Okaloosa County BOCC — October 22, 2015 — Minutes — reading text

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Thursday, October 22, 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 - - Melissa Matern Director of Marketing & Events, The Boardwalk/Bonezzi Dev. Present - - Martin Owen ResortQuest by Wyndham Present - - Thom Gossom Best Gurl, Inc. Absent - - Joe Guidry Ramada Plaza Resort Present - - Honorable Tuffy Dixon City of Destin Councilman Present - 3:45 pm Honorable Mike Anderson City of Fort Walton Beach Mayor Present - 4:15 pm Honorable Carolyn Ketchel Commissioner, District 2 Present 2:03 pm 4:15 pm Ed Schroeder Director, Tourist Development Department Present - - Lynn Hoshihara TDD Attorney Present - - Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome (Dale Peterson - Chairman) Chairman Peterson called the meeting to order at 2:00pm. Council Member Minute Chairman Peterson welcomed Melissa Matern to the Council. Mr. Owen commented that October has been a great season so far. Mr. Guidry echoed the sentiment. Mayor Anderson stated there are many events in FWB right now, and next week they’ll be holding the Annual Employee Recognition function where City employees will be honored. Mr. Rice commented on the number of military groups who return to the area for reunions from all over the country. Commissioner Ketchel recognized the Daughters of the American Revolution for their patriotic garden at the Shalimar Administration Building. Ms. Matern commented that October has been a month full of events in our area. Attorney Update None Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) None Visitor - Okaloosa Tax Collector Year End Review (Josh Allen) Mr. Allen presented the year-end report, noting there are a few weeks left before fiscal year closeout. He also noted his office is testing new software to track units potentially not paying the tourist tax. Councilman Dixon asked about timeshare collections, Mr. Allen responded that it is a complicated system but he would provide more information about the statute to the council members. Mr. Owen asked what the penalties are, Mr. Allen responded that they are 10% every 30 days delinquent up to 50%. The County has authority to put a lien on a condo and garnish the owner’s bank account. Tourist Development Council Page 1 October 22, 2015  - Fly VPS (Tracy Stage) Airport staff hosted a major airline who has expressed interest in coming to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. This would bring more flights and new points of origin resulting in new markets for tourism. The TDC has already approved $500,000 per year for 2 years to aid in Airport recruitment and advertising, but Mr. Stage is requesting an additional $1.5 million in year 1 and additional $500,000 in year two. Mr. Stage advised the airport is “all in” for the first two years of any new origination city service and Visit Florida has offered full support with an incentive package. Mr. Schroeder indicated considerations include points of origin, capacity and number of flights, long-term commitment of airline, and opportunity for growth to other markets. Lino Maldonado, Vice President at Wyndham Vacation Rentals, mentioned the airline is focused on tourism and provides vacation package with planes; this system could change the landscape from a mostly drive-in market. Mr. Owen reminded the council that this money would not be used unless the airline follows through and there is a danger of losing the opportunity if no action is taken. Discussion ensued regarding how to fund the request. To fund $500K from FY16 budget and $1.5M from 2nd, 3rd, & 5th penny Motion 1 of 2: reserves in year one. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Owen SECONDER: Guidry AYES: Peterson, Rice, Matern, Anderson, Dixon, Ketchel To fund $500K as earmarked for FY17 budget and $500K from 2nd, 3rd, & Motion 2 of 2: 5th penny reserves in year two. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Owen SECONDER: Guidry AYES: Peterson, Rice, Matern, Anderson, Dixon, Ketchel I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation a. September 24, 2015 TDC Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson) Motion: To approve the minutes as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Guidry, Matern, Owen, Anderson, Ketchel b. Financial Update (Charlotte Dunworth) Ms. Dunworth presented the financial update. Motion: To approve the financial update as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Guidry, Matern, Owen, Anderson, Ketchel c. FY16 Chairman and Vice Chairman (Ed Schroeder) Mr. Schroeder opened the floor for nominations for Chairman. Mr. Rice nominated Mr. Peterson to another term as Chairman. Commissioner Ketchel seconded the nomination. Motion 1 of 3: To close nominations for Chairman RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Dixon AYES: Peterson, Guidry, Matern, Owen, Anderson, Ketchel Mr. Schroeder requested a formal vote; all in favor (8-0) to elect Mr. Peterson as Chairman for FY 2016. Tourist Development Council Page 2 October 22, 2015  Mr. Schroeder opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chairman. Mr. Dixon nominated Mr. Rice as Vice Chairman. Commissioner Ketchel seconded the nomination. Mayor Anderson nominated Mr. Gossom as Vice Chairman and Mr. Owen seconded the nomination. Motion 2 of 3: To close nominations for Vice Chairman RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ketchel SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Guidry, Matern, Owen, Anderson, Dixon Council members wrote their selection on index cards. Ms. Hoshihara reported 6 votes for Mr. Rice and 2 votes for Mr. Gossom, and requested a motion. Motion 3 of 3: To accept Mr. Rice as Vice Chairman RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [7-1] MOVER: Ketchel SECONDER: Peterson AYES: Rice, Guidry, Matern, Owen, Anderson ABSENT: Dixon (stepped out of meeting) Mr. Rice is elected Vice-Chairman for FY 2016. d. FY16 Meeting Dates (Ed Schroeder) Mr. Schroeder noted that the meeting dates for November and December have been moved ahead one week because of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. He also noted there was an option to combine those meetings. To combine the November & December TDC Council meetings and hold Motion 1 of 2: one meeting on December 10th RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Guidry SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Matern, Owen, Anderson, Dixon, Ketchel Mr. Owen noted that the January meeting is during the Florida Huddle event. Motion 2 of 2: To move the January 28th TDC Council meeting to January 14th RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Guidry AYES: Peterson, Matern, Owen, Anderson, Dixon, Ketchel Tourist Development Council Page 3 October 22, 2015  e. Veterans Park Conceptual (Erika Zambello & Matt Trammell) Ms. Zambello and Mr. Trammel presented the conceptual plan for the Veteran’s Park at Baywalk and asked the committee to approve the design. Commissioner Ketchel expressed that she is not comfortable voting on the plan until she has more information. Mayor Anderson inquired about access, parking, etc. Mr. Dixon wondered if this is time-sensitive. Mr. Peterson asked if the amphitheater was still an option, Mr. Schroeder stated that ECCC is undergoing a study to plan for an amphitheater. Mr. Guidry asked about provisions for commercial venues. Mr. Trammell responded that the parks and Audubon Society did not allow for commercial venues, but the county has a ten foot easement that can be used for commercial purposes. To table discussion of the conceptual plan until December 10th after more Motion: information is provided RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [7-1] MOVER: Ketchel SECONDER: Guidry AYES: Peterson, Rice, Guidry, Matern, Owen, Dixon, Ketchel NAY: Anderson f. FY16 SMP Change (Shantelle Dedicke) Michelle Clarke asked the council to approve changing the two page Coastal