GM report highlights growth, promising returns

(Sept. 10, 2020) In his monthly report to the Ocean Pines Board on Wednesday, General Manager John Viola highlighted several proposed new developments, and some promising economic returns based on the latest financial reports.   

Viola said a work group was preparing information on long-range planning to help in the upcoming budget process, by working with both the Budget and Finance and Strategic Planning committees.  

At the marinas, he said Dockmaster Ron Fisher, along with Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue and Eddie Wells and Nobie Violante from Public Works, are looking into the viability of adding new T-docks. 

"They're working with the county and we're putting together a proposal for six slips down at the marina," Viola said. "They'll be nonrental ...  for visitors." 

Viola expects the addition to help boost food and beverage sales at the Yacht Club. The new slips are estimated to cost around $30,000.  

He said the team is also looking into adding a new court at the Ocean Pines Racquet Center. 

"We are looking at what I call a combo court ... for four pickleball courts," Viola said. "They can play tennis in the morning, and then go and play pickleball in the afternoon. It's that simple." 

Viola said the demand for more space was high, especially for more pickleball courts. The estimated cost was roughly $40,000-$70,000, but there is the potential for grant assistance.  

Additionally, Viola said the Association continues to "manage through the COVID-19 situation.” He said that has included transparent communication and reporting of staff cases, as well as posting CDC and Worcester County Health Department guidelines and talking points.  

While several major construction projects are finished, Viola said the Northstar software implementation is still ongoing. Viola called the effort "a project in of itself." 

Areas like the marinas, Beach Parking and Racquet Sports have finished moving over to the new systems, while others like Recreation and Parks, Membership, Aquatics, Public Works and Finance are nearly complete. 

He noted that Northstar is "highly customizable" and has required a great deal of attention and effort, but that would have been true "no matter what [software] we went with." 

Viola said he's working to help jumpstart the transition at CPI (Compliance, Permits and Inspections), while point-of-sales systems are about 75% finished. The website is 50% done, with the addition of a "private" side of the site to allow for member login, and the purchase of memberships and reservations for classes and events, still to come.  

On the finance side, Viola said the month of July was roughly $318,000 favorable to budget. Year to date, the Association is ahead $931,000, largely because of forgivable loans received through the federal Paycheck Protection Program.  

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Viola said there are some success stories, notably at the marinas and Golf operations.  

"Everybody is coming out and playing golf," Viola said. "I gotta tell you, they're coming [and] they're playing. The place is packed. And I hope it continues.” 

Other amenities, including Aquatics, Beach Parking and Recreation and Parks, were limited by COVID-19 restrictions, which hindered revenues.  

Director Doug Parks, during the monthly treasurer's report, said the Association had roughly $13.5 million in cash as of July 31, including $7.1 million invested in FDIC insured CDARs and $6.4 million in fully insured Money Market accounts.  

He said assessment collections, as of August, totaled roughly $8.4 million, or 92%. Current reserves total $7.2 million, including $4.4 million in replacement reserves, $2 million in bulkheads, $700,000 in roads and drainage, and $100,000 in new capital.  

To view slides from the meeting, visit /documents/20124/122622/9-9-20%20Meeting%20Power%20Point.pptx/ae87ea94-c52f-3d0a-57b2-9dec3b272061. 

To view a video of the meeting, visit https://youtu.be/lnysDVimLEw.