HomeMy WebLinkAboutTDA Board Meeting March 31 2021
NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
March 31, 2021
PRESENT: Craig Bloszinsky, Mayor – Town of Kure Beach
Natalie English, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Kim Hufham, President/CEO – NHC TDA
Nicole Jones, Wilmington Hotel (150-)
Deb Hays, Commissioner – New Hanover County
Daniel Perkins,Wilmngton Hotel (150+
LeAnn Pierce, Mayor – Carolina Beach
Bill Saffo, Mayor – City of Wilmington
Lisa Wurtzbacher – New Hanover County Finance Officer
Jason Bryant, NHC Vacation Rentals,
Hap Fatzinger-NHC Attractions
Angela Rhodes-NHC restaurants
Ken Dull- Wrightsville Beach
Tom Ullring, Carolina Beach Hotel
EXCUSED: Chuck Pennington- Bed & Breakfasts, Lisa Wurtzbacher –
New Hanover County Finance Officer
STAFF: Kim Little, Administrative Services Manager/Recording
Secretary
Linda Brothers, Senior Financial Analyst, NHC
Connie Nelson, Communications/PR Director
Karla Thompson, Technology/Systems Manager
Shawn Braden, VP Marketing
John Sneed, VP Sales
Chairman Daniel Perkins called the meeting of the New Hanover County Tourism
Development Authority Board of Directors to order at 5:00pm. The virtual WebEx
meeting was initiated at the offices of the CVB.
Chairman Daniel Perkins welcomed new member, Ken Dull, representing Town of
Wrightsville Beach.
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ITEM #1 – EXCUSED – Chuck Pennington, Lisa Wurtzbacher
ITEM #2 – APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES FOR JANUARY 27,2021 – Daniel
Perkins.
\[Motion made by Natalie English, seconded by Hap Fatzinger and
unanimously accepted to approve the January 27, 2021 TDA Board minutes as
read.\]
ITEM #3- FINANCIALS/ROT REPORT – LINDA BROTHERS
Linda presented the ROT collections report. Overall, Linda reports
the NHCTDA is doing relatively well, because the beaches are really
sustaining and bringing in revenue.
\[Complete report can be found in Exhibit Book XIII.\]
ITEM #4 – BUDGET AMENDMENT APPROVAL – LINDA BROTHERS
Linda Brothers, Senior Financial Analyst, NHC, presented the
following Budget Amendment.
BA#2021-004- To decrease budgeted revenues and budgeted
expenditures due to lower collections in the City of Wilmington and
the Convention Center District associated with the COVID-19
pandemic. Budgeted Expenditures for trade shows, promotions,
travel and the special advertising initiative are reduced to reflect the
decrease in revenue.
BA #2021-005- To correct past retirement contributions dating to
when the Tourism Development Authority was created in 2003. All
eligible employees have been corrected according to SEP guidelines
and approved by the IRS. Additional interest has accrued since the
IRS submission and has been included in all correction payments
amounts.
\[Motion made by Natalie English, seconded by Hap Fatzinger and
unanimously accepted to approve the Budget Amendments as read.\]
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FY 2020/2021 Audit Contract- It is the recommendation to continue
with Cherry Bekaert. They are conducted audits for us for the last 5
years. Their fee is $3,500 and increase of $250.
\[Motion made by Nicole Jones, seconded by Craig Bloszinsky and unanimously
accepted to approve of the audit contract, as read.\]
ITEM#4 – EXPENDITURE REQUESTS- CAROLINA BEACH, KURE BEACH
AND WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
KURE BEACH:
The Town of Kure Beach respectfully request funds for Ocean
Rescue/Lifeguard salaries, expenses, and benefits for the summer of 2020.
The requested funds include expenditures for two budget years, 2019-2020
and 2020-2021. The expenses to be reimbursed are calculated as follows:
Total Lifeguard Expenses Incurred FY2019/2020 $242,648.00
Less: Lifeguard Expenses Included on 1/21/20 $118,119.77
TDA request
FY2019/2020 Remaining to be Reimbursed $124,528.23.
FY2020/2021 Lifeguard Expenses Incurred from
7/1/20-12/31/20 $140,322.21
Amount of this request $264,850.44
The Town of Kure Beach respectfully requests funding for expenditures that
were incurred for maintenance, improvements and operating supplies at the
Ocean Front Park and pavilion and public restrooms for the period for
October 2019 to December 2020.
The Kure Beach Ocean Front Park has become a favorite destination for the
tourists visiting Kure Beach. The Ocean Front Park pavilion is the location
of many tourist-related activities, educational programs. Additionally,
tourists may reserve the facility for private events. The location of the
pavilion in proximity to the ocean is part of the draw, but also leads to a
variety of maintenance issues. Also, there are the expenditures for operation
supplies (e.g. paper products, etc.) used at the public restrooms located at the
park. The expenditures for the period of October 2019 to December 2020.
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Total funds requested $31,699.78
The Town of Kure Beach respectfully requests funding for expenditures that
were incurred for the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Free Summer
Concerts held during the fall of 2020.
The four free concerts held at the Fort Fisher Military Recreation Area,
attract tourists to Kure Beach by providing an enjoyable and affordable
entertainment venue. The expenditures for fiscal year 2020/2021 are:
Total funds requested $6,533.33
**Total funds are available in the amount of $303,083.55.
\[Motion made by Hap Fatzinger, seconded by Angela Rhodes
and unanimously accepted to approve Kure Beach funding requests, as
read.\]
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH:
The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA
funding in the amount of $70,000 to help support the cleaning of beach
bathhouses and sanitation pick up on the oceanfront and other tourist
related areas from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The Town spends at
least 1,600 hours performing this function. The reimbursement requested
includes the salaries and benefits for those hours performing tourism-related
cleaning with the Town.
The Wrightsville Beach of Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA
funding in the amount of $350,000 to be favorably considered to support our
Ocean Rescue Program (Beach Strand Lifeguards) during FY 2021. This
service provides comprehensive ocean rescue coverage for nearly four miles
of the beach strand and expanded manning for thirteen (13) lifeguard
stations as well as mobile coverage. The Service is staffed by thirty (30) fully
qualified personnel. The mission of the Wrightsville.
The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA
funding in the amount of $55,000 to support our Beach Patrol Officer,
function during FY2021. This service provides two dedicated Beach Patrol
Officers to patrol nearly four miles of beach strand and attend to the
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enforcement of ordinances and policies related to the use of parks and
beaches by both residents and visitors to the beaches, parks, and local public
facilities that support the tourism industry. The Beach Patrol Officers
provide an integral part of our overall Beach Safety and Ocean Rescue
Program and have full police enforcement authority.
The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA
funding in the amount of $9,650 be favorably considered to help fund
advertising, public relations, media support and awards associated with the
planning and presentation of the 2020 North Carolina Holiday Door to Dock
contest (as Flotilla was cancelled due to Covid). These funds are to be used
exclusively to help pay for expense to promote and execute the annual event
($5.900) as well as awards ($3,750). Funds will only be disbursed to the
Holiday Flotilla by the Town of the Wrightsville Beach on a reimbursement
basis after a review of paid invoices. The North Carolina Holiday Flotilla is a
nonprofit corporate entity that has traditionally presented this event at
Wrightsville Beach during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This would
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have been the 37 year for the Holiday Flotilla and it continues to be one of
the premier tourist attractions of the year for Wrightsville Beach and the
entire southeastern Carolina region. As drawing large groups was not
permitted during the Covi, this enabled resident and tourist participation in
a distance manner to comply with the precautions.
**Total funds are available in the amount of $484,650.
\[Motion made by Nicole Jones, seconded by Jason Bryant and
unanimously accepted to approve the Wrightsville Beach funding requests,
as read.\]
CAROLINA BEACH
The Town of Carolina Beach, respectfully, requests NHC TDA funds in the
amount of $383,372.59 for expenses incurred for travel and tourism related
activities involving Lifeguard/Ocean Rescue salaries, benefits, supplies and
more for the period of June 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020.
The Town of Carolina Beach, respectfully, requests NHC TDA funds in the
amount of $196,997.96 for expenses incurred for travel and tourism related
activities along Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce.
**Total funds are available in the amount of $580,370.55.
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\[Motion made by Angela Rhodes, seconded by Jason Bryant and
unanimously accepted to approve the Funding requests for Carolina Beach, as
read.\]
ITEM #5 – CVB UPDATE and PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS- Kim Hufham
Highlights from the Marketing department, Communication/Public
Relations department, Sales & Services departments to their
accomplishments, so far in FY20/21.
\[Copies of all the presentations can be found in the Exhibit Book XIII\]
ITEM #6 – CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS- Daniel Perkins
ITEM #7 – OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS-
LeAnn Pierce stated that Carolina Beach will be reducing the number of
trash cans on the beach strand.
Ken Dull stated that the Board of Alderman wanted to change the logo that is
being used on the WBCVB official website.
ITEM #8 – ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS
Chairman- Jason Bryant
Vice- Chairman – Nicole Jones
Treasurer- Lisa Wurtzbacher
Secretary- Angela Rhodes
Past- Chairman- Daniel Perkins
\[Motion made by Daniel Perkins, seconded by Natalie English
unanimously accepted to approve the slate of officers presented.\]
As there was no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Next Meeting Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2021
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______________________________ __________________________
Kim Hufham, President/CEO Angela Rhodes, Secretary
Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book XIIII
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