Okaloosa County BOCC — March 27, 2014 — Minutes — reading text

Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting http://www.okaloosafl.com ~ Minutes ~ Thursday, March 27, 2014 2:00 PM Emerald Coast Convention Center Tourist Development Council Members Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Departed Chairman, Dale E. Peterson Present - - Dale E. Peterson Vacations Vice-Chairman, Present Thomas Rice - - Magnolia Grill Rachel Joyce Hampton Inn FWB Present - - Daniel Empson Harry T’s Restaurant Present - - Thom Gossom Best Gurl, Inc. Present - - Joe Guidry Ramada Plaza Resort Present - - Tuffy Dixon Destin Councilman Present - - Charles Rigdon FWB Councilman Present - - Kelly Windes Commissioner District 5 Absent - - Ed Schroeder TDD Director Present - - Lynn Hoshihara TDD Attorney Present - - Mr. Peterson called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comments Related to Current Agenda The chairman opened the floor to public comment related to the current agenda. Rebecca Sherry/Condo Alliance of Okaloosa Island shared concerns that resulted from the last Board of County Commissioners meeting. David Sherry/Condo Alliance of Okaloosa Island asked that the TDC not repeal the last two years of the Holiday Isle beach restoration MSBU that cost $700,000 plus legal fees. Mr. Sherry is concerned about TDC money being given for an obligation that the public gets nothing for. No one at Holiday Isle spoke against the MSBU. Some Commissioners suggested a future repeal if the money wasn’t needed. No one at Holiday Isle would have supported the MSBU without the potential, not promise, for a repeal. Mr. Sherry requested that the TDC vote NO when the repeal comes up. Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 1 of 16 March 27, 2014  Guy Tadlock/Holiday Isle objected to the Sherry’s comments regarding the MSBU. Mr. Tadlock reiterated that it was supported and beach restoration was needed. He also added that the project costs less than what was originally designated and his members have never objected to the MSBU. Mr. Tadlock further explained that if there is a chance that the MSBU can be rescinded this year or next year, then it will be greatly appreciated. If funds were not needed for beach restoration, members understood that the MSBU would be used only for the Destin beaches and not used for other projects. If there are MSBU funds that were collected that are not necessary it would go a long way in establishing the credibility of TDC members and County Commissioners to rescind the MSBU. I. Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson- Chairman) Motion to Approve February 27, 2014 TDC Meeting Minutes RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dixon SECONDER: Rice AYES: Empson, Gossom, Guidry, Rigdon, Peterson, Joyce II. Director’s Update (Ed Schroeder) a. February Month End Lodging Reports from Smith Travel Research Mr. Schroeder reported that the Committee appointed in the last meeting to take the right path on this item has met and the reports are included in this meeting’s packet distributed to everyone. A determination was made to not spend the $10,000 for republication rights and further explanation and information is presented in this document. Mr. Schroeder further added that the hotel list in the report included about ten properties in the Sandestin area and those areas have been scrubbed, along with the hotels that are outside the bed tax collecting area. Mr. Dixon asked that Mr. Schroeder make sure the 32550 area code properties scrubbed are not in Destin (could possibly be a post office box) due to it being close to the County line. Mr. Schroeder agreed to verify these properties. Mr. Peterson verified with Mr. Schroeder that the cost to review is $9,190 instead of $22,645 and further asked Ms. Hoshihara, TDD Attorney, if we overcame our issues with the publication. Ms. Hoshihara replied that their contract only requires that we would not archive any old data or disclose it if requested (although the law requires that we do that regardless). Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 2 of 16 March 27, 2014  Mr. Schroeder reported that the tax collector helps us with our marketing efforts; where bed taxes are coming from, grouping of condos, hotels, and individual beach homes, and also segregates collection data by Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island, also giving us the number of units from each area. This data will be provided in future meetings. Mr. Peterson recommended that the only conflicts with tax collector data be discussed in the next meeting. b. Pocket Ranger App Mr. Schroeder continued to report that due to the TDC’s approval of the in-house strategic marketing plan at the last meeting, he was able to present the introduction of a mobile app for all parks in Florida. When accessing the homepage of the parks app and selecting “Florida”, there will be an opportunity to choose beaches, campgrounds, etc., and when selecting “beaches,” the viewer will see our beaches and can further view different locations in our area. All viewers within the Panhandle counties will display a constant banner at the bottom of screen showing Emerald Coast beaches. Selecting anywhere else in Florida, as well as in New York, will show the same banner cycled with a few other destinations. Additional information is provided on pages 15 and 16 of the distributed packet. Mr. Schroeder stated that he is grateful to the TDC for approving this in-house strategic marketing plan that resulted in acquiring this pocket ranger app advertising opportunity. c. Staffing Update Mr. Schroeder reported on the approval to create and hire a Marketing Manager and two part-time Research Associates. The County approved the positions at its last meeting, and these job titles have been posted internally with interviews within the County to begin soon. Posting the openings outside the County for anyone to apply will happen if an internal applicant is not selected. d. MSBU Ordinance Update Regarding the MSBU repeal, Mr. Schroeder clarified that what was brought to the TDC and what was brought to the County Commission was not an endorsement, but staff had been asked to research the feasibility of repealing the special assessment levied for the Western Destin Beach Restoration Project. He reminded everyone that in order for staff to engage in researching the feasibility of any project, there is staff time and money spent to bring in a specialized consultant. Mr. Schroeder would like all projects to come to the TDC for approval first. Mr. Peterson asked for comments from the Council. Mr. Gossom commented that possibly clarification is needed regarding the direction that the County is going. The signed recommendation says they need approval for staff direction to prepare the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 3 of 16 March 27, 2014  necessary documentation to release the pledge of the assessment revenue and to develop, advertise, and bring back to the Board an ordinance to repeal. Therefore, it sounds like more than research, it sounds like we are going in a different direction. Mr. Peterson responded by asking a question regarding research as to where the money was coming from (referring to budget data on page 37). Further discussion regarding the “Expenses by Level of Tourist Development Tax Restriction” section resulted in reviewing the data with Ms. Dunworth, and also resulted in discussing reserves data. Ms. Hoshihara said the Board of County Commissioners has not taken any final action at this time with a determination to repeal or not repeal the MSBU ordinance, but has approved scheduling a public hearing. Ms. Joyce asked if they are asking for a recommendation from the TDC. In response to the question, Mr. Schroeder stated that he is asking the TDC to direct staff to research this option, not endorse unless the TDC chooses to do so, but to allow them to research it. Mr. Guidry stated that to repeal the special assessment, the permission of Hancock Bank that holds the note will be required, so it looks like we have permission. Mr. Schroeder added that the very first step was to see if the bank would consider releasing the MSBU and letting the tourist development tax pay for it. It is not reserves to be pledged but annual collections. There is some concern that monies are already allocated to too many projects right now. Mr. Schroeder would like the opportunity to present this information for a vote at the next meeting. Motion to Allow TDC Director To Research Beach