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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-20 Agenda Airlie Gardens Foundation February 20, 2025 Board Meeting Agenda Michael Creed, Chair Eric Blaesing ,Vice Chair Shane Johnson, Treasurer Nikki Bascome, Secretary Tara Duckworth, Director of Parks & Gardens MISSION To preserve Airlie Gardens in perpetuity as an outstanding, historic public garden with programs developed to serve New Hanover County residents and other visitors. February 20, 2025; 8:30 am: Airlie Cottage 1. Call to Order and approval of the January minutes: Michael Creed 2. Chair’s Report: Michael Creed 3. Treasurer’s Report: Shane Johnson a. Financial Update for period ending January 31, 2025 4. Director’s/Operations Report: Tara Duckworth & staff 5. Other Business: All Board Members Next Meeting: March 20, 2025 AIRLIE GARDENS FOUNDATION BOARD PAGE 2 REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 16, 2025 ASSEMBLY The Airlie Gardens Foundation Board met in regular session at the Airlie Cottage on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. Present: Shane Johnson, Michael Creed, Nikki Bascome, John Russ, Eric Blaesing, Ted Davis, Beverly Erwin, Tia Saffo, and Rob Zapple Excused: Teddy Davis Absent: Sandra Ray, Charlie Rivenbark Staff: Andy Johnson, Jodi Rich, Janine Powell, Tara Duckworth, Scott Childs, Julie Holtz, and Latashia Smith WELCOME AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Michael Creed called the meeting to order. He asked everyone if they had a chance to review the minutes and if there were any changes. Hearing none, the following motion was presented: MOTION: Eric Blaesing MOVED; SECONDED by Shane Johnson, that the minutes of the November meeting be approved. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chair’s Report. Michael Creed commented that the Thank You Luncheon was wonderful and thanked Eric for a marvelous job of getting everything lined up to have this event. He also addressed the overly critical tone of the previous minutes regarding Enchanted Airlie, reassuring staff that it was not the Board's intent. Treasurer’s Report. Shane Johnson reviewed the December year-to-date (FY2025) financials for Airlie Gardens Foundation. Highlights  Enchanted Airlie revenues were 34% higher than last year due to 3 factors: 719 more tickets sold, a $5 increase in ticket price, ETIX collecting sales tax ($30K) from the purchaser and passing on to Airlie to remit. More analysis will be shared during the meeting.  Airlie, again, received a grant from the NC Science Museum in the amount of $27,088 for Environmental Education.  Airlie received an unrestricted estate gift in the amount of $102,794.57.  It was a record December for Gift Shop revenue. Gift Shop Sales during Enchanted Airlie increased $5,845, or 27% over last year.  Capital projects in December included landscape improvements to the Spring Garden trails. Janine reported that she had been subpoenaed to appear in Brunswick County Court in December 2023 regarding the Estate of Jill F. Mullen. In February 2024, the estate awarded the Airlie Foundation $53,783.75 from Ms. Mullen’s 401(k) account. The estate was officially closed on December 12, 2024, resulting in an additional distribution of $102,794.57 to the Board. Since the funds were unrestricted, Janine proposed allocating them toward landscaping improvements in the garden. While the gift acceptance policy permits this use, board approval would be required through a formal vote. Upon this proposal, the following motion was made: AIRLIE GARDENS FOUNDATION BOARD PAGE 3 REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 16, 2025 MOTION: Shane Johnson; SECONDED by Rob Zapple, to designate the $102,794.57 specifically for landscape improvements in the garden. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Tara reported that the operations account currently holds $1.2 million, which exceeds the necessary amount. Staff recommended transferring $600,000 from the operations account to the endowment via wire transfer. MOTION: Shane Johnson MOVED; Rob Zapple SECONDED, that the board agrees to move $600,000 from the operations account into the endowment via wire transfer. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Director’s Report. Tara didn’t have anything new to report and deferred to Jodi. Jodi presented an overview on the outcome of Enchanted Airlie. There were 12,219 carload tickets sold. Twenty-eight percent of those tickets went to members. Two percent went to sponsors and 70% were sold to the general public. Each night there was roughly $17,000 in income received. Eighty-nine percent of purchased tickets were redeemed. After the last board meeting Jodi did some research to see what other gardens were doing for their holiday shows. She looked at Brookgreen Gardens and some other botanical gardens.  Enchanted Airlie has 23 nights and had about 2000 members come into the garden during the day. thth  Brookgreen Gardens is from November 30 to January 5. They are closed for a portion of that time and has a holiday show of 23 nights.  Popular Grove has 15 nights.  Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Gaston County has 25 nights. Their event is smaller, only bringing in a total of 22,000 overall.  Cape Fear Botanical Gardens has 12 nights.  Elizabethan Gardens has 19 nights. This year's Blooms and Brews event will feature exciting enhancements, including an expanded food selection. While maintaining the popular station-style service, the menu will now include hors d’oeuvres such as a charcuterie display, mashed potato bar, shrimp and grits, pork sliders, strawberry spinach salad, carved roast beef with rolls, and a variety of desserts. Beverages will include tea, water, beer, and wine, with a special brew crafted exclusively for the event by Mad Mole. Live entertainment will be provided by the Dram Fam Jam Band. Andy reported that the sidewalk in front of the building has been completed. Improvements to the pergola are currently underway and are expected to be finished within two to three weeks. Work on the four-bay area is scheduled to begin during the first week of February, focusing on the removal of three feet of sediment. Additionally, landscape enhancements in the Camellia Garden remain on schedule for the spring. AIRLIE GARDENS FOUNDATION BOARD PAGE 4 REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 16, 2025 Tara mentioned that over the next couple of months staff will discuss marketing and looking at capital improvement ideas. Other Business. none Next Meeting. The next board meeting will take place at the Airlie Cottage on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the following motion was presented: Eric Blaesing MOVED; Shane Johnson SECONDED; that the meeting be adjourned. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Latashia Smith Administrative Coordinator -Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Airlie Gardens Foundation Board meeting.