GADSDEN COUNTY

TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

AGENDA & NOTES FOR

Monday, May 23, 2016

Regular Meeting: 3:30 pm

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Present:

Peter Patel, Chair of TDC

Keith Dowdell, Vice – Chair

Lee Garner

Brenda Holt

Matt Thro (via phone)

Carolyn Ford (arrived late)

Joe Bouch, Chisano

Sonya Burns, TDC Administrative Assistant

Allara Gutcher, Director – Planning and Community Development

Attorney David Weiss

Beryl H. Wood, Deputy Clerk

Absent:

Joe Munroe (excused)

Clarence Jackson

Jeff DuBree

Meeting started at 3:43pm due to needing a quorum.

1. Pledge of Allegiance/Roll Call

2. Amendments to and Approval of the Agenda

3. General Business

                a. Approval of Minutes (March 2016) – Garner/ Dowdell 6-0 passed

¨ Peter Patel, TDC Chairman      

               b. Gadsden Art Marketing Report

¨ Grace Malloy, GAC Director, presented power point presentation. She showed how the Gadsden Art Center has sent Tourism funds. Mentioned the National Accreditation, which makes us the 27^th accredited art museum in Florida (2 in our region. $2,000 per quarterly group of exhibitions with related events and programs; $4,000 to promote AAM Accreditation with name branding – Gadsden Arts Center & Museum – and Vernacular Art Exhibition with the Met and Souls Grown Deep Foundation – Total $12,000

¨ Commissioner Holt and Garner mentioned the Highwayman Artwork. She mentioned the local concern. How can we get African – Americans to support?

¨ Commissioner Ford spoke on the revitalization of the town through the art world. She mentioned a vision.  Mrs. Malloy said they are starting a brainstorming list with Regina Davis, CRA and they will continue to add and meet.

¨ Commissioner Dowdell asked would they could continue to come to the schools and speak.

               c. 78 Madison Task Orders

                    Joe Bouch, 78 Madison Advertising and Marketing

Motion -June X 2 - $4,003.00/$4,912.00  July X 2-$1,466.00/$4,003.00 -                                                     Thro/Holt 7-0

Mrs. Holt asked about the Villages. She said they visited. Mr. Bouch said they get questions and the shares on facebook and website visits.  She mentioned stay cards on the website. Mr. Bouch said they could do that.

Mr. Dowdell said in the next report. He would like to know what the County is getting. Mr. Bouch said there is measurement by Facebook. I can measure through bookings through hotels. All advertisement is branding. Measurement is the activity report, activity report on the website.

Mr. Thro are they all included in the budget. Sonja said yes, they are budgeted.

Mrs. Ford asked about a baseline.

               d. Golden Knights Motorcycle Club Funding Request ($5,000.00)

¨ William Francis, Jr. Organization President asked for funding for the 4^th Annual Banquet and Anniversary Celebration scheduled for September 16-17, 2016.

Mrs. Burns said they are aware of the reimbursement policy.

Mr. James Taylor said they had a block of 22 rooms from the Parkway hotel.

Mr. Patel suggested they all stay in Gadsden County.

Mrs. Holt talked about advertisement for their event.

Mrs. Ford said encourage local hotels to work with them.

Mr. Patel said most hotels have their own discounted rates.

Motion:  Dowdell/Holt 7-0 Pass to approve for $5000

               e. Apalachicola Arsenal Museum Funding Request ($5,000.00)

¨ Linda Kranert, Grants Specialist hosting the Florida Children of the American Revolution Annual Seminar.

Mrs. Holt said she just want everything to be realistic. Mrs. Kranert said they have hired someone to help with this event, Mr.  Dale Cox.

Motion: Ford/Holt – 7-0 Pass to approve for $5000

4.    Budget Discussion

 5.   Items of discussion from Council members (no vote items)

 6.    Public Comments

7.    Adjournment @ 4:42pm due to losing the quorum. Mr. Patel said please check on persons that are be missed for periods of time at the TDC Meeting.

Information only:

FAMU Farm Fest 2016 – June 11, 2016

Expenditure Update(s)