CURRITUCK COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA

Minutes - Regular Meeting of the Tourism Advisory Board

Monday, January 09, 2023 at 5:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Historic Currituck Courthouse Conference Room

153 Courthouse Road

Room 205

Currituck, North Carolina 27929

Present:

• Benjamin Beasely, Board Member
• Keith Dix, Board Member
• Janice Farr
• Daryl Harlow, Board Member
• Sharon Price, Board Member

Absent:

• Matthew Paulson, Board Member
• Ed Rudzinski, Board Member
• Donald "Ike" McRee, Jr., County Manager
• Bob White, Ex-Officio

Staff Present:

• Tameron Kugler, Travel & Tourism Director

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1.

Call to Order - 5:00 PM

Meeting called to order by Chair, Daryl Harlow, 5:00 pm

2.

Approval of Agenda

Agenda approved unanimously.

• MOVER: Keith Dix
  SECONDER: Benjamin Beasely

  AYES (5)	Benjamin Beasely, Keith Dix, Janice Farr, Daryl Harlow, and Sharon Price
  ABSENT (4)	Bob White, Donald "Ike" McRee, Jr., Matthew Paulson, and Ed Rudzinski

  RESULT: Approved (5 to 0)

3.

Approval of Meeting November 29, 2022 Minutes

Minutes approved unanimously.

• MOVER: Keith Dix
  SECONDER: Benjamin Beasely

  AYES (5)	Janice Farr, Keith Dix, Benjamin Beasely, Daryl Harlow, and Sharon Price
  ABSENT (4)	Bob White, Donald "Ike" McRee, Jr., Matthew Paulson, and Ed Rudzinski

  RESULT: Approved (5 to 0)

4.

County Staff Report

1.

Heather Snyder - Creative Director

Offered job of Creative Director –went to Currituck High School and would like to see her son graduate from CCHS

Has done some work for the Wrights in the past, she would like to continue to do work for the Wrights, but this will be on a case-by-case basis to assure no conflicts.

5.

County Manager Report

Ike McRee absent due to another meeting.

6.

Old Business

1.

Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Grant

• At the last meeting, community expressed desire to put the statue at the Historic Jarvisburg Colored School as it is already a site on the African American Trail and, a docent will be available onsite for 3 days a week to provide interpretation if needed.
• Tameron still needs to meet with structural engineer to determine if the site is appropriate (will need around a 10’ base.
• The conceptual drawing was chosen at this meeting (out of 4).
• It will be a bronze figure (needs to be important, have weight and last), perhaps the ship will be concrete, and the arch made of reinforced steel.
• Tameron described the process of the community meetings and that the first 3 meetings were in upper, middle, and lower Currituck to reach as many people as possible and a meal was provided.
• Notes from these meetings were compiled and sent to the Artist to inform his concept.
• The fourth meeting was with the Artist and the community where he presented his concept.
• Based on this meeting, the Artist (Stephen Hayes) came up with 3 more concepts and the community ultimately decided to go with the original concept.
• Also, the clothing was decided upon – community chose middle class businessman (after freedom achieved and he became a ship owner, farmer, and businessman) to show the status he gained during his lifetime as opposed to a common mariner which would have been clothing during his enslavement.
• Statue location was brought to the Commissioners, and it was approved.
• Going through this exercise has brought the community together, brought a sense of pride to our African American residents, and brought a sense of pride throughout the community that we have this Revolutionary War hero (that was relatively unknown) from Currituck.

2.

RFP for Rebranding

Alex and Tameron are meeting with Crystal to start process.

3.

Event Grants

Event grants were covered in the Special Meeting held right before this meeting (changes to the grant rules and guidelines).

4.

State of the Visitor Economy Report

Will start the report after Creative Director is onboard – will be mailing a piece that will be accompanied by videos to explain more in-depth.

7.

New Business

1.

Additional Christmas Lighting

• Maritime Museum needs more, although the lights were good, there were areas that were still dark.
• It was discussed that it was dark apart from the bridge, parking area was exceptionally dark.
• Can’t see road or sidewalks – perhaps ground lighting?
• Pole lighting perhaps?

2.

Skating Rink at Historic Corolla Park

• The possibility of renting a skating rink was met with agreement.
• Tameron will explore possibilities and costs, but it will probably be around the $45,000 to $50,000 range.
• The issue will be staffing.
• There will be a charge that could help cover the cost of employee salaries and other operational costs.
• It is felt that the draw will be a great draw from the surrounding regions and Currituck.

8.

Director's Report

1.

Occupancy Tax Report

• Still 11.65% ahead of last year even though rentals are down.
• Rental fees are higher, offsetting less rentals.

2.

Board Member

Ed Rudzinski leaving the TAB due to health concerns.  Would like someone from Corolla.

9.

Board Members' Report

• Sharon shared info on Loblolly Estates, a new, smaller wedding event venue. In addition of being the location of William Hunt, who donated the land on which the HJCS was built, it was also discovered on the property the gravesite of Lt. Lewis Westcott, the first African American officer to command a Coast Guard station (Pea Island). The US Coast Guard has asked to do a video on Westcott and the discovery of his gravesite. Dr. Jonathan Holloway, author and President of Rutgers University and who also serves on the Board of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, has asked to visit.
• Keith will be working on a film crew (1/2-hour film) – a break from commercials and documentaries!
• Benjamin – it’s winter and it’s slow, so getting a breather. However, the biggest holiday season ever in December.
• Daryl – Built to Last doing well and gearing up for Spring selling season – March through December. He is working for the government in Yorktown.
• Janice – starting to get rentals ready for the season.

10.

Other Business

No other business

11.

Adjourn

5:54 pm