September OCBA Minutes

Draft minutes from September 11, 2013 meeting

Ocracoke Civic and Business Association

Meeting called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Rudy Austin, president. Board members attending: Rudy Austin, Clayton Gaskill, Carol Pahl, Connie Leinbach, Jim Borland and Justin LeBlanc. Members and guests attending: Earl O’Neal, Mel Covey, Janey and Dick Jacoby, Bill Jones, Robin Payne, Sundae Horn, Daphne Bennink, Pennylayne Sullivan, Lisa Davis.


Minutes: The minutes of the August 14, 2013, meeting were approved with corrections. Treasurer’s Report: Carol reported that beginning assets were $44,903.38, including a CD of $35,124.56. Expenses for the month were $2,667.37 for an ending cash balance of $42,236.01. Total cash and CD balance is $77,360.57.

Officer’s reports: Connie Leinbach reported that she had attended the July Ocracoke Planning Board meeting about the aesthetics of pop-up businesses, and they are interested in having a joint meeting with experts on this issue when we can get them to the island.

As for a letter to send to NCDOT asking for pothole repair on the island, Earl O’Neal offered to help expedite this work. After we compile the list, Earl will contact Jerry Jennings in the DOT for his assistance. Connie and Earl will compile the list.
Rudy Austin reported that dredging in the Hatteras channel is ongoing and that the channel is improving weekly.
Travel and Tourism Director report: Sundae reported that she had 29 calls and 17 emails in August. She showed us our ad in the North Carolina Panthers football yearbook. She outlined a marketing plan she is working on. Pennylayne Sullivan and Lisa Davis, guests from MAX radio, with whom the OCBA has purchased $1,500 worth of advertising for the “Best of the Beach” campaign, outlined the campaign. Ocracoke is in the “Best Weekend Getaway” section. We will get 126 commercials to December that we can change as needed. Sundae said she will visit all the member businesses to poll them as to marketing and where their customers hear about the island.
Amy Howard, the OPS director, is interested in reviving the historic home tour on Howard Street as another off-season event to draw tourists.

OCBA Dues and Walking brochure: 200,000 were printed in 2012. Not sure how many are left. After a discussion, a motion to raise the rates as follows: business member to $50, a website listing to $30, a banner ad on the website to $110, and individual rate to $10, was made by Justin and seconded by Sundae. Motion approved and carried.
SIDCO update: Mel Covey of Hatteras and Earl O’Neal gave a presentation of the diving work they are doing in the Hog Shoal on what they believe is the merchant boat the Fred Walton. Mel presented a table full of artifacts that they want to remain in Ocracoke, including a hurricane lamp, brass spikes, a depth-sounding weight and more. He said they will dive the wreck again next summer. Bill Jones said that the OPS definitely wants to house and display these artifacts.

A motion to support the SIDCO efforts with a grant of $1,500 was made by Janey Jacoby and seconded by Justin. Motion approved and carried.

Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree: Daphne Bennink explained about the event scheduled for Oct. 25 to 27 on Ocracoke. It was designed to be an off-season event to boost tourism. The main events will be an authentic, living-history encampment by a professional group and a ship-to- ship battle in Silver Lake with period boats. Having it at the end of October is because this is the closest we can come to the Nov. 21 date of Blackbeard’s demise and still be somewhat in local businesses’ open season. Originally, the planners wanted it to take place in both Hatteras Village and Ocracoke, but difficulty in getting endorsement from Dare County agencies and a business to help in Hatteras will most likely cause it to be dropped on Hatteras this year. Daphne outlined the schedule and noted that this is an opportunity for members of the business community to get involved as well as lend their help. Actually, the event is bigger than last year’s with the addition of a “Bawdy Beer Garden” and other events. This all will lead up to a grand event in 2018, which will be the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard’s death. Daphne outlined all of this to ask permission to use the OCBA mailing list to promote this event. The group agreed. Ocracoke Triathlon: The group agreed that either the second or third weekend in May would work best for this event for us. A motion to authorized Mr. LeBlanc to be our liaison with SEtUp Events for either of these weekends was made by Carol and seconded by Clayton. Motion approved and carried.

NPS report: From Ed Fuller via text message: He is continuing to talk to headquarters about the fire break. Turtles are hatching along the beach: Ramp 67 is open; there is still a nest between Ramp 70 and 72. Ramp 72 is open all the way to South Point. Ramp 68 will open Nov. 1 after the campground closes.

Meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Connie Leinbach, Secretary 

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