2022-09-15 Agenda
Airlie Gardens Foundation
September 15, 2022, Board Meeting Agenda
Hank Estep, Chair
Michael Creed, Vice Chair
Coo Hocker, Treasurer
Eric Blaesing, Secretary
Tara Duckworth, Director of Parks & Gardens
MISSION
To ensure and help preserve Airlie Gardens as an outstanding, historic public garden with
cultural and environmental programs developed to serve New Hanover County residents
and other visitors.
September 15, 2022; 8:30 am: Airlie Cottage (896 Airlie Road)
Meeting Called to Order Hank Estep, Vice Chair
Recurring Consent Agenda Items of Business
1. Approval of the August Minutes
Regular Agenda Items of Business
1.
2. Audit Report: Eric Brigman, Senior Audit Manager, Earney & Co.
3.
a. Financial Update for period ending August 31, 2022
4.
5. Development/Marketing & Outreach Report
6. Other Business: All Board Members
Next Meeting: October 20, 2022
AIRLIE GARDENS FOUNDATION BOARD PAGE 1
REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 18, 2022
ASSEMBLY
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The Airlie Gardens Foundation Board met in Regular session at the Airlie Cottage on Thursday, August 18, 2022,
at 8:15 a.m.
Present: Hank Estep (presiding), Eric Blaesing, Coo Hocker, Shane Johnson, Charlie Rivenbark, John Russ, and Rob
Zapple. Via Teams: Nikki Bascome, Ted Davis, Jr., Sandra Ray, and Michael Creed.
Absent: Teddy Davis.
Staff: Scott Childs, Tara Duckworth, Tany Gurganious, Julie Holtz, Andy Johnson, and Rebecca Pearce.
WELCOME AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Hank Estep called the meeting to order. He then asked if there were
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any changes or corrections to the minutes of the June 16 meeting. No changes were noted. The following motion
was presented:
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MOTION: Charlie Rivenbark MOVED; SECONDED by Rob Zapple, that the minutes of the June 16 meeting be
approved. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Hank noted that election of board officers needed to take place. Charlie Rivenbark, on
behalf of the executive committee, presented the following slate of nominees for officers for 2022-2023:
~ Chair: Hank Estep
~ Vice Chair: Michael Creed
~ Secretary: Eric Blaesing
Charlie asked if there were any nominations from the floor. There were none and those present and online
voted to approve the slate of officers.
Hank asked the new board members, Nikki Bascome and John Russ, to introduce themselves. They both
provided brief introductions.
Hank asked the board to think about how endowment funds should be spent. This would have two
components: 1) Delve into the financials to see how we are generating revenues and how that money is spent.
2) Go around and look at things to see where improvements can be made. Commissioner Zapple suggested a
long-range planning committee. The board agreed and a long-range planning committee will be implemented.
Additionally, at a future board meeting, the financials will be explored further.
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2. . Coo Hocker reviewed the financials for the month ending July 31. (The FY2022
financials are currently being audited. The auditors will be present at the September meeting.)
Revenue
~ Much of the increase in Concert Revenue is due to an increase in sponsorships.
~ Concert Admissions were about $6K higher than last July.
~ Gate Revenues were about $10K less than last July.
~ Gate admission revenue appears to be leveling off (expected due to an increase in members).
~ Membership Revenue was flat compared to last July.
~ Merchandise Revenue was 27% lower than last July and this follows the decrease in Gate Revenues.
~ Program Revenues include Family Fun Night, which did not occur last year.
~ Last July's Wedding/Garden Event Revenue included the July Garden Party. This year's revenue includes
$8,300 in weddings and $2,550 in portraits.
~ Last year's Exhibit Revenues included a portion of the major sponsorships (this year is split between CS,
OR, and EA) as well as specific Exhibit sponsors.
AIRLIE GARDENS FOUNDATION BOARD PAGE 2
REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 18, 2022
Expenses
~ Concerts - The cost of bands has increased this year.
~ Gate - replacement urns were purchased for the Pergola Garden.
Balance Sheet
There is a new account under Other Assets called "Construction in Progress - Gardens Service Center
Retrofit". This account will accumulate all costs related to the renovations in FY23. When complete, the
total amount will be expensed as a Donated Expense to the County (since the asset is owned by the
County). This treatment was discussed with and recommended by the auditors.
3. Director/Operations Report.
are in the garden, and she encouraged the board to come take a look at them. She and Julie met with the
accountants for the audit. Oyster Roast tickets are on sale; however, there are only 30 left.
4. Development Report. Nothing noted to report.
5. Other Business. Eric Blaesing asked about the non-county visitor fee being increased to $10. This would have
to be approved by the commissioners and would not be put in place until next July, if passed.
Hank asked the board if they would be okay with moving the time of the meeting to 8:30. Everyone agreed,
and the following motion was presented:
MOTION: Eric Blaesing MOVED; SECONDED by Coo Hocker, that the Airlie Gardens Foundation Board meeting
time be moved to 8:30am. Upon vote, the motion carried.
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6. Next Meeting. The next board meeting will take place at the Airlie Cottage on Thursday, September 15 at
8:30am.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:48am.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanya Gurganious
Administrative Coordinator
-Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Airlie Gardens Foundation Board meeting.