Okaloosa County BOCC — September 24, 2015 — Minutes

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Thursday, September 24, 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 Present - - 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) Meeting called to order at 2:00 PM by Chairman Dale Peterson. Council Member Minute Mr. Dixon expressed condolences for Officer Myers. Mr. Rice stated Bill on the Road is in town and World War II Ranger and 86th Bomber Group Reunions were a huge success and thanked Sherry Rushing for her outstanding effort in putting these events together. Commissioner Ketchel commented on the beautiful water, noting this is why we’re here. Mr. Guidry mentioned a military reunion in-house and the Ramada Plaza staff’s concern and community support for all Okaloosa EMS, Sheriff’s Department and Fire Fighters. Mr. Guidry suggested businesses put up signs showing their appreciation for these public service agencies. Mr. Owen noted this is a great time of year and should be a “perfect” season for tourism. Keeping that in mind, Mr. Owen would like to start a campaign to change the name “shoulder season” to something else that would be more appropriate in attracting tourism. Attorney Update a. TDT funding of rescue services on Crab Island Ms. Hoshihara reported that so long as Crab Island is promoted in accordance with Florida Statutes, traditional lifeguard services on Crab Island appears to be a permissible use of TDT. An amendment to the current interlocal agreement would be required. Discussion followed regarding jurisdiction, tourist vs. local use, budget, safety and waterway access, alternate funding analysis. Motion: To Continue to a future date with more information RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Owen AYES: Guidry, Rice, Peterson, Dixon, Anderson, Owen, Ketchel Director Update