Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-11-2009 ST. LUCIE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY 0 February 11, 2009 0 12:30 P.M. MINUTES Members present: Commissioner poug Coward, Chairman Councilwoman Linda Bartz, City of Port St. Lucie Marilyn Minix, Road Runner Travel Resort Christopher Egan, Sheraton PGA Vacation Resort Paul Taglieri, St. Lucie Mets Pam Haney, Holiday Inn Express Commissioner Christine Coke, City of Fort Pierce Diann McDonough, The PGA Golf Club (12:40 p.m.) Members absent: Dr. Chris Taylor, St. Lucie County School Board Staff present: Faye W. Outlaw, County Administrator Larry Daum, Economic Development Manager Charlotte Lombard, Tourism Development Manager Katherine Mackenzie-Smith, Assistant County Attorney Ja' Net Pentz, Recording Secretary Also present: Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky, District 1 George B~eld, Comet Creative, Inc. Erica B~eld, Comet Creative, Inc. Anthony Westbury, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers Michelle Valvano, Perfect Drive Golf Villas Loretta Millan, St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce Arlo Koletzky, St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce Linda Cox, St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce Jill Hanson, Residence Inn by Marriott Jack Connolly, Cultural Affairs Council Ed Griffith, Courtyard By Marriott - Hutchinson Island Ruth McSween, National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum Buzz Smyth, AI's Bait & Tackle and Mother Tucker's Paul Schall, Hoyt C. Murphy, Inc. Ryan Strickland, Mets Tom Collucci, Treasure Coast Sports Commission Rich Nalbondion, Treasure Coast Sports Commission Joe Holiday, St. Lucie Professional Arts League Kelly Holiday, St. Lucie Professional Arts League Win Chesley John Mason, Key Air Pat Simmons, Cultural Affairs Council Arlease Hall, St. Lucie County Health Department Ken Brown, Blue Bird Productions Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 February 11, 2009 1. CALL TO ORDER: County Commissioner poug Coward called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Ja' Net Pentz called roll. 3. SELF INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Attending guests identified themselves. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from January 14, 2009 were approved unanimously. 5. TREASURE COAST SPORTS COMMISSION UPDATE Mr. Tom Collucci stated that he has been inundated with requests for use of our facilities on the Treasure Coast. Mr. Collucci stated that the High School Baseball Tournament will be coming May. Mr. Collucci stated that they went back to the FHSA and redid the contract to make it more palatable based on these economic times. Mr. Collucci stated that they originally had to guarantee them $50,000; they are now doing a 60/40 split on ticket sales. Mr. Collucci stated that they will make the revenue needed for this event. Mr. Collucci stated that the Police and Fire Games will be held here the third week of June. Mr. Collucci stated that everyone has been cooperative in helping with the costs of venues. PGA has waived the cost of their registration facility. All the Counties and Cities have stepped up in trying to help with a reduced or no venue cost. Mr. Collucci stated that they are working on bringing 150 Men's League Baseball Teams. Mr. Collucci stated that the leagues have been coming to west coast for 17 years. They will be here for a week in November. The only issue is that it will be spread out. Mr. Collucci stated that they will need fields at the Mets Complex and the former podger Town. They will also be using fields at Roger Dean Stadium and fields in Fort Lauderdale. Mr. Collucci stated that they want a long term contract and that they are in the process of trying to finalize that now. Commissioner Coward has for an update from Paul Taglieri with regards to Tradition Field being used for the 150 Men's League Baseball. Mr. Paul Taglieri stated that Mr. Collucci had been discussing that with Tommy and County Staff at Tradition Field. Mr. Taglieri stated that November is their off season. He stated that it is just a matter of the County's ground crew and their over seeding process and allowing the fields to be available at the time. We have no problem from a Mets standpoint. Mr. Collucci stated that they are in the process of signing a deal with Nation's Baseball. Mr. Collucci stated that Nation's will have approximately 12,000 teams signed up by the end of this year. Mr. Collucci stated that they are coming here at Thanksgiving and Christmas for a week. It will be a national tournament. Mr. Collucci stated that they are securing fields all the way from South County in Indian River Page 2 of 13 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 February 11, 2009 County all the way south to Martin County. Mr. Collucci stated that 15 complexes will be utilized. Mr. Rich Nalbondion stated that they are also working with the USSSA Baseball for a Super NIT for the third weekend in May. 6. METS/BAHAMAS PROMOTION UPDATE Ms. Charlotte Lombard stated that the promotion information was printed in the Spring Training Guide that went out to approximately 200,000 people. Ms. Lombard stated that the promotion is in partnership with St. Lucie County, PGA, The Mets and the Bahamas. We are giving away ten trips to the Bahamas, which also includes a round of golf at PGA and tickets to the Mets game. Ms. Lombard stated that approximately 600 people have registered to win this promotion on the website. Ms. Lombard stated that they are also rolling out other on-line promotions where people can click on a banner ad and be sent straight to our website to register to the give-a- way. Recipients for the give-a-way will be chosen on February 19 and then given their free bbq and Mets game on March 5. Ms. Lombard stated that five of the Bahamian detegates will be here on March 5, not only to meet with us, but to also kick-off this promotion and meet the winners of this give-a-way. Commissioner Coward stated that in addition to focusing on tourism, we are also trying to have some of the delegation meet with some of the other business leaders, so that broader discussions beyond tourism can take place. Mr. Paul Taglieri stated that he spoke with Erica and George and that one winner would be chosen from the actual game on March 5. Mr. Buzzy Smith asked if they could touch base with where people were flying from and into. Ms. Erica Byfield stated that they will be flying from Fort Lauderdale. Mr. Smith asked if that was the only place that they could fly out of. Ms. B~eld stated that in terms of affordability, a commercial flight is what we are using for these people to fly out on. We have talked to the Airport Director and we know what we are capable of. We can charter up to nine people right now. It would take three to six months to accommodate 20 people because of the regulations that are in place. Commissioner poug Coward stated to Mr. Smith that it is certainly our longer term goal to have those flights out of our airport. We are not only having discussions with the Bahamians, but also with Diana Lewis, the County's Airport Director, and our County Commissioners are interested in the topic and the Airport Master Plan as being revised and looked at as well. Page 3 of 13 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 February 11, 2009 Mr. Smith stated that there is some property that the County owns in the Port area that he has been trying to utilize for the Island Fest that he puts together. Mr. Smith stated that to he has been unsuccessful in trying to utilize those properties. Mr. Smith stated he would appreciate it if it could be looked into a little further. Mr. Smith stated that that if each month we had some type of island festival, it would bring more people and add to the flavor of bringing the islands to Fort Pierce. Commissioner poug Coward stated that the interest is to try and bring as many people as possible to get involved with the process. Commissioner Coward stated that he has been looking into setting up a Bahamas Task Force to share ideas and brainstorm with us. Commissioner Coward stated that wee have focused on getting the Memorandum of Understanding to solidify the partnership. Commissioner Coward stated that we have moved forward rapidly because of that March date, but our intentions are to have these types of discussions with all of the interest groups in the community to try and generate ideas. Commissioner Coward asked Linda Cox, Executive Director for the Chamber of Commerce, asked if she had any comments on putting together the task force. Ms. Linda Cox stated that anybody that wants to participate with the task force definitely encourages people to be there. Ms. Cox stated that she has spoken with a few business leaders in the community that are interested. Ms. Cox stated that if there is anybody here that wants to participate, just let her know. Ms. Byfield presented a PowerPoint on the New York Mets promotion. Ms. Byfield stated that website promoting the give-a-way has been visited by more than 300,000. Commissioner Coward asked to go into further detail about the tentative itinerary with the Mets Delegation to make sure that we can as many as the TDC members involved with that as possible. Ms. Byfield gave a brief description of the itinerary for March 5. In recognizing that the Delegation is coming in on March 4, there was Board consensus to have that first meeting prior to their arrival. 7. FINANCIAL REPORT Ms. Charlotte Lombard went over the Revenue Report of the Tourist Development Tax. Ms. Lombard stated that December revenues are down 24% from last year. Ms. Lombard stated that the annual budget had to be adjusted to reflect the 24% decrease. Most of that is coming from the Promotional Advertising line item. Mr. Larry Daum went into further detail of the Revenue Report Tourist Development Tax. Ms. Michelle Valvano asked what the $30,000 in printing was earmarked for. Page 4 of 13 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 February 11, 2009 Ms. Lombard stated that it is for the Travel Guide that is in development. Ms. Lombard stated that it will be replacing the brochure. Ms. Valvano asked if the actual cost wilf come close to that $30,000. Mr. Daum stated that we have a commitment for $20,000 and we kept $10,000 in there just in case we have to make another brochure. 8. MODIFICATON OF COMET CREATIVE, INC AGREEMENT Ms. Faye Outlaw, County Administrator, gave a brief update from the last meeting. Ms. Outlaw stated that since that meeting, she and Ms. Charlotte Lombard have met and had a conference calf with Comet Creative, Inc., and then had follow-up meetings. Ms. Outlaw stated that in looking at the budget and realizing that Tourism revenue has significantly fallen off; we have given further thought to whether we can support the original recommendation that we were going to present today. Ms. Outlaw stated that where we are collectively as a staff is supporting an increase of the base contract from $50,000 to $100,000 and treating the Bahamas initiative as a separate and special component to the contract and supporting that at a$25,000 initiative. Ms. Outlaw stated that we are trying to be mindful of the fact that we want to make certain that we have sufficient funds in the reserve account as well as the advertising line item. Ms. Outlaw stated that if you take into context what I just indicated, I think that it is option one under what Comet presented. Ms. Outlaw stated that Comet's recommendation was option two, which was a higher threshold, but in looking at the revenues, it is difficult to be able to support option two. It would wipe out the advertising line item as well as the reserves. Ms. Outlaw stated that she cannot in good judgment make that kind of recommendation recognizing that they have certainly worked above and beyond the contract hours, and thinks that justifiably are in a position where some level of a contract increase should be considered. Commissioner poug Coward asked what we were paying the last consultant. Ms. Outlaw stated $118,000 for base contract of previous consultant compared to $50,000 for Comet Creative, Inc. Commissioner Coward stated that he believes that it is justified, based on their performance, to get them at least comparable to what the last consultant was making. Mr. Chris Egan stated that Comet Creative, Inc. has done an excellent job. But with the economic conditions that we are suffering with now, revenues are down 24%. Mr. Egan stated that they have done such a great job with the Bahamas that they have actually caused the additional hours. Mr. Egan stated that he cannot see going up 100% in the economic conditions today. Mr. Egan stated that they have done an outstanding job and caused some of the additional work as consultants can do from Page 5 of 13 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 February 11, 2009 time to time. Mr. Egan stated that he is not in favor of giving them an increase at this time. Commissioner Coward stated that what you will see if you choose to do that is a scale back their hours significantly. Commissioner Coward stated that if that's what you want, then we will get what we pay for. Mr. Paul Taglieri asked when the contract expires. Ms. Charlotte Lombard stated that the contract expires in November. City Commissioner Christine Coke stated that she made a suggestion at the last meeting that there has been effort above and beyond with the Bahamas effort and that needs to be recognized and if we are looking to pursue that in the future, then in someway there needs to be a fiscal reward for that. Commissioner Coke stated that at the last meeting she suggested at looking at doing a sole source addendum to the existing contract to cover the extra efforts. Commissioner Coke stated that she is not looking to do anything retroactive. Commissioner Coke stated that she would support a separate contract for the Bahamas and prorate it out on a monthly basis from February 1, 2009 forward for $50,000 for a 12-month time frame. Commissioner Coke stated that she does not want to commit to an increase in the contract or a commitment to a contract that is just a blanket $50,000. Based on the premise that it's all going to move forward and move forward in a positive nature, she stated that we should sole source a separate contract for the Bahamas. Commissioner Coke stated that she does not believe that $25,000 is sufficient for the effort and that it should be $50,000 sole source. Ms. Diann McDonough asked where the extra $50,000 was going to be taken from. Ms. Outlaw stated it would come out of the adverting line item. Ms. Charlotte Lombard stated that there is also a$65,000 reserve as well. Mr. Taglieri asked if the budget could support an increase. Ms. Outlaw stated yes. Ms. Outlaw stated that there are finro different line items in the budget. There is a line item for advertising, which approximately $117,000. There is a second and separate line item of reserves that is approximately $65,000 that money could be pulled from and reallocate to other line items. Ms. Outlaw stated that the $117,000 has not been encumbered to specific advertisement pieces. There is not a specific print or radio advertisement for the $117,000. Ms. McDonough asked if we should have it specified so that we all know how we are supporting everybody. Ms. Marilyn Minix asked what has been done so far with the advertising. Page 6 of 13 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 February 11, 2009 Mr. Larry Daum stated that in terms of dollars, we have done $60,000 in terms of commitment. Mr. Daum stated that $20,000 of that was in the Visit Florida Vacation Guide, another $4,000 was for the Mets Program, Undiscovered Florida was another $3,000, the finro-page promotion ad that was ran was another $12,000. Commissioner Coke asked if it would be too cumbersome to staff to get a percentage of what has already been used. Ms. Outlaw stated that what can be brought is the actual spent to date and provide any other explanation that you need. Mr. Daum stated that due to the budgeting process that we go through, we back off 5% out of the revenue, which amounts to $18,600. Mr. Daum stated that it has never been used. He stated that he is not saying take it out, but there may be an extra $18,000 just sitting there on that one line. Commissioner Coward wanted to address the comment that Mr. Egan made about Comet caused the additional work. Commissioner Coward stated that is one way to look at it, but being at the Bahamas with them and being on national television, and covered throughout the Caribbean, what they did was create free promotion for use. Commissioner Coward asked what it would have cost the TDC to get St. Lucie County identified in every Caribbean country. Commissioner Coward stated that you will see their work scaled back to what they originally agreed to. Commissioner Coward asked if we want to expand that investment in tourism. Commissioner Coward stated that he wants to make sure that they are adequately compensated so that we can keep them on board and enthusiastically move forward. Commissioner Coward stated that he would like to separate these two issues. Commissioner Coward stated that he like Commissioner Coke's idea of the sole source, but he would also like to see the TDC commit to giving them a reasonable base contract so that we can keep them going 110% and then potentially go to the Board of County Commissioners to have some of the economic stimulus dollars be put toward this Bahamas partnership. Commissioner Coward stated that he is not sure that he wants to push for that if we cannot get a base contract that adequately pays for their efforts. Commissioner Coward stated that if the TDC can help get ComeYs base contract to a level that he believes is deserved, he will be pushing to see if he can more than the $25,000 that staff recommended from outside of the TDC budget as part of this economic stimulus package to make sure that we maximize this opportunity with the Bahamas partnership. Ms. McDonough stated that she agrees with both Commissioner Coward and Mr. Egan. Ms. McDonough asked if Mr. Egan is satisfied with the plan that is in place right now, outside the Bahamas. Mr. Egan stated that it is in their contract that they are only going to put in 33 hours a month. Mr. Egan asked where they come up with 33 hours. Page 7 of 13 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 February 11, 2009 Ms. Outlaw stated that the 33 hours came from the monthly retainer of $4167. Ms. Outlaw stated that if you take the consultant's blended average hourly rate and back that into an hour, that's how it was calculated. Commissioner Coke asked if the contract was written in terms of hours per month or job perFormance. Ms. Outlaw stated that it was written on just the retainer and job perFormance. Commissioner Coke stated that's where her concerns come in. She stated that being in a position where she goes out and bids jobs, you know what the job entails and you bid a price for it. Stated that the vast majority it the Bahamas effort. Stated that she thinks that we need to reward that and when it comes to the end of this contract, then we can revisit that. Commissioner Coward stated that they did not win the contract based on a low bid. They were selected because they were the most qualified firm and they were local. After they came on, we had $82,000 total to work and they were forced to sign a negotiation within our very tight budget constraints. Commissioner Coward stated that if we stay at that low level, then you are going to see the work product go back to that work level. Commissioner Coke stated that in essence, instead of raise and change this contract from $50,000 to $100,000, and give them a separate contract for $25,000 for the Bahamas effort, if we give them that separate contract for the above and beyond work for the Bahamas and whatever above and beyond that they are doing for the $50,000 for the remainder of the year, then that leaves you meeting you original contractual obligations, you are satisfying the needs to reward them for a job well done and also not opening that legal can of worms, which really scares me. It really scares me to have a contract and then to go back and double it, especially in these economic times. Councilwoman Linda Bartz stated that it sounds like Commissioner Coke is agreeing with the increase and just covering it legally, which makes a lot of sense. Commissioner Coke stated that she suggests taking the Bahamas effort and the overage that they are doing now and fund that with the $50,000. Commissioner Coward stated that it would be a slight modification of the staff recommendation, which was $50,000 on the base and $25,000 on the Bahamas effort. Instead of being a total of $75,000, Commissioner Coke is recommending that it be $50,000 total as a sole source separate addendum for the Bahamas effort. Commissioner Coke stated for the Bahamas effort and/or whatever it is that they are doing above and beyond the original scope of the contract. Page 8 of 13 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 February 11, 2009 Commissioner Coward stated that all of the issues have been brought through the County's Attorney's Office. Commissioner Coward stated that we are not proposing anything that we have been told would cause us legal problems. Ms. Katherine Mackenzie Smith stated that is correct. Ms. Mackenzie Smith stated she has spoken with her Supervisor and it can be done either way. Ms. Mackenzie Smith stated that if you do the Bahamas effort, we would prefer, rather than doing a separate contract, we have drafted a separate exhibit for the Bahamas effort. Councilwoman Bartz stated that it looks like we are all on the same page. Councilwoman Bartz stated that there is a real desire to pay them what they are worth. She stated that she does not want to say reward them, because they are doing a job that they were hired to do. Councilwoman Bartz stated that she tends to agree that they are going above and beyond, not just on the Bahamas promotion, but overall. Commissioner Coward stated that it is not only his sentiment, but also Ms. Outlaw's. Ms. Outlaw stated that she has spent time with Comet on the weekends as well on administrative functions and different aspects of the contract. Commissioner Coke stated that she was very surprised that at the last Commission meeting that it was brought to the City Commission that the TDC was putting out the brochure, however we have a line item of $30,000, but only expecting to spend $20,000, but they came to the City Commission and requested $5,000, and stated that they were also going to the City of Port St. Lucie and requesting $5,000 to supplement what the TDC is putting in here. Commissioner Coke stated that although she thinks they are doing a great job, her concern is that this is a private entity that is producing this book, which is going to help the TDC, now we are selling ads, not only to local businesses, but we're requesting both cities kick in and the TDC is kicking in, so compensation comes in lots of different forms, so its not just the check that we write monthly. Now there will be a book that is produced that we may or may not be a money maker that will be profitable, not this organization, but to their organization. Ms. Charlotte Lombard stated that the $20,000 is to pay the printer. Mr. Larry Daum stated that the $20,000 wasn't meant to cover the costs to produce the book. The $20,000 was an agreed upon price that we would get 40,000 copies of the book. Mr. Daum stated that the concept was that they could sell the advertisements and make some money on that and they could also afford to go out and market. Mr. Daum stated that the problem is that this is year one and in many cases the hotels have already put their marketing budgets and advertising budgets to bed. And so, this is going to be the foundation year in my opinion. Next year, done correctly, is when they potentially see some cash flow from that kind of an effort. Commissioner Coke stated that she is glad that Mr. Daum explained it, because it was her understanding after sitting on this board for seven years, that we have Page 9 of 13 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 February 11, 2009 always paid for the brochures or booklets that go out and then alt of a sudden I hear the City of Port St. Lucie and the City of Fort Pierce each need to kick in $5,000. Mr. Egan asked how much cash was available to the TDC for advertising. Ms. Outlaw stated that $60,000 is encumbered and $117,000 is in that account, but is not yet encumbered for a specific advertisement. Mr. Egan stated that if they did not get an increase and cut back their services, I think that would be a poor business decision, although I do not think that they would do that. It's a contract that is up for a renewal and November and I have a problem with it. Ms. Pam Haney stated that she is in agreement for an increase for them. For what they have done initially, but the whole way through, with not just the Bahamas, but with creating the image for St. Lucie County, the promotion of St. Lucie County, I would much rather spend my dollars in using people to go out and promote than using an ad into a magazine where you do not what you are getting back. By having someone with the marketing experience, being able to track the results of what we are getting, i.e. the Bahamas situation, I would rather take that money and put it into that. Ms. McDonough asked if we do an increase now, will there be another increase in November with the contract renewal. Ms. Outlaw stated that would be a part of contract negotiations. Commissioner Coward stated that we can come up with creative ways where they can be generating dollars through these guides and so forth and then it can help us maintain our costs. Another thing that I am please with is the partnerships that have been created and expanding our dollars. Ms. McDonough asked if it could be increased. Mr. Taglieri asked if we could extend the contract. Mr. Daum stated that there is a renewal clause in the contract. The renewal gives you the ability to renegotiate the rate. Ms. Mackenzie Smith stated that the TDC has the ability to extend the contract. Mr. Taglieri stated that he agrees with Mr. Egan, but they are going above and beyond, but they did sign a contract and how do you justify that, especially in this type of economy. Councilwoman Bartz asked when the Bahamas initiative started. Mr. Daum stated that the first meeting was in April. Page 10 of 13 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 February 11, 2009 Councilwoman Bartz stated that her point is that they did not come in here and jump start that whole promotion. So they had no idea that when they got into he contract with us where they were going with that. Ms. Marilyn Minix stated that she believes that they possibly deserve this raise, however it leaves with so little other monies, and this is strictly the Bahamas area that we are talking about. What about our other advertising to the rest of the United States or Canada or where ever else, are we going to have sufficient funds to take care of that. Ms. McDonough stated that maybe staff can help us with that. Maybe within the next month staff can tell us what the remainder of the budget for advertising will be used for. Ms. Lombard stated that there is a finro-tiered approach that was being taken. The first approach was to maintain our overall broad exposure in the United States, being in the vacation guides and those overall publications to promote ourselves. The second approach and kind of modernizing our approach to more on-line advertising in partnership with the Bahamas or in partnership with other hotels and websites that appeal to some of the assets we have here. Ms. Lombard stated that she can give them a report a what advertising has been done to date and what was planned before, but it is taking on a two-tiered approach now that the Bahamas is coming on board. Commissioner Coward stated that he would love to have an addendum to that in terms of the free advertising that is coming in, but the same thing should happen in March, when we have reporters coming from New York and we have folks coming in from the Bahamas, and then again we are reaching out, its not costing dollars to spend $10,000 in magazines, its going out and its free as a part of our investment in other areas. Ms. Minix stated that this is important and should be a part of it, because we need to know that as well, because if that is the kind of advertising we are getting, then it's worth while. Commissioner Coward stated that he thinks the Bahamas is one the biggest opportunities that we have in a while and we want to make sure that we capitalize on that investment. Going back to Mr. Taglieri's comments about the down turning economy, clearly it is difficult and we have been forced to make cuts and staff reductions, but the Board of County Commissioners has identified that priority as need to investment even more into that effort. Commissioner Coward stated that the Board of County Commissioners has increased the funding the Economic Development Council because we knew that we made major investments in the research parks and actively recruiting companies and for us to maximize the return on that past investment, we made additional contributions to try and get staff on board to be able to recruit those companies to bring them in and take advantage of those past investments and help kick start this economy. Page 11 of 13 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 February 11, 2009 Ms. Outlaw stated that on the dollar side, there would be approximatety $182,000 that has not been allocated. The TDC could consider how much of that you feel comfortable with on a contract modification and then the balance of that would be left for advertising outside of the Bahamas initiative. City Commissioner Coke stated that she feels comfortable moving forward with a $50,000 as an addendum from going here forward. I think that contract negotiation will start in four or five months, by then we should have a good feeling where we have some measureable figures of people coming in and who's participating in this program. Ed Griffith, Courtyard by Marriott - Hutchinson Island, stated that as a Hotelier in St. Lucie County, I think that is extremety disappointing that the TDC and County staff is recommending a modification of the contract. The contract is the contract. A lot of companies and a lot of business people are putting in the extra hours, that is what you do to keep a contract, not to ask for 100% increase on the contract when funds are already down. You are the guardians of the bed tax, to help promote tourism, to help hotels. We are working to fill hotels, to have our guests contribute to the bed tax and now it is going back out the door. He stated don't get me wrong, I think that Comet Creative has done an awesome job and they are to be commended. But a 100% contract negotiation retroactive to last year is unacceptable. You should vote no and you should vote to renegotiate when the contract is up in November. I think that anything else from at least one Hotelier stand point is unacceptable. Ms. Michelle Valvano, Perfect Drive Golf Villas, stated that one thing that have not discussed is the addition of Charlotte since Comet Creative has been brought on board. I think Comet picked up a lot of what tourism staff would have normally been doing. She stated that she knows that there is a concern about them decreasing what they have been doing. We have hired someone who will be taking up that slack so to speak. She stated that she personally has an issue with going retroactive. She stated that is you want to work something forward from this point on would be fine. She stated that she has been to all of these meetings and stated that all of the things that have been brought to the TDC have not been brought with a dollar amount. It has been brought as an idea or a presentation. Commissioner Coke stated that she would be willing to support taking the $50,000 dividing it by 12 moving forward from February 1 through September 30 with the understanding that we would be looking to start renegotiations three months prior to the end of the next contract. Ms. Haney stated that she agrees with Commissioner Coke. City Commissioner Christine Coke moved that as of February 1, 2009, through, not only the end of this year, but extend the contract for 12 months after this fiscal year is over, we change the monthly retainer from $4167 to $8250. Commissioner Coward asked if the Bahamas is in that as well as an addendum. Commissioner Coke stated yes. Pam Haney seconded that motion. The motion passed 7-1. Mr. Chris Egan voted No. Dr. Chris Taylor was not present at the meeting. Page 12 of 13 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 February 11, 2009 9. OTHER BUSINESS/PUBLIC COMMENT None. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. Page 13 of 13