GADSDEN COUNTY

TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

AGENDA FOR

Monday, November 17, 2014

Special Regular Meeting: 3:30 pm

Present:

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

Matt Thro, Vice – Chair of TDC, H & H Furniture (via – phone)

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

David Knight, Midway Councilman (absent)

Keith Dowdell, City of Quincy Commissioner

Peter Patel, Hotel Industry

Clarence Jackson, City of Gretna (absent)

Brenda Holt, BOCC (arrived late)

Lynn Badger, Bed Tax Collector – Havana

Attorney David Weiss, County Attorney

Joe Bouch, Chisano

Sonya Burns, TDC Administrative Assistant

Allara Gutcher, Planning Director/TDC Administrator

Beryl Wood, Deputy Clerk

1. Pledge of Allegiance/Roll Call

Jeff DuBree in the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair of TDC called the meeting to order at 3:30p.m. with a quorum present and then led in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

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

2. Amendments and Approval of Agenda  - amend to add Task Order to add 4C Patel/Badger 5-0

3. Minutes Approval   Patel/Dowdell 5-0 approved

4. General Business

          a.    Introductory discussion regarding the revision of the Strategic Plan.  

Joe Bouch, Chisano Group stated they have put the building blocks together. He said they have a workshop planned to gather additional information from the Council. He say they are going after the DNA for the County.  He discussed the brand. At a later time he would present the power-point presentation.

Mrs. Holt arrived at this juncture of the meeting.

It was suggested that the second Tuesday in December 9-10, 2014 for workshop to start at 9:00am.

Mrs. Gutcher said that she would let everyone know of the date.        

Mr. Dowdell left at this juncture of the meeting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

b.   Funding Requests – (Current Balance $22,000.00)

Mrs. Holt said you need to change your rules and then you can break the cycle.

Mrs. Gutcher suggested that they table to the updating of the Strategic Plan.

Ø Rocky Comfort Farms - $3,000.00 (did not provide bed night information)

· Pumpkin Patch and Hay Rides

Ø North Florida Education Corporation - $2,500.00 (provided bed night information) Motion: Holt /Patel  for the amount requested 2-3(Badger, Thro and DuBree) motion failed

Mrs. Badger said she didn’t feel that should approve this.

Mr. Thro said all the organizations said they should follow the rules based on rules that were presented.

Mrs. Gutcher said the rules haven’t changed since 2009, it’s the way it has been implemented is the question.

Mrs. Holt called the question.

· Diversity Day

Ø Havana Merchants - $5,000.00

· Pumpkin Festival - $2,500.00

· Lawn Mower Parade - $2,500.00

c. Task Order Patel/Holt 5-0 approved for Chisano

            Mrs. Holt left at this juncture of the meeting.

5. Update on Bed Tax Collection Rate

Ø Allara Mills-Gutcher, Planning Director/TDC Administrator

6. Staff Report(s)

7. Items of discussion from County Attorney  (no vote items)

8. Items of discussion from Council Members (no vote items)

9. Public Comments

10. Adjournment @ 4:12 pm due to loss of quorum.

Upcoming meetings:   January 19, 2015 at 3:30