Okaloosa County BOCC — May 8, 2015 — Minutes — reading text

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Budget Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Friday, May 8, 2015 9:00 AM 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 - 10:30am Rachel Joyce Hampton Inn FWB Present - - Martin Owen ResortQuest by Wyndham Present - - Thom Gossom Best Gurl, Inc. Present - - Joe Guidry Ramada Plaza Beach 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 9:00am with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) No Public Comments. Councilmember’s Minute Mr. Owen offered congratulations on the Heart of Tourism awards this morning and hopes that the program can grow. Mayor Anderson noted the Brooks Bridge has tremendous impact on tourism and he would like someone from TDD to keep the Council up to date with its progress. Mr. Rice spoke about the Navy EOD event where eight names were revealed at the Landing, the Ranger Open House, Dr. Ott Symphony, and Joint Services Memorial Day ceremony in Fort Walton Beach where they will release the date and time of the completion of the Freedom Tower. Chairman Peterson recapped the open house demonstration of the 7th Special Forces. Mr. Rice mentioned there are ongoing issues with the Bridge Authority that must be kept up to date. Ms. Joyce commended the Heart of Tourism awards and the excitement surrounding it within the community. Many good things are coming to the community, including the half marathon next year. I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation a. Heritage Park & Cultural Center Funding Request (Gail Meyer) Ms. Meyer is requesting $15,000 for the exhibit “Obscured by Time: The Magic of Florida” that will seek to change how the public sees the past, expanding interest and bringing in a different demographic of visitors to the community. The exhibit will run from June – August 2016. Chairman Peterson suggested that they also look into grants from Visit Florida. Councilman Dixon questioned why the budget includes advertising in the Panama City Airport. Ms. Meyer said the marketing was preliminary and they would be happy to partner with the TDD marketing team for their help. Mr. Owen questioned whether any accommodation providers were approached in lieu of the $1000. Commissioner Ketchel suggested a joint effort between the TDD marketing staff, airport, and hotels. Mr. Rice commented there are many restaurants within walking distance that could provide catering and inquired how the museum is funded. Ms. Meyer responded the City provides operating funds and the Friends provide small purchases and manpower. Ms. Joyce lauded the budget detail and asked about the success of previous exhibits and the projected Return on Investment. Ms. Meyer said that 4,000 visitors came to last summer’s exhibit, which was 1,600 more than a similar time when there was no exhibit. Ms. Joyce suggested making the information available to local hotels as a “rainy day” alternative. Chairman Peterson endorsed keeping the advertising money local as much as possible. Mr. Owen suggested Tourist Development Council Page 1  launching the exhibit in May, and since they are still one year away, to utilize the CVB staff as much as possible to help reduce costs by garnering trades with local businesses. Mr. Gossom also noted appreciation for the budget detail and commented it would be interesting to see how the numbers work for each airport Chairman Peterson said that no motion was needed because there would be discussions with TDD staff. David Sherry commented it may be more beneficial to advertise in Panama City airport rather than VPS. b. FY16 Budget Discussion (Ed Schroeder / Charlotte Dunworth) Mr. Schroeder clarified that the budget presented is for discussion, as this is not the final budget. The TDD is asking for guidance from the Council as to whether the budget is on the right track. Ms. Dunworth noted a summary of authorized uses by penny is provided for reference and reviewed the reserve policies. Mayor Anderson asked what Lifeguard Services and “protection” meant under the 2nd percentage. Ms. Hoshihara said that it is not a statutorily defined term. The money cannot be used for law enforcement services on the beaches, but may be covered under “protection” if for a vehicle to be used on the beach. Ms. Dunworth began the discussion regarding the FY16 budget with an explanation of how revenues are estimated and then reviewed the First Percentage. Mayor Anderson asked where the $14 million for Beach Renourishment Reserves came from. Mr. Schroeder said that it is based on a cost per mile and that $14 million is about half of what will be needed after a catastrophic event. Commissioner Ketchel asked to discuss why the $500,000 requested by Okaloosa Island for Beach Accessway Improvements was considered a delayed project. Mr. Schroeder said the issue is not the necessity of the Beach Accessway Improvements, they are part of the general CIP, but money has not been available in the budget yet. It may cost up to $500,000 to build one beach access restroom facility and the plans are for three. That is why the shortfall has been added to that line item, but adding the $150,000 allows it to be carried over into the next budget. Councilman Dixon suggested taking money from the dredging of East Pass to add to that fund. Ms. Dunworth suggested using the $500K being allocated to increase beach restoration per the reserve policy rather than reducing the East Pass reserve. Commissioner Ketchel suggested if one bathroom was built with the funds, the remainder may be requested from ORAC. Mayor Anderson asked if it would be possible to skip a year with the Artificial Reef project and use this year’s money for Beach Accessway Improvements. Motion: To find the money to fund one beach access bathroom facility on Okaloosa Island. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ketchel SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Joyce, Owen, Anderson, Dixon Councilman Dixon said if the committee votes yes, that the money must not be pulled from the reserves fund, but from existing projects, which could include earmarked money for dredging of the East Pass. Motion: To transfer funds reserved for dredging of the East Pass to fund building one beach access bathroom facility on Okaloosa Island. RESULT: WITHDRAWN MOVER: Ketchel SECONDER: Dixon AYES: Tourist Development Council Page 2 May 8, 2015  Mr. Gossom was opposed to taking money from the reserve fund because it is there specifically for emergencies. Chairman Peterson said a catastrophic event could wipe out the existing bathrooms and increase the cost of rebuilding. Mr. Rice suggested pulling a little money from various projects to make the Okaloosa Island bathroom project a priority. Councilman Dixon rescinded his Second. Mr. Gossom suggested taking some money from Destin’s Beach Parks Maintenance and the Artificial Reefs and using the money for Okaloosa Island bathrooms. Mr. Owen said that Destin is due the money because they produce more tourism revenue – building bathrooms won’t bring in any additional tourism monies. Chairman Peterson suggested striking the Beach Park Improvements for Destin ($112,030). Commissioner Ketchel did not support that because of the money generated by Destin parks. Councilman Dixon supported reducing the Artificial Reef line by $100,000, since more tourism monies will be generated by the beach than the reef. Motion: To reduce the Artificial Reef line item by $100,000 RESULT: No vote MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: No second AYES: Chairman Peterson proposed taking $100,000 from the Landing Covered Performance Stage Project in Fort Walton Beach, $112,030 from Destin Beach Park Improvements, and $150,000 from the Artificial Reef project to fund the Okaloosa Island Beach Accessway Improvements (restrooms). Mr. Kisela, Destin City Manager, said he would support the removal of $112,030 from the Destin Beach Parks Improvements line, if the Council could try to find a way to release some of that money during the current fiscal year. Motion: To eliminate Landing Covered Performance Stage Project in Fort Walton Beach $100,000, eliminate Destin Beach Parks Improvements $112,030, and reduce the amount of funds allocated to the Artificial Reef project by $137,970. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Joyce SECONDER: Owen AYES: Peterson, Rice, Gossom, Guidry, Anderson, Dixon, Ketchel Chairman Peterson recessed the meeting for a break at 11:05am. Mr. Schroeder clarified in the Second percentage, the line for “Marketing to