Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council — Oct 24, 2013 — reading text

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting http://www.okaloosafl.com ~ Agenda ~ Thursday, December 12, 2013 2:00 PM Emerald Coast Convention Center Council Members & Staff Dale E. Peterson Chairman – Owner, Dale E. Peterson Vacations Thomas Rice Vice-Chairman – Owner, Magnolia Grill Restaurant Daniel Empson Owner, Harry T's Lighthouse Restaurant Thom Gossom Owner, Best Gurl, Inc. - Mktg & Comm. Firm Joe Guidry Manager, Ramada Plaza Beach & RV Resorts Rachel Joyce General Manager, Hampton Inn Honorable Kelly Windes Commissioner District 5 Honorable Tuffy Dixon City of Destin Representative Honorable Charles Rigdon City of FWB Representative Rick Owen Interim Director, Tourist Development Dept., Okaloosa County Lynn Hoshihara TDD Attorney Greg Stewart TDD Attorney Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome (Dale Peterson - Chairman) I. Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (Dale Peterson - Chairman) II. Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson - Chairman) a. Tourist Development Council - Regular Meeting - Oct 24, 2013 2:00 PM III. Financial Status Update (Rick Owen/Charlotte Dunworth) a. Oct. Month End Tax Revenue Reports b. November Month End Lodging Reports from Smith Travel Research c. November Year-to-Date TDD Expenditure Report IV. Emerald Coast Convention Center (Bill Leaman) a. Balance Sheet comparison FY 13 and FY 12 b. Inventory of equipment owned costing more than $1,000.00 Tourist Development Council Page 1 Printed 12/11/2013 Regular Meeting Agenda December 12, 2013 V. Old Business (Dale Peterson - Chairman/Lynn Hoshihara, Esq) a. Request consideration of Beach Response Vehicle Funding b. Adopt TDC Public Participation Resolution pursuant to Section 286.0114, F.S. c. Peter Mayer Marketing Plan Update VI. New Business (Dale Peterson - Chairman) a. Introduction of Ed Schroder, New Tourist Development Director VII. Schedule Quarterly TDC Meeting (Dale Peterson) a. Thursday January 30, 2014, 2:00 p.m. Emerald Coast Convention Center VIII. Public Comment a. General (3 minutes each) IX. Adjourn Tourist Development Council Page 2 Printed 12/11/2013  2.a Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Oct 24, 2013 2:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale Regular Meeting http://www.okaloosafl.com ~ Minutes ~ Thursday, October 24, 2013 2:00 PM Emerald Coast Convention Center Tourist Development Council Members Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Departed Dale E. Peterson Chairman Present - - Thomas Rice Vice-Chairman Present - - Rachel Joyce Present - 4:45 Daniel Empson Present - - Thom Gossom Present - - Joe Guidry Present - - Tuffy Dixon Destin Councilman Present - - Charles Rigdon FWB Councilman Absent - - Kelly Windes Commissioner District 5 Present - - Daniel O'Byrne Director Present - - Greg Stewart & TDD Attorney Present - - Lynn Hoshihara Mr. Mark Mayer Michelle Clarke & Peter Mayer Advertising Present - - Ellen Kempner Tonya Landry Mr. Peterson called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. I. Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson- Chairman) Motion to Approve, September 9, 2013 TDC Meeting Minutes RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Windes AYES: Peterson, Rice, Joyce, Empson, Gossom, Guidry Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 1 of 7 Packet Pg. 3  2.a II. Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (Dale Peterson – Chairman) Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Oct 24, 2013 2:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale Ben Anderson, Okaloosa County Tax Collector, began the meeting by reporting on the transfer of tourist development tax collections. He stated the transition was very successful and seamless. He also welcomed those who collect tourism development taxes to meet with his office to discuss how the transition went from their standpoint, any concerns or questions, as well as provide input on a “Fair Share Program.” Hoteliers can contact Ms. Toni Richardson, at the Best Western, for group meetings. Ms. Kendra Nixon, at the Tourist Development Department, is the point of contact for property managers. Mr. Guidry queried Mr. Anderson about the possibility of receiving the regular reports sooner. He stated Okaloosa County seems to be the last report he sees come in. Mr. Anderson stated his office strives to provide the information as soon as possible and they would look at the possibilities. He added; the deadline for many contributors plays heavily on those results and their primary goal is accuracy. Ms. Lynn Hoshihara continued the meeting by informing attendees of new legislation that will affect the council as of Oct. 1. The statute mandates the allowance of public comment before votes are taken. She stated counsel will provide draft policy for the Tourist Council’s consideration at the January meeting. Mr. Peterson then proceeded to open the floor to public comments. Mr. Mike Anderson, Fort Walton Beach Mayor, suggested allowing public comment after each agenda item, which is the way Fort Walton Beach conducts their meetings. He elaborated on his suggestion by stating public comment could influence a vote and therefore could be helpful and pertinent. Mr. Peterson wound the conversation down by adding the public is always welcome to comment. He requested anyone with comments should raise their hands and if it is appropriate timing, they would be allowed to speak briefly. III. Review Month End August Tax Receipts, Month End August STR Report, and September 30th Draft Year-End TDD Expenditures by Penny (Dan O’Byrne) Mr. O’Byrne said revenues for the month of August were up 11.7% and year-to-date numbers are up 2.63%. Mr. O’Byrne reported the Pennies, this year, will generate 2.7% instead of the 1.9% forecasted last year. Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 2 of 7 Packet Pg. 4  2.a Mr. O’Byrne continued to review the TDD expenditures by the Penny for the quarter and year end. He stressed that the numbers provided are the numbers as of Oct. 1. The Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Oct 24, 2013 2:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale complete audited numbers will be available for the Council’s review at the January meeting. Ms. Joyce queried whether the 4th Penny needs to be tied up in debt in order to maintain the existence of the 5th penny. Ms. Hoshihara responded the ordinance had been changed to ensure that the end of the bond would not expire the fifth penny. She went on to read the most recent ordinance for the council. Mr. Peterson also commented that the next time the council sees the report it will be different, but next year’s budget will show the 5th penny as a pure tourism fund, as it was intended to be. He ended the conversation by stating the convention center needs to be expanded to accommodate larger groups with more breakout space. Motion to Approve the DRAFT September 30th Year End Financial Report as Presented (Pending Audited Financials) RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Peterson, Joyce, Empson, Gossom, Guidry, Windes IV. Review Draft Year-End Emerald Coast Convention Center Operating Revenues (Bill Leaman) Mr. Leaman began by reporting year-end revenues of; $747,558. He explained the center is a little bit behind last year’s figures at the same time. This is primarily