Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council — Jun 27, 2013 — reading text

identified the need for a headquarters hotel on or close to the convention center, in order to further the growth of the convention center. Mr. Dixon and Peterson both agreed. Mr. O’Byrne asked if the Council would be interested in procuring a consultant to investigate the possibilities. Motion to Recommend Hiring a Consultant to Investigate Possibilities for Convention Center Hotel RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rigdon SECONDER: Dixon AYES: Empson, Gossom, Guidry, Windes, Rice, Peterson Continuing on in the review of the budget, Mr. Dixon questioned the fees paid to the chambers of commerce. Mr. O’Byrne answered it is paid as a service fee for marketing the destination to the Fort Walton Beach and Destin Chambers. Mr. Guidry queried Mr. O’Byrne on viewing last year’s budgeted items. Mr. Dixon echoed requesting a side-by-side view. Mr. O’Byrne responded he would work on the request. Council members commented that the summer numbers in their industries has been flat. Mr. Guidry questioned why the money spent on advertising for summer is so small in relation to the other seasons. Mr. O’Byrne commented the information received showed those season’s tourism numbers were lower so the money was allocated there. He went on to say money could be reallocated, if need be. He explained the budget is in place as a starting point and can be reworked. Mr. Guidry continued by stating projections for tourism this fall are said to be low/flat. He would like to investigate the potential for working this issue preemptively with marketing dollars. Mr. Guidry went on to question why the reserves in each penny are different. Mr. O’Byrne and members answered that it is because of the different restrictions placed on each penny. Commissioner Windes echoed the earlier request for a side-by-side view of the budget, as well as two-weeks prior to the meeting/approval to review the budget. Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 3 Printed 6/28/2013 Packet Pg. 6  1.a Regular Meeting Minutes June 27, 2013 Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Jun 27, 2013 3:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale Motion to Recommend Budget and Staff Recommendations as Proposed to the County Commission for Approval RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Ridgon AYES: Empson, Gossom, Guidry, Windes, Rice, Peterson V. Update on vacant TDC lodging industry seat (Lynn Hoshihara) Ms. Hoshihara briefed the TDC on the TDC Selection Committee’s vote; which occurred today at 1 p.m. Ms. Rachel Joyce was voted as the recommendation to the empty seat, by a 2 to 1 vote over Mr. Damon Becnel. She stated that the selection Committee’s recommendation will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners in July. Mr. O’Byrne stated he believes the individual will be seated by the July TDC meeting. VI. Destination Advertising Update (Peter Mayer Advertising) a. Shoulder Season Advertising Campaign Recap and Results Ms. Michelle Clarke, with Peter Mayer Advertising, provided the Spring Shoulder Season Campaign results. The season was March 19 through May 27. She identified a 22% lift in hotel sales year-over-year. The total hotel sales during this season were $4,128,858. b. Summer Season Campaign Update The timeframe of this campaign is June 17-Aug 31. The campaign uses online banners on RGM Alliance Network, TravelZoo, TripAdvisor, and Virtual Tourist. Different banners to appeal to different audiences, families, singles, and more. At this time, the Council revisited the need to raise the budget for the fall season from $100,000 to $300,000. Motion to Recommend Using $200,000 from 5th Penny Reserves for a Shoulder Season Campaign Budget Increase from $100,000 to $300,000 RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Guidry SECONDER: Dixon AYES: Empson, Gossom, Rigdon, Windes, Rice, Peterson VII. Schedule July TDC Meeting (Dan O’Byrne) a. Thursday July 25, 2013, 2:00 p.m. Emerald Coast Convention Center VIII. New Business (Kelly Windes) Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 4 Printed 6/28/2013 Packet Pg. 7  1.a Regular Meeting Minutes June 27, 2013 a. Beach Safety and Accessibility Issues Commissioner Windes commented that it has come to his attention that some Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Jun 27, 2013 3:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale unfortunate events have occurred on the Okaloosa Island beaches lately. He proposed extending the lifeguard services from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the cost through Labor Day would be $19,000. Additionally, the lifeguard service needs an ATV, which would cost an additional $6,000. The funds would come out of 2nd Penny reserves. Mr. Dixon commented that Destin should receive the same services. Motion to Recommend the Approval of Increased Funds of $25,000 each for Extended Lifeguard Service Times and ATVs, for Okaloosa and Destin Lifeguards from the 2nd Penny Reserves RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Windes SECONDER: Gossom AYES: Empson, Guidry, Rigdon, Rice, Peterson, Dixon b. Access and Bathrooms Update Last month’s request for $500,000 cleared the Board of County Commissioners. The engineering firm and Public Works should have a plan available in 30 days to go before the Board. IX. Public Comment a. Mr. Steve Czonstka, Viva 500 b. Rebecca Sherry, Condo Alliance of Okaloosa Island Mr. Steve Czonstka, with the Heritage Museum, spoke about the time capsule which was unveiled at Saturday in the Park on April 30. He stated the next opportunity to view it would be at the “Night at the Museum” event on July 20. He also reminded the Council that the County Centennial is coming up. Mrs. Rebecca Sherry of the Condo Alliance of Okaloosa Island, thanked Mr. George Gray for the passion and devotion he shows in his work with the turtles. She shared her concerns over the new positions the county is currently staffing and talked about TDC transparency. Ms. Sherry continued by reiterating her previous month’s request for a sand tracer study. She concluded by thanking the Council for their service and fresh perspective. Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 5 Printed 6/28/2013 Packet Pg. 8  1.a Regular Meeting Minutes June 27, 2013 X. Adjourn (Mr. Peterson) Motion to Adjourn at 4:33 p.m. Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Jun 27, 2013 3:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Windes SECONDER: Rice AYES: Empson, Guidry, Rigdon, Gossom, Peterson, Dixon APPROVED: APPROVED: By:____________________________ By:________________________________ Name:_________________________ Name: Daniel O’Byrne________________ Title:__________________________ Title: Director, Tourist Development Dept. Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 6 Printed 6/28/2013 Packet Pg. 9  Tourist Development Council Meeting: 07/25/13 02:00 PM 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Department: Tourist Development Council Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Category: Information Prepared By: Aida Wilkinson SCHEDULED Initiator: Aida Wilkinson Sponsors: TDC ITEM (ID # 1878) DOC ID: 1878 Ordinance Amending Updated: 7/23/2013 2:34 PM by Aida Wilkinson Page 1 Packet Pg. 10  2.1 ORDINANCE NO. 13-__ AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING ORDINANCE 12-21, AS SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED BY