WRFC Minutes 2017-02-02MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
WILMINGTON REGIONAL FILM COMMISSION, INC.
A North Carolina Non - Profit Corporation
The Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Inc. (WRFC) held a special meeting at
8:30 AM, on February 2, 2017. Vice Chairman Honorable Bill Saffo, Honorable
Jonathan Barfield, Ms. Carey Jones, Mr. Jimmy Smith, and Mr. William Vassar were
present. In addition, Mr. Johnny Griffin was also present.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MEETING ON OCTOBER 27 2016. The
minutes from the Board Meeting on October 27, 2016, a copy of which is
attached as EXHIBIT A, were unanimously approved.
2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2017. The following officers were
unanimously elected. Honorable Bill Saffo - Chairman, Mr. William Vassar -
Vice Chairman, Mr. Johnny Griffin - Secretary / Treasurer.
3. MEMBERSHIP UPDATE. Mr. Griffin reported that to date the WRFC has
2017 membership renewals totaling approximately $20,000. There is still
approximately $15,000 in potential membership renewals outstanding. With
a decline in production activity, renewing memberships has been a challenge.
Some members have downsized their membership level while others have
declined renewal. WRFC will continue to look for potential new members for
support in order to reach our goal of $35,000 in membership support for
2017.
4. CREW PROFILES UPDATE. Mr. Griffin has contacted approximately 1,500
crew members with active profiles. 157 crew members have submitted
updates. Mr. Griffin will continue to work with crew members in order to
obtain additional updates to profiles.
5. PRODUCTION UPDATE. Mr. Griffin reported that the television series
"GOOD BEHAVIOR" has announced that they will return to Wilmington for
the production of season 2 with offices opening later this month and
production beginning in April. The television series "SIX" is still airing and a
decision is pending regarding a second season or where it will be located.
We are hopeful that if "SIX" is renewed for season 2, that at least half of the
series will be filmed in Wilmington based upon locations required.
6. OLD BUSINESS. There were no items discussed.
7. NEW BUSINESS. Ms. Carey Jones acknowledged the recent appointment of
former Representative Susi Hamilton as the North Carolina Secretary of
Natural and Cultural Resources. Ms. Jones recognized the previous efforts of
Secretary Hamilton in assisting with efforts to maintain and improve the film
incentive program.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:1S A.M.
Respectfully Submi ed, /
Honorable Bill Saffo, Chairman
WILMINGTON
MREGIONAL FILM COMMISSION, INC.
1223 NORTH 23rd STREET • WILMINGTON, NC 28405
www.wilmington-film.com • commish@wilmington-Film.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Honorable Bill Soffo, Vice•Chairman
Honorable Jonathon Barfield
Carey Jones
James L.F. Smith
William Vassar
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WILMINGTON REGIONAL FILM COMMISSION, INC.
Agenda for Special Meeting
February 2, 2017
8:30 AM 1. Meeting called to order
8:30 AM 2. Introduction of new board member, The Honorable Jonathan Barfield
8:32 AM 3. Approve minutes of October 27, 2016 WRFC board meeting (Attachment "A")
8:33 AM 4. Election of officers for 2017 (Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Sectretary/Treasurer)
8:43 AM 5. Membership update
8:48 AM 6. Crew Profile update
8:50 AM 7. Production update
8:55 AM 8. Old business
8:56 AM 9. New business
9:00 AM 10. Adjourn
Member of
aYG1Aoft ASSOCIATION OF
FILM COMMISSIONERS
INTERNATIONAL
ATTACHMENT 'A'
MINUTES OF REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
WILMINGTON REGIONAL FILM COMMISSION, INC.
A North Carolina Non-Profit Corporation
The Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Inc. (WRFC) held a regularly scheduled
meeting at 8:30 AM, on October 27, 2016. Chairman Hon. Beth Dawson, Hon. Bill
Saffo, Ms. Carey Jones, Mr. Jimmy Smith, and Mr. William Vassar were present. In
addition, Johnny Griffin and Kemmy Goodson, were also present.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MEETING ON MAY 24, 2016. The minutes
from the Board Meeting on May 24, 2016, a copy of which is attached as
EXHIBIT A, were unanimously approved.
2. PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF AUDIT OF FY 15-115 FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS. Kemmy Goodson of Goodson & Taylor, CPA's, provided a
brief overview of the FY 15-16 audit, which found no issues and all records in
good order. The audit, a copy of which is attached as EXHIBIT B, was
unanimously approved.
3. SELECTION OF AUDIT COMMITTEE. The new funding contract with the City
of Wilmington stipulates that WRFC must have an audit committee. It was
determined that the Audit Committee will be comprised of three members.
Ms. Carey Jones, Mr. Jimmy Smith, and Mr. William Vassar were unanimously
selected to be members of the Audit Committee for FY 16-17.
4. REVIEW OF NEW FUNDING CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF
WILMINGTON. Mr. Griffin provided an overview of the new funding
contract with the City of Wilmington and highlighted differences with the
previous funding contract.
5. DISCUSSION OF CONTRACT WITH FETZER STRATEGIC PARTNERS FOR
LOBBYING SERVICES FOR 2017. Discussion was had regarding the
proposed contract with Fetzer Strategic Partners for lobbying services for
2017. The Board directed Mr. Griffin to negotiate with Mr. Fetzer regarding
the fee for his services during 2017. Mr. Griffin will follow up with the Board
regarding the results of his discussion with Mr. Fetzer.
6. DISCUSSION ON DELAYING WRFC MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS UNTIL
EARLY 2017. It was decided that due to the lack of current production
activity, it is better to wait until early 2017 to pursue memberships in hopes
of increased production activity in early 2017. Mr. Griffin informed the
board that the interest in memberships is directly related to the amount of
production activity within the region. With an anticipated continued
decrease in production activity, Mr. Griffin expects a decrease in membership
interest.
7. PRODUCTION UPDATE. Currently there are two productions in the region,
which have been here previously and have returned for additional shooting.
These two productions are: BOLDEN and GOOD BEHAVIOR. Otherwise,
production interest is extremely low. Mr. Griffin is hopeful that the television
series GOOD BEHAVIOR and SIX will return in early 2017 to began work on
their second seasons. At this time, all indications are positive.
8. DISCUSSION OF WIMINGTON REGIONAL ECONOMIC SCORECARD
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY— Mr. Griffin informed the board of an
opportunity to be a sponsor for the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce event,
"Wilmington Regional Economic Scorecard". Mr. Griffin stated that the 2015
Scorecard listed the local Film Industry in the four takeaways of the report.
In acknowledgement of the Chamber's continued support of the film
industry, WRFC will purchase a sponsorship opportunity.
9. RECOGNITION OF SERVICE OF CHAIRMAN BETH DAWSON. Hon. Bill Saffo
expressed the board's appreciation to outgoing Chairman Beth Dawson for
her years of service to and leadership of WRFC.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Dawson, Chairman