Okaloosa County BOCC — May 23, 2016 — Minutes — reading text

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Monday, May 23, 2016 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 - - Thom Gossom Owner, Best Gurl, Inc.- Mktg & Comm. Firm Present - - Joe Guidry Manager, Ramada Plaza Beach & RV Resorts Present - - Melissa Matern Director of Marketing & Events, The Boardwalk/Bone Absent - - Bruce Craul Chief Operating Officer, HarborWalk Hospitality Present - - Honorable Mike Anderson City of Fort Walton Beach Mayor Present - - Honorable Jim Foreman City of Destin Representative Present - - Honorable Kelly Windes Commissioner, District 5 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 2:00pm Council Member Minute Mr. Craul stated it was the best May they have seen in Destin in a decade. Last weekend felt like Memorial Day with business from weddings, groups and military events. Mr. Craul also stated that he was happy with the new wedding guide provided by the Emerald Coast Convention Center. Mr. Gossom met with the Production Services Association of Northwest Florida, who are planning documentaries about the area, and commented there are lots of talented people in our area. Mayor Anderson reported a good beginning to the season in Fort Walton Beach. More people have come to downtown Fort Walton because of the farmer’s market and art walk. The city has also extended the concerts at the Landing through the 15 th of July. Mr. Windes stated that red snapper season begins next week and all boats are booked. Mr. Rice reminded the council that Memorial Day is the biggest weekend of the year for the area, and visitors not only patronize local businesses and restaurants but come to Memorial Day events. He reminded everyone of the dedication of the Veterans Tribute Tower at 11 am on Memorial Day. Chairman Peterson reported that he and Mr. Craul were interviewed on a Little Rock, Arkansas morning show and talked about the airlines with direct flights to Destin. Chairman Peterson also reported being at the airport last Friday for the first Allegiant Air flight to arrive from Cincinnati and the large welcoming party there. Mr. Foreman reported that there are many activities around the city of Destin - the Destin Sports Complex is frequently packed and the dog park is very popular. Attorney Update Ms. Hoshihara asked the council to move the Bridge to Bridge update before the new budget discussion, because the decision made by the council could affect the new budget. Director Update None Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) None Tourist Development Council Page 1 May 23, 2016  I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation a. April 28, 2016 TDC Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson) Motion: To approve the minutes from April 28, 2016 and May 6, 2016. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Anderson SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Craul, Foreman, Windes b. May 6, 2016 TDC Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson) Approved in conjunction with the April 28, 2016 Minutes. c. Financial Update (Charlotte Dunworth) Ms. Dunworth reviewed year-to-date TDT collections. Motion: To approve the financial update. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Foreman SECONDER: Windes AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Craul, Anderson, Rice Bridge to Bridge update (agenda item u.) Ms. Hoshihara provided background and stated the current request is for $102K plus the County to take ownership of the project. Mr. Hancock provided a project overview and explained $102K is to begin preliminary services and design that will be sent to Eglin Air Force Base. Mr. Craul inquired who owned the land and how users would get from north side of Hwy 98 to south side walkway on Marler Bridge. Mr. Hancock stated national parks service and Eglin AFB own the land, surveys are required to determine if pathway is feasible and further discussion is premature, and the pathway would loop under Marler Bridge. Ms. Hoshihara stated the TDC’s decision is twofold: 1) is this a project TDC wishes to recommend the County pursue, and 2) how much should be funded with TDT dollars. Mr. Craul commented this project is permissible use as part of product improvement, fits the mission of the TDC, and that Destin has some funds on the other side of the bridge for bike paths. Chairman Peterson stated concerns about upkeep, maintenance and ongoing costs that the TDC will be responsible for. Chairman Peterson also stated that this pathway is not the same as the trails on 30A, and that visitors may not utilize it as much because it is not shaded. Mr. Foreman stated that he sees both sides of the discussion and recommends supporting the initial investment for the preliminary design so that the pros and cons can be weighed. Mr. Gossom noted that with tourism continuing to increase, there must be new ways of moving people. Mr. Windes stated that it would be a good idea to test the waters for the project and see if the state has funds available. Mayor Anderson stated it would increase marketability in the area and will tie in with ecotourism. Motion: To recommend to the county a joint venture of feasibility, not to exceed $102K in TDT funds. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [7-1] MOVER: Craul SECONDER: Anderson AYES: Gossom, Guidry, Windes, Rice, Foreman NAYES: Peterson Tourist Development Council Page 2 May 23, 2016  d. FY17 Proposed Budget (Charlotte Dunworth) Ms. Dunworth presented the proposed FY17 budget by penny. She noted that there are two new positions and an increase in the strategic marketing plan. Discussion ensued regarding the 1% contingency. The council discussed where to pull money from the 1st percentage for the $102,000 Bridge to Bridge project. The council agreed to allow Ms. Dunworth the authority to find the money, possibly from the Future Capital Investments fund. In the 4th percentage, Mayor Anderson expressed concern that money continues to be added to the reserves for the ECCC Future Improvements and no improvements have been made. Mr. Schroeder stated TDD staff is working on a plan for future improvements. The Council asked Mr. Schroeder to form a committee to help the TDD staff in assessing what improvements need to be completed. Mr. Craul asked about the Convention Center porte-cochere and stated that it was expensive but necessary, and felt the money allocated was excessive but that it could be completed on a lesser budget. Chairman Peterson stated the study conducted last year to show what was needed to improve the ECCC was not helpful. Mr. Schroeder stated the study was not meant to focus on infrastructure, and will be sending a copy of that study to the council members. Motion: To approve the FY17 proposed budget. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Anderson AYES: Peterson, Gossom, Guidry, Craul, Foreman, Windes e. Life’s A Beach contract amendment (Ed Schroeder) Mr. Schroeder presented the item. Motion: To approve amendment of Life’s a Beach contract RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Foreman SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Guidry, Gossom, Craul, Anderson, Windes f. Revive Media contract (Ed Schroeder) Mr. Schroeder presented the item. Motion: To approve a contract with Revive Media Services, contingent upon TDD attorney approval and completion of the county’s process. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Anderson SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Guidry, Gossom, Craul, Windes, Foreman g. Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program MOU (Erika Zambello) Mr. Trifilio presented the item. Motion: To approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Eglin Air Force Base relating to establishing the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program. RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Craul AYES: Anderson, Peterson, Guidry, Gossom, Windes, Foreman II. Items for Information Purposes Only – (Speaker) h. Marketing Update (Ed Schroeder) Mr. Schroeder noted the campaign is going well and all measurements are sky-high. Tourist Development Council Page 3 May 23, 2016  i. Sales Update (Sherry Rushing & Tisha Maraj) Ms. Rushing reported on recent and upcoming events. She noted that new wedding guides