Okaloosa County BOCC — December 10, 2015 — Minutes

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Thursday, December 10, 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 Absent - VACANT (LODGING PARTNER) - - Thom Gossom Best Gurl, Inc. Present 2:40 - Joe Guidry Ramada Plaza Resort Present - - Honorable Tuffy Dixon City of Destin Councilman Present - - Honorable Mike Anderson City of Fort Walton Beach Mayor Present 2:55 - Honorable Carolyn Ketchel Commissioner, District 2 Present - - Ed Schroeder Director, Tourist Development Department Present - - Kerry Parsons TDD Attorney Present - - Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome (Dale Peterson - Chairman) Chairman Peterson called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM Council Member Minute Mr. Guidry was happy to see the dead Convention Center palm trees gone and questioned whether Matt Gaetz’s tourist development tax redistribution bill would be discussed. Mr. Schroeder noted the proposal has been withdrawn. Ms. Ketchel wished everyone a happy holiday season. Mr. Rice thanked everyone for a great ceremony for the Beasley Park Ranger Hill plaque. Mr. Peterson & Mr. Dixon also wished everyone happy holidays. Attorney Update None Director Update Mr. Schroeder attended with Wes Fields and was honored to meet Lt. Cole. He is 100 years old and, as the last of the Doolittle Raiders, is literally walking history. Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) Ms. Carol Bernich, County Park Advisory Committee, stated her support for the proposed Veterans Park as presented in October. Ms. Bernich stated she is very impressed with the Taylor Engineering proposal and the educational emphasis. Visitor a. Bridge to Bridge Pathway capital funding request (OILA). (Dave Hancock) Mr. Hancock, Okaloosa Island Leaseholders Association, presented an update on the Bridge to Bridge Multi-Use Pathway Project. The complete process takes between 6-12 months with no grant funding without Air Force approval. Mr. Garrett from HDR stated getting through the first three Eglin Air Force Base steps and being within the FDOT right-of-way is huge step. Next step is environmental impact with 30% design and survey. Ms. Ketchel stated she is very supportive of the project, but noted there are several hurdles such as who will be responsible for maintenance, if approved. Ms. Ketchel not