuous support. ITEM #9 – OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS Discussed how many rooms involved with Iron Man. Kim will find out about this, but know there were approximately 2600 in attendance. ITEM #10 – VICE-CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS – NICOLAS MONTOYA Nicolas wished Frank well. Says he is glad to be on the Board and glad to be in this position. Is excited about the GM Roundtable and happy to continue being a part of all involved with travel and tourism. \[Anne Brodsky made motion to adjourn, seconded by Chuck Pennington and unanimously accepted to approve.\] 4 There being no further business to come before the TDA Board of Directors, the Meeting was adjourned at 6:30 P.M. Next Meeting Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 ______________________________ __________________________ Kim Hufham, President/CEO Jeanette Foster, Recording Secretary Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book XII 5