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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09-09-2009 ST. LUCIE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY 0 September 9, 2009 0 12:30 P.M. MINUTES Members present: Commissioner Doug Coward, Chairman Marilyn Minix, Road Runner Travel Resort Christopher Egan, Vistana's Beach Club -Sheraton PGA Jill Hanson, Residence Inn by Marriott Michelle Valvano, Perfect Drive Golf Villas Members absent: Councilwoman Linda Bartz, City of Port St. Lucie Pam Haney, Holiday Inn Express Paul Taglieri, St. Lucie Mets Commissioner Christine Coke, City of Fort Pierce Staff present: Christopher Steers, Assistant County Administrator Charlotte Lombard, Tourism Development Manager William Hoeffner, Director of Grants and Disaster Recovery Heather Lueke, Assistant County Attorney Charline Burgess, Executive Aide to Commissioner Coward Ja' Net Pentz, Recording Secretary Also present: Erica Byfield, Comet Creative, Inc. Craig Mundt, National Navy UDT SEAL Museum Pat Simmons John Hayes, SLC Cultural Affairs Jack Connolly, SLC Cultural Affairs Jodie DelBene, Fairfield Inn & Suites Laura Diederick, Smithsonian Marine Center Bob Baldassari, PGA Village Juan Azcona, www.tcexgerience.com Jo Seiler, Hampton Inn & Suites Cathy Matos, Homewood Suites 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 August 12, 2009 were approved unanimously. Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 September 9, 2009 5. FINANCIAL a. 2009 Budget Revenue & Update Ms. Charlotte Lombard stated that there was nothing to report. Ms. Lombard stated that there were no plans to spend additional monies and that we are at a standstill until next fiscal year. 6. SUMMER HOOPLAH CAMPAIGN FOLLOW-UP REPORT Ms. Charlotte Lombard gave a brief update and presentation on the Summer Hooplah Campaign. Ms. Lombard went over the challenges that this promotion faced. Ms. Erica Byfield gave a recap of what type of deals that this promotion entailed. Ms. Lombard stated that this promotion generated thousands of leads, increased awareness of St. Lucie County, made initial brand investment in Hooplah, May/June revenues did not decrease compared to 2008 and opportunity for more partnerships. Ms. Byfield stated that she met with Mr. James Turner from the Bahamas. Ms. Byfield stated that during that meeting transportation challenges came up. Ms. Byfield stated that the Bahamas chose only one hotel for the promotion, which made the package price high. Ms. Byfield also stated that Mr. Turner suggested that they start with one big event. Ms. Byfield also stated that Southern Eagle provided bracelets and posters for the promotion. Commissioner Coward stated that there have been some new business interests due to the partnership with Grand Bahama Island. Commissioner Coward spoke about the possibility of a business wanting to provide a fast ferry service. He also spoke about the airport moving forward with the architectural design of the terminal. Ms. Diana Lewis, Airport Director, spoke about securing an 80% match from the Florida Department of Transportation with regards to the upgrades at the terminal. 7. CAPITAL FUND GRANT PROGRAM DISCUSSION Ms. Charlotte Lombard went over the Draft Capital Grant Program. The TDC Board went over what the minimum requirements should be for the Grant program. Diana Lewis stated that the estimate to construct the renovations would be $723,000. According to the consultants, it will take five months to get through the design process. Ms. Lewis stated that there is an opportunity to get an 80% match from the Florida Department of Transportation that would be available July 2010. Ms. Lewis stated that what could be an opportunity for this group would be to make that 20% match. Page 2 of 4 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 September 9, 2009 Commissioner Coward stated that we have made a $50,000 commitment for the design. Commissioner Coward asked if the committee thinks that it would be wise to take some of the dollars from the Tourist Capital Fund so that we can do a $700,000 project with $150,000. Ms. Michelle Valvano asked how much of the $723,000 would be for office space, things that are not necessarily related to tourism, but operational. Ms. Lewis stated approximately $200,000 for Airport administrative space. Ms. Valvano asked what the City of Fort Pierce thought about this. Commissioner Coward stated that he has had individual conversations about this and has received positive feedback, but nothing was formally done. Commissioner Coward stated that City of Fort Pierce was asked to weigh in on the $50,000, and they were unanimous in approving that. Ms. Valvano suggested doing 20% of the $500,000, that's actually the terminal part of the project and not the office space. Commissioner Coward stated that he thought it would be good to challenge the County Commission to take the $100,000 off the table before we go through with the application process with the understanding that the County would need to match that with the remaining 20% which would be about $50,000. That would leave $400,000 in the account to use to partner with non-profits on one big project with multiple projects. There was Board consensus on the following: Minimum Eligibility Requirements: • Local 501(c)(3) • Years of existence of non-profit (based on a weighted scale) • Letter of Credit • 10% down • 50% match of grant within six months with the potential of an extension • Financial stability/records (based on a weighted scale) • Construction start date (based on a weighted scale) Types of Grants: • In-Kind: In-kind services will be based on a weighted scale and will not be considered a grant match. Page 3 of 4 Tourist Development Council Meeting 0 September 9, 2009 Sample Criteria: Ms. Lombard stated that this is going to be a growing document and will come back to the board. Discussion ensued. There was board consensus that everyone on the TDC Board will be on the application review committee. Ms. Lombard is to have the final draft application to the TDC Board members within two weeks and place it on the Board of County Commissioners' Agenda on October 6, 2009. The application is to "hit the streets" by November 1, 2009. The application will then be due on January 15, 2010. Those applications are to be reviewed at the February 2010 TDC Meeting. 8. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Bob Bladassari, PGA Golf Club, gave a brief presentation on Golf Patriot Day. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:32 p.m. Page 4 of 4