Board of County Commissioners
Tourist Development
Gadsden County, Florida
AGENDA & NOTES
Regular Public Meeting
September 16, 2013
3:30 p.m.
Present:
Lee Garner, Chair of TDC, City of Chattahoochee Manager and Tax Collector (absent)
Matt Thro, Vice – Chair of TDC, H & H Furniture
Jeff DuBree, Sportsman’s Lodge, Bed Tax Collector Lake Talquin
David Knight, Midway Councilman
Keith Dowdell, City of Quincy Commissioner
Hemant Patel, Hotel Industry (absent)
Gene Morgan, BOCC (absent)
Clarence Jackson, City of Gretna
Sonya Burns, TDC Administrator
Mary Kelly, Legacy Marketing
Terry Kelly, Legacy Marketing
Beryl Wood, Deputy Clerk
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Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call
Matt Thro, Vice - 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.
Mr. Thro welcomed Mr. Jackson to the Council.
Amendments and Approval of Agenda
There were no amendments to the agenda.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes (August 19, 2013) (Matt Thro, TDC Vice-Chairman) – Amendments were listed by Mr. Thro and Mr. DuBree for clarity. DuBree/Knight 5-0 w/necessary corrections
2. Robert Skrob, Executive Director FADMO
Mr. Skrob came before the Board and discussed ways to provide the best way to attract visitors. He said this information was strictly information only. Florida welcomed 49.6 million visitors – an increase of 4.2 percent. He discussed County Tourism Promotion Models. Public – division with county government. Private – contract with a non-profit agency set-up by industry. Membership – similar to private but agency accepts memberships. He also mentioned the VISIT Florida Welcome Center Reservations. He said about the last 2 months they having been helping travelers make their hotel reservations. He said they have made 127 in the Northwest and 19 in North Central. He mentioned the Strategic Plan. He asked was it useful and that it was well put together. He mentioned additional resources. Tammy J. Heon (Hernando County), Carol McQueen (Levy County), Harry Campbell (Columbia County)
Mr. DuBree said they made an effort to try to follow what is presented.
He also mentioned the FADMO meeting in Panama City Beach, FL and encouraged them to attend. He then left his contact information Robert Skob 1390 Timberlane Road Tallahassee, FL 32312.
Mr. DuBree asked what they could do for rural communities.
He said they offer a variety of resources. What is a pool view versus a garden view?
Mr. Jackson asked why some counties wouldn’t take advantage of tourism dollars.
He said he really couldn’t say, but a lot don’t have hotels, so by implanting the tax would not generate a lot of funds.
Mr. Knight asked why folks would travel without booking reservations.
He said he is not sure why they would leave home without designations. He said some representatives to help navigate tourism to your county through the tourism welcome center.
Mr. DuBree asked how they are making the reservations.
Mr. Skob said he was not sure. It’s just a way to reach out to people who are in transit.
Mr. Dowdell asked where they a member of FADMO.
Mr. Skob said he was here only to provide information. He said they are not a tourism marketing company. He said they can help them connect to other counties.
Mr. DuBree asked what kind of advice they could give them to get real benefits.
Mr. Skrob their lot of online training on the website. If you like additional contact on the newsletter. He said also networking at the Annual Meeting.
Mr. Thro often they look at sales tax, have you seen a level, is it providing measurable burden.
Mr. Skrob said the only one he saw was 13%. He said in Florida it would be a lot of resistance.
3. TDC Appointee Discussion
Peter Patel
Mr. DuBree said that he spoke with Mr. Patel and his schedule has been the problem with attending most meetings.
Mr. Dowdell recommended that submit Mr. Patel’s name.
Motion: Dowdell/Knight 5-0
Mrs. Burn said the Mr. Patel’s name would go before the County Commission.
4. Policy & Procedure Process (Matt Thro, TDC Vice-Chairman)
Mr. Thro said they have a cycle that is once a year. He said he would like a system to get together and discuss. He said he was thinking twice a year. He said he would like to stream line in Oct. and March funding cycles every 6 months looking into. He said the deadline is Dec. 15; 2nd week in January; July 15 submitting is October. Deadlines direct person to work with coordinators on funding.
Mrs. Burns said the funding cycles will be advertised
Mr. Knight inquired would this limit others from coming throughout the year.
Mr. Thro said this would limit that. He said he would like to get the word out in the community to so they won’t miss out on funding.
Mr. Dowdell voiced they should not spend all in one cycle.
Mr. DuBree said there was no problem with two cycles.
Mr. Thro said he could send verbiage out and they could vote at the next meeting. He said the purpose it to fully utilize the tax dollars.
Mr. DuBree said that coming out on a monthly basis, could become a problem.
Mr. Thro said they have been operating as they come and not fully utilizing the funds to the fullest extent. He said the word needs to get out and get them funding.
Mr. Dowdell said limits and exceptions should be in place.
Mr. Thro said the more time they have, the better.
Mr. DuBree said in the 6 month cycle you could shift where it’s 3 months out. He said one is through grants (directly to event) and marketing and it should be known. Maybe through cover letter.
Mr. Thro said he would get to Sonya so they can have discussion at the next meeting with all additions added by the Council. He suggested
Mrs. Brenda Holt, hopefully you aren’t marketing the whole county year. She mentioned dates/events that don’t change. All Longstanding events will they be placed in the budget. If you don’t it’s going to be a problem. (DuBree, Dowdell, Jackson, Thro –Subcommittee).
Mr. Thro said the goal is to market the whole county everyday.
5. Budget Update/Discussion (Jeff Price, Budget Analyst)
Mr. Price discussed the budget. He said they are 2 month delay in getting receipts in. He said things are going smoothly.
Mr. Thro said where the items that were approved at the last meeting.
Mr. Price said that is not been done.
6. Miami Heat USA Today Information (Matt Thro, TDC Vice-Chairman)
Mr. Thro asked Mrs. Kelly about her recommendation.
Mary Kelly said her recommendation was no on this item.
7. FADMO Annual Meeting (2 Attendees) (Matt Thro, TDC Vice-Chairman)
FADMO, October 16-18 2013
Mrs. Burns said that they should send Mrs. Kelly, Coordinators should attend. $558 per person.
Mr. Thro asked was there anyone else wanting to attend.
Motion: Dowdell/DuBree to send Legacy Marking along with Mr. Jackson to the FADMO meeting
Awards and Presentations
Marketing and Funding Request
1. Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners (Stacey Hannigon, Administrative Asst. County Administrator Office)
Mr. Thro asked had they talked with Legacy Marketing.
Ms. Hannigon said they have communicated through email, but not a dialogue yet.
Mr. Dowdell suggested they go ahead a fund. How can you deny our funding source? It behooves us, not to approve this event. He suggested approval.
Ms. Hannigon asked would the approval of funding be contingent upon approval of the Coordinators.
Mr. Thro said they are trying to make sure they are doing the best for all. He said as far as Mr. Dowdell comment they all must follow the rules of the strategic plan.
Mr. DuBree said the County Commission has the final say so. He said they have to evaluate each event. Will it bring tourism and market in such away? He suggested 10-15 minutes of evaluation.
Ms. Hannigon asked is there a loophole where it would not be required.
Mr. Thro said it’s just a good business practice.
Mr. Knight suggested tentatively approves.
Mr. Jackson said it should be approve based on
Jackson/Dowdell: Approve $5,000 request from the Gadsden County Commission contingent upon the guidelines of the Strategic Plan.
Mrs. Burns said that Ms. Hannigon is aware of stipulations.
2. Quincy Fighting Tigers (Richard A. Burns, Owner/Operator)
Richard A. Burns commented on the Ultimate Bash Extravaganza (Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office & Quincy Fighting Tigers Boxing Gym) to be held at the Sheriff’s Mobile Unit Division. He said this event will cover bikers coming from all areas. He said Tavares Cloud will be brought in, and recording artist. He said they are expecting 5,000 people. He said they would connect with Legacy Marketing. He said they need help with the Marketing. He said they are asking for $10,000 to help with this event on November 9, 2013 from 11-9.
Mr. Jackson asked what $10,000 cover.
Mr. Burns said AMMA is actual sponsoring this event. He said at the end of the day funding would go to Recreation and Quincy Fighting Tigers.
Mr. DuBree said grant funding is $2,500 out of grant and other funds could come out of marketing.
Mrs. Kelly said he did contact her. He contacted her about marketing plan at about $2,500 per week. She did say boxing is big.
Mr. Thro pointed out funds can only be for marketing.
Mrs. Kelly said that 50% of profit would go Recreation and 50% Fighting Tigers.
Mr. DuBree said they are only allowed support of 50% of the total budget.
Mrs. Kelly said when he says 600 rooms are booked; he is meaning commitment to stay.
Mr. Thro stated this would be a great draw, but the most the can give is $5,000.
Mrs. Holt said let’s approve at $7,5000
Motion: DuBree/Dowdell out $2,000 out of grant funding and $2,999 out of marketing - $5000 2013-2014 Budget Year.
Mr. Jackson said he would like to have more documentation. He said he would love to tell how it’s going to be utilized. He asked that they provide documentation.
Motion: $5000 out of marketing for 2013-2014 Budget Years.
Public Comments and Concerns on Non-Agenda Items (3 minute limit) – None
Ms. Brenda Holt commented on travel on Coordinator, if it’s not included in the actual contract. She mentioned it should be checked, “you don’t want to get yourself in trouble.”
Mr. Thro mentioned the meeting in October would not happen. He asked was there a need.
Motion to Adjourn
Meeting(s) (Upon Approval)
November 18, 2013
Other TDC Business
Quincy Music Theater Information (FY 2013-2014) - presented for information only.
Mr. DuBree said they were one of the organizations placed in the budget.
Mary Kelly said they would be working with the Quincy Music Theater shooting some rehearsals.
Video form Gadsden County Tourism
Mary Kelly said they want people to know they are doing things in Gadsden County. She mentioned capturing the beauty and the nature of Gadsden.
She said each municipality would have their on video.
Mr. Dowdell asked that she get in contact with Mr. Southerland. How can we get Billy Dean at the amphitheater?
Ms. Brenda Holt gave family history, she mentioned that 50% of the population is not mentioned in video. She mentioned the Pow Wow in Chattahoochee, where people asked why there were no black Indians portrayed. She said they should try to capture all history in Gadsden County. Pull from each Municipality Greensboro, Gretna, and Chattahoochee all areas.
Mr. Thro said the efforts had been made and they should reach out more.
She said they need people to tell stories.
Printed Materials Available List of Strategic Partners List of Approved Media TDC By-Laws Florida Statute
*Any TDC selected nominee/appointee will be approved at the discretion of the governing body. (Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners)*
Adjournment at 5:30pm |
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