Ocracoke Civic and Business Association
DRAFT Minutes
Wednesday, July 16, 2014. (postponed from July 9) Ocracoke Community Center
Meeting was called to order by President Rudy Austin at 7:10 p.m. Board members present: Connie Leinbach, Justin LeBlanc, Jim Borland and Clayton Gaskill. Members present: Sundae Horn, Peter Vankevich, Janey & Dick Jacoby.
Minutes: The minutes of the June meeting were approved.
Treasurer’s report: Kenny reported that the beginning cash balance was $26,117.37, and the ending balance was $15,869. After going over our books, we requested a reimbursement of $24,676.75.
Travel & Tourism Director’s report: Sundae Horn reported that we purchased new July 4 decorations for Community Square and suggested we salvage some of the July 4 festivities with the Fig Cake Bake-off before the end of the summer as a community celebration, along with a square dance, a band and vendors with fig- related items: food or wares. A motion to have the Celebration/bake-off Friday, Aug. 15, starting at 3 p.m. in Community Square was made by Jim Borland and seconded by Justin LeBlanc. Motion approved and carried.
A discussion about enlarging the bake-off to a bona fide fig festival ensued and was enthusiastically received as something to discuss further for next year and possibly after the high season.
Hurricane Arthur: Sundae also reported that there’s still some confusion among potential visitors as to the island being open due to the storm damage in the tri-villages area. She also mentioned that she (as a press member with Ocracoke Current, and Connie, as a press member for Island Free Press and the Ocracoke Observer) were denied access to the final Ocracoke Deputy Control Group meetings following Hurricane Arthur. This action was done at the behest of a state emergency response official Charles Tripp, who was on the island at the time. For the record, County Commissioner John Fletcher was against the press being excluded from these meetings.
President’s report: Rudy Austin reported that the Hatteras Inlet Committee in Dare County includes the following islanders: Albert O’Neal, Ernie Doshier and himself. As for the short ferry route, we have the same problem there as six months ago: the channel is too narrow for two ferries to pass. The dredge cut needs to be widened, but there’s no federal money available until October. He said the group is pressing for the Army Corps of Engineers (who have dredged this channel for 50 years) to bring in a 36-inch dredge. Rudy said Allen Burrus (of Hatteras, and a Dare County commissioner) is putting something together to get dredging done in the winter. We (Ocracoke and Dare County) all have to be on the same page because it’s essentially a Dare County project.
Letters needed: 1. To Hyde County commissioners asking them to support whatever this inlet group comes up with; 2. Letter to Dare County supporting whatever this plan is; 3. Letter to Kym Hart (interim Cape Hatteras National Seashore superintendent) to visit Ocracoke.
Storm water remediation: Justin reported that an agreement with the Ocracoke Mosquito Control Board has been drafted about installing a culvert from Back Road to Old Pony Road (gravel road beside Blackbeard’s Lodge) as the first puddle to be addressed. NC DOT will install the grates. Once the puddle in front of Secret Garden Gallery is remediated, work will proceed on the rest of the roadway puddles on the island.
Letters have been sent to property owners. One property owner had a question as to whether they own into the middle of the road. Justin redrafted a letter seeking their written permission. This letter will go out from Hyde County on its letterhead.
Old Business: Connie read the letters sent to Hyde County commissioners asking them to support our efforts to make sure the Cape Hatteras National Seashore fully pays for lifeguards next year and henceforth, and to Barclay Trimble, CHNS superintendent, asking him to rework the public boat ramp that is not steep enough.
New Business: Janey Jacoby noted that she was disturbed that Wayne Clark and Martha Garrish were taken off the Occupancy Tax Board (by County Commissioner John Fletcher, who appoints these members) without their being asked. She said Occupancy Tax Board members have a tough job evaluating the projects seeking funding and that these board members all talk at length and ask good questions. She asked the OCBA to write a letter to Wayne and Martha thanking them for their many years of service.
Other discussion topics were the chipper and the overflowing dumpsters and the many missing street signs. Justin said he would call County Manager Bill Rich about these concerns.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Next meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13.
Respectfully submitted, Connie Leinbach, secretary
Agenda
OCRACOKE CIVIC AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Monthly meeting
7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014 Ocracoke Community Center
-
Call to Order
-
Approval of Minutes
-
Treasurer’s Report (Kenny Ballance)
-
Travel & Tourism Director report (Sundae Horn)
-
President’s Report (Rudy Austin)
7. New Business 8. Old Business
9. As-needed updates:
Committee reports
Officers’ reports
County Manager, Bill Rich
County Commissioner, John Fletcher National Park Service, Ed Fuller
-
Announcements
-
Adjourn
Next meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014. 7 p.m. Ocracoke Community Center