Okaloosa County BOCC — December 10, 2015 — Minutes — reading text

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 Schroeder noted the proposal has been withdrawn.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 noted the project would bring many positives to the area, i.e. safety and tourism, and asked if it would connect to the Florida Trail. Mr. Schroeder agreed it’s a very interesting project and will enhance tourism, but funding will need to go through the County budget process. Details will be worked out in the meantime. Mr. Peterson asked about the Santa Rosa Blvd project. Ms. Ketchel replied that is on a separate track since it’s on County property with TPA funding. Mr. Hancock advised FWC review indicated the FDOT right-of-way is regularly mowed and therefore environmental issues are not anticipated. He also explained the new Brooks Bridge will include a multi-use pathway as required by law. Mr. Guidry inquired whether the TDC could own the pathway. Mr. Schroeder responded that is unknown at this time. Tourist Development Council Page 1  Mr. Hancock mentioned Eglin has a partnership program that could pay for maintenance. The owner of Bob’s Bicycles spoke in favor of the project and indicated the community in general isn’t bike-friendly. Ms. Parsons reminded the council the TDC ordinance would need to be amended to incorporate the use of funds for this purpose. I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation b. October 22, 2015 TDC Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson) Motion: To approve the minutes as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Dixon AYES: Guidry, Peterson, Ketchel c. FY16 Financial Update (Charlotte Dunworth) Ms. Dunworth presented the financial update. Commissioner Ketchel inquired whether TDT collections are up throughout the Panhandle. Mr. Schroeder responded Santa Rosa, Gulf, & Bay are all up double digits. Walton & Escambia have not yet reported, but his understanding is that business is good there as well. Motion: To approve FY16 Financial Update as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Guidry, Peterson, Ketchel d. FY15 Year-End Strategic Marketing Plan Amendment (Ed Schroeder/Charlotte Dunworth) Ms. Dunworth presented the FY15 Year End Strategic Marketing Plan Motion: To approve the FY15 Year End Strategic Marketing Plan as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Ketchel AYES: Guidry, Peterson, Dixon e. FY16 Strategic Marketing Plan Amendment (Ed Schroeder/Charlotte Dunworth) Ms. Dunworth presented the FY16 Strategic Marketing Plan Amendment. Mr. Gossom arrives. Motion: To approve the FY16 Strategic Marketing Plan Amendment as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Gossom, Guidry, Ketchel, Peterson f. Aramark Contract Renewal (Ed Schroeder) (Note: this item was presented as this first item for TDC Approval/Recommendation since Aramark staff had to leave for another meeting.) Mr. Guidry stated he has been their biggest critic, but they have been ‘on fire’ since October and he supports the contract renewal. Motion: To extend Aramark contract to January 2, 2017 RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Guidry, Ketchel, Peterson Tourist Development Council – December 10, 2015 Page 2  g. Horizons Contract (Ed Schroeder) Mr. Schroeder stated only one response was received for the RFQ and the 3% increase would be effective for the length of the contract; the cost would be $142,707 each of the three years. Ms. Parsons clarified it is a one-year term, with optional renewals that would come back to the council for consideration. Commissioner Ketchel commented maybe the RFQ should be broader and to look at it again next year. Motion: To approve a 1 year contract with two 1-year optional renewals. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Ketchel AYES: Gossom, Guidry, Peterson, Dixon h. Champion Contractors Contract (Ed Schroeder) Mr. Schroeder gave a brief summary. Commissioner Ketchel commented on the interior and exterior conditions of the building when she visited it. Motion: To approve the Champion Contractors contract as presented RESULT: MOTION APPROVED MOVER: Ketchel SECONDER: Dixon AYES: Gossom, Guidry, Rice, Peterson II. Items for Information Purposes Only – (Speaker) i. Marketing Update (Ellen Kempner) Ms. Kempner presented the update. Mayor Anderson arrives. j. Sales Update (Sherry Rushing & Tisha Maraj) Ms. Rushing and Ms. Maraj presented the update. k. Concrete-to-Reef, NRDA, FWC, Turtle Update (Erika Zambello) Ms. Zambello presented the update. Commissioner Ketchel suggested Ms. Zambello present on Okaloosa Today. Mayor Anderson inquired about plans for continued deployments. III. Items for Information Purposes Only – (No Speaker) l. FY15 Year-End Financial Update m. Destin Fire Control District FY15 Annual Report n. Okaloosa Island Fire District FY15 Annual Report o. Coleen Marine Contract Extension p. Life’s A Beach Contract Amendment q. Smith Travel Research Lodging Reports r. Okaloosa Tax Collector Report s. Expenditure Transaction Report t. Reconciliation of Promotional Reserves Tourist Development Council – December 10, 2015 Page 3  u. Film Commission Update v. Visitor Center Top 10 States IV. Old Business w. Veterans Park Conceptual (Jim Trifilio) Ms. Zambello noted Veterans Park conceptual design plans were presented in October. Commissioner Ketchel stated this is a wonderful project. Motion: To move forward with Veterans Park conceptual design plans RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ketchel SECONDER: Rice AYES: Gossom, Guidry, Anderson, Peterson, Dixon V. Public Comment (3 minutes each) None. Mr. Schroeder mentioned the diverse TDC involvement in the community and vast array of activities. Mr. Guidry asked the status of filling the TDC vacancy. Mayor Anderson wondered why all TDC members aren’t involved in the selection process, and inquired about filling the marketing position. VI. Next TDC Meeting: Wednesday, January 13, 2016 2:00 p.m. Emerald Coast Convention Center (Dale