Jan 30, 2023 Tourist Development Council

[*A portion of this video is without audio*]

[Items 1 - 3]

[4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

[00:01:54]

>> >> MOVED AND SECONDED.

WE APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER FIVE, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE LAST MEETING WHICH WAS OCTOBER 17,

[6. PUBLIC COMMENT]

ANY CORRECTIONS OR OMISSIONS? >> I WILL MAKE THE MOTION.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED.

WE ARE NOW DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER SIX ON THE AGENDA.

THAT IS THE PUBLIC COMMENT. JUST ONE MOMENT.

LET ME READ THIS. AT THIS TIME, COUNSEL WITH YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS THAT ARE NOT ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS WILL HAVE THEIR OWN PUBLIC COMMENT.

ANY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD, SHOULD COME TO THE PODIUM AND STATE HIS OR HER NAME, AND ADDRESS.

EACH PERSON WILL BE PROVIDED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK, AND SHALL APPLY TO THE BOARDS RULES OF DECORUM.

COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE COUNSELOR AS A WHOLE NOT AS AN INDIVIDUAL, AND MAY NOT INCLUDE DEMAND OR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE COUNCIL WITH PERSONAL PERTINENT OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS.

OR WITH BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

AMOS DOCTOR MICHELLE -- I AM THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF MEDIA ASSISTANCE PRODUCTIONS, 340 HIGH TRIBE DRIVE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.

I'M SPEAKING TODAY, TO GET YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION. THE SAINT AUGUSTINE FILM FESTIVAL, AND ITS LEADERSHIP, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO, IS RECOGNIZED FOR THE GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDED TO ST.

JOHN'S COUNTY, TO ITS CULTURE, AND THE ART OF STORYTELLING.

THURSDAY JANUARY 26, 2023 FRONT PAGE OF THE SAINT AUGUSTINE RECORD, INDICATE WHICH IS UP ON THE SCREEN, SHOW THAT FLORIDA PRODUCTIONS ARE BEING FILMED ELSEWHERE.

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ECONOMIC INCENTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO COME HERE, MAKING MOVIES OR TV, DRAMAS ETC. GREGORY -- HOUSES TRYING TO TURN THAT AROUND. HE SPONSORS THE ANNUAL ST.

JOHN'S COUNTY FILM FESTIVAL. NOW, WHY IS THE FILM, WHAT IS THE MISSION? TO PROVIDE A RICH CULTURAL EXPERIENCE TO THE PUBLIC, THE HIGHLIGHTS A SKILL OF

[00:05:01]

AND IT HAS IMPACT IN OUR COUNTY.

WHAT DO I MEAN BY IMPACT? THIS GIVES YOU A PERSPECTIVE OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE STANDPOINT OF PEOPLE COMING INTO THE COMMUNITY, RENTING ROOMS, SPENDING MONEY IN ST.

JOHN'S COUNTY. THIS YEAR WAS UNIQUE BECAUSE WE FOCUSED ON FIVE FILMS THAT WERE MADE HERE, IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. ONE OF WHICH, IN COMMISSION OR COUNCIL MEMBER -- AREA, SINCE HE IS IN SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH, WAS MADE BY ONE OF THE SONS WHO IS ALSO ON THE FACULTY OF FLAG WOOD COLLEGE. OF MANGO MANGO.

THE FILMS MADE THAT WERE FOCUSED ON HERE THIS YEAR WERE CHASING A DREAM -- DOA, FILMED ENTIRELY IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, AND SAINT AUGUSTINE. BY THE PRODUCER, DIRECTOR AND WRITER, WHO RESIDE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE.

SO, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO RECOGNIZE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT, AND HAVE A RESOLUTION FOR YOU AND THAT WILL BE PASSED OUT TO EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER, RECOGNIZING GREGORY VAN HOUSE FOR HIS ATTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY, HIS FESTIVAL IS ALL VOLUNTEER. SO YOU HAVE NO ECONOMIC INCENTIVE PERSONALLY FROM IT. HE IS THE DIRECTOR AND THE PRINCIPAL OFFICER OF THE FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. WHAT HE DOES FOR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, HE IS A LOCAL RESIDENT AND PROVIDES LOVE IN HIS HEART FOR THE COMMUNITY. HAVE COPIES OF THE RESOLUTION THAT I WILL PROVIDE TO WHOEVER NEEDS TO GET THIS, SO THAT EACH OF YOU CAN RECEIVE IT. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING TO ME. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION BECAUSE WE WANT TO GET THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE COMMISSION IS BEHIND THIS. THANK YOU.

>> ANY ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT?

[7. WELCOME NEW TDC BOARD MEMBER, COMMISSIONER SARAH ARNOLD]

[8. SELECTION OF NEW CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR]

>> WE ARE DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER SEVEN.

WE HAVE A NEW MEMBER REPRESENTING THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY COUNTY COMMISSION, JOINING US TODAY.

COMMISSIONER SARAH ARNOLD , WE WELCOME YOU.

>> THANK YOU I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE.

NOW, WE ARE AT ITEM NUMBER EIGHT.

SELECTION OF A NEW CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.

ACTION REQUIRED. I'M NOT SURE HOW THIS ELECTION GOES. BUT I WILL ASK FOR NOMINATIONS.

>> WE WILL. AS A REMINDER BEFORE WE ASK FOR NOMINATIONS. WE LOOKING AT THE VACANCY THAT WAS LEFT BY MISS KATHY -- DEPARTURE FROM THE BOARD.

OUR VACANCY IS WHAT I REFER TO AS THAT FLEXIBLE SEAT.

BECAUSE THE STATUTE REQUIRES WE HAVE AT LEAST THREE BUT NO MORE THAN FOUR REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ACCOMMODATION SECTOR AND THE OTHERS CAN BE FILLED BY SOMEONE IN THE APPROPRIATE AREA, WHO HAS EXPRESSED INTEREST.

THE SEAT WE HAVE OPEN CAN BE FILLED BY EITHER.MR. CHAIR?

>> I'M SORRY, I JUST TOTALLY JUMPED THE ITEM.I'M REALLY EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT NEW TDC MEMBERS.

>> SINCE YOU'RE UP THERE, MAYBE YOU'D BE EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS FOR ELECTING A CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.

>> SURE! I CAN DO THAT AS WELL.

SO, WE WILL JUST TAKE NOMINATIONS.

YOU GUYS USUALLY HANDLE CHAIR FOLLOWED BY VICE CHAIR, WE COULD HAVE NOMINATIONS, THERE IS A VOTE FOR IT.

AS WITH MOST THINGS, YOU CAN TAKE ALL OF THE WAR SHOULD TAKE ALL OF THE NOMINATIONS INITIALLY.

THOSE NOMINATIONS CAN BE CONSIDERED ONE BY ONE BEFORE THE VOTE IS TAKEN. I WOULD DO A CALL FOR

NOMINATIONS FOR CHAIR. >> THANK YOU.

>> I WILL MAKE NOMINATION FOR MICHAEL -- TO BE CHAIR.

>> SECOND. >> ANYMORE NOMINATIONS.

[00:10:02]

>> ADOPTION NOMINATIONS FOR CHAIR.

IF NOT, ALL THOSE -- PAST THE NOMINEE IF YOU WILL ACCEPT.

[INAUDIBLE] >> YES, I WOULD.

>> ALL IN FAVOR, MICHAEL GORDON.

>> CONGRATULATIONS! >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU'LL BE MOVING OVER HERE BUT YOU WILL DO VICE CHAIR.

[INAUDIBLE] >> NOMINATIONS ARE NOW BEING RECEIVED FOR VICE CHAIR OF THE TDC.

>> MR. CHAIR MAY I BE RECOGNIZED?

>> I'M SORRY? >> MAY I BE RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK? I NOMINATE REGINA PHILLIPS.

FOR VICE CHAIR. >> I WILL SECOND.

>> DO YOU ACCEPT THE NOMINATION? REGINA? [LAUGHTER]

>> I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS.

RIGHT HERE, REGINA. THERE YOU GO.

>> I FEEL HONORED TO BE NOMINATED.

THIS TOTAL. [INAUDIBLE] I'M VERY RELUCTANT

TO SAY YES. >> YOU WILL BE FINE.

>> YOU WILL DO GREAT! THE HARDEST PART IS READING

WHAT MICHAEL JUST READ. >> I CAN DO THAT.

>> WE HAVE SEEN YOU READ, YOU CAN DO IT!

>> I ACCEPT. >> THANK YOU.

[9. TDC MEMBER APPLICATION RECOMMENDATIONS]

ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? NONE.

CONGRATULATIONS! NOW, WE'RE DOWN TO NUMBER NINE.

>> MY APOLOGIES. I HAVE LOST ENTHUSIASM FOR THE ITEM.GENDA ITEM NUMBER NINE IS THE TDC MEMBER APPLICATIONS.

S I SAID A SECOND AGO, THIS IS THE SEAT THAT HAS BEEN LEFT VACANT BY MS. KATHY FLEMING. WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATUTE, IT IS A FLEXIBLE SEAT SO WE COULD CHOOSE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATION FOR APPOINTMENT OF ACCOMMODATIONS MEMBER OR NON-ACCOMMODATIONS MEMBER. WE DID POST THIS BACK IN THE FALL, AFTER WE WERE NOTIFIED OF THE UPCOMING VACANCY.WE RECEIVED A GOOD NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS.

WE ALSO DID HAVE SEVERAL APPLICATIONS THAT WERE ON FILE FROM THE LAST TIME THAT WE ADVERTISED WHEN MS. GILL FILLED THE POSITION AND SOME WERE VALID APPLICATIONS AS WELL.

HERE IS A COMPLETE LIST. WE HAVE ONE ACCOMMODATIONS MEMBER AND WESTERN NON-ACCOMMODATIONS MEMBERS.

WE WILL HANDLE THIS IN THE SAME WAY YOU ALL ARE WELCOME TO ASK QUESTIONS AND HAVE DISCUSSION AMONGST EACH OTHER BUT WE WILL TAKE NOMINATIONS FOR ALL POTENTIAL CANDIDATES WILL BE NOMINATED. ONCE THEY'VE ALL BEEN NOMINATED, WE WILL GO THROUGH THEM IN THE ORDER THEY'VE NOMINATED AND VOTE ON THEM. IT WILL TAKE A DISSENTING BUT A NUMBER ONE IN ORDER TO GET TO A VOTE TO THE SECOND NOMINEE.

THE FIRST PERSON NOMINATED GETS ENOUGH VOTES TO BE APPROVED, THEN WE STOP VOTING ON THE ADDITIONAL NOMINEES.

>> MR. CHAIR, MAY I BE RECOGNIZED?

>> YES. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.

MAYOR SAINT AUGUSTINE. >> I NOMINATE.

RECOMMENDATION FOR SELECTION FOR THE SEAT.

>> SECOND. JUST OUT OF PROTOCOL, ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BE SWITCHING RIGHT NOW?

THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR? >> I BELIEVE I HEARD A REQUEST FIRM MR. GORDON, FOR MR. -- FOR THE MEETING.

>> I'M TRYING TO ENJOY THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON.

>> YOU MEAN YOU ARE TRYING TO ENJOY THE REST OF THE

AFTERNOON. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING BUT I SECOND.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION, TARA. THESE ARE ALL NEW NOMINEES.

[00:15:04]

>> THEY ALL KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOMINATED.

SOME OF THEM ARE APPLICATIONS THAT WERE STILL ACTIVE FROM AGAIN, WHEN WE APPOINTED MS. PHILLIPS, WAS APPOINTED THIS SUMMER I BELIEVE? SO, THEY ARE ABOUT SIX MONTH OLD, BUT EVERYONE DID EXPRESS THEY WERE STILL INTERESTED IN

CONSIDERATION. >> ARE THERE ANY NOMINEES IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY? I SEE NONE.

I WOULD MAKE A NOMINATION. IRVING -- FROM THE ST. GEORGE

INN. >> I WILL SECOND THAT.

>> NOMINATION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED, APPROVING IRVING --

ARE THERE ANY NOMINATIONS? >> MR. CHAIRMAN, I'M SORRY TO ASK. SO, HOW DOES THE PROCESS, EXPLAIN THE PROCESS AGAIN, NOW THAT THERE ARE TWO NOMINEES.

>> WILL TAKE OF THE FIRST ORDER YOU ALL WILL TAKE OF THE FIRST NOMINATION FOR VOTE. IF THERE IS AN ASSENTING VOTE.

IF THERE IS ENOUGH TO AGREE THAT WE WILL PUT FORWARD A NOMINATION, HER FIRST NAME WAS PREVIOUSLY SLAYER UNTIL RECENTLY, FOR ANYONE WHO IS, PROBABLY KNOWS HER BUT NOT THAT SHE CHANGED HER LAST NAME. IF SHE GETS AN ASSENTING BUT THEN WE ARE DONE. WE STOP.

IF HE DOESN'T GET ENOUGH VOTES FOR APPROVAL, THEN THE SECOND NOMINATION WILL BE TAKEN UP. AND IF HE DOES NOT GET ENOUGH VOTES, YOU CIRCLE BACK AROUND. OR CONSIDER A THIRD NOMINEE.

>> DO WE NEED A MOTION TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS?

>> I DON'T THINK SO. >> OKAY.

SHOULD WE PROCEED WITH A VOTE? FIRST NOMINEE.

JEANETTA. WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL FOR THE VOTE?

>> WE HAVE FIVE NO'S, SO THAT IS NOT APPROVED.

NEXT MISSION.> I BELIEVE MR. KASS WAS NOMINATED PREVIOUSLY.

>> I THINK YOU DID MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.

I THINK ME AND HE JUST DID NOT GET THE VOTE, BUT I DON'T THINK HE WAS DISQUALIFIED. I JUST THINK WE WENT A

DIFFERENT DIRECTION. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.

>> COMMISSIONER SARAH ARNOLD?

>> WE WILL STAFF, WILL TAKE THE RECOMMENDATION AND BRING IT TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND IT WILL BE ON PROBABLY, A MARCH AGENDA. THE TDC HAS THE ULTIMATE

[10. SPORTS TOURISM GRANT APPROVALS]

>> DON'T ITEM 10 ON THE AGENDA, I BELIEVE.

SPORTS TOURISM GRANT APPROVALS. >> ARE SEVERAL FOR

[00:20:04]

AND DID TAKE PLACE THE 27TH TO THE TRYING NINTH AND WERE RECOMMENDED AT $10,000 AWARD WITH RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD.

THEN THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS VERITAS PICKLE BALL TOURNAMENT.

IT WILL TAKE PLACE AT -- PARK THERE WERE 24 THROUGH 26.

AN RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD IS RECOMMENDING $7500.

THE THIRD GRANT FOR CONSIDERATION TODAY, IS THE FIRST COAST SAILING ASSOCIATION SAINT AUGUSTINE RACE WEEK REGATTA COMPETITION, THOUGH TAKE PLACE FROM THE 18TH THROUGH MARCH 25. AN RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD HAS RECOMMENDED $7500 FOR A GRANT AWARD.OU ARE WELCOME TO TAKE EACH ONE UP INDEPENDENTLY.

IF YOU FEEL THAT DISCUSSION IS NEEDED ON A PARTICULAR ONE OR WE CAN TAKE IT ALTOGETHER. WITH ONE VOTE FOR ALL THREE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO DO THEM INDIVIDUALLY.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? IS THIS EVENT BOTH IN ST.

JOHN'S COUNTY AND IN JACKSONVILLE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BREAKDOWN OF WHAT JACKSONVILLE GETTING AND HOW MUCH THEY ARE PAYING. IT IS JUST, I'M SEEING, FIVE HOTELS WERE LISTED ONLY GAVE ROOMMATES ON ONE OF THE FIVE.

>> OKAY. WE DO NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION READILY AVAILABLE WE CAN GET BACK TO IT AND REQUEST THAT.

>> I JUST CANNOT VOTE FOR IT WITHOUT KNOWING THAT.

>> I'M NOT OPPOSED TO IT BECAUSE I LIKE THE TEAM SPORTS MUCH BETTER THAN SOME OF THE INDIVIDUAL SPORTS.

BUT I DON'T THINK I HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO YOU KNOW, WHAT PERCENTAGE IS HERE, WHAT PERCENTAGE IS THERE OUT OF THE TOTAL BUDGET. AND IF IT MEETS THE CRITERIA

THAT I CAN VOTE FOR. >> FAIR ENOUGH.

>> NOT OPPOSED TO THE EVENT. I LIKE THE THEME STUFF BUT ANY

MORE INFORMATION. >> IS THERE ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ON THIS ONE? I GUESS WE WILL TAKE THEM UP INDIVIDUALLY. IF YOU DON'T MIND CALLING VOTE FOR THIS ONE. IF IT PASSES OR FAILS, TROY, I'LL GET THE INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH YOU REGARDLESS.

>> THANK YOU. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE FUNDING REQUEST FOR THIS PROGRAM.

SAY AYE. ANY NAY? PASSED. >> WILL TAKE EACH ONE UP INDIVIDUALLY SINCE WE STARTED OUT WITH.

NEXT IS THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS VERITAS CITY PICKLE BALL TOURNAMENT. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> 7500 OR? >> HOLD ON.

>>. >> REQUEST WAS 15,000.

[INAUDIBLE] >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION IF WE

ARE READY. >> YES.

>> MOTION TO ACCEPT. >> SECOND.

>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR.

PASSED. >> FIRST COAST SAILING ASSOCIATION SAINT AUGUSTINE WEEK OF REGATTA COMPETITION.

ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS ONE?

[11. FY24 ACH GRANT GUIDELINES RECOMMENDATION]

IS THERE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.

>> MOVED AND SECONDED, ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? PASSED.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> NOW DOWN TO ITEM 11.

[00:25:05]

>> ITEM 11 TODAY, IS THE GRANT GUIDELINES FOR THE ART GRANT PROGRAM WE ARE ALWAYS A GOOD BIT AND BECAUSE WE DO THIS IN ADVANCE SO THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS IF THEY'RE GETTING MONEY HOW MUCH THEY WILL GET AND THEY CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE'VE ANNUALLY MADE UPDATES TO THE GRANT GUIDELINES. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CULTURAL COUNSEL, AND WITH SOME INPUT FROM FOLKS WHO ACTUALLY RECEIVED GRANTS. THIS YEAR, IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR LINE IT WAS A FAIR AMOUNT OF EDITS.

HE CONSIDERS A FOUNT OF CROSSING ON AND TYPING A LETTER THAT WAS REORGANIZING AND TRYING TO BETTER EXPLAIN.

ON THE SIDE OF, SUMMARIZED A FEW NOTABLE CHANGES IN THERE.

I WILL RUN THROUGH THOSE WITH YOU.

I -- LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AS A WHOLE.

LOOK OF RECOMMENDATION FROM THE TDC TODAY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TAKING THE GRANT GUIDELINES TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR APPROVAL. THE FIRST CHANGE OF NOTE IN THE GRANT GARLANDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 24, THERE HAS BEEN A REFINEMENT OF THE DEFINITION FOR WHAT TYPE OF MARKETING QUALIFIES FOR GRANT REIMBURSEMENT. WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO STEER THE MARKETING TOWARDS AREAS THAT WOLD TARGET AND BRING IN OVERNIGHT TOURISTS, THEREFORE, LOOKING FOR MARKETING THAT OCCURS OUTSIDE OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLAGLER COUNTY, PUTNAM, CLAY, DEVOL AND NASSAU COUNTY AREA.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT FURTHER AFIELD.

AGAIN, TRYING TO TARGET THOSE FOLKS ASKED TO COME IN AND STAY THE NIGHT. THERE ALSO SOME EDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR A GRANT APPLICANT WHO HAS COME IN FOR MULTIPLE YEARS, TO START PROVIDING NEW TYPES OF PROGRAMMING. ONCE EVENT HAS OCCURRED FOR THREE YEARS. SO, SOMETHING THAT GENERATES NEW INTERESTING PROGRAM TO GET THOSE FOLKS HAVE COME IN PRIOR YEAR TO COME BACK AND EXPERIENCE THEM AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. THERE'S BEEN SOME QUALIFYING CRITERIA ADDED FOR RETAIL ARTS MARKETS, PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS MUSIC AND CULINARY AND AGAIN THIS IS ALL GEARED TOWARDS ENCOURAGING THAT DIVERSE PROGRAMMING SO WE DO NOT GET INTO A STILL SITUATION WHERE WE ARE DOING THE SAME THING EVERY YEAR. AND ENCOURAGING FOLKS THAT HAVE COME UP BEFORE WHO WANT TO COME BACK AND EXPERIENCE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. -- THE OTHER ITEM THAT WAS CHANGED WAS INCREASINGLY MINIMUM QUALIFYING SCORE FOR THE REVIEWED GRANTS, TO RECEIVE FUNDING UP TO EIGHT POINTS.

IT WAS LAST YEAR, 75 POINTS AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO SCHOOL, WE PROBABLY DO NOT WANT TO BE INCENTIVIZING AND PARTICIPATING IN PROJECTS THAT ARE NOT LEAST A B-.

LIKE I SAID, IF YOU LOOK AT THE RED LINERS, CHANGES, THESE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE KIND OF, PROGRAMMATIC CHANGES.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.

OTHERWISE, WE'RE LOOKING FOR RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE FORWARD

WITH APPROVAL. >> MR. CHAIR? ONE THING FROM THE HOTEL SIDE. THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THIS. IT IS, YOU HAVE SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING GREAT EVENTS IN THE FILM FESTIVAL, IT IS ONE OF THEM THAT IS JUST AMAZING AND GREAT EVENT.

BUT THEY HOLD ON MARTIN LUTHER KING WEEKEND.

I AM ALREADY SOLD OUT. SO, I LIKE TO PUT HIGHER VALUE ON THE PEAK, OR OFF-SEASON, IF THEY PUT ON A WEEKEND WE ARE ALREADY FULL, IT REALLY DOESN'T HELP US A WHOLE LOT.

SO, I WOULD RATHER HAVE A LITTLE MORE VALUE ON THAT SIDE.

THEN WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS ONLY FIVE POINTS.

IT IS FROM OUR BUSINESS SIDE, AND HOW WE SPEND THIS MORNING THAT IS THE BEST VALUE THEY GET OUT OF IS NOT PUTTING IN ON

WEEKENDS ARE ALREADY FULL. >> SO, YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO JUST, INCREASE THE POINTS THAT ARE AWARDED FOR NON-PEAK

SEASON? >> YES.

THERE IS LOOK AT COMING UP DIRTY ON THE MARKETING SIDE,

[00:30:01]

I WOULD SAY 25 OF THE MARKETING AND PUT A FULL 10 ON NONPEAK.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MR. CHAIR. >> WE HAVE ATTRACTIONS LIKE -- A HOLIDAY LIKE MLK WEEKEND, WE EXPECT PEOPLE TO COME IN SO YOU KNOW IF WE PROMOTE THAT, THEN IT'S LIKE JUST, PEOPLE ARE COMING BUT WE ALSO INVITED PEOPLE TO THE ATTRACTION AS WELL. WE GET AN INCREASE IN VOLUME DURING HOLIDAYS, WAS EXPECT IN THE SEASON THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF THAT GOING ON. SO, HOW DO YOU DO THOSE AGAINST EACH OTHER? PEOPLE ARE STAYING IN HOTELS BUT MAYBE SOME ARE BECOMING BECAUSE IT IS MLK WEEKEND.

WERE MORE THAN ONE EVENT. >> I'M SORRY, MR. CHAIR? AND LIKE I SAID, I AM COMING FROM THE HOTEL YOUR SIDE, YOU'RE COMING FROM THE EVENT SIDE SO, I WANT TO BE COMPLETELY RESPECTFUL WHERE YOU ARE AT.

FROM THE HOTEL SIDE, AND HOW THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT, WE ARE COLLECTING, IT WOULD BE A BETTER VALUE LIKE THE -- THAT FESTIVAL IS PERFECT FOR US. MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, I KNOW THERE ARE SOME EVENTS OUT THERE THAT DO THINGS ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. WE ARE ALREADY AT CAPACITY.

SO, I THINK THE BEST SERVICE OF OUR DOLLAR, OR THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY OF OUR DOLLAR, IS TO GIVE MORE POINTS TO THE

NONPEAK SIDE. >> CHRISTINA IS GOING TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF CLARIFICATION.

>> I THINK I CAN HELP KEEP THIS FROM BEING AN ISSUE.

AN ORGANIZATION LIKE THE MUSEUM THAT RECEIVES SPENDING AS A YEAR-ROUND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION, IS NOT IMPACTED BY THE SCORING FOR PEAK VERSUS NONPEAK.

WOULD ONLY BE TALKING ABOUT HIS ANNUAL ONE-TIME SPECIAL EVENTS.

SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BRING IN A BIG MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND I HAVE TO SAY, I AGREE WITH THE IDEA THAT HAVING THAT COME IN ON A BIG HOLIDAY WEEKEND, IS NOT, WE ARE ALREADY FILLED.

THAT IS THE HOLIDAY BEHIND THE EVENTS DURING PEAK PERIODS.

BUT THE LINCOLNVILLE MUSEUM, THE LIGHTHOUSE, THEY'RE NOT IMPACTED BY PEAK VERSUS NONPEAK BECAUSE THEY PUT IN A

PROGRAMMING 365 DAYS A YEAR. >> AND THAT'S, THAT WAS MY INTENT. I WAS LOOKING TO IMPACT ANYONE ELSE. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE EVENTS

THAT CAN BE ADJUSTED. >> MR. CHAIRMAN.

IT IS TO TALK ABOUT WHAT TROY WAS.

WE BROUGHT THIS UP BEFORE. YOU KNOW, THERE IS A FINITE AMOUNT OF FUNDS AVAILABLE, AND TO MAKE SURE WE ARE FOCUSING THOSE IN NEED TIME I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT TAKES YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU ARE THINKING TWO OR THREE YEARS, WE START PLANNING THINGS. I AM IN AGREEMENT ON THAT.

THANK YOU. >> OTHER COMMENTS, DISCUSSION?

>> MR. CHAIR? MAY I -- WE NEED A MOTION TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATION THAT TROY HAS MADE.

>> I THINK WHEN YOU GUYS MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE HIM, YOU CAN EITHER CHOOSE TO INCLUDE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OR YOU CAN CHOOSE TO EXCLUDE THEM. I DON'T THAT WE NEED A SEPARATE

MOTION FOR THEM. >> I WILL MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION. IF IT FAILS WE CAN MOVE FORWARD

WITH THE OTHER ONE. >> MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION, I

ALSO. >> OKAY I MAKE THE MOTION, WITH THE AMENDED MARKETING BEING 25 PERCENT AND NONPEAK BEING 10

[12. COUNTY TOURISM PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT UPDATE]

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? WILL MOTION CARRIES.

>> THANK YOU. >> DOWN TO NUMBER 12?

>> WE ARE DOWN TO NUMBER 12. NUMBER 12.

I WAS JUST GOING TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE OF WHERE WE STAND WITH COUNTY TOOLS AND PROMOTIONAL CONTACTS.

AS WE DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY, THE TDC MEETING, WE'RE GOING TO

[00:35:01]

WE ARE CURRENTLY, WE HAVE GONE UP FROM GROUT FOR SINGLE SOURCE, THE COUNTY STILL HAS TO ADVERTISE THE SCOPE OF WORK, AND GIVEN OPPORTUNITY FOR THERE TO BE INPUT FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHO FEEL THAT THEY COULD PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES. WE'VE DONE THAT PROCESS FOR THE COUNCIL AND THE VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU CONTRACTS.

WE MOVING FORWARD WORKING WITH WHERE I'M WORKING FORWARD WORKING WITH THE CULTURAL COUNSEL FOR SCOPE OF WORK AND SINGLE SOURCE. I'M STILL WORKING WITH PURCHASING ON MOVING FORWARD OR POTENTIALLY MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT SINGLE SOURCE FOR THE BCB CONTRACT AND ACCOUNTING IS IN THE PROCESS OF THE RFP EVALUATION FOR THE MARKETING CONTRACT. WE HAVE THOSE PIECES MOVING FORWARD AS WE HAVE SHARED, I DON'T HAVE ANY GROUNDBREAKING UPDATES AT THIS MOMENT. BUT I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW WE MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? I HAVE ONE.

ARE THERE DEADLINES? SELF-IMPOSED OF COURSE, BUT ARE THERE DEADLINES FOR THESE TWO ACTIVITIES TO BE COMPLETED?

>> SEPTEMBER 30, 2023. THAT'S WHEN ALL OF OUR CONTRACTS EXPIRE. SO, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE AND EFFECTIVE FOR TRANSITION ON OCTOBER 1. BECAUSE THAT'S OUR DYLAN, OBVIOUSLY, IN OUR DISCUSSIONS AND THE TIMELINE FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH THESE DIFFERENT PATHS, THE IDEA WAS THAT WE WOULD MAKE SURE WE HAD EVERYTHING SQUARED AWAY WITH AT THE TIME, WHATEVER ADEQUATE IS, EVERYONE FEELS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY, BUT AT LEAST 30, 60, 90 DAYS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30.

SAID IF THERE WERE ANY TIPS OR TRANSITIONS OR CHANGES, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYBODY KIND OF STRAGGLING OUT THERE AND NOT KNOWING EITHER WHERE THEY WERE GOING AND WHAT THEY WERE DOING

OR SEEING ANY LAPSE IN SERVICE. >> THANK YOU.

>> SEPTEMBER 30 IS OUR ACTUAL DEADLINE.

>> THAT TIMELINE REALLY IS NOT SELF-IMPOSED.

>> NO, BUT I THINK THE SELF-IMPOSED DEADLINE WAS, WE START ALL OF THE STUFF BEFORE THE END OF THE LAST CALENDAR YEAR. SO, WE TOOK STEPS TO GO THROUGH THIS AND ALL THREE WILL MOVE FORWARD ON A DIFFERENT TIMELINE AND THE HOPE IS THAT WE WERE GOING TO COMPLETE THAT AS QUICKLY AS WE REASONABLY COULD IN THIS CALENDAR YEAR.

SO, EVEN IF WE FINISH SOMETHING UP SIX MONTHS IN ADVANCE, IT SEEMS A LITTLE BIT LIKE MAYBE, SIX MONTHS IS A LONG TIME BUT I CAN TELL YOU IN EVERY PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE, THEY WOULD MUCH

[13. MONTHLY REPORTS PROVIDED IN PACKETS]

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, WE CAN MOVE ON. NUMBER 13.

>> SO, NO MOTHER REPORTS THIS MONTH, YOU ALL HAVE THE MONTHLY REPORTS IN YOUR BINDER. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO FLIP THROUGH THEM, AND YOU CAN LOOK AND SEE WHERE WE ARE WITH TAX QUESTIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR. YOU HAVE HERE IN THE POWERPOINT, WE HAVE SOME SLIDES FOR THE CULTURAL COUNSEL THAT CHRISTINE WILL PRESENT, WE ALSO HAVE THE SLIDES FROM THE VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU. I'M GOING TO TURN THE REMOTE CONTROL OVER. [INAUDIBLE] KNEW I WOULD HAVE BEEN DOING AND THINGS WE'VE UPCOMING.

BECAUSE WE HAVE GRANT GUIDANCE TODAY, OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING, IS ON EVERYBODY'S RADAR, AND I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT IS COMING UP BECAUSE WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE ALL OF YOU AT SOME OF THE DIFFERENT TDC FUNDED EVENTS, AND AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION, YOU'LL SEE CONTACT INFORMATION, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU ON THE BEST WAY FOR US TO KEEP YOU INFORMED. WE DO NOT SEE YOU EVERY MONTH, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET REMINDERS FROM US ABOUT THE EVENTS THAT ARE COMING UP, WHAT INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE, TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO ATTEND

[00:40:03]

I WILL GO THROUGH SOME OF THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED SINCE OUR LAST MEETING, ALL OF THESE ARE FUNDED WITH TDC DOLLARS.N NOVEMBER, HE BROUGHT AN EVENT CALLED WHISKEY WINE AND WHILE THERE, THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH FROM SATURDAY AT THE EVENT.

IT IS IN A SLOWER TIME OF YEAR AND FORTUNATELY, ALL THE HOTELS ON THE BEACH WERE FULL, THINKS THIS EVENT.

IT WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR, IF A BIG CHALLENGE, THAT WAS COMMONLY PLANNED AND THINKING THE NEW HEIGHT WOULD BE OPEN WITH A LOT OF SPACE. FOR THE GUESTS AND FOR THE ACTIVITIES THAT DID NOT HAPPEN, BUT IT WILL BE OPEN NEXT NOVEMBER. WE ARE EXCITED THAT THIS WAS SUCCESSFUL AND WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR.

THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS OF THE CULTURAL COUNSEL DOES, ART AND PUBLIC SPACES EXHIBITION, ANCHORED TO THE SLIDE AND I WANTED TO ENCOURAGE YOU, IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN UPSTAIRS TO SEE ALL OF THIS, EXHIBITION HERE IN THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, IS A REALLY BEAUTIFUL SHOWCASE OF SOME OF THE GREATEST NATURAL LANDSCAPES AND ARCHITECTURE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. WE DO THOSE THREE OR FOUR TIMES A YEAR AND LOTS OF RESIDENTS COME TO SEE IT BUT WE DID THE VISITORS WHO ATTEND ALSO. VERY SMALL INVESTMENT FINANCIALLY IN THESE EXHIBITIONS.

? ANOTHER EVENT THAT WE'VE WORKED ON THIS YEAR, THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF AN EVENT THAT HAS GONE ON FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT WE STEPPED IN AND PROVIDED SOME DIRECT SUPPORT TO A SMALL ORGANIZATION, THAT WAS STRUGGLING TO MANAGE THE GRANT, -- HERITAGE VESSEL.

THIS GOING ON FOR NUMBER OF YEARS.

OUT IN ARMSTRONG PARK. PART OF THE COUNTY THAT DOES NOT SEE A LOT OF ACTIVITY. IN THE PAST, I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATED, THAT THE MOST THEY WERE HAD IN ATTENDANCE WAS ABOUT 300, WE HAD ABOUT 2000 PEOPLE THIS YEAR. REALLY GREAT EVENT, PEOPLE TRAVELED FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE, INCLUDING A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WE TALKED TO HER SPECIFICALLY CAME FROM CANADA, JUST FOR THE EVENT BUT LOTS OF OTHER FOLKS IN OTHER STATES.

WE ARE REALLY STARTING TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER TO HELP THEM WITH THIS YEAR'S HERITAGE FESTIVAL.

TWO AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT MANAGING A NEW VENUE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WAS MUCH NEEDED, OUR LOCAL CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED FOR MANY YEARS AND FINDING PLACES TO HOST PERFORMANCES. WE LOTS OF QUALITY ORGANIZATIONS WHO NEEDED A PLACE THAT THEY COULD AFFORD, WORKING WITH THE STEVESTON AUGUSTINE, WE USED A WONDERFUL HISTORY VENUE CALLED THE WATERWORKS.

SOMETHING THAT WE ARE DOING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GAMBLE ROGERS FOLK FESTIVAL. WHETHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAS AN INCREDIBLE PRODUCT, JUST NEEDS A LITTLE SUPPORT, DELETE THEIR FESTIVAL TO WHAT IT SHOULD BE.

WE HAVE COLLABORATED WITH THEM TO DO MONTHLY CONCERT SERIES, TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE FESTIVAL.

AND WE HAVE HAD FIVE CONCERTS SO FAR, EVERYTHING ONE OF THEM HAS BEEN SOLD OUT. AND JUST AN INCREDIBLE AUDIENCE. PEOPLE TRAVELING FROM OVER THE PLACES AS WELL AS RESIDENTS. AND I WANTED TO SHARE IN THE NOT QUITE YEAR SINCE WE MOVED INTO THE WATERWORKS.

WE HAD THE FIRST EVENT OR TO THE LAST WEEK OF MARCH.

WE OFFICIALLY OPENED APRIL 1, MORE THAN 150 EVENTS IN THAT SPACE. AND, IT IS SNOWBALLING AS OF NOW, WE HAVE NO OPENINGS, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

UNTIL JUNE. SO, THERE IS A BIG NEED FOR THIS KIND OF FACILITY. HAVING PARKING, I THINK HAS ALSO HELPED TO MAKE IT MORE ATTRACTIVE.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING THAT WE DID WITH THE AGENCY THAT HANDLES OUR SOCIAL MEDIA OVER THE HOLIDAYS, THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST. AND, IT IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF A TACTIC REASON HELPED US INCREASE FOLLOWERS OF SOCIAL MEDIA BY MORE THAN 200 PERCENT. IN 2022.

THIS WAS FUN BECAUSE OF ALL THE ENGAGEMENT, AND GET A FEW GREAT PHOTOS TO ADD TO THE PHOTO LIBRARIES.

IN FACT, YOU WILL SEE THE PHOTO OF THE -- AND ADD RUNNING RIGHT NOW ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IN A FEW SLIDES.

WE ALSO WORK WITH AN AGENCY BASED IN CHARLESTON CALLED THE HAMMOND GROUP TO DO PUBLIC RELATIONS.

SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, REALLY STARTED TAPPING UP FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WHICH IS STARTING IN JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS. WE HAD REALLY GREAT SUCCESS WITH THAT. THE NUMBER, MANY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO SEEK TRAVEL AND LEISURE AND BEST LIFE AND SAW SAINT AUGUSTINE NAMED AS ONE OF THE 11 BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL IN FEBRUARY, BACK IN DECEMBER, THAT WAS OUT IN TRAVEL AND LEISURE AND BEST LIFE INCLUDED FORT ROSE WITHIN THINK IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND LEAST WELL-KNOWN OF OUR SITES.

IT WAS NAMED ONE OF THE 10 BEST HISTORICAL SITES IN THE UNITED STATES TO BE ON YOUR BUCKET LIST.

WE'RE DOING LOTS OF OTHER WORK TO PROMOTE ALL THE

[00:45:01]

AS OUR EVENT CALENDAR AND ITINERARIES.

THIS IS THE LOCAL ARTS AGENCY SITE.

ONE THING OF HEARD FROM YOU IN THE PAST IS THAT OUR RESIDENTS DO NOT KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THE DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON.

IN ANOTHER DOES NOT TAX RELATED OTHER THAN THAT THEY DO TELL THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WHO COME HERE, AND SO, THE LOCAL ARTS AGENCY SIDE, THAT IS FUNDED WITH GRANTS THAT WE GET FROM OUTSIDE THE COUNTY. WE GET NEA AND STATE OF FLORIDA GRANT THAT WE TOE RESIDENCE. WHEN WE HAVE DONE ON THE NEW WEBSITE, WE ADDED LINKS TO HISTORIC CULTURE SO PEOPLE WHO VISIT BACK, HAVE EASY ACCESS TO THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS, AND WE HAVE A NEWSLETTER THAT GOES OUT PRIMARILY TO RESIDENTS, ALSO TALKS ABOUT THE TDC EVENTS. WE HAVE ONE NEWSLETTER ON WEDNESDAYS, THAT SUBSCRIBERS ARE GENERALLY FROM OUT-OF-STATE. ONE OF FRIDAY'S FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS, ARE TELLING THE INFORMATION BASED ON HIS GETTING IT. IT WAS INTERESTING.

THE GERMANS SPOKE ABOUT FILM IN SAINT AUGUSTINE FILM FESTIVAL BECAUSE I DID WANT TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT EVENT.

IT DOES RECEIVE SUPPORT, IT IS TDC FUNDED AND GREG IS, THEY DO THAT TO THE FORT LAUDERDALE FILM FESTIVAL, AND GREG DOES A WONDERFUL JOB WITH IT. IT WAS A REALLY GOOD EVENT THIS YEAR AND CERTAINLY, HAS THE POTENTIAL TO GROW.

BUT I DID POINT A COUPLE THINGS OUT THAT HAPPENED.

BOTH FILMS THAT WERE DONE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE, THE FIRST WAS THE OPENING NIGHT PARTY THAT SOLD OUT FEATURING THE TDC CEMENTED SAMANTHA BROWN PLACES TO LOVE, SAINT AUGUSTINE.

IN THE FINAL FILM OF IT HAD THE BIGGEST ARTIST THEY'VE EVER HAD. A FILM CALLED DOA.

PRODUCED BY A LOCAL CINEMATOGRAPHER SCREENWRITER AND FEATURING LOCAL ACTORS FROM SEEING OTHERS IN THE HIM WITH 100 BOOKS AT LEWIS AUDITORIUM. I AGREE, THE FILM FESTIVAL IS A GREAT EVENT. I MENTIONED SAMANTHA BROWN'S PLACES TO LOVE. WE ARE SO EXCITED, YOU'VE HEARD US TALK ABOUT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

WE WORK WITH THEM TO BRING THEM TO SAINT AUGUSTINE AND THEN TO CURATE THE SHOW THAT WE HOPED WOULD REALLY SHOWCASE THIS DESTINATION AND INTRODUCE SOME PEOPLE TO SOME NEW THINGS ABOUT SAN AUGUSTINE, AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY, THAT THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE BEFORE. IT PREMIERED LOCALLY, THIS SATURDAY. AND LAST WEEK AND THIS WEEK IS SHOWING A MORE THAN 350 PBS STATIONS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SO PEOPLE EVERYWHERE ARE HEARING ABOUT IT AND I WAS INCOMPETENT AND ADDING A LINK SO TARA HELPED ME OUT.

I THINK SHE HAS SOMETHING TEED UP THAT CAN BE PLAYED WITHOUT ME HAVING TO RUN THE CONTROLS. THIS IS JUST A ONE MINUTE REEL

FROM THE SHOW. >> I'M IN A CITY.

[INAUDIBLE] [VIDEO]

>> AND YOU CAN STOP NOW.I THINK THE REST OF THIS IS JUST THEIR CREDITS. THANK YOU.

NOW THAT THIS IS AIRED ON PBS. IF YOU GO TO SAMANTHA BROWN WEBSITE, SAMANTHA BROWN'S PLACES TO LOVE, THERE'S A LINK TO WATCH THE WHOLE EPISODE. IT REALLY IS A GREAT EPISODE.

IT SHOWCASES THE WHOLE COUNTY ALL THE WAY UP TO THE -- NATURAL ESTUARY RESERVE. AND HAS THAT WONDERFUL FEEDBACK FROM THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN IT.NOTHER PROJECT THAT WE ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW, THAT IS FUNDED PROPERLY BY A GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST, IS CALLED WAVES OF CHANGE OF THE SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH HOTEL. THAT IS AT SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH AND IS AN EXHIBITION THAT CELEBRATES ALL THE HISTORY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH, BUT IS ALSO PARTICULARLY FOCUSED ON THE WAY IT HAPPENED THAT WAS CRITICAL TO THE PASSAGE OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT, THE PANELS HAVE BEEN REVIEWED BY CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH. THEY ARE IN PRODUCTION AND WILL BE INSTALLED, DEADLINE IS MARCH 31.

THEN WE STARTED TO PLAN IN APRIL OPENING EVENT AND WE ALSO, JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, KICKED OFF A $500,000 RESTORATION PROJECT ALSO FUNDED WITH A STATE GRANT, WITH LOCAL MONEY TO REPLACE THE ROOF INCOME WINDOWS AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE SECOND FLOOR OF THAT IMPORTANT OCEANFRONT

[00:50:06]

THERE IS AN ART STUDIO AND DANCE COMPANY ON THE GROUND FLOOR NOW. THE GOAL IS TO ADD SOME STUDIO SPACE AND MUSEUM SPACE ON THE SECOND FLOOR.

HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE UPCOMING AND ONGOING TDC EVENTS AND HOPE SOME OF YOU WILL FIND THE TIME TO ATTEND.

A DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, JUST FINISH AT THE WATERWORKS, BUT IS TRAVELING ON HAS GOT A LOT OF GREAT PUBLICITY.

OF COURSE, ARE WELL-KNOWN CELTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND A CONCERT SERIES DOES CONCERTS EVERY MONTH THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT LEWIS AUDITORIUM. I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL OF THESE, BUT THEY'RE ALL DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES, TO SEE YOUR TDC DOLLARS AT WORK. YOU HAVE SEEN ME UP HERE ALL THE TIME. I WANTED TO SAY THE FOLKS THAT ARE WORKING WITH US NOW AND HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH ALL OF THESE THINGS. BRANDON AND CAMERON ARE BOTH PART-TIME BUT BRENDA, WHO IS HERE TODAY, OUR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF GRANTS AND MINISTRATION HAS JUST BEEN WONDERFUL IN HELPING TO IMPROVE GRANT GOLLANCZ AND LAURA BALDWIN, HAS BEEN WITH US THREE YEARS, IS DOING A LOT OF WORK THAT HAS HELPED US REACH SO MANY MORE PEOPLE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBSITES. AS A CITIZEN THE CONTACT INFORMATION. I WON'T TAKE UP TIME DISCUSSING IT TODAY UNLESS YOU WANT TO, BUT PLEASE DO REACH OUT TO US IF YOU HAVE IDEAS HOW WE CAN BETTER KEEP YOU INFORMED ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING. HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE GETTING OUR NEWSLETTERS. IF NOT, LET US KNOW AND WE WILL ADD YOU TO THAT LIST. THINK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE THE WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING, AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

ANY QUESTIONS? >> I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION FOR CHRISTINE, PLEASE GET WITH ME ABOUT WAVES OF CHANGE AS WE TALKED ABOUT IT FROM ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

YOU CAN USE THAT FOOTAGE. >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

THE WAVES OF CHANGE HAS AN ONLINE EXHIBIT, AS WELL AS THE PANELS AT THE BEACH. ONE COOL THING ABOUT THE PANELS, EACH ONE HAS QR CODES THAT TAKE YOU TO ALL THE DIFFERENT MUSEUMS AROUND TOWN THAT CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY, AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.

THERE IS A SECTION ON THE LINCOLNVILLE MUSEUM, FORT -- AND THANKS TO GAIL BECAUSE SHE HELD HER SOME OF THE LANGUAGE ON THE PANELS. WE'LL HAVE AN ONLINE PAGE OF COLLECTIVE FOOTAGE FROM THE FILMS.

THANK YOU FOR THE REMINDER. >> PRESENTATION FROM SUSAN PHILLIPS, VISITOR AND CONVENTION BUREAU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. I AM SUSAN PHILLIPS WITH THE VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU. SO GOOD TO SEE ALL OF YOU HERE.

WELCOME, COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. IT IS AN EXCITING TIME TO BE AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY.OOK AT ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON. LOOK AT THE TOURS THAT ARE COMING IN. IT IS A GREAT YEAR AND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I'VE JUST TAKEN OVER AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF DCB. I'M LOOKING FOR THIS TO BE A NEW YEAR, YEAR OF CHANGE AND EMBRACING OPPORTUNITIES.

WANT TO GO THROUGH, IF I GO TO THE SLIDE HERE, WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN DECEMBER, IS FROM A LODGING PERSPECTIVE, LODGING IS DOING VERY WELL. WE ARE STANDING TO SEE A LITTLE SLOWDOWN. A LITTLE BIT OF SOFTNESS IN THE VACATION MARKET. STARTING OFF THAT WOMAN LOOKED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE TRAVEL REPORTS, LODGING IS STILL DOING WELL. WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR TO THE PANDEMIC, IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE THOSE DOUBLE DIGIT INCREASES.

BUT WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED AS WE KEEP COMING IN HERE EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. MOVING DOWN, IF WE LOOK AT, WHAT TO TELL YOU ABOUT A COUPLE OF THINGS.

I'LL SKIP OVER TO MAKE READING ROOM FOR SOME IMPORTANT THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW, IS A BRAND-NEW WEBSITE.

OUR WEBSITE HAS BEEN UPDATED. CURRENTLY GETTING ABOUT 1.8 MILLION VISITS A YEAR. WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THIS WEBSITE VERY ROBUST. IT WILL HAVE COME WE TALK ABOUT CULINARY, WE TALKED ABOUT MUSIC, WILL HAVE SECTIONS ON THE WEBSITE THAT GO VERY DEEP AND WE WILL SEE THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT SITE THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 13.

WE WILL LAUNCH THE NEW WEBSITE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1. WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. ONE OTHER THING HAPPENING, IT IS TIME FOR A NEW ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN.

WITH THE CURRENT ADVERTISING AGENCY IS WORKING ON A CAMPAIGN FOR US. WE WILL START FILMING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 6. AND WE HAVE A WONDERFUL CINEMATOGRAPHER, WHO

[00:55:05]

I'M HOPING THAT WILL COME BACK FROM THE MARCH MEETING WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE A LOT OF THIS WITH YOU AND SHOW YOU WHAT WE HAVE IN PLACE. A COUPLE OF THINGS ARE NOT ON THE SIDE THAT I WANT TO MENTION.

WE HAVE COPY FISCAL YEAR 2022 ANNUAL REPORT.

HOPE THAT YOU WILL TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

IT IS SOMEWHAT A LABOR OF LOVE, USED TO BE ABOUT 100 PAGES, 100 PAGES, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WE BROUGHT IT DOWN TO ABOUT 28 PAGES. IT'S A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION JUST SHOWS YOU WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE PAST YEAR.

WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED IS NOT JUST WITH US IT'S WITH EACH OF YOU IN THE ROOM, ALL THE SUPPORT WE GET FROM ACCOUNTING AND FROM THE DIFFERENT GOLLANCZ.

THE CITY GOVERNMENT AND ALSO WHAT WORK THAT WE DO TOGETHER AS WELL AS A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND WORKING WITH TARA AND HER TEAM. A LOT OF THE THINGS ARE GOING ON. SHE SHOULD ALSO SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD TRY TO OPEN CONTRACT REQUIRES US TO DO TOURS AND WORKSHOPS, WE HOLD THOSE FEBRUARY OF EACH YEAR.

A YEAR OR TWO AGO WE PARTNERED AND DECIDED WE WERE GOING TO DO THIS JOINTLY. HAVE THE TOURS AND ADVISOR WORKSHOP OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WILL YOU ASK THAT YOU RSVP.

ONE ON TUESDAY EXCUSE ME THURSDAY -- EXCUSE ME TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21. AT THE PONTE VEDRA LINEN CLUB.

WE'LL HAVE A SOLUTION FOLKS FROM THE PONTE VEDRA AREA ATTEND. THEN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, WE HAVE NOT THE HOMEWOOD SUITES ON KING STREET.

THESE ARE TWO HOUR SESSIONS FROM 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON UNTIL 4 O'CLOCK. AND AGAIN, WE WOULD REALLY LIKE IT IF ANY OR ALL OF YOU COULD ATTEND, OR PARTICIPATE.

WILL COME BACK TO THE MARCH MEETING AND SHARE RESULTS WITH YOU AND ALLOWS US TO GIVE YOU INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY, AS TO WHAT PROGRAMS AND PLANS THEY LIKE TO SEE, WHAT WE ARE DOING WELL, WHAT WE NEED TO IMPROVE UPON, AND HOW WE CAN DEVELOP A MARKETING PLAN FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

AND WITH THAT, I DO HAVE A VERY ABBREVIATED REPORT FOR YOU.

HOPE YOU LIKE THAT. WE COULD ALWAYS GO LONGER.

BUT NEVERTHELESS, I'M REALLY HAPPY TO BE HERE AND I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT FROM ALL OF YOU.

I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU. >> CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR

PROMOTION. >> THANK YOU.

>> COULD TAKE A MOMENT, MR. CHAIR? SHARE A COUPLE OF THINGS? I ALWAYS LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND I KNOW THAT SOME OF YOU, I KNOW VERY WELL.

SOME I DON'T KNOW VERY WELL. I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL OF YOU AND VICE VERSA AND THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD.

AT THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO GIVE YOU MY THOUGHTS MOVING FORWARD, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN HERE FIVE YEARS, I'VE BEEN IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM I WAS SAYING OVER 30 IS BUT I REALIZE THIS MORNING I NEED TO START SAYING 40 YEARS.

DON'T START ADDING DON'T TRY TO FIGURE HOLDER AND BUT IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME AND HAVE ENJOYED AND HAVE A LOT OF BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE THAT I BRING TO THE TABLE.

I DO LOOK AT THIS YEAR AS A TAKEOVER, AS BEING A NEW YEAR FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT KIND OF MY MANTRA IS THAT WE WILL FOCUS ON CONTINUING TO BRING IN TRAVELERS WHO ARE HIGH SPENDING.

WE WILL STAY LONGER PERIODS OF TIME, WE ARE TRYING TO REACH OUT AND DO A BETTER JOB BUT I WANT THIS YEAR TO BE A YEAR OF MORE COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION.

I AM AN OPEN BOOK. I DON'T HAVE ANY AGENDAS OR ANYTHING ELSE. YOU GUYS CAN REACH OUT TO ME AT ANY TIME. I'M ARE RECEPTIVE, LET'S LISTEN MORE THAN I TALK. BECAUSE WE CAN ALL GET NEW IDEAS FROM FOLKS IF WE LISTEN TO THEM.

AND I'M VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO AND EMBRACING WORKING WITH TARA AND HER TEAM. TARA HAS LOVE EXPERIENCE AND BRINGS THE TABLE AND INITIATES A DIFFERENT WAY OF LOOKING AT

[14. MEMBER COMMENTS]

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR SUSAN? MEMBER COMMENTS.

ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS TO SHARE?

>> I DO HAVE ONE COMMENT I WANTED TO THANK THE TDC AND ESPECIALLY, TARA FOR ASSISTANCE DURING NIGHTS OF LIGHT, AFTER TROPICAL STORM NICOLE. THE CITY WAS VERY CLOSE TO

[01:00:02]

SO, WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THE EFFORT THAT THE CITY WAS ABLE, CITY WORKERS WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH, AND I THINK IT IS A STORY THAT HAS NOT BEEN WIDELY KNOWN.

IT WAS A LOT. TO GET EVERYTHING GOING AND IT WORKED OUT FINE. THEY HAD TO USE A GENERATOR THE NIGHT, THE KNIGHTS OF LIGHT BUT I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMFORTABLY TARA, EVEN IF IT WAS A SHOULDER TO CRY ON, AND

MORAL SUPPORT, THANK YOU. >> IF I COULD JUST ADD TO THAT.

JUST WHAT WE ENDED UP DOING, THE MAYOR GIVE ME A CALL AND SHARED WITH ME, THE, THE CHALLENGES THAT WERE THERE AND SO, WE DID SHIFT A LITTLE BIT OF ADDITIONAL MONEY OVER TO THE CITY FOR THIS YEAR IS KNIGHTS OF LIGHTS, SO THEY COULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE OUTLETS AND THE ADDITIONAL STAFF TIME, IN ORDER TO GET EVERYTHING BACK UP AND RUNNING FOR THE KICKOFF

OF KNIGHTS OF LIGHTS. >> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.

I DID NOT KNOW THAT. THAT PROBABLY HAS NOT BEEN SHARED OR PROMOTED WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.

EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ANNUAL TOURISM INFLUX, IF YOU WILL.

AND SO, THANK YOU TARA, AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.

OTHER COMMENTS? >> AND I JUST WANT TO REITERATE, WE THANK YOU, WE HAVE THE BAYFRONT HOTELS AND WE KNOW THE CHALLENGES. YOU GUYS WERE CREATIVE, AND ACTED IN A VERY BUSINESSLIKE SITUATION.

OUR OWNERSHIP WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AND IT WAS GREATLY APPRECIATED WHAT YOU WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF.

THAT GOES TO THE CITY AND TARA. AND THE STAFF AT THE CITY, IF YOU GUYS DIDN'T SEE IT, THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND THEY WERE THERE UNTIL MIDNIGHT AND WORKING AND THEY JUST

CRUSHED IT. >> JUST ONE MORE THING.

JOE, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU.

THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS YOUR VICE CHAIR AND CHAIR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO THE COUNCIL.

RANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

[15. NEXT MEETING DATE – March 20th]

>> ANY OTHER MEMBER COMMENTS? TARA, DO YOU WANT TO MENTION

NEXT MEETING OR?>> NEXT MEETING --

>> RETRACTIONS?

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.