HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-11-15 TDC MinutesST. LUCIE COUNTY
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 ◊ 12:00 P.M.
MINUTES
Members present: Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky, Chairman
Marilyn Minix, Roadrunner Travel Resort
Chris Egan, Vistana’s Beach Club – Sheraton PGA
Michelle MacNichol, Perfect Drive Golf Villas
Terissa Arronson, St. Lucie Co. Chambers
Members absent: Commissioner Rufus Alexander, City of Fort Pierce
Vice-Mayor Linda Bartz, City of Port St. Lucie
Clive Daem, Dockside Inn
Paul Taglieri, St. Lucie Mets
Staff present: Katherine Barbieri, St. Lucie County Attorney
Charlotte Bireley, St. Lucie County Tourism & Venues
Darius McPhall, St. Lucie County Tourism & Venues
Also present: Cindy Crowe, SLC Tax Collector
Noreen Angelone, SLC Tax Collector
T H Wyner, Glowfoodgtc.org and Sunnie.com
Anne Satlerlee, Sunrise Theatre
Cathy Gibson, Motorized Kayak Adventures
Herb Miller, East Coast Greenway Alliance
Laura Diederick, Smithsonian
Joseph Kuzma, Nolimit3dproduction
Kelsie Stickles, Holiday Inn Express of FPT
1. CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Dzadovsky called the meeting to order at 12:18
PM.
2. ROLL CALL: Darius McPhall called roll.
3. GUESTS INTRODUCED THEMSELVES:
Guests introduced themselves.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from January 14, 2015 were approved.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT:
No public comments.
6. FINANCIAL REPORT & WEB REPORT:
Tourist Development Council Meeting ◊ February 11, 2015
Charlotte Bireley reported that the tourist bed tax revenue for December 2014
was $50,417, which is 16% percent higher than the tax revenue from last year
December 2013. Year to date our tourist tax revenues are up 6%.
Terissa Arronson requested that the Year to date budget be included in the
packet to give a comparison to the year end budget from the previous year.
Charlotte then gave a brief explanation of the expense vs. revenue report. She
also pointed out that the revenue numbers did not include our carry forward balance.
Charlotte reported an increase in website activity of the St. Lucie County Tourism
web site for the month of January. She highlighted during the presentation that
bounce rate had also increased and she was working with the webmaster to improve
the site.
7. East Coast Greenway & St. Lucie County:
Herb Miller gave a brief history of the East Coast Greenway and the purpose of
the why the East Coast Greenway was created. Mr. Miller stated that the project is
about 30% complete in its entirety beginning in Maine and stretching as far south as
the FL Keys. The project is about 33% percent complete in Florida due to its strong
travel trails programs as a state.
Miller included many pictures of the current state of the trail and the importance
of signage to notify people of when they are on the trail and when they are not.
Miller specifically addressed the condition on the Florida East Coast Greenway
and highlighted the Saint John’s Loop. He discussed, the impact the loop had on
tourism and bed nights in area. He also pointed out the importance of signage on the
trail system for safety of the travelers. He stated that the TPO did not allow signs to
be posted to identify the route.
He stated that the purpose of his presentation was ask the TDC to send a letter
to ask DOT to allow signage on the expressway.
Michelle MacNichol motioned that the TDC write a letter to the DOT requesting
signage on the existing East Coast Greenway and Marilyn Minix second. The motion
was pasted and accepted. Motion was carried unanimously
8. St. Lucie/Martin Regional Waterways Plan:
To be rescheduled due to schedule conflict.
9. Proposed Event Grant Program:
Charlotte proposed the idea to bring back a program that was implemented in the
past. Charlotte gave a little background on how the initiative came about. She stated
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Tourist Development Council Meeting ◊ February 11, 2015
that due to the amount of inquiries and requests for the TDC to fund community
events she asked for ideas from the board to implement a program that would allow
the TDC to possibly fund viable community events in a way that would alleviate some
of the potential previous problems of the past program.
Charlotte asked that maybe the program could start small with funding amounts
and ask the potential organizations that inquire to receive the funds to submit
documentation of the economic impact that the event would have on the tourism
industry in the county.
Commissioner Dzadovsky asked that Charlotte develop a potential grant
program and bring it back to the board for final approval. Motion was made by Chris
Egan and 2nd by Marilyn Minx for Charlotte to develop a potential program. Motion
was carried unanimously.
10. Other Business:
Sandi stated that Tuesday February 17, 2015 a public meeting would be held
asking for ideas on amenities for a proposed conversation site.
She also passed out save the date cards that highlighted Earth day April 18,
2015 from 10am to 3pm held at the Oxbox and graciously thanked the large amount
of volunteers that participated in bringing the event back to the county.
Commissioner Dzadovsky also brought an idea to improve ecotourism by
developing the assets along the river ways. He stated, that kiosk signage and upkeep
is paramount in igniting interests in the Roberts Preserve.
Commissioner Dzadovsky lastly gave an update on the Earthcams. He stated
that county has done their share of the agreement to put the cams into place and are
waiting on the City of Fort Pierce to sign the final documents.
11. Adjournment:
Meeting adjourned at 1:31 PM.
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