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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08-12-2009 ST. LUCIE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY 0 August 12, 2009 0 12:30 P.M. MINUTES Members present: Commissioner Doug Coward, Chairman Paul Taglieri, St. Lucie Mets Marilyn Minix, Road Runner Travel Resort Christopher Egan, Vistana's Beach Club -Sheraton PGA Commissioner Christine Coke, City of Fort Pierce Jill Hanson, Residence Inn by Marriott Members absent: Councilwoman Linda Bartz, City of Port St. Lucie Pam Haney, Holiday Inn Express Michelle Valvano, Perfect Drive Golf Villas Staff present: Charlotte Lombard, Tourism Development Manager Heather Lueke, Assistant County Attorney Ja' Net Pentz, Recording Secretary Also present: George Byfield, Comet Creative, Inc. Tom Colucci, Treasure Coast Sports Commission Mary Ann Miller, National Navy UDT SEAL Museum Chuck Thiess, National Navy UDT SEAL Museum Craig Mundt, National Navy UDT SEAL Museum Josie DelBene, Fairfield Inn & Suites Odaly Victorio, Workforce Solutions Scott Kimmelman, Indian River State College Rich Nalbandian, Treasure Coast Sports Commission Jack Connolly, Cultural Affairs Council Bob Baldassari, PGA Village 1. CALL TO ORDER: County Commissioner Doug Coward called the meeting to order at 12:33 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 July 1, 2009 were approved unanimously. 5. FINANCIAL Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 August 12, 2009 a. 2009 Budget Revenue 8~ Update Ms. Charlotte Lombard gave a brief report on the revenues. Ms. Lombard stated that the month of May was up by 1 % and that the month of June was down .5%. Ms. Lombard stated that it appears to be leveling off and that if this trend continues, there will be a higher carry-forward amount. Ms. Lombard stated that the expenses for the remainder of this fiscal year are set and that there are no plans to spend additional monies. 6. SPORTS TOURISM a. 2009 Police and Fire Games Follow Up Report Mr. Tom Colucci thanked the Board of County Commissioners for the additional $100,000 for the Treasure Coast Sports Commission. Mr. Colucci will be bringing the list of events for approval by the TDC, for which these supplemental funds were provided. Mr. Colucci gave a brief follow up report of the Police and Fire Games. Mr. Colucci stated that he felt it was successful. Mr. Colucci stated that he found that many of the participants stayed in St. Lucie County. Mr. Colucci stated that everyone was pleased with the new hotels in St. Lucie County. Mr. Colucci gave a brief presentation on the possibility of a joint golf venture with Florida and the Bahamas. Mr. Colucci stated that it would be a "Six Tour Swing" with three days in the Bahamas and three days in Plantation, St. Lucie County and Orlando. Scott Kimmelman, Athletic Director for Indian River State College, gave a brief overview of what he does for Indian River State College and the College's upcoming events. Mr. Colucci stated that he will be talking to AAU Basketball for future events. 7. AD HOC COMMITTEE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS Commissioner Coward suggested sending a letter to organizations letting them know when the meetings/committee will begin. 8. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Commissioner Christine Coke spoke about some possibilities for expending the TDC Capital Fund. Commissioner Coke made the following suggestions: water tower at Jetty Park (under $500,000) and Veteran's Memorial Park Improvements ($511,000). Mr. Chuck Thiess of the National Navy UDT SEAL Museum gave a brief presentation about the museum receiving the life boat from which the Captain of the Maersk Alabama was rescued. Mr. Thiess stated that the event will be held this Page 2 of 3 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 August 12, 2009 Friday at 10 a.m. at the museum. The boat will be on display until the museum's Annual Muster on November 7. From there, the life boat will be lent to a museum in Virginia for six months and then permanently return to the National Navy UDT SEAL Museum in St. Lucie County. Mr. Craig Mundt gave a brief presentation on the National Navy UDT SEAL Museum's expansion plans. Discussion ensued. Mr. Bob Baldassari gave a brief presentation on PGA Village. Mr. Baldassari stated that PGA has an economical impact of 50 million dollars per year. The museum at PGA gets approximately 6,000 to 7,000 visitors per year. Mr. Baldassari stated that they are trying to bring more events to PGA. Mr. Baldassari stated that the budget for staff is six million dollars per year. Mr. Baldassari stated that the monies for expansion of the clubhouse are dedicated. Commissioner Coward directed staff to come up with criteria for TDC capital funds requests. The following suggestions were made: • Must attract tourism • Existing attraction that already has visitors • Looking for expansion • Must have matching funds • Construction six months out • References • Incentive program 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:06 p.m. Page 3 of 3