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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-21 Agenda Airlie Gardens Foundation August 21, 2025 Board Meeting Agenda Eric Blaesing, Chair Shane Johnson, Vice Chair John Russ, 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. August 21, 2025; 8:30 am: Airlie Cottage 1. Call to Order and approval of the July minutes: Eric Blaesing 2. Chair’s Report: Eric Blaesing 3. Treasurer’s Report: John Russ a. Financial Update for period ending July 31, 2025 b. Copley Investment presentation 4. Director’s/Operations Report: Tara Duckworth & staff 5. Other Business: All Board Members Next Meeting: September 18, 2025 AIRLIE GARDENS FOUNDATION BOARD PAGE 2 REGULAR MEETING JULY 17, 2025 ASSEMBLY The Airlie Gardens Foundation Board met in regular session at the Airlie Cottage on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Present: Beverly Erwin, Shane Johnson, Eric Blaesing, Nikki Bascome, Tia Saffo, and Rob Zapple Excused: Teddy Davis, Ted Davis, Jr., and John Russ Absent: Charlie Rivenbark and Sandra Ray Staff: Andy Johnson, Jodi Rich, Tara Duckworth, Scott Childs, Julie Holtz, and Janine Powell WELCOME AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Eric Blaesing called the meeting to order. He asked everyone if they had a chance to review the minutes and if there were any changes. Nikki noticed her last name was spelled with a “B” instead of an “E” at the end and requested that it be changed. Hearing no other changes, the following motion was presented: MOTION: Shane Johnson MOVED; Rob Zapple SECONDED; that the minutes of the June meeting be approved as amended. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chair’s Report Eric Blaesing reported that we will have a new board member and Copeley Investments will be at next month’s meeting. Treasurer’s Report. Shane Johnson reviewed the unaudited FY2025 financials for Airlie Gardens Foundation. Revenues  Concert revenues were $10K less than prior year. Half of this is in sponsorship revenue (in FY25, sponsors were split between 4 events versus 3 last fiscal year) and half is less admission revenue. Last August's concert was cancelled.  Enchanted Airlie revenues were 31% 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 (in previous years, ETIX was not collecting sales tax from the purchaser and Airlie was remitting sales tax thus lowering revenue).  Oyster Roast revenue is higher than last year due to being able to sell table sponsors.  Blooms & Brews revenue is higher due to major sponsorship revenues being allocated to this event.  Grants for FY25 were from The Landfall Foundation for the Exhibit and the NC Science Museum for Environmental Education.  Contributions income for both years included an estate gift ($50K more in FY25).  For the year, records were set in Gate, Membership, and Gift Shop revenue.  Wedding & Event Revenue was higher due to: $11K in film revenue, $7K more in portrait revenue, and the remaining increase in elopements/ceremonies/weddings. Expenses  Oyster Roast expenses are higher in the following categories: rentals and event caterer/food AIRLIE GARDENS FOUNDATION BOARD PAGE 3 REGULAR MEETING JULY 17, 2025  Blooms & Brews expenses were lower in the following category: event caterer/food  Gate expenses were higher due to some one-time expenses: golf cart batteries, lift and tram repairs, new tram/parking radios, trash cans  Merchandise expenses are higher due to sales being higher. Gift shop merchandise is inventoried and expensed when items are sold.  Other Expenses are lower due to the rentals of portable restrooms during the prior year's garden service center's renovation.  Grounds Maintenance includes: Fertilizer, Tree preservation, inventory and mgmt, azalea rejuvenation and hardscape repairs. Expenses vary year to year based on staff budget priorities.  Administrative Support is higher due to: the purchase of a Membership Anywhere software which will allow for digital cards, higher Altru (point of sale system) expenses, an increase in merchant fees due to higher volume, and some one-time other expenses. Capital Expenses  Capital Expenses during FY25 included: Enchanted Airlie Decor refresh, Forebay maintenance, Landscape Enhancements in the Camellia garden, Wellhouse/Shed demo, Pergola entryway, and the Garden Service Center sidewalk. Endowment  Market appreciation for FY2025 was $270K higher than FY2024.  $1,163,000 was transferred from the Operating Account into the Endowment during FY2025. Director’s Report. Tara reported that she and Julie are currently working on the audit, which will be presented to the Board in September. She reviewed the monthly revenue trends over the past nine years, noting that 2025 marked a record year for gate revenue, memberships, and gift shop sales. Tara announced that Copley Investments will provide an endowment overview at the August meeting. She had a brief discussion with Justin Burgess of Copley Investments, who indicated that market conditions are improving. While the endowment experienced paper losses during the first few quarters, performance has since rebounded, with the last quarter yielding net gains and a 10.85% return. Tara also discussed updates regarding ticket agents, noting that worker’s compensation insurance has been secured. Effective August 19, 2025, these positions will transition from county payroll to become employees of the Airlie Foundation. She expressed appreciation to the Board for supporting this transition. Julie is finalizing QuickBooks payroll arrangements for direct deposit. Tara formally announced her retirement, effective September 29, 2025, and introduced Jodi Rich as the incoming Park & Gardens Director. Due to a county-wide hiring freeze, Jodi’s current role as Guest Services Manager will not be filled. Additionally, in light of staffing shortages across park districts, one grounds worker from Airlie Gardens will be reassigned to a district currently facing four vacancies. Staff is developing a plan that may include Janine and Tanya assuming additional day-to-day responsibilities at Airlie alongside their existing duties. Scott reported that Riley, the current working dog at Airlie, is now 14 years old and beginning to slow down. He has been in communication with the organization from which Riley was originally purchased AIRLIE GARDENS FOUNDATION BOARD PAGE 4 REGULAR MEETING JULY 17, 2025 and learned that they have a nine-month-old dog they believe would be an excellent fit for Airlie. The dog is currently undergoing herding aptitude testing. Scott expressed interest in having an overlap period during which Riley could serve as a mentor for the new dog. The prospective dog has completed basic training but will require additional specialized training. Training costs are estimated to range between $500 and $2,000. Annual care expenses are projected to be between $3,500 and $5,000. Other Business. None Next Meeting: August 21, 2025 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the following motion was presented: Nikki Bascome MOVED; Rob Zapple SECONDED; that the meeting be adjourned. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 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.