Board of County Commissioners
Tourist Development
Gadsden County, Florida
AGENDA & NOTES
Regular Public Meeting
June 17, 2013
3:30 p.m.
Present:
Lee Garner, Chair of TDC, City of Chattahoochee Manager and Tax Collector
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 (absent)
Keith Dowdell, City of Quincy Commissioner (absent)
Hemant Patel, Hotel Industry
Gene Morgan, BOCC (arrived late)
Sonya Burns, TDC Administrator
Mary Kelly, Legacy Marketing
Beryl Wood, Deputy Clerk
Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call
Lee Garner, Chairman of TDC called the meeting to order at 3:30pm then led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The roll was called by the deputy clerk and noted above.
Amendments and Approval of Agenda Patel/Thro 5-0
Amendment to the Agenda – Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce 2012-2013 - $2,500 (Membership Fees) under #2 Marketing and Funding Request
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes (April 15, 2013) – Thro/DuBree 5-0
Approval of Workshop Minutes (May 28, 2013) – Thro/DuBree 5-0
(Lee Garner, TDC Chairman)
2. New Appointee Nomination for BOCC Approval (Mr. Patel Replacement)
(Lee Garner, TDC Chairman)
Recommendation Nick Bhakta – Comfort Inn (Mr. Patel will get contact info) will be forwarded to BCC for approval during their first July meeting: Patel/Vice 5-0
Mr. Morgan arrived at this juncture of this meeting.
3. Budget Update/Discussion
(Jeff Price, Budget Analyst)
Mr. Price gave budget update.
Mr. Thro asked were the budget changes from last meeting included in this updated budgeted.
Mr. Garner asked about the removal of Riverway South.
Mr. DuBree asked where it would fit into the budget.
There was discussion by the council.
Mr. Thro encouraged the Board to include Mary Kelly in the budget planning.
Mrs. Kelly said she would like to meet with the Marketing Board before offering any suggestion.
Mr. DuBree asked under promotional activities (target marketing-$40,000) can we move around or can we adjust as needed.
Mr. Price said it could be moved with no problem.
Mr. DuBree questioned the Infrastructure fund being moved.
Mr. Price said he was having a hard time discussing Infrastructure with Finance, since there are bridges and roads being built.
Mr. Thro said there needs to cohesive plan.
Mr. Morgan said the budget amount is pretty much settled at $166,000. He suggested a summary sheet at the next meeting with the top 3 priorities.
Mr. Patel asked that they contact Mr. Summerford office to work with Hotel owners to educate and show them how to fill out and separate taxes.
Mary Kelly said they are trying to get bed tax collectors together to discuss billboards and she said they provide information at that meeting and they not feel threaten. They will have information moving forward on how to separate taxes.
Mr. Morgan said that could be a project for upcoming budget year. It may produce results.
Mr. Patel said Robert Skrob could provide insight and maybe workshop on the tax issue.
Mr. Garner asked could on contracted services be added in the amount of $2,500 for professional services.
Mr. Morgan suggested changing the name of the infrastructure fund. He said it could be beautification/improvement fund.
4. FADMO Membership Invoice (Renewal)
(Lee Garner, TDC Chairman)
Mr. Patel, said we need to full advantage of the services offered if renewed. Let’s try to get workshop for free concerning taxes.
Motion: Thro/Patel 5-0 (approved)
5. 46th Annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism (2 Attendees)
(Lee Gardner, TDC Chairman)
Mr. Patel suggested it open up for all council members who are interested.
Motion: for all members who would like to attend plus Mary Kelly will be covered by TDC: Patel/Vice 5-0
6. Florida Travel & Lifestyles Promotion Offer
(Lee Garner, TDC Chairman & Mary Kelly, Legacy Marketing)
Motion: Patel/ DuBree 5-0 for $890 suggest to approval from the Marketing Committee
7. Havana Merchants Association Discussion (Advertisement and Rm. Night Requirements)
(Hemant Patel, TDC Councilman)
Mr. Patel commented on the $750 for the Havana Merchants that they do not pay. He said he went to the Havana Merchants.
Mr. Kelly said that she worked on the marketing for this event and it was there the TDC logo.
Mr. DuBree suggested they become sterner with dispersing of funds.
Mr. Thro provided the logo was on the website.
Mr. Garner asked could they provide the bed nights, hotel rooms.
Mary said they need to find way to measure if they are to be held to that.
Awards and Presentations
1. Jonnie Clark, White Squirrel Extravaganza (Material to be provided.)
Jonnie Clark greeted Council and made presentation on Gadsden County White Squirrel Festival.
Mr. Garner suggested Mrs. Clark talk to Mrs. Kelly to discuss the idea.
Marketing and Funding Request
1. Gadsden Art Center FY 2013-2014 $4,000 - Vice/Thro 5-0 (approved)
2. Gadsden County Chamber 2013-2014 -$2,500 – Vice/Morgan 5-0 (approved)
Public Comments and Concerns on Non-Agenda Items (3 minute limit)
§ Karen Marsh, Mainstreet – Is this the time to request funds if they are accepted as a Mainstreet to help promote.
Mr. Thro suggested they write a letter requesting funds.
Mr. Morgan suggested a letter of support for the Chattahoochee MainStreet to be
presented to the State. He also suggested a working relationship with the different
MainStreet in the County.
§ Henry Rollins – Showed his support to Mrs. Marsh and commented on the excitement of the White Squirrel Festival in Gadsden County.
Motion to Adjourn at 4:51pm
Mr. Patel suggested meeting every other month instead of the once a month.
Meeting(s)
- July 15, 2013
Other TDC Business
NONE
Printed Materials Available
List of Strategic Partners
List of Approved Media
TDC By-Laws
Florida Statute