THE
BLUE HER N
February/ March 2024
Publication of the DeBordieu Colony Community Association “DCCA” www.debordieucolony.org
DCCA Board Seeks Candidates
The DCCA is grateful to our Board members and all their efforts on behalf of the community. From attending monthly Board meetings, to fielding homeowner concerns at community events, they are constantly “on-duty” and serve the interests of their fellow residents. Being a DCCA Board Member takes patience, a lot of reading, and attendance at regular monthly meetings. Board members also chair and/or serve on one of the community’s committees (Executive, ARB, Long Range Planning, Infrastructure, Community Affairs, Legal & Regulatory, and Grievance). If all that sounds like something you might be interested in, we encourage you to check into standing for election.
• Exercise fiduciary responsibilities on behalf of their fellow community members; • Attend regularly scheduled Board meetings and working sessions as the need arises; • Necessary skill set to meet the vacancy of retiring directors; • Committee membership involvement and potential chair responsibilities; • Preference given to members with prior committee involvement; • A willingness to develop an understanding of all issues that come before the Board in order to vote in a manner he/she believes is in the best interest of the community.
The DCCA Board, pursuant to the community bylaws, has appointed a Nominating Committee to review applications for prospective new board members. This year’s Nominating Committee includes Jane Cooper, Geoff Groat, Beth Bowen, Jim Morgan and Don Salomone.
Community members may also recommend other members for consideration by the Nominating Committee.
Community members interested in being considered for a board position may submit the self-nomination form located at www. debordieucolony.org. The form can be sent to Kelly Floyd at kfloyd@debordieucolony.org. Deadline to submit nominations to the Nominating Committee, or to self-nominate is March 1, 2024 by 5 pm. The Nominating Committee is seeking candidates with the following qualifications:
The nominating Committee will review candidates and present their slate of nominees to fill four vacated Board seats during the DCCA March 16 board meeting. The slate will then be included in the proxy for the election of four new Board members at the Annual Members’ Meeting on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 10 am. The new members will serve a three-year term commencing on May 4, 2024. The Board members whose terms expire this year are Jane Cooper, Geoff Groat, and Wayne Hinman. Jody Bennett’s term on the Board ended when she sold her property in September, 2023.
Photo Credit: Amy Garner
COMMUNITY BOARD BRIEFS ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The following are highlights from the DCCA January 20, 2024 Board Meeting:
REPORTED: • There are currently 34 new homes under review, and 37 home renovations under ARB review. There are a total of 148 projects. • Rick Menze presented a proposed employee program that would voluntarily be funded by community members. The program would assist with employee’s emergency medical needs, continuing education, repayment of student loans, etc. The DCCA thanked Mr. Menze but did not financially commit to the program. • Total Asphalt begins road rejuvenation on Blue Heron Drive, Cotillion Court, Summerwood Drive, Wallace Pate Drive, Yaupon Drive and part of Luvan Blvd. The start date is Wednesday, March 20 and it will take approximately one week to complete the project, which is weather dependent. This new green formula is clear and dries faster. Those roads recently paved or scheduled for upcoming paving will not receive the treatment. • The S.C. Court of Appeals ruled in favor of DCCA’s request to be involved in the litigation regarding Hobcaw’s claim to the 8,000 acres of Marsh within the North Inlet. • Blanche Brown reported on the results from the Year 1 post beach nourishment and post-storm beach surveys.
APPROVED: •
The 2024 Nominating Committee to include Jane Cooper and Geoff Groat serving as the two Board members.
• Amending all Dry Storage Leases to have a March 1 commencement date for bookkeeping purposes. Approved board minutes are available online at www.debordieucolony.org.
CSE Surveys the Beach and Updates Nourishment Project Results Coastal Science and Engineering completed a comprehensive beach survey shortly after the powerful December 17 nor’easter passed by our community. The survey measures sand volume change along the beach from North Inlet to Pawleys Inlet. The 2022 nourishment project added about 650,000 cubic yards of sand to the beach adjoining DeBordieu Colony. The project was completed in May, 2022 and quarterly surveys have been conducted beginning August, 2022. Our consulting engineers are pleased with the results of the survey. As of January 2024, the project area lost about 150,000 cubic yards of sand since the renourishment project, representing 23 percent of the nourishment project volume. The project has performed well and the seawall remains completely buried despite the multiple storm events following project completion.
Dry Storage Leases Get Uniform Start Date One of the most popular amenities the DCCA offers its residents is the Dry Storage area on Firehouse St. and Construction Road. The storage is limited to about 160 spots and is a hot commodity – available on a first-come, first serve basis. At its January meeting, the Board approved moving the renewal date for all spots to March 1 in an effort to streamline the billing process. Those with current leases are being notified of the change and invoices will followup in mid-February. Please direct any questions to the DCCA at 843.527.4436.
Annual Assessment Reminder The DCCA 2024 Annual Assessment of $3,422 was due on or before January 31. Please remit payment if you haven’t already.
AROUND THE COLONY S.C.U.T.E.
Mark & Buffie DuPuis Bill Brabson Although it’s hard to step into the irreplaceable shoes of Betsy Brabson, our SCUTE Project Leader for over 30 years until her death last October, Buffie and I will assume leadership and hold the SCDNR permit for DeBordieu SCUTE this year. Betsy’s husband Bill “the turtle whisperer” and Robin Baughn, Betsy’s “right hand” for years, will provide much appreciated support as will all of our dedicated volunteers, most of whom live in DeBordieu. Buffie and I are Prince George residents, have been volunteers for five years, and managed the DeBordieu SCUTE project the latter part of last season when Betsy was too ill to do it. Before we know it, Spring will be upon us and the 2024 Sea Turtle Season will begin. Loggerhead sea turtles being cold-blooded reptiles, winter in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream and Caribbean. Then, as the ocean temperatures warm up, they migrate north in April and nesting season in our area begins in early May. Although being a SCUTE volunteer is hard work and means walking the beach at sunrise looking for loggerhead tracks, determining if a nest was laid and protecting the nest, it is also extremely rewarding. Our annual organizational meeting will be held on Sunday, April 14 at 4 PM at the Pavilion patio. If you are interested in finding out more about DEB SCUTE and becoming a volunteer, come and join us at the organizational meeting. Email us if you are planning to attend (fnadoc@mac.com).
DCCA Provides Services and Infrastructure to Residents If you are new to the community or even a second-generation owner, you may wonder “Why can’t I charge my DCCA Assessments to my Club bill?” or “Why is my Club account number different than my DCCA account number?’ The short answer is that the Club and the DCCA, while primarily serving the same residents, are two separate non-profit entities. Each has its own governing documents, its own Board and Committees, and its own staff. A prevalent and reoccurring theme among our property owners is confusion about who provides what services. We thought a brief summary would be helpful. All property owners are members of the DCCA, which is responsible for the administration and oversight in the community. Administration, Architectural Review Board (ARB), Safety & Security, and Grounds Maintenance all fall under the DCCA umbrella. • Administration handles payment of assessments, owner communication, as well as oversight and coordination of projects (beach nourishment, road repair, canal dredging, etc.). • The ARB reviews and approves new homes, as well as remodeling projects. • Safety & Security Department staffs the Gate 24/7, as well as assists owners with security concerns. Owner and vendor decals are issued through this department. • Grounds Maintenance is responsible for among other things, landscaping and debris removal. The Administration Office is located at 181 Luvan Blvd., prior to entering the Gate. The office is open Monday – Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The DCCA offers its residents access to the beach by using 12 access points, the Boat Landing, which provides boating access to the North Inlet and the surrounding marsh lands, limited Boat Storage on an annual basis, and a 24/7 manned entrance to the community. Joining DeBordieu Club is an option for DCCA owners for an additional cost. Club amenities include the golf course, Tennis/ Fitness Center, the Beach Club with parking, pools, the Pavilion, and various restaurants and bars. The DCCA and the Club work together for the benefit of its owners and members; however, they are two separate entities. Regardless of your question or concern, DCCA and Club staff are willing to assist.
Prsrt Std US Postage
DEBORDIEU COLONY 181 Luvan Boulevard Georgetown, SC 29440 www.debordieucolony.org
PAID
Permit 16 Shallotte, NC 28459
DCCA ADMINISTRATION DIRECTORY
2023-2024 DEBORDIEU COLONY
Blanche Brown.....................bbrown@debordieucolony.org LSM, PCAM General Manager Kelly Floyd...........................kfloyd@debordieucolony.org Executive Administrator Sue Asbaty........................dcaadmin@debordieucolony.org Member & Commercial Services Architectural Review Board..........................843.527.5033 Meg Wilcox........................ mwilcox@debordieucolony.org ARB Administrator Grounds Maintenance..........843.436.0066 Hans Sapochak..............HSapochak@debordieucolony.org Grounds Maintenance Manager Community Safety “Safety & Security”.........843.527.4931 Mike Grabarz....................mgrabarz@debordieucolony.org Directory of Community Safety Amanda Edwards..............aedwards@debordieucolony.org Administrative Assistant
Karen Licciardello..................karendebordieu@gmail.com President Wilson Lowery....................... woodfather354@gmail.com Vice President Dan Roach..............................dan.m.roach@outlook.com Treasurer Jane Cooper.......................................coojane@gmail.com Secretary Ken Davis.................................... 1.ken.davis@gmail.com Ad Hoc Executive Committee Dan Ellzey........................................danellzey@gmail.com Director Geoff Groat................................. geoff.groat@peacsir.com Director Wayne Hinman...............................hinmanvt@gmail.com Director Jay Nexsen...................................... jnexsen54@gmail.com Director Hank Strickland................................... hhs4447@aol.com Director Sassy Tugwell.............................. sassy.tugwell@gmail.com Director
Phone: 843.527.4436 Fax: 843.546.8704 dcaadmin@debordieucolony.org
GATEHOUSE Phone: 843-546-8520 Fax: 843-546-8532
BOARD OF DIRECTORS