Okaloosa County BOCC — August 27, 2015 — Minutes — reading text

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Thursday, August 27, 2015 2:00 PM Emerald Coast Convention Center Council Members & Staff Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Departed Dale E. Peterson Chairman, Dale E. Peterson Vacations Present - - Thomas Rice Vice-Chairman, Magnolia Grill Present - - Rachel Joyce Hampton Inn FWB Present - - Martin Owen ResortQuest by Wyndham Absent - - Thom Gossom Best Gurl, Inc. Present - - Joe Guidry Ramada Plaza Resort Present - - Honorable Tuffy Dixon City of Destin Councilman Present - - Honorable Mike Anderson City of Fort Walton Beach Mayor Present - - Honorable Carolyn Ketchel Commissioner, District 2 Absent - - Ed Schroeder Director, Tourist Development Department Present - - Lynn Hoshihara TDD Attorney Present - - Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome (Dale Peterson - Chairman) Meeting called to order at 2:00 P.M. by Chairman Dale Peterson. Council Member Minute Mr. Guidry stated that the Poker Run was held last weekend with more than 1,000 people attending. It was a great event. Mr. Rice mentioned that the World War II Ranger Reunion would be held in September as well as the 86 th Bomber Group Reunion. Ms. Joyce expressed disappointment at the TDC not being noted as a top economic impact on the EDC report. She also stated the sales reports may be overstated. Attorney Update Ms. Hoshihara noted she cannot attend the October meeting and Ms. Kerry Parsons will attend in her place. Ms. Hoshihara advised that the TDC Selection Committee had reappointed Mr. Gossom and Mr. Owen and newly ap- pointed Ms. Melissa Matern to four-year terms commencing in October. Ms. Joyce commented Ms. Matern is an amazing person. The Council members thanks Ms. Joyce for her service. Director Update a. Gateway Landscaping Mr. Schroeder stated that the DOT has approved an entryway in Shalimar; other previously approved entryways are in Mary Esther and Destin. Using the “wave” theme consistently in the signage is much better branding for the loca- tions, including at all parks and beach access ways. Mr. Schroeder requested TDC consensus to move forward. Mayor Anderson inquired how this relates to the Chamber’s efforts and requested annual maintenance cost infor- mation be provided. Mr. Dixon requested the Destin accessways be kept in mind for signage as well. Staff was directed to move forward with this preliminary plan and return with more information. b. TDC Selection Committee (See Attorney’s Update) Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) None. Visitor c. 1. Transit Presentation Elliott Kampert introduced Mr. Ayan Upadhyay of Maruti Fleet Management, who addressed the council regarding the issue of effective transportation. His firm proposes to assess the current system, talk to users to evaluate the ef- Tourist Development Council Page 1  fect on tourism, and determine the most effective resolution utilizing branding and vision to grow transit. Mayor Anderson suggested surveying to determine where the stops should be. Mr. Upadhyay responded areas of major foot traffic, limited parking, and congestion would be considered. Ms. Joyce inquired about the impact to tourism. Mr. Upadhyay responded the seasonal influx is important as well as eliminating congestion by connecting hotels to attractions. Mr. Rice mentioned consistency; currently green trolley and white bus. Mr. Peterson stated the im- portance of continual service so when one bus leaves another arrives. Mr. Dixon requested contact be made with the City of Destin. 2. Destin Fire Control District Chief Sasser and Tommy Green informed the Council of two drownings this summer and presented three options for funding a rescue patrol at Crab Island. There was discussion regarding jurisdiction, tourism impact, budget im- pact, and alternative funding options. To direct Ms. Hoshihara to investigate and report back on feasibility and to di- Motion: rect Ms. Dunworth to sharpen pencil for funds. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [6-1] MOVER: Guidry SECONDER: Rice AYES: Guidry, Rice, Peterson, Dixon, Anderson, Gossom NAYS: Joyce Ms. Hoshihara inquired whether the Council was interested in setting a deadline for agenda items. Ms. Joyce agreed there should be a deadline. Mr. Gossom concurred that items need to be vetted before placed on the agenda unless it is an emergency. Mr. Gossom reiterated his suggestion the Council budget a contingency amount for items such as this. Mayor An- derson concurred. Ms. Dunworth responded a contingency line would be added to each penny for the FY17 budget. I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation d. July 30, 2015 TDC Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson) Motion: To Approve as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Guidry AYES: Guidry, Rice, Peterson, Dixon, Anderson, Joyce, Gossom e. Financial Update (Charlotte Dunworth) Motion: To Approve as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Guidry, Rice, Peterson, Dixon, Anderson, Joyce, Gossom f. Horizons Contract Extension (Charlotte Dunworth) Motion: To Approve as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Guidry, Rice, Peterson, Dixon, Anderson, Joyce, Gossom g. Destin Fire Control District Contract Amendment (Charlotte Dunworth) Motion: To Approve an as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Guidry, Rice, Peterson, Dixon, Anderson, Joyce, Gossom Tourist Development Council Page 2 August 27, 2015  h. Destin Fire Control District Contract Renewal (Charlotte Dunworth) Motion: To Approve as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Guidry, Rice, Peterson, Dixon, Anderson, Joyce, Gossom i. Local Event Marketing Funding Process Evaluation Form (Charlotte Dunworth) There was discussion whether it was appropriate to consider multi-bedroom condos as one unit. Staff was directed to add a question regarding whether the TDD staff was helpful. j. Dish Worth the Drive (Shantelle Dedicke) Motion: To Approve as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Guidry SECONDER: Rice AYES: Guidry, Rice, Peterson, Dixon, Anderson, Joyce, Gossom II. Items for Information Purposes Only – (Speaker) k. Marketing Update (Shantelle Dedicke) l. Emerald Coast Classic Update (Shantelle Dedicke) There was discussion on how room nights are being generated and reported in the taxing district for this event. Motion: To Approve as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Joyce SECONDER: Dixon AYES: Guidry, Rice, Peterson, Dixon, Anderson, Joyce, Gossom III. Items for Information Purposes Only – (No Speaker) m. Smith Travel Research Lodging Reports n. Okaloosa Tax Collector Report Mr. Schroeder mentioned he reported to the BCC that we are ahead of our neighboring counties in TDT collections and market share will be reclaimed if the trend continues. o. Expenditure Transaction Report Mayor Anderson inquired whether anyone has ever asked any questions based on this report. p. Reconciliation of Promotional Reserves q. ECCC & Group Sales Marketing Update Ms. Joyce requested the $266 per person per day multiplier be reviewed in light of the EDC’s recent re- port of $106. Mr. Schroeder responded $266 is from DMAI. He has requested the calculation method- ology from both organizations for comparison. r. Film Commission Update Mr. Gossom noted we would see quite a few dollars if state incentive money is ever passed. s. Visitor Center Top 10 States Tourist Development Council Page 3 August 27, 2015  t. Airport Enplanements & Deplanements (VPS by carrier & Comparison) IV. Public Comment (3 minutes each) Mr. Guidry stated the Aramark contract was extended through January 1, 2016; an RFP needs to happen quickly unless the contract is to be extended again. Mr. Schroeder advised staff is meeting tomorrow to dis- cuss the issue. Prebble Ramswell spoke in favor of the Fire District’s proposal. Chairman Peterson read a letter from a Fort Walton Beach resident who visited Texas. V. Next TDC Meeting: September 24, 2015 2:00 p.m. Emerald Coast Convention Center (Dale Peterson) VI. Adjourn (Dale Peterson) Chairman Peterson adjourned the meeting at 4:05 P.M. APPROVED: APPROVED: By: