Okaloosa County BOCC — July 21, 2016 — IV. x. ECCC Capital Committee

TOURIST DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: July 21, 2016 TO: Tourist Development Council FROM: Ed Schroeder, Tourist Development Department Director SUBJECT: ECCC Capital Project Advisory Committee STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Establish the mission and tasks and appoint members to the Emerald Coast Convention Center (ECCC) Capital Project Advisory Committee (CPAC). BACKGROUND: At the May and June meetings, the TDC discussed a committee be established to assist staff in assessing what capital improvements are needed for the Emerald Coast Convention Center. Staff was directed to bring back a proposed mission and membership for such a committee for TDC consideration. Several factors prompted the idea for a capital project advisory committee:  ECCC is not meeting expectations as a profit center for Okaloosa County or as a significant revenue generator for the industry.  Lower than expected performance may be attributable to size, layout, parking, lodging access, etc.  Certain plans exist for multi-million dollar enhancements, but those projects will not improve the ECCC’s ability to generate revenue.  Approximately $13 million in ECCC capital reserve funds are projected for FY 2017.  The 4th cent could be bonded for capital projects. The immediate goal is to organize a voluntary committee of convention savvy stakeholders who will create a plan of action for determining the best use of ECCC capital funds and development of a capital improvement plan. Staff recommends the TDC consider organizing the committee in similar fashion to the ORAC committee used to identify projects for RESTORE funding. This would include providing the CPAC with a subject matter expert consultant for leadership and management. CPAC MISSION Determine the best use of ECCC capital funds and develop a capital improvement plan to assist the ECCC in reaching the break-even point or better. CPAC TASKS  Conduct regularly scheduled meetings and report regularly to the TDC  Engage the public  Determine what information/data/trends are needed for consideration/evaluation  Perform data collection and analysis o Feasibility analysis, project impact, financial modeling  Develop documentation for each project contained in the proposed capital improvement plan: o Project scope o Project description o Cost estimate o Potential ROI o Basic site plans and schematics (i.e. conceptual, not construction drawings) CPAC MEMBERS ECCC General Manager ECCC Sales Manager ECCC Operations Manager ECCC Events Manager TDD Destination Sales Manager Aramark General Manager Destin Chamber of Commerce representative FWB Chamber of Commerce representative Okaloosa County EDC representative Okaloosa County Public Works Director OILA representative FWB Medical Center representative ORAC Chair Ex-officio: Eglin AFB For consideration: Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council representative Since the TDC is an advisory body, the TDC’s recommendation to establish an Emerald Coast Convention Center Capital Project Advisory Committee and to appoint members will be forwarded to the Board for final approval. OPTIONS: Approve or Deny RECOMMENDATION TO BCC: Approve the creation of an Emerald Coast Convention Center Capital Project Advisory Committee and appoint members as presented above.