OCBA February DRAFT Minutes

We will be talking with CHNS superintendent Barclay Trimble at 7:30 p.m. about his de-funding of lifeguards here. The March agenda is below the minutes. 

Ocracoke Civic and Business Association

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014 Minutes DRAFT

Meeting was called to order by President Rudy Austin at 7:03 p.m. Board members present: Rudy Austin, president, Clayton Gaskill, vice-president, Kenny Ballance, treasurer, and Jim Borland, member-at-large. Sundae Horn, travel and tourism director.
Minutes: The minutes of the January meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s report: Kenny reported that the starting balance was $58,045.35 on Jan. 11, 2014. Balance in the account as of Feb. 19 and a number of bills were paid is $46,595.97.

NPS de-funding lifeguards: We received a letter back from Barclay Trimble, CHNS superintendent, saying that he doesn’t have the money to hire lifeguards but he would be willing to explore a partnership with us. Kenny noted that lifeguards have been cut in the entire National Seashore, yet more money has been allocated toward “interpretive programs.” He estimated that of the $200,000 the NPS allocates to the lifeguard program, $68,000 of that pays for the Ocracoke program.

Justin LeBlanc has been in Washington, D.C., and is contacting Sen. Kay Hagan’s and Walter Jones’s offices about this.

Fireworks on Ocracoke: The group discussed why this has not been happening since 2009 on the island. Following the horrific and tragic explosion July 4, 2009, this was not an issue for a few years. Moreover, Rudy said his name has been on a lawsuit about this for the last four years and recently got taken off. He said he will never put his name on another fireworks permit again.
In 2012, Fred Westervelt did a thorough investigation as to where fireworks could possibly be launched on the island, which, owing to its physical limitations presents many problems. The NPS will not allow fireworks on the beach. “Something always caught the grass on fire with this location,” said Clayton because prevailing southwest winds blow the sparks over the island grasses and marshes. Fireworks one year at NCCAT caught the Point on fire. Fred investigated launching them from a barge in the sound. Several permits would have to be obtained for this from wildlife groups, the Coast Guard and others. A barge would have to be rented and tugged over here. There are now different requirements for how big the barge must be. All of this would add about $50,000 to the price of $22,000 for about 10 minutes of fireworks. So, the OCBA would be looking at about a $75,000 bill for this, which it does not want to do. “That’s a lot of money to blow up in 10 minutes,” Rudy said. The group discussed having more things to do before and after the actual July 4 because visitors have asked about more activities. Sundae Horn said she is looking into having more bands at Community Square and having sky divers at the new ball field. They would not be able to land anywhere in the village due to trees and power lines. The Assembly of God had been responsible for the bouncy house in years past and did not want to do this last year. Perhaps another group would want to be responsible for this. “The Tale of Blackbeard” will be an island attraction this year as well.
Chip Stevens suggested we set the schedule earlier so that lodgings can put it on their websites by May. President’s report: Rudy reported that the Army Corps of Engineers is surveying the Hatteras Inlet to try to get the short route back in operation. He said the Corps side of that channel is “holding its own.” The state of NC is also dredging its side of the channel.

Village signage: Rudy wants the state to add “village” under the “Ocracoke” sign at the Ocracoke ferry terminus from Hatteras so that people know there’s a village 13 miles down the road.
Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree: Chip Stevens, treasurer of this group, talked about folding this group’s Occupancy Tax Board request into the OCBA request since the Jamboree is now under the auspices of the OCBA. He also asked the OCBA for a testimonial letter to include in the request. Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree will be held Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

New Business: A state representative will be on the island March 10 to discuss the new fishing regulations if OCBA sponsors it at no cost to anyone.
The Hyde County Chamber of Commerce is looking for two representatives from Ocracoke.

There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted,
Connie Leinbach, secretary

OCRACOKE CIVIC AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Monthly meeting
7 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014 Ocracoke Community Center Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Approval of Minutes

3. Treasurer’s Report (Kenny Ballance)

4. Travel & Tourism Director report (Sundae Horn)

5. President’s Report (Rudy Austin)

6. Committee Reports (if available) --Storm water (Justin LeBlanc)

   --Sign Committee (Tom Pahl)

7. Old Business:

   Lifeguard situation at public beach—phone call with Barclay Trimble at 7:30 p.m.

8. New Business

9. As-needed updates:
   Officers’ reports
   County Manager, Bill Rich
   County Commissioner, John Fletcher National Park Service, Ed Fuller

   10. Announcements

   11. Adjourn

       Next meeting: Wednesday, April 9, 2014. 7 p.m. Ocracoke Community Center