Okaloosa County BOCC — April 23, 2015 — Minutes — reading text

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Thursday, April 23, 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 Present - - 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 Present - - 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 2:00 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) Steve Czonstka, Chairman Okaloosa Environmental Council, announced there will be a beach clean-up this Saturday, April 25, 2015 in 3 separate locations. Dave Sherry discussed funding received by the City of Destin and that the numbers don’t support the City being short-changed by the TDC, and that monies need to continue being held for storms. Mr. Woodall, representative of FWB Chamber of Commerce, extended his thanks to the TDC for their hard work and decisions and provided a letter of resolution and support to turn the Landing into what it could be from what it is today. Rebecca Sherry, Condo Alliance of Okaloosa Island, referenced Item 1D for $450,000 funding to build a covered stage and stated that is the equivalent of 2 years bed tax, the stage would compete with the Convention Center, and no future funding plan. Ms. Sherry encouraged the members to reference the letter from Anita Carhoff recently published in the NW Florida Daily News. Councilmember’s Minute Mr. Peterson mentioned the Atlanta Eats filming. Mayor Anderson noted that Musical Echoes is at the Landing this weekend and encouraged everyone to attend the meeting tonight regarding a potential bridge site. Mr. Guidry attended a meeting this morning with Visit Florida, and funding may be available for special events. Mr. Owen mentioned the many events from Panama City to Pensacola this weekend. I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation a. March 26, 2015 TDC Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson) Mr. Peterson requested the March 26 meeting minutes be revised to reflect a comment he made that professional management companies for the area hotels are doing a great job of policing themselves. Motion: To Approve March 26, 2015 TDC Meeting Minutes as amended. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Dixon AYES: Peterson, Owen, Gossom, Guidry, Anderson, Joyce, Ketchel Tourist Development Council Page 1  b. Financial Update (Charlotte Dunworth) Ms. Dunworth reported $2.3M actual revenue from collections through February. Collections are up by 20% over a year ago. Motion: To Approve Financial Update RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Owen, Gossom, Guidry, Anderson, Joyce, Ketchel c. Revise Collinson Media spend for Mtgs/Groups Campaign (Shantelle Dedicke) Michelle Clarke presented an overview of a 3-5 minute video to be used as a sales tool increasing area exposure. The video will feature four sponsors. Anticipated value of this media packet will increase at two times the existing savings. Motion: To Approve and Proceed as Presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Owen AYES: Dixon, Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Anderson, Joyce, Ketchel d. City of Fort Walton Beach Restore Act Matching Fund Request (Michael Beedie) Mr. Beedie stated there has been a resurgence of downtown Ft Walton Beach events, and is requesting to take the Landing to the next level. The Landing has a great partner relationship with average event attendance between 500 – 1,500 attendees, and is a cultural place that has the capability to host larger events. A main priority is to enhance the performance stage by including an amphitheater over the water and enhance the boardwalk. TDC funding for the stage is being requested because that’s the focal point and will be the marketing draw for larger events and festivals. Ms Joyce inquired what specific events the City had in mind and whether any study had been conducted to demonstrate the draw for tourists. Mr. Beedie indicated no to both questions. Mr. Owen asked how many people the amphitheater would hold, whether there is adequate parking, and naming rights. Mr. Beedie responded the new space could hold 4000-5000 and that the Landmark garage and shuttle service from the island could be used. Mr. Peterson commented there is an opportunity for Fort Walton Beach to turn the Landing into a tourist destination, but this alone may not do it. Mr. Dixon commented the City makes every effort to support tourism. Mr. Beedie said there are dollars available in CRA to fund this. The request for TDC funds is the bolster the Restore Act application. Mr. Guidry commented he understands the positioning for Restore Act funding. Mr. Owen commented ORAC won’t consider the project unless it’s shovel-ready. Ms. Joyce outlined the expenses funded by the 1st and 3rd pennies and asked what would be cut to fund this. Mr. Gossom suggested budgeting a pool of money for projects that come up during the year so Destin isn’t pitted against Fort Walton Beach. Commissioner Ketchel suggested funding a lesser amount to show support. Motion: To Fund $300K in the upcoming budget. RESULT: MOTION FAILED [3-5] MOVER: DIXON SECONDER: GOSSOM AYES: ANDERSON NAYES: GUIDRY, KETCHEL RICE, PETERSON, JOYCE ABSTAIN: OWEN Tourist Development Council Page 2 April 23, 2015  Motion: To Fund $100K in the upcoming budget. RESULT: MOTION PASSES [7-1] MOVER: KETCHEL SECONDER: RICE AYES: GOSSOM, GUIDRY, ANDERSON, PETERSON, DIXON NAYES: JOYCE ABSTAIN: OWEN II. Items for Information Purposes Only – (Speaker) e. City of Destin FY16 Budget Request (Greg Kisela) Greg Kisela requested $290K for recurring operating costs and $112K for known capital improvements. Ms. Joyce asked how this is different from what’s currently paid. Ms. Dunworth clarified the TDD is currently reimbursing the County parks department for County-operated tourist parks on Okaloosa Island. The TDD does not currently pay for any tourist parks in the City of Destin. Mr. Peterson asked about the $10M Destin received for Norriego Point. Mr. Dixon commented TDD has been paying the County a long time and this is an equity issue. Mayor Anderson inquired why funding is requested for the whole year when tourists use the parks only during the 100 days of summer. Mr. Kisela clarified tourism occurs throughout the year; snowbirds for example. Mr. Peterson asked about HarborWalk easements. Mr. Kisela replied the City has the maintenance responsibility. Ms. Joyce asked if there’s an existing capital plan for the parks and commented the expenses should be judged based on what’s done for the County. Mr. Guidry would like to see a budget comparison and commented perhaps operations should be funded elsewhere. Commissioner Ketchel commented about overall costs. Motion: To come back to the TDC with comparisons between Destin and Okaloosa County. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Owen SECONDER: Gossom AYES: Dixon, Guidry, Peterson, Rice, Anderson, Joyce, Ketchel f. Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport FY16 Budget Request (Sunil Harman) Mike Stenson noted that four major airlines provide 91% of the flights into VPS. This is the second busiest airport in the region, with Pensacola being first. They are looking to partner with the TDC, not just ask for money, and are interested in bringing other airlines into this area. Mr. Guidry noted the target markets are North-South; why no East-West. Mr. Stenson replied VPS already has 7 Dallas and 4 Houston flights. Mr. Owen commented it is usual for airports to operate with assurances. Ms. Joyce commented D.C. is a government area and would therefore not produce tax dollar return and inquired how the markets were selected. Mr. Stenson responded Sixel is a premier airport marketing firm. Lynn Hoshihara commented the County is currently capped at 5 pennies. Mr. Stenson provided the example of in order to get JetBlue here, they must have approximately $5M revenue - $2M the first year; $2M the second year and $1M the third year. Mayor Anderson asked whether neighbors have service to the target markets. Mr. Gossom noted a marketing strategy should be part of the budget consideration. Ms. Joyce