GADSDEN COUNTY
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
AGENDA FOR
Monday, March 16, 2015
Regular Meeting: 5:00 pm
______________________________________________________________________________
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
David Knight, Midway Councilman
Keith Dowdell, City of Quincy Commissioner
Clarence Jackson, City of Gretna
Brenda Holt, BOCC
Lynn Badger, Bed Tax Collector – Havana
Joe Bouch, Chisano
Sonya Burns, TDC Administrative Assistant
Allara Gutcher, Planning Director/TDC Administrator
Beryl Wood, Deputy Clerk
Absent:
Peter Patel, Hotel Industry
1. Pledge of Allegiance/Roll call
Lee Garner, Chairman of TDC called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with a quorum present and then led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Amendments to and Approval of the Agenda – No new items (Holt/Jackson 8-0)
3. Approval of Minutes – February 2, 2015 Amended Workshop Holt/Patel 8-0 / Regular Meeting Holt/Badger 9-0
Mr. Thro arrived at this juncture at 3:30
4. General Business
a. 2015 Memorial Weekend Bicycle Race
¨ Pete Butler, Chisano Marketing Group, Inc. – Member of the Red Eye Cycling Team. He said that we have a native John Thompson in the cycling group. He said they have met with the City and the Commission and they bring about 400 racers. He said they promote healthy living. The event would be Memorial Weekend which include a 5K race, Cycling and Downtown Activities. He said it would be a lot of people from out of town, a lot of hotel nights. He said they need support in marketing. They want to support child obesity. We need your support.
Mrs. Holt asked was he the one that came 3 year ago.
He said he was not. Top You Sport did the last activities the last time they came, but he wasn’t with that team.
Mrs. Holt spoke about how it was so nice, she recommended a 2 year contract, so they could come back next year.
Mr. Knight asked about numbers for bed nights.
Mr. Butler said he would have to get the information. He said Tim with Top You Sport can also assist.
Mr. DuBree commented they had room nights all the way in Lake Talquin.
Mrs. Holt said this event keeps growing and they spend money while they are here.
Mr. Thro asked how they start the communication to make this annual event.
Mr. Butler asked for $5,000 for marketing and he said they are already trying to make this event.
Mrs. Gutcher said the assistance given to this is sort alike that of the Crappie Tournament and that they would be involved.
Joe Monroe, Executive Director Quincy MainStreet commented that it is huge market and encouraged them to do it annually. Gave an idea for next year to include the QuincyFest and Quincy Music Theater and Arts Museum.
Motion: Holt/Knight for $5,000 for 2015 Memorial Weekend Bicycle Race
b. Adoption of the Strategic Plan
¨ Joe Bouch, Chisano Marketing Group commented on the 2015-2016 Strategic Plan Elements. He recommended 2015-2016 Strategic Plan as written.
Mrs. Holt asked about the bed nights. She discussed the accountability and mentioned they ask with the cards why they are here. She would like to collect data to make us better decisions. She also, asked about how much funds can be dispersed.
Mrs. Gutcher said it was apart of the application not the Plan.
Mr. Bouch said funding is not included, that would be something they need to discuss based on points.
Mr. Weiss he said there are a couple of things that should be added: Anticipated 24 months tax revenue, tax district, list of uses and revenues (spending allocation). He said this is a document that is subject for review and will probably change. He said it requires a 3 plus 1 vote. He said he recommended an Ordinance that would include a lot of things. He said they should wait until the Ordinance is ready to go the BOCC with the Strategic Plan.
Mrs. Holt said she was not in favor of an Ordinance. She said ultimately it falls back on the County. She said it all should go to the County.
Attorney Weiss said everything is a policy level decision that should be consistent. He said the current plan had too many restrictions. You can’t have a stand alone grant application, criteria
Mr. Thro added
Chair Dowdell said it should be taken back to the table and there are certain things that should be addressed. He said they want to send a good document to the BOCC. He said they could have a special meeting.
Attorney Weiss asked for direction with the bed nights and when the document needs to be voted up or down.
Mr. DuBree said they could direction at this meeting.
Mr. Bouch said this plan was created in the middle of a fiscal year. He said they have discussed the budget for 2015-2016.
Chair Dowdell said in approving the Plan they aren’t approving the expenditures.
Mr. Bouch said that was correct.
Mrs. Gutcher said they should take the Strategic Plan and make an Action Plan. To project in should be the last year budget increased by 3%.
Attorney Weiss: Anticipated Net Revenue, Taxing District, List of Proposed Revenue. He said if they want to have more direction (standards) in the Grant Application. Approve with the additional items.
Motion: Holt/Patel- move to table 8-0
c. Approval of Logo – Do Something Original Holt/Jackson 8-0 approved
¨ Joe Bouch, Chisano Marketing Group spoke on the logo choices and chose font that has historical look and the 3 stars are that American feel. He proposed all 3 logos that could be used differently. He said they have already secured “Do Something Orginal.com”.
d. Travel Approval for Joe Bosch, Chisano Group
¨ Allara Mills-Gutcher, Planning Director/TDC Administrator travel March 23 – Competitive & 2 more times. Holt/Knight 8-0
e. Presentation of the status of the mobile app.
¨ Joe Bouch, Chisano Marketing Group – create website bug, talk about what they are doing in realm of tourism. Placed on business partners websites, direct link to Gadsden County. Creates awareness and pride in the county. He asked for approval of the bug and no dollars are involved. He said they want to create window sign cling. Placed on business partners storefronts and have direct link to Gadsden County website via QR code, T- Shirts, creates awareness in community, could be an option for all county workers as uniform, Creates awareness and pride in county. Around Town Posters; Tourism Ruler; Website; Mobile Application
Patel/Thro 8-0 to approve website bug
f. Hospitality Training Workshop 2015 (Recommendation of two attendees)
¨ Allara Mills-Gutcher, Planning Director/ TDC Administrator said the RiverWay South is sponsoring a couple of scholarships in Marianna, Florida April 15, 2015. She said she would like to reach out to the people that have hotels.
Thro/Patel to support the Hospitality Training Workshop 2015 8-0 approved
5. Report (s) from County Attorney
¨ David Weiss – No comment
6. Items of discussion from Council members (no vote items) – Holt spoke on vacancy aren’t being advertised. She would like public to know about vacancies.
Recommend to be placed on the agenda for April 20; Local companies to work t-shirts
7. Public Comment – Benard Pelar, PR Director City of Quincy commented this place has unique historical assets. A welcome center in Gadsden County. Welcome Center added to agenda
Regina Davis, Quincy CRA Director, Joe Munroe –Quincy Main Street people to know.
Regina Davis thanked the Council for approving the Bike Race. 5K race and the funds they register for could use for the Quincy Relay for Life.
8. Adjournment @ 5:03 pm