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

noted that we also need to incorporate the 5-7-10 year plans. Mr. Owen commented we won’t attract a Canadian airline in one year. Motion: To form a strategy group to work with Airport staff to attract airlines over a 3-4 year budget cycle. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Owen SECONDER: Rice AYES: Dixon, Guidry, Peterson, Anderson, Gossom, Joyce, Ketchel Tourist Development Council Page 3 April 23, 2015  g. Destin History & Fishing Museum FY16 Budget Request (Jean Melvin) John Lefler presented an overview of the Destin History & Fishing Museum and requested the TDC allocate $50,000 to operations and educational exhibits. Mayor Anderson asked whether the museum could identify how many visitors come to the area for the museum versus come to the museum because they’re already in Destin. Mr. Owen asked if the museum is working with other industries to include the museum in their advertising package. Mr. Lefler replied ‘yes’ and has additional plans to ‘ramp it up’ with the help of local hotels and business partners. Mr. Owen noted support for the funding, but questioned whether the dollar amount is appropriate. Mr. Gossom commented this needs to be categorized as part of the budget. Mr. Rice asked about the museum’s annual budget. Mr. Lefler noted the annual budget is $90,000. Ms. Ketchel asked if other area museums receive funding. Mr. Schroeder replied the only other museum eligible has not requested funding. Mr. Rice would like more budget details and suggested the museum also improve its website. Ms. Joyce asked if the museum tracks where visitors are from as she would like to see more details and back-up. Mr. Peterson noted that budget detail is good information to have when planning the budget. Mr. Gossom noted that when asking for funding, be sure to include very specific back-up and noted funding for a specific aspect is one thing, funding for operations is not the TDC’s business. He noted the need to it financial and not emotional. Mayor Anderson asked whether this is a recurring request. Mr. Lefler replied yes. Motion: To carry forward to the May 2015 meeting to include in the budget. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Guidry, Peterson, Anderson, Gossom, Owen, Joyce, Ketchel h. Marketing Update (Shantelle Dedicke) Michelle Clarke reported the website has received over 100,000 visits for the first time. The DIY video posted on YouTube also got a lot of good coverage. Ms. Clarke explained that when the Atlanta Eats opportunity was planned, the agency didn’t know local competitors would participate or that their ads would run during the summer. To avoid airing concurrently with competitors, approval is requested to move back the air dates to August/September. Motion: To move the air dates to August / September 2015. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Owen AYES: Dixon, Guidry, Peterson, Anderson, Gossom, Joyce, Ketchel i. Tourism Week Proclamation (Ed Schroeder) Discussion regarding that the economic impact should be more comprehensive than just jobs. Ms. Joyce challenged everyone to submit one nomination to the local media. Mr. Owen suggested we advertise nominations. III. Items for Information Purposes Only – (No Speaker) j. Smith Travel Research Lodging Reports k. Okaloosa Tax Collector Report l. Reconciliation of Promotional Reserves m. Expenditure Transaction Report n. Group Sales Marketing Update Tourist Development Council Page 4 April 23, 2015  o. ECCC Sales Marketing Update p. Film Commission Update q. Visitors Center Top 10 States r. Airport Enplanements & Deplanements (VPS by carrier) Mr. Anderson noted when booking on Delta flights, it associates Destin with Fort Walton Beach / Valparaiso. Mr. Schroeder stated the Emerald Coast commercial includes Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island. s. Airport Enplanements & Deplanements (Airports Comparison) IV. Public Comment (3 minutes each) Dave Hancock, Okaloosa Island Leaseholders Assn, distributed a handout and explained a commitment for ownership is needed to apply for Restore Act grant monies for a new multi-use pathway next to Hwy 98 on Okaloosa Island. The estimated annual cost is $40,000 for maintenance and operations. Motion: To have staff evaluate funding in the budget process. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ketchel SECONDER: Guidry AYES: Rice, Dixon, Peterson, Anderson, Gossom, Owen, Joyce Prebble Ramswell, Destin Councilwoman, described how Panama City funds police security and protection for special events. She noted spring break is classified as a special event and $300K is funded for security. She suggested Crab Island and the Boardwalk could be considered spring break venues needing security. Gwen Lanier, Sunventure Cruises, suggested forms be available for funding requests and to ensure they are completed in full. V. Next TDC Meetings (Dale Peterson) Budget Meeting May 8, 2015 9:00 a.m. Emerald Coast Convention Center Regular Meeting May 28, 2015 2:00 p.m. Emerald Coast Convention Center VI. Adjourn (Dale Peterson) Meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM by Chairman 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 5 April 23, 2015