Board of County Commissioners

Tourist Development

Gadsden County, Florida

AGENDA & NOTES

Regular Public Meeting

January 28, 2013

3:30 p.m.

Present:

Lee Garner, Chair of TDC, City of Chattahoochee Manager and Tax Collector (excused absence)

Matt Thro, Vice – Chair of TDC, H & H Furniture

Jeff DuBree, Sportsman’s Lodge, Bed Tax Collector Lake Talquin

Patricia Vice, West Gadsden Historical Society, Tourist Attraction

David Knight, Midway Councilman

Angela Sapp, City of Quincy Commission (excused absence)

Peter Patel, Bed Tax Collector (excused absence)

Alca Patel, Hotel Industry (excused absence)

Gene Morgan, BOCC

Sonya Burns, TDC Administrator

Beryl Wood, Deputy Clerk

Pledge of Allegiance

Matt Thro, Vice-Chairman of TDC called the meeting to order at 4:00pm then led in Pledge of

Allegiance.

Roll Call (Beryl Wood, Deputy Clerk)

The roll was called by the deputy clerk and noted above.

Amendments and Approval of Agenda

1. Approval of Meeting Minutes (October 15, 2012) Dubree/Knight 5-0 (passed)

December Meeting Notes for the Record (Matt Thro, TDC Vice-Chairman)

2. Budget Update (Jeff Price, Budget Analyst)

3. Tourism Coordinator Revision/Discussion (Matt Thro, TDC Vice-Chairman)

Morgan questioned term for the agreement. He asked that it be revised to add the term.

Dubree questioned the stages for work. He asked where the stages spelled out.

Thro we are suppose to give direction. He said it is per our direction to Legacy.

Dubree asked if they could go down list with Legacy.

Mary Kelley - she said she would need to engage with others.

Motion: Thro/Knight motion to approve contract with term of 1 year added with a 1 year renewal option. (Contingent of terms) 5-0 pass

Sonya said she would email the County Attorney the contract & copy the Council.

4. Bylaws Concerning a Quorum Electronically and Straw Voting (Matt Thro, TDC Vice-Chair)

Matt Thro gave discussion on a quorum electronically and straw voting.

Mr. Knight asked for further clarification on the straw voting.

Mr. Thro explained reasoning for wanting the straw voting.

Morgan asked could they also have web ex. He offered supported and thought it was a great idea. He thought it would be beneficial to add to bylaws.

Motion for approval: Morgan/DuBree - electronic quorum with bylaws reflecting 5-0

5. TDC Reappointments (Jeff Dubree and Patricia Vice (Matt Thro, TDC Vice-Chairman) Sonya asked for a small email consenting to be reappointed.

Morgan/Knight 5-0 for reappointments.

6. Florida Tourism Day 2013

Knight, Gardner & Coordinator, Ms. Kelley will tentatively attend.

Dubree asked if they could look into and see if Gadsden County could provide items.

Thro said he would contact.

Sandy Beare commented that she had attended & they do encourage information tables.

Vice asked could the Gadsden Historical Society go under the County names.

Motion: Dubree/ Morgan - up to 3 people, not to exceed $300 total. 5-0

7. Welcome BOCC Appointment (Commissioner Gene Morgan)

Marketing and Funding Request

1. Pat Hayes, Rocky Comfort Farms & Debbie Parramore – thanked the Tourism Council for sponsoring last year. They used funding for advertising. She passed around photos of happenings from this past year and spoke of a future project. 31 schools visited the farms and 1407 students. 1562 weekend visit from Oct – Dec. 2969 total number of visitors to the farm. She said they would like to do spring field trips.

Dubree asked where they targeted from outlying counties. He asked was the egadsden link on the website. He also asked the places to stay that are close by. Facebook should be linked by your organization.

Sonya said they meet all requirements, except links to website.

Mr. Dubree commented on the potential grant application. He said they are trying to establish the 150 mile radius.

Thro look for ways to increase the 150 mile radius.

DuBree said for future meeting spell out major players in what qualifies and what does not qualify. (Outside of 150 mile radius)

Morgan thanked Mrs. Hayes for her presentation and all they do. Encouraged her to think of ways to have overnight stays & encourage them to explore other places in Gadsden County. He asked that they add the egadsden/logo be added to all such as Visit Florida. He asked her to track information on if they are spending the night in Gadsden County. He they are trying to market Gadsden County.

Ms. Kelley asked would the Coordinator position help with this type of request, to help them so they can have clear understanding.

Thro said they would love to get involved. He asked the Coordinator work with Rocky Comfort Farm and then come back and present to the Council.

Debbie Parramore thanked the Council for all their help. She said a big part of this is marketing and asked for help. She spoke of ways to track.

Public Comments and Concerns on Non-Agenda Items (3 minute limit) - No comment

Morgan - discussion and action item next meeting – 7 Kiosk placed throughout County.

Thro asked that informational being given to Council and scheduled for the next meeting.

Motion to Adjourn @5:15pm

Meeting(s)

- February 18, 2013

Other TDC Business

BOCC Agenda Item – Reappointment of Members (Mr. Dubree and Mrs. Vice)