Okaloosa County BOCC — May 6, 2016 — Minutes

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Budget Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Friday, May 6, 2016 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 - Thom Gossom Owner, Best Gurl, Inc.- Mktg & Comm. Firm Absent - - Joe Guidry Manager, Ramada Plaza Beach & RV Resorts Absent - - Director of Marketing & Events, The Melissa Matern Present - Boardwalk/Bonezzi Development Bruce Craul Chief Operating Office, HarborWalk Hospitality Present 10:00 - 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) Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) Dave Hancock – Okaloosa Island Leaseholders – inquired why funding request for a Hwy 98 bridge to bridge bike pathway from Okaloosa Island to Destin presented in December is not on the list. They are now at the position where they can’t do anything until the Air Force gives final approval after an environmental study and a survey is finalized. Mr. Foreman mentioned the Pathways Program as an option for grant funding. I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation a. FY17 Budget Overview Ms. Dunworth presented an overview of the budget and primary purposes for each of the five pennies. Discussion ensued regarding the need for contingency funds for each penny. Council consensus was to include 1% contingency. b. 9:10am – Emerald Coast Science Center funding request Diane Frasier presented a slideshow to create an Emerald Coast Exhibit to raise awareness of the area, including hands-on exhibits, an augmented 3D Watershed reality sandbox and salinity pond in their new location on Memorial Parkway. c. 9:30am – Destin History & Fishing Museum funding request Don Rogers, President of the Board of Directors, introduced Kathy Blue, Director, who presented a request for additional exhibits to promote the area fishing fleet and Annual Fishing Rodeo. Tourist Development Council Page 1  d. 9:50am – Heritage P