Minutes from October OCBA Meeting

Monday, November 9, 2015 - 19:37 Press Release

This month's meeting is Wednesday, November 11th at 7pm at the Community Center.

Ocracoke Civic and Business Association
DRAFT Minutes
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015. Ocracoke Community Center

Meeting was called to order by Rudy Austin at 7:05 p.m. Board members present: Connie Leinbach and Jim Borland.
Others present: Sundae Horn, Janey and Dick Jacoby, Peter Vankevich, Teresa and Albert O’Neal, Arleen Burley, and Kris Noble. Bill Rich attended by telephone conferencing.

Minutes: Of the September meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s report: Connie Leinbach reported in lieu of Kenny Ballance. As of Aug. 31: $44,710.79 in the checking account; $33,924.56 in the CD (restricted fund); $78,635.35 in total assets. Profit & loss shows a negative of $20,261.35, which reflects a need to apply for reimbursement reimbursement from Occupancy Tax for this year’s July 4 ($10,106.66) and Fig Fest ($8,540) events and other expenses.

Travel & Tourism Director’s report: Sundae Horn reported that she has been squiring travel writers about. One is Paul McGinnis, a blogger and freelancer who writes about off-shore drilling.

“Life in the Carolinas,” a 22-minute TV show by Carl White about Blackbeard and the Pirate Jamboree, will air this weekend (Oct. 17) and again in the winter and spring. The OCBA board approved purchasing a general Ocracoke commercial for this show for $1,800 but it needs a formal vote. A motion to spend $1,800 on the commercial for “Life in the Carolinas” for $1,800 was made by Connie Leinbach and seconded by Sundae Horn. Motion approved and carried.
We need maintenance on the Christmas decorations and the Holiday Celebration winner signs. This is the OCBA-sponsored Christmas decorating contest. The signs go outside the homes chosen by random judges recruited by Teresa O’Neal. The group agreed to have Jason Daniels spruce up the signs. Sundae will talk to Jeff Schleicher (the school shop teacher) about sprucing up the Christmas lights. That needs to be done by mid- December, which is when Tideland starts to hang them.

Walking map: We’ve been talking about enhancing the walking map to include some of the features of the “asset brochure” (info about Ocracoke) so that visitors have one brochure to deal with that includes all the business members and photos and info about Ocracoke attractions. This brochure will cost more than the walking map. The per-price cost goes down with 200,000 printed (which is how many we get of the walking map). Member dues and listing costs will stay the same even though this enhanced brochure will cost about $20,000 plus freight (up from about $14,000 for the previous walking map.) Connie noted that in 2016 we will request money from Occupancy Tax for advertising costs (which is about $10,000 a year). Receiving reimbursement for our paid advertising would offset the added expense of the expanded walking map. Moreover, since the OT board was in favor this year of the OCBA being the tourism go-to agency on the island, they should be more agreeable to funding our advertising expenses (which they haven’t in the past).

A motion to approve spending for this expanded map and ask Occupancy Tax for advertising expenses was made by Jim Borland and seconded by Janey Jacoby.

Fireworks: Sundae reiterated that the original fireworks company she had talked to (Pyrotechnico, and who was keen on working for us) has reneged on their original commitment to do fireworks on July 4 and also want to charge double their original price. They could do it July 2 to 6, but not on July 4. Other fireworks companies have said the same. Zambelli’s price is $36,000 and doesn’t include a barge from which to launch them. Although the Hyde County commissioners agreed to be the sponsor by holding the insurance certificate, she has not heard from the NPS about using the beach off the airport ramp.
The group agreed to drop the pursuit of fireworks. Another group is free to pursue this.
Rudy suggested we beef up the activities we have for maybe a multi-day event next year and said we should talk about new ideas next month.

TRAC: This is the Tourism Resources Assistance Center and is composed of 16 folks from different agencies who will be on the island Oct. 22 to counsel island business owners on the tourism recourses they have available. OCBA is hosting and most of the group will stay at the Berkley Manor. The group sets up their displays and attendees can visit whomever they want. Sundae and Kris are working on housing and food. Ocracoke Alive will provide a pot luck supper and the Fish House will provide fish Thursday night.

NPS report: Ed Fuller reported via text message that Ramp 72 (South Point Road) is still flooded. Everything else is open. Ramp 68 will open on Nov. 1 after the campground is closed.
County manager’s report: Bill Rich (attending via phone conferencing) suggested for July 4 that we look into getting big screens to show fireworks displays in New York or Washington, D.C.

Hurricane Joaquin: he is pleased with how we all got through this event and welcomes input. There was tremendous crop loss on the mainland from the flooding.

Ferries: they are under a lot of pressure to pay for replacement ferries and the bottom line is we are going to be forced to toll the Hatteras ferry whether we want it or not because ferry replacement money comes out of the RPO allotment of $32 million. For that money, 10 counties compete for all of their transportation needs. $12 to $15 million for a new car ferry is half of that budget. The Legislature has not changed where that replacement money will come from. There would be a toll on any passenger ferry and the Ferry Division wants us to decide what we think a fair price for island residents would be or they will decide it for us. (Many in the state government) think spending $42 million for ferries for 900 residents is not fiscally sound. The RPO will meet on Oct. 21 and decide on whether or not to toll. One suggestion was $15 for the passenger ferry toll and $15 per vehicle for the car ferry. One idea would be for anyone to pay $75 per year for a commuter pass for all three island ferries year round. The state would run the passenger ferry and they have forced this on us. When you’re 90 percent tourism, you’re going to get tolled, he said.
Bill said he learned about this today and that the ferry division said if we come up with $2 million (from car- ferry tolls) the state will come up with the rest. It’s the future based on the current state budget. $15 per car gets them to the revenue they need to get to. The Cherry Branch, Pamlico and Currituck routes will stay the same. Rudy said this concept is ridiculous. Why the urgency now? Toll the tourists and see what that does to the Occupancy Tax fund. Any dollars lost on Ocracoke is lost for the county and state as well.
While Bill asked for the group’s blessing to approve this tolling concept, the group said that the fewer than 12 people in attendance does not equal a consensus. Connie suggested that this be further discussed at the ferry division meeting here on the island at 1 p.m. Oct. 19, and spread the word so that more islanders attend and weigh in. The group agreed with this.
New business: Greg Honeycutt asked the OCBA to again sponsor the 5K/10K April 23, 2016, for $1,500. Next year the race also will include a half marathon, the proceeds of which will benefit Ocracoke Child Care. A motion to approve this first-round approval was made by Sundae Horn and seconded by Jim Borland. Motion approved and carried.

Ocracoke Civic and Business Association
DRAFT Minutes
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015. Ocracoke Community Center

Minutes: Of the September meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s report: Connie Leinbach reported in lieu of Kenny Ballance. As of Aug. 31: $44,710.79 in the checking account; $33,924.56 in the CD (restricted fund); $78,635.35 in total assets. Profit & loss shows a negative of $20,261.35, which reflects a need to apply for reimbursement reimbursement from Occupancy Tax for this year’s July 4 ($10,106.66) and Fig Fest ($8,540) events and other expenses.

Travel & Tourism Director’s report: Sundae Horn reported that she has been squiring travel writers about. One is Paul McGinnis, a blogger and freelancer who writes about off-shore drilling.

Walking map: We’ve been talking about enhancing the walking map to include some of the features of the “asset brochure” (info about Ocracoke) so that visitors have one brochure to deal with that includes all the business members and photos and info about Ocracoke attractions. This brochure will cost more than the walking map. The per-price cost goes down with 200,000 printed (which is how many we get of the walking map). Member dues and listing costs will stay the same even though this enhanced brochure will cost about $20,000 plus freight (up from about $14,000 for the previous walking map.) Connie noted that in 2016 we will request money from Occupancy Tax for advertising costs (which is about $10,000 a year). Receiving reimbursement for our paid advertising would offset the added expense of the expanded walking map. Moreover, since the OT board was in favor this year of the OCBA being the tourism go-to agency on the island, they should be more agreeable to funding our advertising expenses (which they haven’t in the past).

A motion to approve spending for this expanded map and ask Occupancy Tax for advertising expenses was made by Jim Borland and seconded by Janey Jacoby.

Fireworks: Sundae reiterated that the original fireworks company she had talked to (Pyrotechnico, and who was keen on working for us) has reneged on their original commitment to do fireworks on July 4 and also want to charge double their original price. They could do it July 2 to 6, but not on July 4. Other fireworks companies have said the same. Zambelli’s price is $36,000 and doesn’t include a barge from which to launch them. Although the Hyde County commissioners agreed to be the sponsor by holding the insurance certificate, she has not heard from the NPS about using the beach off the airport ramp.
The group agreed to drop the pursuit of fireworks. Another group is free to pursue this.
Rudy suggested we beef up the activities we have for maybe a multi-day event next year and said we should talk about new ideas next month.

TRAC: This is the Tourism Resources Assistance Center and is composed of 16 folks from different agencies who will be on the island Oct. 22 to counsel island business owners on the tourism recourses they have available. OCBA is hosting and most of the group will stay at the Berkley Manor. The group sets up their displays and attendees can visit whomever they want. Sundae and Kris are working on housing and food. Ocracoke Alive will provide a pot luck supper and the Fish House will provide fish Thursday night.

NPS report: Ed Fuller reported via text message that Ramp 72 (South Point Road) is still flooded. Everything else is open. Ramp 68 will open on Nov. 1 after the campground is closed.
County manager’s report: Bill Rich (attending via phone conferencing) suggested for July 4 that we look into getting big screens to show fireworks displays in New York or Washington, D.C.

Hurricane Joaquin: he is pleased with how we all got through this event and welcomes input. There was tremendous crop loss on the mainland from the flooding.

Ferries: they are under a lot of pressure to pay for replacement ferries and the bottom line is we are going to be forced to toll the Hatteras ferry whether we want it or not because ferry replacement money comes out of the RPO allotment of $32 million. For that money, 10 counties compete for all of their transportation needs. $12 to $15 million for a new car ferry is half of that budget. The Legislature has not changed where that replacement money will come from. There would be a toll on any passenger ferry and the Ferry Division wants us to decide what we think a fair price for island residents would be or they will decide it for us. (Many in the state government) think spending $42 million for ferries for 900 residents is not fiscally sound. The RPO will meet on Oct. 21 and decide on whether or not to toll. One suggestion was $15 for the passenger ferry toll and $15 per vehicle for the car ferry. One idea would be for anyone to pay $75 per year for a commuter pass for all three island ferries year round. The state would run the passenger ferry and they have forced this on us. When you’re 90 percent tourism, you’re going to get tolled, he said.
Bill said he learned about this today and that the ferry division said if we come up with $2 million (from car- ferry tolls) the state will come up with the rest. It’s the future based on the current state budget. $15 per car gets them to the revenue they need to get to. The Cherry Branch, Pamlico and Currituck routes will stay the same. Rudy said this concept is ridiculous. Why the urgency now? Toll the tourists and see what that does to the Occupancy Tax fund. Any dollars lost on Ocracoke is lost for the county and state as well.
While Bill asked for the group’s blessing to approve this tolling concept, the group said that the fewer than 12 people in attendance does not equal a consensus. Connie suggested that this be further discussed at the ferry division meeting here on the island at 1 p.m. Oct. 19, and spread the word so that more islanders attend and weigh in. The group agreed with this.
New business: Greg Honeycutt asked the OCBA to again sponsor the 5K/10K April 23, 2016, for $1,500. Next year the race also will include a half marathon, the proceeds of which will benefit Ocracoke Child Care. A motion to approve this first-round approval was made by Sundae Horn and seconded by Jim Borland. Motion approved and carried.

Old Business:
Christmas lights: Connie reported that she sent an email to Jeff Schleicher asking if the shop class can help refurbish them but has not heard back.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. The next meeting is Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Ocracoke Community Center.

Respectfully submitted, Connie Leinbach, secretary