Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWB request FY25 October 2024 Minute corrections NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS CORRECTIONS TO PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES October 30, 2024 The FY2025 funding requests from the Town of Wrightsville Beach were considered at the Wednesday, October 30, 2024, NHC TDA Board Meeting and approved. Inadvertently, October 30, 2024, Board Minutes approved January 29, 2025, did not reflect the FY2025 requested amounts; they included the requested amounts from FY2024. The requested amounts approved for Wrightsville Beach FY2025 activity funds on October 30, 2024, are as follows: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH:  The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount of $180,000 to help support the cleaning of the beach bathhouses. Town restrooms and other public areas from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The Town currently pays $19,860 per month to Heavenly Scent for this function. The reimbursement requested will assist the Town in its goal to provide clean and safe for its guests,  The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount $130,000 to support the Beach Patrol Officer function during FY2025. This service provides two dedicated officers to patrol nearly four miles of beach strand and attend the 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 the overall Beach Safety and Ocean Rescue Program and have full police enforcement authority.  The Town of Wrightsville Beach employs a sanitation department that is tasked with keeping the Town free of litter. Part of this task is patrolling the beach strand for cleaning up and to monitor waste receptacles. The current truck that the Town is using is having difficulty driving through the sand. A new truck is needed to improve the Town’s productivity and effectiveness in keeping the Town clean for guests for $45,000.  The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount of $40,000. The Town of Wrightsville Beach operates fourteen (14) stations along the beach strand. Half of these lifeguards were replaced in FY2024, and the Town intends to replace the other half in the current year. The lifeguards’ stations are an important fixture to house the lifeguards on duty as they provide rescue and safety services for the Town’s guests.  The Town of Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount of $85,000 to purchase digital message boards in FY 2025. The digital message boards will replace manual signs that limit message content and the immediate dissemination of information. The boards will be visible on the main highways, Highways 74 and 76, and will provide important information about events, traffic, beach conditions, and other helpful information that would benefit tourists and visitors as well as residents.  The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount of $45,000 be favorably considered to help fund fireworks, advertising, public relations and media support associated with the planning and presentation of the 2024 North Carolina Holiday Flotilla. These funds are to be used exclusively to help pay for a fireworks display ($27,000) and other expenses to promote and execute the annual event ($18,000). Funds will only be disbursed to the Holiday Flotilla by the Town of Wrightsville Beach on a reimbursement basis after a review of invoices paid. The North Caolina Holiday Flotilla is a non- profit corporate entity that has traditionally presented this event at Wrightsville Beach during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This will be the 40th 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.  The Town of Wrightsville Beach each holiday season hosts several events, including the tree lighting ceremony, NC Holiday Flotilla, and the Christmas movies in the park. These events bring in thousands of visitors each year. In preparation for the season and events, the Town decorates the entire municipal campus as well as the light poles throughout Town. A portion of these requested funds will go toward the purchase of replacement lights, and installation and removal of lights and decorations. The remainder of the $25,000 requested will pay for event costs, such as music/film licenses, contracted performers, and audio/visual equipment.  The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount of $750,000 to be favorably considered to support the Ocean Rescue Program (Beach Strand Lifeguards) during FY 2025. This service provides comprehensive ocean rescue coverage for the nearly four miles of beach strand and expanded manning for fourteen (14) lifeguard stations as well as mobile coverage. The service is staffed by thirty (30) fully qualified personnel. The mission of the Wrightsville Beach Rescue Program is to provide water lifesaving services, emergency life support, water safe education, and enforcement of local water related ordinances. Operation of the service is a critical element in providing a safe and hospitable environment for beach visitors. The sum of the WB FY 2025 Approved Funding Requests Amount shown in Approved at October 30, 2024 Description10/30/2024 TDA original Board Board MeetingMinutes and approved 1/29/25 Ocean Rescue Operations$750,000.00$450,000.00 Beach Patrol$130,000.00$75,000.00 Beach Facilities & Sanitation$180,000.00$80,000.00 Sanitation Truck$45,000.00$0.00 Digital Signs$85,000.00$0.00 NC Holiday Flotilla$45,000.00$45,000.00 Christmas Events and Lights$25,000.00$0.00 Lifeguard Stands$40,000.00$0.00 Holiday banners$2,740.00 salaries and associated operational costs for the Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue TOTALS$1,300,000.00$652,740.00 and incorporates the salaries for the Ocean Rescue Director and Lifeguard Captain. The total amount of the approved FY2025 Wrightsville Beach requests on October 30, 2024, was $1,300,000.00 (not the $$652,740.00 as shown in the original October 30, 2024 minutes.) \[Motion made by Nicolas Montoya, seconded by Natalie English and unanimously accepted to approve the funding request for Wrightsville Beach in the amount of $1,300,000.00.\] ______________________________ __________________________ Kim Hufham, President/CEO Zach Brigman, Secretary Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book XIII