GADSDEN COUNTY
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
AGENDA FOR
Monday, April 20, 2015
Regular Meeting: 3:30 pm
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Present:
Keith Dowdell, City of Quincy Commissioner, Chair of TDC
Lee Garner, City of Chattahoochee Manager and Tax Collector
Jeff DuBree, Sportsman’s Lodge, Bed Tax Collector - Lake Talquin (arrived late)
Peter Patel, Hotel Industry
David Knight, Midway Councilman
Brenda Holt, BOCC
Lynn Badger, Bed Tax Collector – Havana
Joe Bouch, Chisano via Skype
Sonya Burns, TDC Administrative Assistant
Attorney David Weiss
Beryl Wood, Deputy Clerk
Absent:
Clarence Jackson, City of Gretna, Vice – Chair of TDC
Matt Thro, H & H Furniture
Allara Gutcher, Planning Director/TDC Administrator
1. Pledge of Allegiance/Roll Call
Keith Dowdell, Chairman of TDC called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. with a quorum present and then led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Amendments to and Approval of the Agenda - None
3. Approval of Minutes (March 16th 2015) Knight/Garner 6-0
4. General Business
a. Presentation of Gadsden Art Center Report
Grace Robinson, Gadsden Art Center – came before the Board and presented power – point Annual Report 2014. How can we help brand Gadsden County. They have already started using the new logo. She asked for support from the Council for FY 2015-2016 $1500 ($6,000 for the year).
Mrs. Holt stated they are looking for historical sites and unique locations.
Jeff DuBree arrived at this juncture of the meeting 3:35pm.
Mrs. Robinson said they could help get the word out.
Mr. DuBree discussed the possibility of a Welcome Center, could advance the partnership with the County.
Mrs. Malloy said they would be happy to assist.
Joe Munroe, Mainstreet said they would be looking at signage and banners for directions. He thanked Mrs. Holt for the line item for BOCC. Looking to partner with County for Quincy.
Chair Dowdell what are you doing to get on the band wagon “Do Something Original.” He thanked them for their service.
Mrs. Robinson we are currently are finished being credited nationally. Sister Show with Metropolitan Museum. We are
MainStreet Council:
Chair Dowdell asked have they done their application for the TDC.
Joe Munroe, said they only pursued the Money from the County at this point.
b. Quincyfest Funding Request
¨ Bernard O. Piawah, City of Quincy- Building and Planning Department came before Board and requested funding for the Quincyfest for Saturday, May 2, 2015 – Theme Blues and Bar – B – Que. He asked for $6,000. He asked for ongoing support.
Mr. Patel stated no rooms are available for graduation weekend. He asked them to keep that in mind for the planning.
Mr. Knight asked in the past have they done surveys.
Mr. Piawah said they haven’t in the past, but they will this year.
Mr. Munroe, stated he was friends with the lady, Mrs. Selwah that did the first MainStreet and the 1st Quincyfest attendance in 1998 in 15,000 people.
Attorney Weiss said given the current guidelines is the maximum amount of grant funding is $2500. He said it’s based on room nights. He discussed the $5,000 maximum for marketing.
He asked Chair Dowdell to recuse himself from voting.
Mr. Dowdell asked how they could get this in budgeting.
Mrs. Holt said the hospitality cards solve a lot of problems.
Mr. Dowdell suggested for existence if you give $10,000 to each municipality if they spend $ 6,000 then it reverts back to the Council.
Mr. Patel said we support for 3 years and then they are on their own.
Attorney Weiss said $2500 is the maximum for the grant funding. If you want to give them more than 2500 and not limit the mile radius. He suggested funding after the fact, once the Strategic Plan is changed.
Mrs. Holt said let’s do the $2,500 and reimburse the rest.
Mr. Garner said unless we change the Strategic Plan, they need 100 bed nights.
Attorney Weiss said yes, they would need a 100 room nights to get the $2,500.
Mr. DuBree said this event has been great in the past. How can you effectively market when they are just asking for the funding?
Motion for $2500 for grant funding and $1500 for marketing. Holt/Garner 4-2 (DuBree/Badger). Dowdell abstained from voting due to it being a City of Quincy sponsored event.
c. Review/Adoption of TDC Strategic Plan
¨ Joe Bouch, Chisano Group – the budget has been added to plan; addition to the Grant Funding portion was also included. He suggested a Grant Committee be formed. He said the Plan is more applicable now that the Budget has been added.
Attorney Weiss said it is complying with the statue.
Mrs. Burns discussed the 3 year limitation.
Mr. Patel voiced that was his concern, they should be able to support themselves after 3 years.
Mr. DuBree said he would rather have one grant fund instead of the two how it’s listed.
Attorney Weiss generally explained and said the 50 percent would be generally used for promoting or marketing the County. The Grant event fund is when you are the event funder. Marketing fund is when they are being reimbursed. He suggested they not make rules that they don’t follow.
David Knight asked where it was stated that funding decreases each year. He asked are they eligible for funding after 3 years, if they bring in bed nights.
Mr. Dowdell suggested it be case by case basis.
Mr. Dowdell said 3 years maximum funding and after 3 years if they can prove bed nights. Find language that will fit our county size.
Attorney Weiss has more general guidelines as written. He said there ways you could do it, if you put it in the application you could modify. Any funding 3 year maximum funding unless you provide bed nights to be considered for funding.
Holt
Garner less than 10 bed nights-$1000; 11-25 -$1500; 26-50- $2000
Holt said she didn’t want to limit 3 year TDC funded events.
Weiss - You want to decide as a body it can be in your budget or not its $5000. Limitation on marketing funds. Events that you are helping to market.
Holt asked could TDC buy signs.
Weiss yes you can.
DuBree come up with plan to separate funding from general funding. He mentioned Sumpter County (Point scale system). DuBree would give a copy to the Attorney.
Recommend approval to the BOCC contingent upon changes to the Strategic Plan.
Have 1st Public Hearing and adopt Ordinance.
Motion DuBree/ Badger -approve Strategic Plan as is with additions: 5.3(3 year limitation), add language Criteria should be added to the application.
5. Report(s) from County Attorney
¨ David Weiss, BOCC Attorney - No additional report
6. Items of discussion from Council members (no vote items)
Lee Garner continue funding for Riverway South for FY 2105-2016. Provided Explore our Florida.
May 4, 2015 – Budget Workshop moved from May 12, 2015. Will send to partners
7. Public Comments - None
8. Adjournment @ 5:30 pm
Next meeting(s):
Budget Workshop May 12, 2015 @ 3:30p.m. – will send to our partners this is the meeting they would need to attend for next year’s funding.
Attorney Weiss suggested the meeting should be May 19, 2015.
Dowdell suggested contacting each municipality.
Holt asked could we set aside a $1,000 for advertising marketing of the Workshop.
Holt/Knight- Motion to approve TDC for $1000 for advertising of the Workshop 6-0.
Information only:
¨ Current Budget/Expenditure Report
Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, the County hereby advises the public that: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by this Council with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that for such purpose, her or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons with disabilities needing special accommodations to participate in this meeting should call the Community Development Department at 662-3306, no later than 5:00 p.m. at least 48 hours prior to the meeting