Okaloosa County BOCC — February 11, 2013 — Minutes — reading text

theft of public funds to purchase a house, a car and other items was beyond comprehension. When the magnitude of what had transpired became known, the first priority was to ensure law enforcement had full cooperation of staff. Mr. Curry said when the Board took action in May 2012 to place TDC operations and the Tourist Development Director under the supervision of the County Administrator, it became his top priority to ensure everything possible would be done to prevent this type of theft from happening again. He stated the Sheriff, the State Attorney, the FDLE, FBI, and the Auditor General’s Office had full cooperation. The implementation of numerous oversight changes and strict requirements for tourist development payment approvals have placed that operation back in line with how other county departments operate. Continuing, Mr. Curry said our work is not done and he firmly believes that for our community to move forward will require a fresh beginning and new faces. A new TDC advertising agency has been hired, a new TDD Director is on staff, and the Board has made a decision to have new representatives on the TDC. He stated leadership starts at the top and although he had no direct oversight for Mr. Bellinger or the operations of the TDC, he acknowledges his role as County Administrator and bears some responsibility for not recognizing the circumstances’ that allowed these things to take place. Mr. Curry said he regrets that he did not recognize or act earlier to prevent the crimes that Mark Bellinger perpetrated upon our community. He told the commissioners although they are only weeks away from hiring a February 19, 2013 -19- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners new County Administrator, he offers his resignation, effective immediately, and further requests the 60-day notice be waived. Mr. Amunds termed this a “big surprise.” He commented the audit team said it would have been very hard to detect the thefts and outside agencies have added to the issues. Mr. Amunds said he would like for Mr. Curry to stay on for 60 days. Mr. Windes stated it would be in the best interest if Mr. Curry would stay the 60 days and get us to the next county administrator. Mr. Boyles said as one of the two “new guys” he cannot overstate the volume of information he is trying to absorb and get up to speed so he can do this job well. He stated he is convinced the way to learn this job is to reach out to others and he has relied tremendously on staff to get through the process but still has a long way to go. Mr. Boyles pointed out Mr. Curry’s leaving is imminent and he would like to thank him for the offer of resignation but reject it and made a motion to that effect. Mr. Amunds stated Mr. Parisot would like to comment. Mr. Boyles withdrew his motion. Mr. Harris said Mr. Curry has taught him a lot and he is not prepared to accept his resignation. He stated a resignation is an admission of guilt and he feels only one man is guilty. Mr. Harris said it is appalling people are calling for resignations and for Mr. Curry to resign would be a travesty. Mr. Parisot concurred with the comments already voiced by other commissioners, He too said he is not ready to accept Mr. Curry’s resignation. Mr. Amunds told Mr. Curry the Board will not accept his resignation and they hope he will continue to work with them until another county administrator is hired. Mr. Curry thanked the commissioners for their continued confidence in him. Recess - The meeting was recessed at 9:02 p.m. and reconvened at 9:26 p.m. Mr. Pete Blome, Niceville, stated the matters being discussed tonight have been both necessary and important. He acknowledged the improvements made to the operations manual but felt the discussions have been selective. Mr. Blome referred to various February 19, 2013 -20- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners portions of the AGO’s audit report. He asked the Board if they will address the marketing contract or the sponsorship of funds to the Crestview Chamber of Commerce tonight. Mr. Amunds replied the Board has addressed what it plans to address tonight. URGENT REVISION TO SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FOR BLUEWATER BAY DUATHLON Mr. Amunds stated the Commissioners’ office received an urgent revision request from Dori A. Spaulding, President of the Emerald Coast Triathlon Club, for the Bluewater Bay Duathlon event. Since the original permit was approved, the cycling route has been changed. He stated the Sheriff's Office and the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority have approved the route change. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to approve the revision to the permit. 5 yeas. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT - FIRST QUARTER 2012-13 TDD EXPENDITURES RECAP Mr. O'Byrne stated the first step in providing accountability and transparency as to how the Tourist Development Department (TDD) expends funds will be presentation of a quarterly statement. He began his PowerPoint presentation but the commissioners pointed out the information they have in their agenda packets is different than the formal presentation. Mr. Boyles asked for staff to be instructed to have the same thing the commissioners are looking on the screen. Mr. Curry replied in the affirmative. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to table this item until the next meeting. 5 yeas. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT — MARCH 1 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 STRATEGIC MARKETING PLAN Mr. O'Byrne stated his next agenda item is approval of the March 1 through September 30, 2013 Strategic Marketing Plan. He said the Peter Mayer Advertising Agency has worked very hard to pull this together. Mr. O’Byrne introduced Ellen Kempner and Michelle Clark with Peter Mayer Advertising who will make the presentation. Ms. Kempner stated in the interest of time she will select some of the slides from the presentation (the original slide presentation contained 51 pages). She began with the Market February 19, 2013 -21- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Plan Budget. This budget is for the remainder of the fiscal year. The $2,200,000 budget listed the following line items: Primary Research------------------------------ s 80,000 Website (strategy, design, development) ------- S$ 350,000 Leisure Campaign/VISIT FLORIDA Partnership----$ 500,000 Group, meeting & convention campaign---------- $ 250,000 Collateral/campaign production---------------- S$ 300,000 A Very Emerald Christmas Production----------- $ 345,000 Base services/travel reimbursement------------ $ 375,000 TOTAL $2,200,000 Ms. Kempner stated the objectives are to get Okaloosa County back in the market, maintain a top-of-mind awareness during the peak season, and attract leisure and group visitation during the shoulder season. Strategies include communication year-round messaging which will focus on driving business during the shoulder season and targeting consumers with a combination of traditional and online marketing. Initiatives will include development and implementation of a new comprehensive destination website, conducting primary consumer research, and implementing the shoulder season campaign. Mr. Boyles commented that he did spend time with the full presentation and he appreciates the cohesion of the plan. Mr. Windes made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to adopt the Strategic Marketing Plan as presented, noting the plan must be adopted by resolution. 5 yeas. RESOLUTION NO. 13-39 TOURIST DEVELOPMENT - TASK ORDER NO. 5 WITH PETER MAYER ADVERTISING Mr. O’Byrne requested approval of Task Order No. 5 with Peter Mayer Advertising in an amount not to exceed $79,250 for consumer research activities and services. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to approve this task order. 5 yeas. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT - TASK ORDER NO. 8 WITH PETER MAYER ADVERTISING Mr. O'Byrne requested this item be withdrawn from consideration. February 19, 2013 -22- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners TOURIST DEVELOPMENT - SPONSORSHIP, BATTLE BY THE BEACH YOUTH SOCCER TOURNAMENT Mr. O’Byrne stated this $4,000 sponsorship approval by the Tourist Development Council for the inaugural “Battle by the Beach” Youth Soccer Tournament was approved under the terms of the old operations and procedures manual. He said the soccer tournament is scheduled for March 2 and 3. Mr. Mathew Oswald, President of Real Athletic F.C., stated the event is scheduled to begin Friday evening (March 1) at the Morgan Sports Complex with check in at Fudpucker’s. He said TDC was asked to help with some of the expenses, mostly to pay the cost of referees. Mr. Oswald said there are currently 56 teams signed up for the event. Mr. Parisot posed several questions and then explained the parameters for sponsorship, including advertising requirements. He told Mr. Oswald his application is not complete and suggested he return next year with an application for sponsorship following these guidelines. Mr. Harris expressed concern that Mr. O'Byrne signed off on the application when it was not complete and did not meet requirements. Mr. O’Byrne replied this application was considered and approved by the TDC under the old policies. Mr. Parisot made motion to disapprove the sponsorship. Mr. Boyles said he does not think it is necessary to have a motion to disapprove. He apologized to Mr. Oswald for being caught in between the processes and asked for him to bear with the county as it tries to redefine the procedures. Mr. Boyles stated this is the type of event they want to foster and encouraged Mr. Oswald to get it off the ground this year without assistance and come back when the process is in place. Mr. Amunds told Mr. O’Byrne we must do a better job with people trying to get sponsorships. He said the TD Director is responsible for determining if the allocation of funds is strictly for advertising. Mr. O'Byrne replied that he totally understands. February 19, 2013 -23- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners AIRPORTS - PROPOSED DEBT REPAYMENT PLAN FOR NEW OWNERS OF DESTIN AIRPORT FBO Mr. Greg Donovan, Airports Director, stated he has been working with Miracle Strip Aviation, a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at the Destin Airport, which has fallen behind in payments to the county. Miracle Strip Aviation not only has fallen behind in payment of rental and other fees but has ceased performing its obligation under the lease to provide and operate a FAA- certified repair station on airport premises. A declaration of default of the lease was given to Miracle Strip Aviation on January 4, 2013. A 30-day notification was given to the business to cure the defaults. However, since that time, staff has learned the owners of Miracle Strip Aviation have sold their interests in the company to Regal Capital, LLC. Regal Capital has submitted a proposed payment plan to liquidate the entire debt of $485,382. They propose to renovate the county- owned passenger terminal as a $207,500 in-kind payment; make a cash payment of $100,000; and sign a note for the remaining $177,882 to amortized over five years at 4% interest. Regal Capital has also requested approval to lease the aircraft maintenance hangar to a fully-certified third party maintenance operation. Mr. Donovan noted that a few months back Mr. Windes instructed him to work harder at becoming aware of what money tenants owe the county. He advised the proposed plan was reviewed with the County Attorney, as well as Special Counsel with Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson. Mr. Donovan stated there are some concerns and advised the new owners want to re-negotiate the lease. He added that it is important to satisfy this debt which has been allowed to build. Mr. Dowd said he recommended this come before the Board for consideration. He asked if the Board will approve the concept. Mr. Boyles responded that he is interested in Mr. Dowd’s opinion on whether or not this is a good deal for the county.