Okaloosa County BOCC — July 30, 2015 — Minutes — reading text

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Thursday, July 30, 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 Absent - - Martin Owen ResortQuest by Wyndham Absent - - Thom Gossom Best Gurl, Inc. Absent - 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 Present - - Ed Schroeder Director, Tourist Development Department Present - - Lynn Hoshihara TDD Attorney Present - - Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome (Dale Peterson - Chairman) Pledge and Call to Order by Chairman Peterson. Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) Donna Tashik representing Arc of the Coast asked the Council to consider a funding increase for the 4th quarter of 2015 for the purpose of a Gamers’ Convention at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. Council Member’s Minute Councilmember Rice reported that the Tennessee Farmer’s Coop told him they had a great time during their stay. Mr. Dixon commented that judging by the traffic, the council has done a fantastic job. Mr. Schroeder reported the marine staff position has been filled by Erica Zambello, a highly respected and recruited biologist; she was introduced to the Council. Mr. Schroeder also reported that the terms of Council Members Rice, Rachel, and Owen are expiring. Applications are being accepted through August 14. Mr. Schroeder noted Ms. Joyce provided via email her position on the items for vote. Discussion ensued on whether the opinions should be accepted. Ms. Hoshihara advised it was legal to accept, though Council could set restrictions. I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation a. June 25, 2015 TDC Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson) Motion: To approve the minutes as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tom Rice SECONDER: Tuffy Dixon AYES: Peterson, Guidry, Anderson, Ketchel b. Financial Update (Charlotte Dunworth) Charlotte Dunworth gave a financial update. Motion: To accept the financial report as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tuffy Dixon SECONDER: Tom Rice AYES: Peterson, Guidry, Anderson, Ketchel Tourist Development Council Page 1  c. FY16 Budget – Local Event Marketing Funding (Charlotte Dunworth) Ms. Dunworth requested the Council re-allocate $18,975 from the Chicago Takeover and $31,025 from promotional reserves to the local event marketing line item. She also requested the reallocation of $1,000 from promotional activities to contractual services for two marketing interns, $500 each for fall and spring semester. Overall, no net increase to the fifth penny budget. Motion: To approve the re-allocation of marketing budget funds RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Carolyn Ketchel SECONDER: Tuffy Dixon AYES: Peterson, Guidry, Anderson, Rice d. Restore Act Snorkel Reef Update (Jim Trifilio) Jim Trifilio reported that ORAC approved Restore Act funding for the Snorkel Reef project. The funding must also be approved by the Okaloosa County Commission which is holding a workshop in August to consider the matter. Motion: To request the County Commission accept ORAC’s recommendation of $1,229,480 in Restore Act funding RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tuffy Dixon SECONDER: Mike Anderson AYES: Peterson, Rice, Guidry, Ketchel e. Contingent approval of Colleen Marine contract (Jim Trifilio) Mr. Trifilio reported that a copy of the actual contract is provided in the Council members’ binders. Mr. Dixon inquired about how much material was being deployed. Mayor Anderson inquired whether this was a long-term contract and should be a budget line item. Mr. Schroeder mentioned Ms. Joyce is in support. Motion: To approve Colleen Marine contract RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Mike Anderson SECONDER: Tom Rice AYES: Peterson, Dixon, Guidry, Ketchel Mr. Trifilio also provided a brief update on the “Concrete to Reefs” & National Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) projects. f. FY15 SMP Amendment (Shantelle Dedicke) Shantelle Dedicke reviewed the quarterly update to the Strategic Marketing Plan. Mayor Anderson confirmed the net change is $1,389. Motion: To approve Marketing Department budget plan adjustment RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tom Rice SECONDER: Tuffy Dixon AYES: Peterson, Anderson, Guidry, Ketchel Tourist Development Council Page 2  II. Items for Information Purposes Only – (Speaker) g. Marketing Update (Shantelle Dedicke) Ms. Dedicke provided the marketing update. h. “Concrete to Reefs” & National Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Project Updates (Jim Trifilio) These issues were addressed with item 1e above. i. Toronto Film Festival (Gail Morgan) Ms. Morgan advised she will be attending the Toronto Film Festival in September; the trip has been approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Ms. Morgan announced that she was elected Chair of the State Film Council. She also noted Atlanta Eats was happy with local production crews. III. Items for Information Purposes Only – (No Speaker) j. BP Settlement Update k. Smith Travel Research Lodging Reports l. Okaloosa Tax Collector Report m. Reconciliation of Promotional Reserves n. Expenditure Transaction Report o. ECCC & Group Sales Marketing Update p. Film Commission Update q. Visitor Center Top 10 States r. Airport Enplanements & Deplanements (VPS by carrier & Comparison) IV. Public Comment (3 minutes each) V. Next TDC Meeting: August 27, 2015 2:00 p.m. Emerald Coast Convention Center (Dale Peterson) VI. Adjourn at 2:50 P.M. (Dale Peterson) APPROVED: APPROVED: By: By: Name: Dale E. Peterson Name: Ed Schroeder Title: Chairman Title: Director, Tourist Development Dept. Date: Date: Tourist Development Council Page 3