Oct 16, 2023 Tourist Development Council

[Items 1 - 3 ]

[00:00:28]

AFTERNOON. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR OCTOBER 16. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPEB LICK FOR WHICH WE STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

[4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

>>MICHAEL GORDON: DO A ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

>>SARAH ARNOLD: PRESENT. >>SAMUEL TROY BLEVINS: HERE COX

COX HERE. >>MICHAEL GORDON: HERE KATZ KATZ

HERE. >> GAIL PHILLIPS WILL HAD BEEN ACCIDENT ZAMBRANO SD

. >>MICHAEL GORDON: THANK YOU.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA. >> MR. CHAIRMAN. >>MICHAEL GORD

APPROVAL OF AGENDA. >> MR. CHAIRMAN.

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TWO ITEMS TO THE AGENDA, IF I MAY.

>>MICHAEL GORDON: ALL RIGHT. >> FIRST ITEM WOULD BE THE ROLE

OF THE TDC. >> ROLE.

R-O-L-E. AND THE SECOND WOULD BE RESERVES. AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS BOTH OF THOSE PRIOR TO THE CURRENT ITEMS THAT ARE NUMBER 7 AND

NUMBER 8. >> OKAY, SO AS A WAVE OPERATION, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO JUST ADD AGENDA ITEMS BECAUSE THINGS HAVE TO BE PUBLICLY NOTICED AND PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON TOPICS SUCH AS THAT.

WE DO HAVE ONE THING THOUGH THAT BE DO NEED TO ADD TODAY AND IT WAS WHAT WAS DISCUSSED LAST TIME AS PART OF PUBLIC COMMENT.

WE HAD A FRUCH FOLKS COME AND REQUEST THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND SPEAK ON THE ZORA NE NEAL HURSTON.

I DID NOT PUT IT ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE I REALIZED I DIDN'T HAVE THEIR CONTRACT INFORMATION AND ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT THEY WOULD BE HERE. THEY ARE IN THE AUDIENCE AND ADD THEM AT 7-A. THOSE OTHER ITEMS, IRVING, I CAN PUT THEM ON A FUTURE AGENDA AND WE CAN HAVE TO SOME EXTENT SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THEM AS FAR AS MEMBER COMMENT IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE.

IF WE ARE DISCUSSING MEANINGFUL THINGS LIKE ROLES OF TDCS AND I GUESS POLICIES AND RESERVES, WHATEVER THAT IS IS, THAT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT WILL NEED TO BE PUBLICLY NOTICED FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND PARTICIPATE IN THAT DISCUSSION.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR LEGAL. >>MICHAEL GORDON: IRVING, SOMETHING THAT CAN COME UNDER MEMBER COMMENTS?

>> IT WOULD MAKE A LOT MORE SENSE.

THERE ARE TWO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA TODAY.

AND I BELIEVE IT WILL BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF THIS BOARD BOARD TO DISCUSS THOSE ITEMS WITHOUT FIRST DISCUSSING RESERVES AND THE SECOND ITEM IS -- I THINK WE NEED TO DISCUSS THE ROLE OF THE -- THIS BOARD WHEN IT RELATES TO THE MARKETING AND ADVISORY. AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DISCUSS THAT AS A GROUP, BECAUSE WITHOUT THOSE DISCUSSIONS, THE ANSWERS THAT WE ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH MAY NOT BE AS WELL THOUGHT OUT AS THEY COULD BE.

SO WE CAN -- I AM HAPPY TO -- AS WE GET TO EACH OF THOSE AGENDA ITEMS, MAKE MY COMMENTS AT THAT TIME, IF THAT'S WHAT WE LEGALLY HAVE TO DO. BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE HERE A LONG TIME. AND NOTHING IS GOING -- IF I AM ONLY ONE VOTE, BUT I AM NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR ANYTHING IN A POSITIVE MANNER WITHOUT GOING IN-DEPTH DISCUSSING THOSE TWO SUBJECTS BECAUSE OF THE CRUX OF THOSE TWO AGENDA ITEMS.

>>MICHAEL GORDON: VERY GOOD, TROY?

>> MY QUESTION IS, AS LONG AS WE DON'T TAKE ACTION ITEMS ON IT, I THOUGHT WE COULD ADD IT TO THE AGENDA.

AM I WRONG IN THAT -- AND THAT IS THE REASON WHY I AM ASKING LEGAL THAT QUESTION. AS LONG AS -- IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE ANY OF HIS WERE ACTION ITEMS. SO AS LONG AS WE DON'T TAKE ACTION ITEMS, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULDN'T BE ADD IT TO THE AGENDA.

[00:05:03]

>> WELL, BASED OFF OF WHAT MR. KASS STATED, IT RELATES TO ITEMS THAT WOULD REQUIRE SOME FORM OF ACTION.

AND SO IN THE -- AND THE PURPOSE OF HAVING AN AGENDA SO IT GIVES STAFF, AS WELL AS EVERYONE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS GOING ON SO THEY CAN BE PREPARED FOR THE MEETING.

SO THAT'S WHY IT IS -- THAT'S WHY IT NEEDS TO BE AN AGENDA IT ITEM.

>> I WILL HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION ON THAT.

WE BASICALLY HAVE NO POWER OVER OUR OWN AGENDA? BECAUSE WE DON'T SEE WHAT WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA UNTIL IT

ACTUALLY COMES UP. >> SO THE WAY THAT THIS WORKS, IN THIS MEET GOING YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING TO A FUTURE AGENDA MUCH LIKE THE SING OUT LOUD DISCUSSIONS WAS BROUGHT UP BY, I THINK, IRVING IN JUNE AND JULY OF HAVING A DISCUSSION OF THAT AT A FUTURE MEETING AND THAT IS PART OF MEMBER COMMENTS.

WE ARE LOOKING TO HAVE A DISCUSSION OF SOMETHING AT THE LAST MEETING, WE CAN VET THAT UP.

>> I ASKED FOR RESERVES THREE MONTHS AGO.

AND IT IS STILL YET ON THIS AGENDA.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> YOU ASKED FOR RESERVES?

>> I ASKED FOR A POLICY OF HOW WE ARE HANDLING RESERVES THREE MONTHS AGO, WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE GOING TO DO A PERCENTAGE BUY, WHAT THE NUMBER IS. I DIDN'T GET THE RESERVE NUMBER UNTIL LAST MEETING OF WHAT WE HAD IN RESERVES.

SO, I MEAN, RESERVES IS A VERY IMPORTANT TO ITEM NUMBER 7 OF WHAT IS EVEN AVAILABLE AND WHERE WE WANT TO BE IN THE RESERVES.

SO I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A PROBLEM NOT BEING ABLE TO ADD

ITEMS TO THE AGENDA. >> AND THE OTHER ITEM I WAS GOING TO BRING WAS THE ROLE OF THE TDC WAS NOT ANYTHING ACCEPT BRINGING THIS BOARD UP TO SPEED OF WHAT IS TRANSCRIBED THE LAST 15 YEARS AND GIVING A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON THAT TROY AND CHARLES CCOX AND MYSELF LIVED THROUGH BACK IN 2010.

AND UP TO SPEED. AND I THINK IT WILL BE HELPFUL FOR EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM TO BE FULLY COGNIZANT OF MEETINGS THAT HAPPENED WITH THE FIVE COMMISSIONERS AND WITH FORMER ADMINISTRATOR MIKE WINECHAT. AND ATTORNEY PATRICK MCCORMICK THAT I JUST BRING EVERYONE TO BE FULLY COGNIZANT BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT DON'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.

AND I JUST WANT TO BRING IT UP, BUT I AM NOT BRINGING ANYTHING UP THAT IS NOT THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED AT THIS MEETING OVER THE YEARS OR WAS DISCUSSED BY PRESIDENT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 12 -- WHAT WILL BE 14 YEARS AGO, TROY.

>> PROBABLY 2008-2009. EVEN FURTHER PACK THAN THAT.

>> SO I THINK, WITH IRVING, YOU WANT TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF A HISTORY LESSON OF AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 8 THE TOURISM DESIGNATION DISCUSSION. I THINK THAT IS FINE.

BASED ON MY UNDERSTANDING OF LEGAL'S OPINIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ADDING A LOT OF AGENDA ITEMS TO THE AGENDAS AT THE BE START OF THE MEETING.

THE WHOLE REASON WE HAVE TO NOTICE THOSE MEETINGS MULTIPLE DAYS IN ADVANCE FOR PEOPLE TO WHO ARE INTERESTED IN COME AND BE ENGAGED AND INVOLVED IN THE PUBLIC PROCESS.

WE WOULD DISCUSS RESERVES AS PART OF ITEM NUMBER 7.

LIKE I SAID, IF YOU WANT TO ADD YOUR COMMENTS TO NUMBER 8, I AM SURE THAT IS FINE. I THINK THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE

GETTING AT DISCUSSING ANYWAY. >> I THINK WITH ITEM NUMBER 7, AND THE RESERVES WHICH IS A -- ITEM NUMBER 7 IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE HAVE TAKEN UP IN QUITE SOME TIME.

AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE RESERVES AND BIG DISCUSSION.

THERE IS CONFUSION OR SOME PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HOW THE RESERVES WORK. I TONIGHT KNOW HOW WE CAN TACKLE 7 WITHOUT TRULY UNDERSTANDING HOW THE RESERVES WORK AND ON WHAT CONSISTENT TYPE OF BASIS THEY CAN WORK OR CAN BE USED.

>> I THINK IF WE GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION FOR NUMBER 7, I TRIED TO ADDRESS THAT STUFF. MY ATTEMPT WAS -- I KNOW I TALKED TO SOME OF THE TDC BOARD MEMBERS.

AND THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION. I ATTEMPTED TO EXPLAIN THAT AS WE GO THROUGH THAT. QUITE FRANKLY, UNLESS WE GO THROUGH THAT PRESENTATION, I CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO PUT TOGETHER TODAY TO GIVE RESERVES AND GIVE ANY NUMBERS.

I WILL HAVE TO USE THE SLIDES FROM THAT POWERPOINT ANYWAY.

THAT IS PART OF NOT ADDING ANYTHING THAT NEEDS DETAILS.

[00:10:03]

IF WE ARE LOOKING TO LOOK UP AND VET OUT NUMBERS AND THINGS, I DON'T HAVE ANY MATERIALS TO SHARE OTHER THAN WHAT I ALREADY

PUT TOGETHER FOR THAT MEETING. >> MR. CHAIRMAN? JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, LAST WEEK I DID SEND AN E-MAIL TO TARA TO LET HER KNOW I WAS GOING TO BRING UP RESERVES AT THIS MEETING. AND I AM FULLY PREPARED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION, BECAUSE I -- I HAVE SOME INFORMATION THAT I PULLED OUT OF THE PACKET FOR TODAY WHICH WILL HELP US UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE WITH RESERVES.

PAUSE I FOUND QUITE A BIT OF INFORMATION OF CONCERNS ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE. MY PERCEPTION IS, WE HAVE ABOUT $ .5 MILLION AVAILABLE IN RESERVES, NOT $8 MILLION.

AND I AM HAPPY TO DO THAT PRESENTATION.

AND THAT IS FROM GOING THROUGH THE PACKET.

AND READING BETWEEN THE LINES. >> MR. CHAIRMAN? I WOULD BE IN AGREEMENT WITH THIS TOO.

I LEARNED THAT THE $8 MILLION NUMBER THAT BASS THROWN OUT LAST WEEK OF RESERVES, WHICH SORT OF SHOCKED ME -- THERE SHOULD NEVER BE THAT MUCH IN RESERVE. AND IT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION IN THAT LIGHT THAT WE REMOVE ITEM 7 AND 8 FROM TODAY'S AGENDA SINCE WE CAN'T ADD ANY.

37 AND THEN WE PUT THE RESERVE CONVERSATION ON A FUTURE AGENDA BEFORE WE TACKLE THESE TWO ITE

ITEMS. >> AND I AM STILL CONFUSED ABOUT THE PROTOCOL. SO WE ARE UNDER THE SAME RULES AS BOCC. DOES THIS MEAN COMMISSIONERS

CAN'T ADD ITEMS? >> IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT COMMISSIONERS CANNOT ADD ITEM. THE CHAIR, I GUESS, ESSENTIALLY, IF BE LIKE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COULD ADD ITEMS; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT WHAT IS RECOMMENDED BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALLOW. IT IS A PUBLICLY NOTICED MEETING. SO WE WOULD LIKE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO BE ABLE TO COME AND MAKE THOSE COMMENTS. IF THEY DON'T HAVE THAT NOTICE,

THEN THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO SO. >> IF WE DON'T HAVE THE NOTICE, HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT IS ON THE AGENDA? HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO ADD ITEMS THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA WHEN IT DOESN'T SHOW? SO WE ARE AT THE MERCY OF

WHATEVER IS HERE. >> JUST ON THE POINT.

LET'S JUST TAKE THE RESERVES. NOT NECESSARILY THE TDC QUESTION. IF IRVING HAS A PRESENTATION, AND STAFF DOES NOT HAVE A RESPONSE TO IT OR HAVE THAT INFORMATION, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ADD THAT AND ACTUALLY HAVE A FULL CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT'S -- WHAT IS IN RESERVES, CORRECT? I MEAN, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO THAT. I DO THINK WE CAN ADD ITEMS THAT ARE -- OBVIOUSLY THAT WOULDN'T TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT IN THIS ONE, I THINK WE NEED A LOT MORE INFORMATION, AND I DO THINK IT NEEDS TO BE AN AGENDA ITEM ON THE NEXT -- ON THE NEXT MEETING TO TALK ABOUT THAT, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE AND WHAT THAT MEANS AND HOW MUCH -- HOW MUCH IS ACTUALLY IN RESE RESERVES.

>> I CAN TELL YOU, I -- ITEM NUMBER 7 CONCERNS ME.

BECAUSE I -- I LIKE THE PROJECT. I -- I AM FRIENDS WITH PEOPLE.

I WORKED WITH THIS PROJECT IN MY PAST.

I REALLY LIKE THE PROJECT, BUT I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO VOTE. AND I DON'T THINK IT WENT THROUGH A PROCESS THAT NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE TO VOTE THIS PROJECT. EVERYBODY ELSE WHO GOES THROUGH ANY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT THROUGH THE COUNTY IF YOU ARE WITH PARKS AND RECREATION OR YOU ARE WITH UTILITY WHO IS ACTUALLY ITS OWN ENTERPRISE FUND, THEY STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROCESS. AND WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE. SO I ACTUALLY CALLED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND SAID, HEY, I WOULD LIKE TO OBTAIN FROM THIS BECAUSE I TONIGHT WANT TO VOTE AGAINST THEM.

AND HE SAID, YOU CAN'T DO THAT. SO IT WILL ONLY FORCE ME TO VOTE NO AGAINST A PROJECT BECAUSE OF THE PROCESS.

AND THAT IS WHERE I AM REALLY STRUGGLING WITH THIS.

AND A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH HOW THE RESERVES ARE GOING TO BE MOVED FORWARD. A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO TO WHO IS RANKING THIS. I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A PROCESS TO HANDLE SOMETHING LIKE

[00:15:01]

THIS RIGHT NOW. >> SO THIS IS KIND OF A DISCUSSION FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7.

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7 IS ON HERE BECAUSE IT HAS NOW BEEN REFERRED PACK TO THE TDC BY THE ST. JOHNS BOARD OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THEY ARE ASKING THE TDC TO TAKE FURTHER CONSIDERATION. AN AGENDA ITEM THAT HAS A PRESENTATION THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT THAT GIVES THE HISTORY, WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND AN ATTEMPT ON MY PART TO ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS I RECEIVED FROM THE TDC BOARD MEMBERS.

THE HOLES THAT YOU POINTED OUT NEEDED INFORMATION ON.

AND THEN A DISCUSSION POINT -- POINT FOR DISCUSSON AND AT THAT POINT, YOU CAN VET OUT YOUR CONCERN FOR THE PROCESSES.

I THINK WE HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM TO HELP FILL IN SOME OF THE HOLES FROM THE LAST MEETING WHEN A RECOMMENDATION WAS SENT TO THE TDC AND THAT IS WHY IT IS BACK -- IT HAS NOW BEEN SENT BACK FROM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CERTAINLY AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION, YOU FEEL YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION OR FURTHER DISCUSS ANYTHING, YOU CAN NOT TAKE ANY ACTION TODAY AND PUT IT AS NEAR AGENDA ITEMS OR ANOTHER AGENDA IN THE FUTURE. BUT ARE -- I MEAN I HEAR THAT YOU HAVE CONCERNS, TROY, BUT THAT IS PART OF THAT AGENDA ITEM TO VET OUT WHAT THOSE CONCERNS ARE.

>> TROY? >> I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE TAKING ANY ACTION AGAINST IT. I DON'T WANT MY VOTE TO HURT THE PROJECT BECAUSE I THINK THEY WORKED VERY HARD AT WHERE THEY ARE AT. AND I WANT THEM TO HAVE A FAIR SHOT AT IT TOO. SO THERE IS THIS -- YOU KNOW, I REALLY -- WHERE IT SAYS WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION ON THAT.

AND UNFORTUNATELY I KNOW WHERE I AM AT RIGHT NOW WITH THE

INFORMATION I HAVE 234 HAND. >> AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD, UNTIL I UNDERSTAND THE RESERVES IN MY MIND FROM READING ALL THE DOCUMENTS, HAVING CONVERSATIONS, I DON'T THINK WE EVEN HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IN RESERVES TRULY WHEN WE UNDERSTAND THE NUMBERS

TO FUND THE PROJECT. >> SO THE AGENDA ITEM WE ARE ON IS ON RAY APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.

>> EXACTLY. >> AND -- AND IRVING ASKED TO ADD TO ITEMS TWO ITEMS, THOSE CAN BE ADDED TO ANOTHER AGENDA AT ANOTHER TIME OR HE CAN BRING THEM UP PRIOR TO THIS, BUT THERE IS A COMMENT ABOUT, CHARLES, ABOUT REMOVING POTENTIALLY REMOVING THAT. AT THIS POINT I NEED AN APPROVAL

OF THIS AGENDA. >> JUST AS A REMINDER, WE HAVE A REQUEST TO ADD THE DISCUSSION OF THE ZORA NEIL HURSTON STATUE.

>> I WOULD MOVE TO REMOVE ITEM NUMBER 7 FROM THE AGENDA.

AND BRING IT UP AT NEXT MEETING AFTER WE ADD DISCUSSION AT THE

LAST MEETING ABOUT RESERVES. >> I WILL SECOND THAT.

>>MICHAEL GORDON: IS THERE PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> SO I AM THINKING IS THAT -- YES, BUT YOU NEED A MOTION TO -- SO THERE NEEDS TO BE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT.

AND SECOND. AND THAT IS OUR COMPLETE.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE UP THE STATUE TODAY?

>> YES. >> DO YOU WANT TO REWORD THAT?

>> IT'S A TWO-PART MOTION. ONE IS AT THE NEXT MEETING, THAT WE GO THROUGH IN GREAT DETAIL OUR RESERVES AND OUR PROCEDURES ON RESERVES. SECOND MOTION OR ACTUALLY WE SHOULD VOTE ON THAT ONE FIRST, I GUESS.

>> I THINK WHAT WE DO IS -- I BELIEVE WE NEED AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING MOTION THAT GIVES US WHAT OUR AGENDA IS.

I THINK WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT GIVES US THE

AGENDA. >> I WOULD MOVE TO AT OUR NEXT SCHEDULED TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING TO ADD TO THE AGENDA AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION OF RESERVES.

AND MOVE ITEM NUMBER 7 FROM TODAY'S AGENDA TO THE NEXT TDC MEET MEETING.

>> I WILL SECOND IT. >> WHAT ABOUT THE STATUE? IT WAS ADDED TO THE AGENDA -- WHICH SHE ADDED TO THE AGENDA, WHICH WAS TO VOTE ON THE STATUE. IT HAS GOT TO BE IN THE MOTION.

>> OH, I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT. >> SDMRORA KNEEL HIGH

[00:20:04]

>> A THIRD PART TO YOUR MOTION, IRVING, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO ATTACH TO TODAY'S AGENDA AN AGENDA ITEM FOR POTENTIAL FUNDING FOR THE ZORA KN KNEEL HURSTON.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE FUNDING OF THE STATUTE.

>> FOR ITEM 7A. >> CAN YOU READ THAT BACK WHAT

THE ACTUAL -- >> THE MOTION IS TO ADD T THE ZOA NEIL NUSHGZHURSTON TO COME BACK AT A LATER MEETING TO REMOVE ITEM 7 FROM THE AGENDA AN TO COME BACK AT A LATER MEET BEING ITEM 7 AS WELL AS DISCUSSION REGARDING THE RESE RESERVES.

>> SOUNDS REASONABLE. IS.

>> SECOND. >> SOUTH FLORIDA PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> BEFORE YOU SPEAK, I NEED TO READ THIS.

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

EACH PERSON WILL BE PRO PROVIDED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND APPLY TO THE BOARD'S RULES OF DECORUM. COMMENTS WILL BE ADDRESSED TO THE BOARD AS A WHOLE AND NOT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER AND WILL NOT INCLUDE A DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD. NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE BOARD WITH PERSONAL AND PERTINENT OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR WITH BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR. MEMBERS FROM THE AUDIENCE SHALL REFRAIN FROM ANY DISRUPTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS OF APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF ANY COMMENTS. FINALLY, I WILL ASK THAT ANY SPEAKER THAT PRESENTS ANY OVERHEAD MATERIAL, PLEASE PRESENT THAT MATERIAL TO THE STAFF OF THE CLERK OF THE COURT TO BE ENTERED INTO PUBLIC RECORD.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS BENJAMIN PLATT, 913 SANDY BEACH FLORIDA, SAWING, FLORIDA. I AM ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS O TAG! AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7, THE MUCH DISCUSSED AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7. NOT TO MAKE THE AGENDA PROCESS EVEN MORE COMPLICATED, I MIGHT SUGGEST IF THIS IS A THING THAT CAN BE DONE SINCE TARA PREPARED A LOT OF INFORMATION OF THE RESERVE AND THE PROCESS THAT YOU KEEP THAT ITEM ON THE AGENDA BUT PERHAPS MAKE IT A NONVOTING ITEM WITH RESPECT TO THE FUNDING REQUEST WHICH MIGHT HELP ACCELERATE THE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TDC IN TERMS OF WHAT THE RESERVES ARE, HOW THEY CAN BE REUSED WHAT THE PROCESS IS FOR USING THOSE RESERVES.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, DIANE BRADLEY, PRESIDENT OF THE SAWING ART ASSOCIATION, ST. AUGUSTINE FLORIDA.

I'M HERE TODAY TO SIMPLY ASK THE TDC MEMBERS IF YOU WERE CONSIDERING EXPANDING USE OF THE TDC FUNDING, BED TAX FUNDING, THAT YOU GIVE US KIND OF AN EQUAL PLAYING FIELD THAT ALL OF THE NONPROFITS IN THE COUNTY AND IN THE AREA CAN APPLY FOR THESE FUNDS. WE -- A LOT OF US OWN BUILDINGS, FACILITIES THAT REQUIRE A LOT OF CAPITAL TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEM. SO WHILE WE HAVE APPLIED FOR FUNDINGS OVER THE YEARS FOR, YOU KNOW, MANY DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE ADVERTISING AND PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS, WE HAVE NEVER HAD THIS OPPORTUNITY BEFORE. SO I AM ASKING YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER INCLUDING ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION, THE LEITNER MUSEUM, THE ATHLETESER, THE LIGHTHOUSE, ALL OF HOUSE WHO REALLY SPEND THE MAJORITY OF OUR BUDGETS ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS DAVID BAGNER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LIGHTNER MUSEUM. ONE OF THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP TO ENRICH THE CULTURAL LIKE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COUNTY'S APPEAL AS A DESTINATION FOR VISITORS ALL OVER THE WORLD. 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MUSEUM AND THE 135TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR ICONIC ST. AUGUSTINE BUILDING.

HENRY FLAGLER'S HOTEL ALCAZAR. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, MAINTAINING PART OF FLORIDA'S HISTORY POSES RATHER COSTLY CHALLENGES.

WE HAVE A CURRENTLY $5 MILLION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO RAISE FUNDS

[00:25:02]

LIKE MY COLLEAGUES FROM OTHER NONPROFITS, I ENCOURAGE HOW TDC HOW FUNDING THE CAPITAL PROJECTS COULD BE DISTRIBUTED FAIRLY FOR ALL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> 24 IS JUST A PUBLIC REMINDER WE ARE ONLY DOING PUBLIC COMMENT

FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. >> TOM, CAN YOU CLICK THE

PROJECTOR ON, PLEASE. >> ALBERT SILAS, PRESIDENT OF MONAZA AND THE ALLIANCE THAT WILL BE BUILDING THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. I AM NOT HERE TO TALK OF CAPITAL BUDGETS BUT THE ANNUAL TDC BUDGET AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ARTS AND CULTURE SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS.

>> HOLD ON -- SO IF I MAY, ALBERT, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT NOT RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS AND IF YOU COME RIGHT BACK UP AT THAT MOMENT. WE WILL ABSOLUTELY INVITE YOU BACK. ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT IS HOPING TO GIVE AN AGENDA -- GIVE A COMMENT ON THE AGENDA APPROVAL AS IT HAS BEEN EITHER PRESENTED OR AMENDED HERE TODAY, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE ALL THE OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE NEXT GENERAL ITEMS PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA BUT AT THE MOMENT WE ARE SPECIFICALLY JUST LOOKING FOR COMMENTS ON THE AGENDA ITSELF.

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND AND WE NEED A ROLL CALL.

THAT PASSES. AND NOW TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES. >>MICHAEL GORDON: APPROVAL --

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE.

>> YOU DIDN'T CALL FOR CHANGES. >>MICHAEL GORDON: ALL IN FAVOR.

>> FROM WATCH WILLING THE VIDEO -- I WASN'T AT THE MEETING BUT WATCHING THE VIDEO AND THE COMMENTS RELATED TO TAG! IT APPEARS THAT IT ROOM SUPPORTED THE PEOPLE THERE BUT WEREN'T SURE THE CORRECT WAY OF LOOKING AT FUNDING AND I THINK

IT READS THE. >> BECAUSE I SECONDED IT.

I WANTED TO BE CLEAR OF WHAT I SECONDED.

I DIDN'T SECOND A RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD FOR FUNDING.

I SECONDED MOVING IT TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE DECISION. IT LOOKED LIKE WE WERE 7-0 IN APPROVAL OF THE FUNDING. AND I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE OTHER MEMBERS, BUT THE WAY I VOTED, MY INTENT WAS TO MOVE IT TO BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR FURTHER DIRECTION.

THE WAY IT IS WRITTEN TO ME, IT LOOKS LIKE WE RECOMMENDED FOR

FUNDING. >> AND I WATCHED THE VIDEO, AND I WATCHED IT AGAIN LAST NIGHT. AND THAT'S WHAT I GATHERED FROM THAT. THAT THIS BOARD COULDN'T DECIDE IF IT SHOULD BE A LOAN, IF IT SHOULD BE A FUNDING THING.

EVERYONE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS -- THAT IF THEY WERE NICE PEOPLE AND THAT THERE WAS SOME SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT.

BUT THEY WEREN'T SURE THIS WAS THE APPROPRIATE PLACE TO TAKE THE MONEY FROM OR NOT. AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE JUST MOVED IT UPSTAIRS WITHOUT REALLY DECIDING --

>> I AM GOING TO PAUSE THE DISCUSSION RIGHT HERE.

THERE IS A REQUEST FOR THE CLERK'S OFFICE TO GO BACK AND TO

[00:30:01]

>> THE ONLY WORD THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED IS "APPROVED." IT SAYS "TO APPROVE" FOR FUNDING.

>> WHAT WE WILL DO IS ASK THE CLERK TO GO BACK AND REVIEW THE

[6. PUBLIC COMMENT]

AND WE CAN LOOK AT IT AND HAVE A SECOND GO OF APPROVING THE MINUTES. DOES THAT SOUND FAIR -- I NEVER SEEN THIS MUCH DISCUSSION ON MEETING MINUTES.

I WILL HAVE THEM REDO THEM -- THAT SECTION AND RECONSIDER THEM AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING. THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE APPROVED

TODAY. >> OKAY.

>> WE ARE ON TO NUMBER 6. ANYBODY AGAINST ALBERT COMING UP

AND GIVING PUBLIC COMMENT NOW? >> NO.

>> THANK YOU, ALBERT. MY APOLOGIES.

I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING YOUR EXTRA STEPS.

>> YOU LOOK THINNER. >> THIS WAS FUN.

MAY I ALSO POINT OF OUT THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN THE MINUTES.

THE PUBLIC HAS NOT SEEN THE MINUTES FROM THIS.

THEY WERE NOT CONNECTED TO THE AG

AGENDA. >> THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

I WILL GO BACK AND LOOK. THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.

>> THIS SHOULD BE RELEVANT TO THE ROLE OF THE 234U8TDC AND REDUCTION OF CAPITAL ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

I WILL ASK TO YOU JUST REVIEW THESE NUMBERS AND SEE THAT SINCE 2012 -- FISCAL YEAR 2012 THE BED TAX COLLECTIONS MORE THAN DOUBLED, $238%. BOTH ACH AND MARKETING ARE LESS THAN THEY WERE BEFORE ON A PERCENTAGE BASIS.

ADMIN IS EXACTLY THE SAME PERCENT.

LEISURE AND REC LOOKS LIKE LESS PERCENTAGEWISE.

AND IF YOU CONSIDER THAT BEACHES WERE INCLUDED IN LNR BACK THEN.

IT PROBABLY INCREASED PERCENTAGE-WISE.

BUT LOOK AT ACH. IT HAS GONE FROM 24% TO 14%.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS AT LEAST DOUBLE WHAT IT WAS 12 YEARS AGO WE WERE UP 40% IN ACH BUT NOT EVEN KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION.

THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WAY THAT TDC HAS ALLOCATED THE SUPPORT FOR ARTS CULTURE AND HERITAGE AND CONSIDERATION THAT ARTS CULTURE AND HERITAGE IS A POTENTIAL LEVERAGE ITEM FOR TOURISM, A HIGH ATTRACTIVE ITEM FOR TOURISTS.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE GIVING IT MORE ATTENTION, NOT A LOT LESS ATTENTION. BEHAVIOR YOU DO WITH BALANCE SHEET OR INCOME STATEMENT, YOU NEED TO FIX THIS.

AND LOOK AT IT MORE SERIOUSLY. GIVE MORE TO THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, TO THE -- TO THE CULTURAL COUNCIL IN ITS ANNUAL BUDGET. AND ALSO THE -- THE CULTURAL COUNCIL SHOULD BE GETTING DIRECT FUNDS FROM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHICH YOU CAN'T CONTROL TO ADDRESS RESIDENTIAL ARTS AND CULTURE NEEDS. NOT JUST WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH TDC. GREAT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, BUT LOOK WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR EVERYTHING ELSE, EXCEPT ARTS AND CULTURE. KEEP THAT IN MIND AND I WILL KEEP REMINDING YOU. THANK YOU.

>>MICHAEL GORDON: THANK YOU. ANY MORE PUBLIC COMMENT?

THIS IS GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, TDC MEMBER.

MY NAME IS MICHAEL CORRIGAN. PRESIDENT AND CEO OF VISIT JACKSONVILLE. GREAT TO SEE YOU.

A FORMER CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND FORMER TDC MEMBER AND TDC CHAIR.

PEOPLE DON'T SAY THIS ENOUGH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE TOURISM INDUSTRY. TOURISM WOULD NOT PROSPER WITHOUT TDCS. I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.

I CAME TO SHARE AN UPDATE. I TRAVELED TO HON DONE WITH THE JAX USA DELEGATION. THE NEW MAYOR OF JACKSONVILLE MAYOR DEEGAN WENT ON THE DESTINATION AND STATED IN THE MEDIA ONE OF THE PRIMARY GOALS TO GET A DIRECT FLIGHT FROM LONDON TO JACKSONVILLE OR AT LEAST EUROPE TO JACKSONVILLE.

I COME TODAY TO TELL YOU TO PLEASE KEEP THAT ON YOUR RADAR SCREEN. A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT HAVE TO

[00:35:02]

THE LAST PIECE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE, MARKETING THOSE ROUTES. JACKSONVILLE, ST. JOHNS COUNTY, NASSAU, FLAGLER AND CLAY COUNTY WILL BENEFIT WITH THE FLIGHTS.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURIST DEVELOPMENT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

A FUND IN EXISTENCE FOR THE PAST DECADE CALLED THE AIRPORT MARKETING FUND HOUSED AT JAX USA, VISIT JACKSONVILLE AND OTHER CORPORATE ENTITIES PUT ONE IN THE PAST TO BE READY WHEN ONE OF THOSE GREAT MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES HAPPEN.

I WILL TELL YOU AS YOU PROGRESS NEXT BEAK, NEXT YEAR, NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS. PLEASE CONSIDER PUTTING MONEY INTO THAT FUND. FOR EXAMPLE, THE LAST MONEY PUT INTO THAT PARTICULAR EFFORT WAS $1 MILLION PUT IN BY THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE LOWER BREEZE AIRLINES OUT OF TOWN.

BREEZE AIRLINES WAS TRYING TO DESTINATIONS WITH NO DIRECT FLIGHTS. AND THAT IS THE KEY TO BRING TOURISTS FOR TOURISTS TO COME FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME AND MORE MONEY FOR DESTINATION. VISIT JACKSONVILLE, I SERVE AS ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THAT AIRPORT MARKETING COMMITTEE AND ALWAYS AVAILABLE. AND I WORK AT A DAILY BASIS WITH SUSAN PHILLIPS WHO RUNS YOUR DMO HERE AND SHE HELPS US AND APPRECIATE HER PARTNERSHIP. FOLLOWING THIS MEET GOING YOU WANT TO CONTACT ME, MIC MICHAEL@VISIT ISJACKSONVILLE OR I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> SHERRY PROVIDENCE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LIMELIGHT THEATRE, ST. AUGUSTINE.

I WANTED TO ECHO COMMENTS OF REQUESTS TO APPLY TO ADDITIONAL CAPITAL FUNDING. WE ARE IN OUR 3 2ND SEASON IN A BUILDING THAT NEEDS IMPROVEMENTS.

WE ARE TRYING TO EXPAND INTO A CONSERVATORY AND WE NEED TO MAKE OUR BUILDING COMPLETELY ADA COMPLIANT FOR SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THAT C COMING TO OUR EDUCATION PROGRAM.

WE ALSO HAVE NEED FOR ROOFING REPAIRS.

WE HAVE IDEAS FOR EXPANSION THAT BOO REALLY REQUIRE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. AND I JUST WANTED TO ASK IF WE COULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY IF THE TDC DOES OPEN THAT UP FOR OTHER PEOPLE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> HI OAR I AM CHRIS TINE THAT WITH THE ST. JOHNS CULTURAL COUNCIL.

LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION OF FUNDING FROM THE TDC FOR CULTURAL FACILITIES AND AFTER HEARING FROM SOME OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS, THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE DOZENS OF ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY THAT HAVE FACILITIES WHO HAVE SPOKEN TODAY, I WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT MANY COUNTIES AROUND THE STATE OF FLORIDA DO HAVE A CULTURAL FACILITIES GRANT PROGRAM THAT IS ADMINISTERED BY THEIR LOCAL ARTS AGENCY. WE WOULD BE THRILLED TO TAKE ON THAT PROJECT. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO MANAGE AND CAN PUT PUT A PROGRAM TOGETHER TO ION THE PLAYING FIELD TO HAVE OUR CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TO EQUAL ACCESS TO IT THE FUNDS THAT THE TDC AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THE NEED IS GREAT.

AE MR. STYLES DID SHOW YOU INFORMATION OF FUNDING.

[7. TAG! CHILDREN’S MUSEUM PRESENTATION]

HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE GO TO THE CULTURAL COUNCIL.

I BELIEVE IT SHOULD GO TO A GRANT FUND TO SUPPORT.

I WILL BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS ANY OF THAT WITH ANY OF YOU IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT MEETING.

>>MICHAEL GORDON: THANK YOU. ANY MORE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> AGENDA ITEM ITEM NUMBER 7. >> I BELIEVE THERE ARE SOME

[00:40:03]

>> I AM DIANA GORDON BALDWIN AND WE SPOKE TO THE BOARD LAST MONTH AND THANK YOU FOR PUTTING US ON A YOUR AGENDA AS AN ITEM FOR THIS MONTH. I KNOW YOU HAVE A PACKET FOR THE

SDMRORA KNEEL THURSTON STATUE. >> I WANTED TO COME BACK TO ASK

THAT WE CAN -- >> WHAT WAS SHARED LAST MONTH.

>> THE PACKET WITH THE STATUE AND THE -- AND THE BIOS.

>>THE SAME INFORMATION THAT I WILL SHARE WITH YOU ALL LAST MON MONTH.

>> I REMEMBER SEEING IT LAST MONTH WHEN IT WAS PRESENTED BUT I IT DIDN'T MAKE IT IN OUR PACKETS.

WE ARE FAMILIAR ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING BUT DON'T HAVE IT VISH

ALLEY RIGHT NOW. >> I CAN JUST GIVE YOU -- SINCE -- WE WILL JUST TALK ABOUT IT AND THEN PASS -- IF YOU NEED A PACKET AGAIN. WE CAN RESEND IT.

SO BASICALLY WHAT IT WAS IS THAT WE GOT THE APPROVAL.

THE APPROVAL CAME THROUGH SINCE THE LAST TIME WE WERE HERE FOR THE LINCOLN MUSEUM. THEY APPROVED FOR US TO PUT A STATUE AT THE LINCOLN MUSEUM. THEY CONSIDERED A GRANT TO GET THE STATUE DEVELOPED AND MADE AND ABLE TO PUT THE AREA, MUSEUM FOR THE LINCOLNVILLE. BUT WE CAN PROVIDE THAT PACKET TO YOU AGAIN. WE DIDN'T BRING A KEEP --

>> SHE IS GOING TO GET THIS TURNED ON.

>> OKAY. SHE IS GOING TO TURN IT ON.

>> HI, I AM TARA MASSEY. I WANT TO ADDS SINCE THERE IS A LITTLE CONFUSION FROM A LOT OF THINGS.

THIS IS NOT THE ACTUAL STATUE, FIRST OF ALL.

BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT. THAT WAS TURNED INTO THE CLERK LAST TIME. THIS IS JUST A SAMPLE OF ANOTHER STATUE. THIS IS WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE WITH OBVIOUSLY ZORA ZORA NEAL HURSSTON AND QUOTES ON THE SIDE AND THEY COULD BE VETTED AND YOU CAN LOOK AT IT YOURSELF. YOU COULD BE INVOLVED WITH THE QUOTES ON THE SIDE. YOU ARE MORE THAN IS WELCOME FOR THAT. THE FINAL STATEMENT -- THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU -- THAT I WOULD PERSONALLY WANT TO MAKE IS THIS IS AN UP-AND-COMING SCULPTOR, AFRICAN-AMERICAN FEMALE AND GIVING US A GREATLY REDUCED PRICE, COST OF THIS ALMOST -- ALMOST OUT OF POCKET, LIKE DOING

IT ALMOST PRO BONO. >> SO AS YOU SEE, THE STATUE IS UP THERE AND THAT IS THE LOCATION THAT THE LINCOLNVILLE MUSEUM HAS AGREED TO ALLOW US TO PUT IT THERE IF WE CAN GET THIS APPROVED FOR THE $75,000 GRANT TO GET IT CREATED.

AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE CREATION AND THE INSTALLATION OF

THIS STATUE. >>MICHAEL GORDON: I THINK WE ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION OF HOW WE HANDLE THE MONEY, WHERE IT IS AT. AND I AM A BIG PROPONENT OF THIS. IN FACT THE SHOW I DID -- MY WEBCAST LAST WEEK WAS ABOUT STETSON KENNEDY AND ZO ZORAZORA ZORA NEAL HURSTON AND THE WGA.

I JUST DID A SHOW LAST WEEK ABOUT HER, BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE SITUATION WITH WHERE WHERE HE TONIGHT KNOW THE PROCESS.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT IS THE RIGHT LOCATION.

I THINK SHE NEEDS TO BE HONORED. BUT I DON'T -- I DON'T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THE RESERVES. WE HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS UP HERE AS YOU CAN SEE. YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK I AM COMFORTABLE VOTING ON IT, EVEN THOUGH I AM IN FAVOR OF IT.

AND $75,000 IS A NUMBER I KNOW WE CAN HANDLE, BUT OUT OF POLICY, I COULDN'T VOTE FOR IT RIGHT NOW.

>> I HAVE TO SAY I AM IN THE SAME BOAT.

I AM ABSOLUTELY FOR THIS PROJECT.

I WISH WE HAD THE INFORMATION IN FRONT OF US THAT WE HAD LAST

[00:45:01]

RESERVES. >> I AGREE WITH -- WITH WHAT THEY SAID AS WELL. AND I WOULD JUST NEED A MOTION TO TABLE TO THE NEXT MEETING BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE RESERVES. WE WILL HAVE THAT DISCUSSION PROBABLY AHEAD OF THAT. AND THEN BE ABLE TO -- MAKE A DECISION BASED ON THAT FOR THIS PRO

PROJECT. >> SO I WILL MAKE THE MOTION TO

[8. TOURISM DESTINATION MARKETING DISCUSSION]

>> SECOND. >>MICHAEL GORDON: ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANYBODY AGAINST.

VERY GOOD. >> THANK.

>>MICHAEL GORDON: WE WILL TABLE THIS.

THANK YOU. >> ITEM NUMBER 8, TOURISM DESTINATION MARKETING DISCUSSION.

>> ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON.

IN YOUR AGENDA PACKETS THAT WERE SENT OUT LAST WEEK AND INCLUDED HERE IN YOUR BOOKS IS AN ACTION PLAN FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH THE TOURISM DESTINATION MARKETING PLAN.

SO WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO DO IS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RFP, THE SOLICITATION FOR A MARKETING AGENCY AS OUR CURRENT MARKETING AGENCY CONTRACT WITH THE VCB EXPIRED SEPTEMBER OR AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER. THE COUNTY WENT WITH TO EXTEND IT TO TAKE US TO IT THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.

LOOKING TO MOVE FORWARD, WE ARE ASKING THE TDC TO SELECT A WORKING GROUP. THE WORKING GROUP WILL INCLUDE FIVE INDUSTRY TAKE HOLDERS. AND THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MEET IN PERSON THROUGH THIS PROCESS WHICH WE ACTUALLY WERE THINKING WILL GO THROUGH THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR AND ALL HONESTLY UNTIL JANUARY. THE TDC BOARD MEMBERS CANNOT SERVE ON THIS WORKING TROUPE. IT CREATES CONFLICTS AND STAFF AND REPRESENTATIVES OF AN AGENCY THAT WISHES TO GIVE A RESPONDING PROPOSAL TO THAT RFP. ANY AGENCY WAS INTENDED TO PUT IN THE BID TO BE THE MARKETING GROUP WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKING GROUP.

THIS WORKING GROUP WILL DEVELOP A RECOMMENDATION OF SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE RFP THAT THE COUNTY WILL SOLICIT FOR THE TOURISM MARKETING SERVICES. THEY WILL DEVELOP A RECOMMENDATION FOR EVALUATION CRITERIA OF WHICH THE PROPOSAL WILL BE SCORED AGAINST. PROVIDES A RECOMMENDATION OF ENHANCING THE SOLICITATION SO THE COUNTY HAS GONE THROUGH THE RFP PROCESS AT TWO POINTS AT THIS POINT AND ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT CAME UP FROM THE INDUSTRY WAS USING DEMAND STAR MAY NOT BE FAR-REACHING ENOUGH AND ASK FOR THIS GROUP TO GET ADDITIONAL INPUT WHAT WE WILL DO IN ADDITION TO SOLICITING THROUGH DEMAND STAR. AND WORKING THROUGH A WORKING GROUP OF THREE INDIVIDUALS AND NO MORE THAN FIVE INDIVIDUALS PART OF THAT EVALUATION COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE RESPONDING RFP PROPOSALS. AND THEN ALSO LOOK FOR THIS GROUP TO SUGGEST EITHER A METHOD OR THAT CRITERIA FOR HOW WE WILL EVALUATE THE AWARDED BIDDER GOING FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE.

SO TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE DOING A GOOD JOB AND UPHOLDING THE REQUIREMENTS OF WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR.

SO IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE WORKING GROUP WILL -- KIND OF AS A MINIMUM, MEET TWO TIMES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

AND THEN MEET TWO TIMES IN JANUARY AS WELL.

AND THEN THEY WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION TO YOU ALL OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE REGULAR SCHEDULED FEBRUARY TDC MEETING.

JUST AS A REMINDER TO EVERYBODY, THE THIRD MONDAY IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY ARE BOTH FEDERAL HOLIDAYS.

WE MEET IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, WE DO NOT MEET ON THE THIRD MONDAY. WE ARE PROPOSING KIND OF -- THIS CAN BE DISCUSSED FURTHER ACCEPT ARE THELY -- AND FEBRUARY 5 WILL BE THE FUTURE TDC MEETING. THIS SLIDE FROM A COUPLE OF SLIDES AGO LOOKING THROUGH THIS DISCUSSION TO GET

[00:50:01]

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE DISCUSSED.

I BELIEVE IT WAS BACK IN AUGUST. AND A HANDFUL OF NAMES WERE THROWN OUT AT THIS TIME. I WILL BE HAPPY TO GO BACK THROUGH THOSE WITH YOU ALL IF YOU WOULD LIKE.

>> TARA, CAN YOU GO TO THE LAST SLIDE.

WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT THE MEETING DATE IN FEBRUARY.

I AM SORRY, I WAS READING SOMET

SOMETHING. >> I HAVE A LOT TO SAY ON THIS SUBJECT, BUT HE WILL LET OTHER PEOPLE SPEAK FIRST.

>>MICHAEL GORDON: LET ME LET THE MAYOR TO SPEAK.

>> SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE LIST THAT WAS PRESENTED WHEN YOU ASKED US THE FIRST TIME, EVEN THOUGH I THINK I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION IT WAS A DIFFERENT SORT OF COMMITTEE WHEN I OFFERED THE NAMES THAT I OFFERED ON THE LIST. IF YOU CAN GIVE US THE NAMES THAT ARE QUALIFIED. AND I AM ASSUMING YOU ARE GOING -- YOU ALREADY DISQUALIFIED A NUMBER OF THE NAMES.

AND THEN, TWO, IS THIS -- DOES THIS APPOINTMENT GO TO THE BCC?

>> IT DOES NOT. THIS IS -- SO WHAT THIS IS A WORKING GROUP. THIS BOARD WILL SELECT A WORKING GROUP OF FIVE PEOPLE. THE WORKING GROUP WILL THEN COME AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE TDC.

THE TDC WILL ACCEPT THAT RECOMMENDATION AND CAN MODIFY, BUT THAN THAT RECOMMENDATION CAN GO TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. IT IS A WORKING GROUP AND NOT

APPOINTED BY THE BCC. >>MICHAEL GORDON: YES.

>> LET ME JUST ASK ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE IRVING LAUNCHES.

I KNOW -- NOW I LOST MY THOUGHT. YOU ARE JUST ASKING FOR THREE TO FIVE NAMES RIGHT NOW. THAT IS ALL YOU ARE ASKING FOR?

>> WE ARE ASKING FOR FIVE. THE THREE TO FIVE WILL BE THE GROUP WHO ACTUALLY REVIEWS THE COMMITTEE AND HERE TODAY, WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS A SELECTION OF FIVE PEOPLE WHO WILL FORM THIS WORKING GROUP AND THIS WORKING GROUP WILL START TO MEET AS A GROUP, AND THEY ARE GOING TO DISCUSS THESE ITEMS

HERE. >> SO COULD YOU GIVE US THE NAMES OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE NOT DISQUALIFIED?

>> OKAY. THE ONES NOT DISQUALIFIED.

LET'S SEE, WE HAVE CHRISTINA PARISH-STONE WITH THE ST. JOHNS CULTURAL COUNCIL. KATHY FLEMING.

MELISSA WHISTLE WITH THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.

ROXANNE HORVATH, MAYOR OF ST. AUGUSTINE.

GABE WITH THE ST. JOHNS CULTURAL EVENTS.

VICE-MAYOR OF ST. AUGUSTINE. DAVE CHATTERTON, OLD TOWN TROLLEYS. CINDY STABLY.

TODD HICKEY WITH SAW GRASS MARRIOTT.

AND BOZART WITH BOZART FAMILY. AND PHIL MCDANIEL WITH THE ST.

AUGUSTINE DISTILLERY. AND I BELIEVE THAT IS ALL OF T THEM.

>> SO I ASSUME WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS FOCUS ON THAT LIST RIGHT NOW. IS THAT CORRECT?

>>MICHAEL GORDON: IS THAT WHAT THE ASK IS?

>> YOU CAN CERTAINLY EXPAND THAT LIST.

ONE OF THE THINGS I REQUESTED IS TO THROW OUT NAMES FOR CONSIDERATION BECAUSE WE WEREN'T GOING TO VOTE ON THIS DURING THAT MEETING AND SOMETHING TO START THAT DISCUSSION.

WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT LIMITED TO THAT LIST.

YOU CAN EXPAND THE LIST AND ONLY PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT THROWN OUT AS CONSIDERATION CAN SHALL ADDED TO CONSIDERATION.

>> SO WE ARE -- YOU ARE JUST ASKING FOR NOMINATIONS?

>> WELL, IDEALLY TODAY, WE WOULD GO AHEAD AND SELECT THEM.

IF WE DON'T FEEL WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT, THEN, YES, SOMETHING FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD AND NOMINATIONS FOR FURTHER

VETTING WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE. >> SO WE HAVE A LIST.

AND THE -- AND SORT OF SOUNDS LIKE YES AND NO.

ARE WE WAITING -- FOR IRVING TO WORK ON -- I AM JUST ASSUMING

THAT THIS -- >> I WAS GOING TO CALL UP

CHARLES FIRST ACTUALLY. >> THAT IS SAFER.

>> NOT NECESSARILY. >> I AM SENSING MAYBE THIS IS -- WHAT I WOULD FEEL WILL MAYBE THERE ARE THOSE HERE THAT ARE

[00:55:01]

SO I GUESS I WILL WAIT TO MAKE A NOMINATION.

>>MICHAEL GORDON: CHARLES? >> WELL, I HAVE GOT PLENTY TO SAY ABOUT THIS AS WELL. WE HAVE GOT AN ARTS AND CULTURAL BOARD, A VCB BOARD AND THE TDC BOARD AND CREATING ANOTHER BOARD TO DO WHAT THOSE ENTITIES ARE CHALLENGED TO DO.

AND WHY WE ARE DOING THIS, I GUESS, IS SO THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY CAN GET CONTROL OF THE ADVERTISING DOLLARS.

AND I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT AT ALL.

I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS ENTIRE DISCUSSION.

AND I AM CERTAINLY NOT IN FAVOR OF PROBABLY 90% OF THE PEOPLE ON THE LIST THAT YOU JUST READ AS FAR AS QUALIFICATIONS.

YOU HAVE ALSO CONVENIENTLY ELIMINATED PEOPLE FROM THE TDC BOARD AND THE VCB BOARD. HIGH RONCALLY LEFT CULTURAL COUNCIL. I THINK IF YOU ELIMINATE TWO, YOU ARE YOU HAVE TO ELIMINATE THEM ALL.

YOU ARE TAKING SOME OF THE BEST COUNTY IN THIS COUNTY AND REMOVING IT FROM YOUR POSSIBILITY OF SERVING ON THIS COMMITTEE AND THAT I DON'T THINK THERE SHOULD BE A COMMITTEE ANYWAY. THIS SYSTEM WE HAVE IS WORKING PRETTY WELL FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH IT 27, 28. EVERY OTHER COUNTY IN THE STATES OF FLORIDA USE AS VERY SIMILAR SYSTEM SOME VCB OR .

IT WORKS WELL. YOU HIRE A CONTRACTOR SO YOU CAN DEAL WITH ALL THE SUBS. I HEAR THIS IS A LEGAL SITUATION THAT YOU CAN CHALLENGE SIGNIFICANTLY AND OTHERWISE YOU ARE TELLING ME THAT ANY CONTRACTOR THAT THE COUNTY HIRES TO DO ANYTHING YOU HAVE TO HIRE THEIR SUBS TOO.

AND THAT IS NOT ACCURATE. I THINK GOING DOWN THIS ROAD IS -- I AM NOT ON BOARD WITH IT AT ALL.

I AM NOT ON BOARD WITH THE WAY IT IS STRUCTURED AND I THINK YOU WILL END UP WITH A VERY SUPPORT OUTCOME AT THE END.

I WILL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT, THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO I AM GOING TO SAY SOMETHING HERE.

SO WHAT WE ARE DOING IS -- THE COUNTY HAS A CONTRACT, AN EXISTING CONTRACTOR WITH THE VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU THAT EXPIRED AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

SEPTEMBER 30, IT EXPIRED. WE ARE MOVING FORWARD, AS WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS WITH TWO CONTRACTS NOW NOW REPLACE THOSE SERVICES.

WE NUT PLACE THE VCB CORE SERVICES CONTRACT WITH THE VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU, FIVE-YEAR SERVICE TO DO ALL THE SERVICES THEY DO INTERNALLY WITH THEIR STAFF.

ANYTHING FROM MANAGING SOCIAL MEDIA TO FAMILIARIZATION TRIPS.

THEY MAINTAIN A WEB SITE. THEY DO BLOCK BOOKINGS.

THEY WORK WITH CONVENTION SALES. ALL OF THAT STUFF.

THE CONVENTION -- VISITORS AND PREVENTION BOARDER HAS BEEN DOING, IS DOING. THEY HAVE A CONTRACT.

THE MARKETING PIECE WE ARE PURSUING AS A MARKETING CONTRACT. WE -- WE ALSO HAVE THE CULTURAL COUNCIL CONTRACTS. THIRD ONE HERE AND THAT IS THE CORE SERVICES CONTRACT AS WELL. WITH THE CULTURAL COUNCIL TO FOCUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS AND CULTURE RESOURCES IN THE AREA FOCUSING ON SPECIAL EVENTS AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS.

AND WE HAVE THAT FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT THAT IS IN PLACE.

WE REMOVED SFT MARKETING CONTRACT PIECE OR THE MARKETING PIECE FROM THE CULTURAL CONTRACT AND THE VCB CONTRACT.

REVIEWING THE CONTRACT FOR THESE MARKETING SERVICES.

IN ORDER TO HAVE A CONTRACT OF MULTIMILLIONS OF DOLLARS, THE COUNTY IS REQUIRED TO DO A PUBLIC SOLICITATION.

THE RFP PROCESS. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.

WE HAVE A SCOPE OF WORK AND WE ADVERTISE TO THE WORLD.

IF YOU WERE THINK WE ARE A QUALIFIED BIDDER.

TELL US WHAT IT COSTS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR US.

THAT IS THE RFP. THEN A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO SIT DOWN AND THEY INDEPENDENTLY EVALUATE THESE PROPOSALS SCORE THEM BASED ON A SET OF CRITERIA IN THE RFP.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT HERE. THIS WORKING GROUP.

WHAT THIS DOES, A GROUP OF INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE GOING TO COME TOGETHER AND THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU ALL INPUT ON WHAT THEY THINK THAT SCOPE OF WORK SHOULD THAT BE IS GOING TO BE SOLICITED AND GIVE YOU ALL INPUT ON WHAT YOU THINK THE EVALUATION CRITERIA SHOULD BE. THIS IS A GROUP THAT IS GOING TO EXIST FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

PROBABLY THROUGH FEBRUARY OF 2024.

THEY WILL MAKE THIS RECOMMENDATION TO THE TDC FOR

[01:00:01]

WHAT THEY THINK THE EVALUATION CRITERIA SHOULD BE.

WHO THEY THINK SHOULD BE EVALUATING THOSE -- THOSE BIDS.

AND SHARE WITH YOU ALL THAT WE HAVE -- WE ARE GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT WE HAVE TO PURSUE DEMAND STAR HOW THE COUNTY SOLICITS RFP AND SHARE RECOMMENDATIONS ON ENHANCEMENT OF THE PROCESS TO HOPEFULLY NOTIFY MORE MARKETING AGENCIES THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOPEFULLY HAVE A LARGER POOL OF RESPONDENTS. THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE THAT RECOMMENDATION TO THE TDC, AS WELL AS RECOMMENDATIONS HOW THEY FEEL THIS COMPANY SHOULD BE ON GOINGLY EVALUATED AND THEN THEY WILL GO AWAY. A WORKING GROUP THAT IS HERE TO GIVE THE TDC A RECOMMENDATION ON THESE THINGS ON THE SCREEN.

ANOTHER NOT GOING TO PERSIST IN PERPETUITY.

AND THE REASON WHY THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL VCB CANNOT SERVE ON THERE BECAUSE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH THE RFP PROCESS. THE CULTURAL CONTRACT CAN PARTICIPATE BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT BE A BIDDER ON THE PROCESS AND WILL NOT CREATE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BID ON THE RFP.

>> YOU SAID "WE" ABOUT 17 TIMES IN HERE.

WHO IS "WE?" WHO CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA?

>> SO IT IS THE COUNTY'S PROCESS.

IT IS NOT AN IDEA. THE COUNTY'S PROCESS OF HOW WE GO FORWARD WITH -- WITH ENTERING INTO CONTRACTS WITH SERVICE PROVI PROVIDERS.

>> AT WHOSE BEHEST? >> SORRY?

>> AT WHOSE BEHEST? >> IT IS NOT WE CAME UP WITH IT, CHARLES, OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

>> WELL YOU HAVE A BOARD HERE WHO TAKES TIME AND A VERY QUALIFIED GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT SHOULD BE COMING UP WITH THESE IDEAS. NOT "WE." WE HAVE DONE WRS-- RFPS ON THIS EXACT THING.

NOT LIKE WE JUST DECIDED TO DO AN ARF.

WE DO THE RFP THE ENTIRE TIME. I THINK THAT THE COUNTY CAME UP TO THIS OR YOU AS A "WE" MAYBE TO, I DON'T KNOW, NULLIFY THE VCB BUT I THINK THEY ARE DOING QUITE A GOOD JOB RIGHT NOW AND WE WILL BE REMISS TO REMOVE THAT AND PUT IT IN THE COUNTY'S

HAND. >> I WILL LOOK AT JULIE.

SHE WILL WOULD LIKE TO GIVE UPDATES ON COUNTY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AS FAR AS MOVING THIS FORWARD.

>>MICHAEL GORDON: BEFORE WE GET TO THAT.

I THINK THE HISTORY LESSON WOULD BE QUITE HELPFUL.

>> LET'S ALLOW HER TO -- YES, IT IS CONNECTED TO WHAT HE WAS TALK

ABOUT, I AM SORRY. >> SO ST. JOHNS COUNTY ALWAYS HAD A PURCHASING POLICY. ANYTHING THAT WAS ABOVE AS OF JULY OF 2022, ANYTHING ABOVE $250,000 IS A FORM OF SOLICITATION WHICH REQUIRES IT TO BE COMPETITIVELY BIDED WHICH MEANS IT MUST GO THROUGH THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PROCESS.

SO THAT -- THAT IS JUST COUNTY POLICY.

AND ANY CONTRACT THAT IS AWARDED OVER $ 50,000 GOES THROUGH THAT.

>> I AM NOT SAYING REMOVE THE RFP.

WE HAVE DONE IT FOR YEARS. THE YOU VCB PARTICIPATED IN IN THAT AND SUBMITTED TO THE WRSHGZFP PROCESS.

PEOPLE WOULD HAVE SUBMITTED AND IF THEY GOT IT OR NOT IS WHOEVER IS DECIDING THE RFP OUTCOME WHICH IS AN INDIVIDUAL COUNSELOR OR ONE OF THESE BOARDS AND IT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN THE TDC IN THAT RECORD. WE WILL CREATE YET ANOTHER BOARD WHICH IS PART OF THE RIDICULOUSNESS OF THIS WHOLE THING WHEN WE GOT THREE THAT EXISTS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF MAKING THESE DECISIONS.

AND I AM NOT SAYING DON'T GO TO RFP.

WE HAVE GONE TO RRFFPS THE WHOLE TIME WITH THE VCB.

I SAT ON THAT BOARD MAYBE 18 YEARS OR A LITTLE MORE THAN THAT AND SUBMITTED THOSE RFPS. WE GO AND WOULD HIRE THE MARKETING AGENT FROM THERE TO SUBMIT RFPS TO THE VCB.

BUT THIS IS ILL THOUGHT-OUT. >> JALISA, ON THE CONTRACTS, RFPS ARE INCLUDED WITH RENEWALS AS WELL?

>> IF THE CONTRACT INCLUDES A RENEWAL TERM, THAN IT IS JUST AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED OFF THE CONTRACT TERMS. A RENEWAL PROCESS WHERE A CONTRACT EXPIRING, WE WILL THEN

RESOLICIT THAT CONTRACT. >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME. >>MICHAEL GORDON: IRVING.

>> THER IS A WHOLE ANOTHER SUBJECT THAT IS BEING IGNORED

[01:05:02]

AND CHARLES COX AND MYSELF AND A DOZEN OTHER INDIVIDUALS SPENT ABOUT A YEAR WORKING WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL COUNTY COMMISSIONER MIKE WINECHECK AND PATRICK MCCORMICK.

AND THE ENTIRE GOAL OF THAT WAS TO REMOVE THE TDC MANAGEMENT IN THE MARKETING OF THE COUNTY FROM THE COUNTY AND MAKE IT INTO A PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. AND IT TOOK A GOOD YEAR OF HARD WORK AND UNDERSTANDING AND A LOT OF COMMISSION MEETINGS BUT WE BASICALLY -- GLEN HASTINGS WAS NO LONGER IN CHARGE OF MARKETING. WE FORMED THE VCB.

AND RICHARD GOLDMAN WAS HIRED TO RUN THE VCB.

TROY, DO YOU REMEMBER THIS? THE REASON IT WAS DONE IS BECAUSE THE COUNTY CAME TO THE REL REALIZATION THAT MARKETING TOURISM SHOULD BE DONE BY THE AGENCY AND NOT THE COUNTY. THE COUNTY HAS COME TO THE SAME RECOMMENDATION AFTER A YEAR WITH THE CULTURAL COUNCIL.

WE PULLED THE CULTURAL COUNCIL OUT OF THE COUNTY BECAUSE IT IS MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE AND MUCH MORE NIMBLE TO BE OUTSIDE FROM BEING MANAGED BY THE COUNTY THE PRESENTATION THAT WE HAVE HERE IS INEFFECTIVE. IT IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

AND PRECLUDES PROBABLY THE FIVE TO SEVEN MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY WHO ARE MARKETING EXPERTS TO BE INVOLVED.

ABOUT DEALING WITH 50,000 JOBS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND WE ARE TRYING TO BRING ALL IN BACK IN THE COUNTY.

I QUESTION THIS PROPOSAL. AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS HOW IT IS GOING TO BE. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

THE INDUSTRY WILL NOT TOLERATE IT.

IF WE GO DOWN THE ROAD, GUESS WHAT IS GOING TO HARE.

YOU WILL HAVE 1,000 PEOPLE IN HERE WHEN IT IS PRESENTED AND EVERYONE IS GOING TO VOTE AGAINST IT.

WE ARE GOING TO WASTE FOUR MONTHS AND WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WHERE WE WERE. THIS IS BEING RAMMED DOWN THE THROATS OF THE TDC AND INEFFECTIVE AND A MISTAKE.

WE ARE GOING AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE COMMISSION ON HOW THEY WANTED IT MANAGED AND JUST UNACCEPTABLE.

TO ME A HARD NO. AND I JUST CAN'T EVEN SEE WORRYING ABOUT WHO WE ARE GOING TO PUT ON IT.

BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO GET US COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE.

I HAVE HEARD THE PLANS FOR THREE YEARS.

AND I STILL CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT COULD WORK EFFECTIVELY.

I HAVE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR 45 YEARS.

I HAVE REPOSITIONED AND BOUGHT MULTIMILLION DOLLAR PROPERTIES.

I UNDERSTAND A LOT ABOUT THIS BUSINESS.

I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS IN TOWN WHO UNDERSTAND MARKETING. AND THEY ALL BELIEVE THAT WE ARE MAKING A HUGE MISTAKE GOING THIS DIRECTION.

IF WE WANT TO GO THIS DIRECTION, WE NEED TO INCLUDE THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. AND THOSE NEED TO BE PEOPLE LIKE A TODD HICKEY. LIKE A KIMBERLY WILSON -- WHO BY THE WAY, MARRIOTT CORPORATION HIRED KIMBERLY AS A CON SULT CONTINUE AT. KESSLER HOTEL HIRED AS A CONSULTANT. THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WE WANT ON A BOARD IF WE ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH AN IDEA.

NOT PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW.

>> TODD HICKEY AND KIMBERLY WILSON QUALIFIED TO BE ON THIS BOARD -- NOT A BOARD, BUT A WORKING GROUP.

UNTIL THE TDC APPROVES THEIR RECOMMENDATION OR DOESN'T APPROVAL THEIR RECOMMENDATION ON THE SCOPE OF WORK OF THE RFP.

AGAIN A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL IS A REQUEST FOR CONSULTANTS AND CONTRACTORS TO COME AND TELL US WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR US BASED ON OUR SCOPE AND HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST US.

IT CAN'T BE A HARD NO BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH

SOMETHING. >> THE PROCESS IS FLAWED.

IF YOU WANT TO GO THIS DIRECTION, WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

[01:10:04]

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE RFP. DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE SELECTION PROCESS. BECAUSE THAT COULD BE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IF IT IS WITHIN THE COUNTY OR WITHOUT A COUNTY.

THERE WOULD BE DIFFERENT RULES TO GO UNDER.

WHAT WE NEED TO FIRST DECIDE IS WHAT DOES A GOOD ONE LOOK LIKE AND HOW DO WE OPERATE. GET THAT TO BE SIGNED OFF.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT HOW TO BUY SOMETHING WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT IS. IT IS A WASTE OF TIME.

>> GOING BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THIS DISCUSSION.

ONE OF MY QUESTIONS HAS BEEN ABOUT THE SELECTION OF THIS WORKING GROUP AND ABOUT THE TALENT WHICH HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN A DIFFERENT TONE THAN I AM GOING TO DO IT.

I -- I LOOK AT SOME OF THE PEOPLE ON THIS COUNCIL AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE ON THE VCB BOARD AND WORK WITHIN THAT.

AND THEY MENTIONED OBVIOUSLY TODD HICKEY FROM THE MARRIOTT, AND KIMBERLY WHO IS FANTASTIC AS WELL.

IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE THE BEST OF THE BEST INVOLVED IN THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

AND FROM THE LIST THAT YOU LISTED BEFORE, I MEAN, THIS IS GOOD NEWS, I GUESS. ANYBODY WHOSE NAME I KNEW I THOUGHT, OH, THAT IS GOOD. IF I DIDN'T KNOW THEIR NAME, I JUST DON'T -- I AM NOT SAYING ANYBODY ON THE LIST ARE BAD, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE WHAT IS WITH -- AND WHAT IS THE REASON THAT OTHERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE ON THIS? THIS WORKING GROUP BECAUSE IT IS NOT A BOARD.

IT IS NOT APPROVED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SO IF IT IS THAT INFORMAL, WHY CAN'T IT BE THAT INFORMAL AND HAVE THE BEST OF

THE BEST ON THERE. >> THE SUBJECT MATTER THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON. TWO PEOPLE WHO CANNOT -- TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO CANNOT BE ON THERE.

YOU ALL. THE TDC CANNOT BE ON IT BECAUSE IT WILL BE PRESENTED TO YOU AND YOU WILL APPROVE IT.

>> DID THAT GO TO A STATE ATTORNEY OPINION OR THE OPINION OF THE ROOM? BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, I DON'T THINK THAT PASSED THE SNIFF TEST IF IT GOES TO A

STATE ATTORNEY OPINION. >> I CAN'T SPEAK WHETHER IT HAS

MOVED TO THE STATE ATTORNEY. >> THAT WAS THE DIRECTION I WAS GIVEN. THAT IS THE REASON WHY.

SECOND BUCKET OF PEOPLE, THE VCB INTEND TO BID TO BE THE MARKETING AGENCY THEREFORE THE VCB STAFF AND BOARD WILL NOT BE PART OF THE DOCUMENT THAT WILL BE USED TO SOLICIT TO THE MARKETING AGENCY AND GIVES THEM AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE.

EVERYBODY ELSE CAN PARTICIPATE. YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE VCB AND YOU PAY YOUR DUES, YOU ARE NOT DISQUALIFIED.

THOSE TWO FAIRLY NARROW GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

AND THAT IS THE REASON WHY. >> I THINK FROM SOME ON THIS COUNCIL, I WILL SAY POSSIBLY MOST -- I DON'T KNOW, WE HAVEN'T VOTED OBVIOUSLY. IT JUST FEELS LIKE WE LIKE THE WAY IT IS GOING, YOU KNOW. HOW CAN WE STAY IN THAT LANE.

WHY CAN'T WE STAY IN THAT LANE? >> BECAUSE YOU ARE LOOKING AT A PROBABLY FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT THAT HAS ABOUT A TEN-YEAR PRICE POINT TO IT -- TEN-YEAR -- SORRY -- A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH A $2 MILLION PRICE POINT SO OVER THE COURSE OF THE FIVE YEARS, IT WILL BE $10-PLUS MILLION DOLLARS.

AND THE COUNTY HAS -- I AM GOING TO SAY FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES OVER PUBLIC FUNDS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING A GOOD PRODUCT. NOTHING TO SAY IF THE VCB CONTINUED AND THE HIGHEST VALUED.

THEY COULD CONTINUE AND PART OF NOT SERVING ON THERE BOARD BECAUSE WE DO NOT WANT TO EXCLUDE THEM FROM HAVING THE ABILITY TO BID SO THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED FAIRLY.

>> COULDN'T THE COMMITTEE DECIDE -- AND I THINK WE ARE GETTING UP ON THE PURCHASING SIDE OF IT IN EXCLUDING PEOPLE WHEN WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT WE WANT TO BE WHEN WE GROW UP.

CAN WE FIRST DECIDE WHAT IT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO APPROACH BUSINESS. WILL IT OPERATE WITHIN THE COUNTY? WILL IT OPERATE OUTSIDE THE COUNTY? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? WE SHOULD NOT -- WE SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT THE STRUCTURE IS IF WE ARE GOING TO GO FORWARD.

NOT WORRY ABOUT THE PURCHASING SIDE UNTIL WE AS A GROUP OF --

[01:15:02]

AND WE HAD LEGAL VET IT. WE DISCUSSED IT.

WE HAD THE PUBLIC IN. AND WE LOOKED AT ALL THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND WE PICKED WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS THE SMARTEST OPTION. WE HAVE BYPASSED THAT PART AND BENT RIGHT TO -- WE PICKED AN OPTION THAT WAS SELECTED BY THE COUNTY WITHOUT INDUSTRY INPUT OF WHAT THE BEST THING IS.

THAT IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE BUSINESS.

>> SO THE CURRENT STRUCTURE OF THE CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND AN OUTSIDE CONTRACTOR WE IS T THE VCB, THE STRUCTURE IS THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND A OUTSIDE CONTRACTOR. WE HAVE A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP FOR MARKETING. NOT THE SAME THING AS CULTURAL EVENTS. CULTURAL EVENTS WAS AN INTERNAL DEPTH AND THE RECOMMENDATION -- WELL, THE REQUEST WAS, TO LOOK AT THAT STRUCTURE AND SEE IF IT CAN WORK BETTER AND THE RECOMMENDATION TO TURN IT INTO AN OUTSIDE NONPROFIT.

WE HAVE A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP NOW.

WE WILL HAVE A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP THEN.

WE ARE NOT CHANGING THE STRUCTURE.

WE HAVE A CONTRACT THAT WAS EXPIRED AND LOOKING TO GET A NEW

CONTRACT SUPERVISE. >> A DIFFERENT STRUCTURE THAN WE EVER USED BEFORE AND I DON'T BELIEVE WE VET WHAT THAT STRUCTURE SHOULD BE. I THINK THIS HAS BEEN AN IDEA THAT HAS BEEN SHOVED DOWN THE THROATS OF THE BOARD OF THE TDC FOR THREE YEARS. AND THERE PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE THE SMARTEST PEOPLE IN THE ROOM TO DISCUSS AND VET HALF A DOZEN DIFFERENT IDEAS IF WE ARE GOING TO GO THIS ROUTE BEFORE WE SAY THAT IS THE STRUCTURE, BECAUSE I SUSPECT THERE ARE FIVE OR SIX OR SEVEN OTHER OPTIONS BESIDES THE ONE BEING PRESENTED.

>> TROY. >> I AM HAVING A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE CONFLICT OF -- WE ARE TALKING OF PROCEDURE AND TALKING ABOUT THIS. AND WE PUT A GROUP IN THE EXACT SAME AGENDA WHERE WE HAD ZERO PROCEDURE WHERE YOU WERE ASSIGNING $3 MILLION. ON THE EXACT SAME AGENDA.

ALL RIGHT. NOW WE ARE GOING TO HIDE BEHIND PROCEDURE WITHOUT HAVING STATE ATTORNEY OPINION WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE FROM THIS BOARD WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE 20-PLUS MILLION OF THOSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IO- BECAUSE SOMEONE SAID WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT -- TO CHECK TO SEE IF SOMEONE CAN DO IT.

IF THAT IS OUR CRITERIA, I REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CONFLICT OF HOW THIS MONEY IS BEING MANAGED AND IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS. I DISAGREE WITH HIM.

THERE ARE VERY TALENTED PEOPLE ON THAT LIST AND I TRUST MANY, MANY PEOPLE. HIKE MICHAEL WAS SAYING, THE PEOPLE I KNOW, I TRUST ON THAT LIST.

BUT I ALSO DON'T HAVE MY HEART SURGEON TAKING CARE OF MY EYES.

THE PEOPLE DOING THE JOBS PROFESSIONALLY NEED TO BE THE ONES THAT ARE MAKING THE DECISION.

ELIMINATE VCB AND TDC. >> WE ARE NOT ELIMINATING TDC.

YOU ARE THE STEP UP. NOBODY THAT I AM LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW INCLUDING GAIL PHILLIPS WHO IS NOT IN THE ROOM ARE BEING ELIMINATED. YOU ARE PART OF THE PROCESS.

YOU GET THE RECOMMENDATION. YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE INPUT ON IT. AND THEN YOUR INPUT -- YOU ALL VOTE. IF ONE OF YOU SAYS I WANT A AND THE REST OF YOU AGREE OR THE SIMPLE MAJORITY SAY WE WANT TO INCLUDE A, ALL YOUR OPINIONS GET TO BE INCORPORATED.

TDC IS NOT BEING EXCLUDED. YOU ARE THE -- LINE IS TDC MEMBERS ARE EXCLUDED.

>> FROM THE WORKING GROUP. >> THAT IS EXCLUDED.

THAT IS EXCLUDED FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS.

TO ME, THE -- I AGREE WITH YOU ON THE PROFESSIONAL SIDE.

THE PROFESSIONALS NEED TO BE IN THAT ROOM.

I AM OKAY WITH THE TWO BIGGEST MUNICIPALITIES HAVING REPRESENTATION IN THE NAME. THE VICE-MAYORS, BECAUSE IT AFFECT THEIR ENTIRE CITY. I I AGREE WITH THEM BEING IN THAT ROOM BUT TO ELIMINATE TALENTED PEOPLE -- ULTIMATELY GOAL IS TO GET THE BEST RESULT POSSIBLE.

AND THAT STARTS AT THE VERY BEGINNING.

AND I DON'T THINK WE GOT THERE. WE ARE USING POLICY FOR ONE.

BUT WE ARE NOT USING POLICY FOR THE OTHER.

VERY INCIDENT CONSISTENT. LOOKING ATTED TO AS A AGENDA.

[01:20:11]

THAT'S ALL I HAVE GOT, CHAIR. >> I LIKE AND RECOMMEND THAT THE TDC COMES UP WITH IN THE RFP OR APPROVES IT AND TIE MARKETING BACK TO ALL OF THE MARKETING SERVICES AND PUT OUT THE RFP THEN, BUT INCORPORATE IT ALL, I DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

ONE DOING THE MARKETING AND ONE DOING THE SOCIAL MEDIA AND ALL THE OTHER SERVICES THAT GO WITH IT, BECAUSE THOSE TWO ARE ABSOLUTELY TIED WITH EVERY LOOK AND FEEL OF ALL OF THOSE PUBLICATIONS YOU ARE PUTTING OUT THERE.

>> CAN WE DO IT AS A WORKSHOP JUST WITH THIS GROUP? IS THAT -- THAT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO? WE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DOLLARS.

IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN DO? >> IS WHAT SOMETHING YOU CAN DO?

>> INSTEAD OF HAVING THIS WORKING GROUP, THE TDC DO IT AS A WORKSHOP WITH THE NINE MEMBERS SIT SOMETHING UP HERE?

>> SO THIS IS WHAT YOUR WORKSHOPS LOOK LIKE JUST SO YOU KNOW. WE ARE -- WE HAVE OUR WORKSHOPS PUBLICLY -- YOU ALL ARE SUBJECT TO THE SUNSHINE.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE -- IT IS GOING TO BE JUST A -- JUST SIMILAR TO JUST A DISCUSSION ITEM.

YOU CAN'T GO OFF IN WORKSHOP SOMETHING.

YOU ARE A SUNSHINE BOARD. >> WE CAN SIT IN A BOARDROOM AROUND A ROUND TABLE AND HAVE AN OPEN DISCUSSION AND HAVE IT OPEN

TO THE PUBLIC. >> YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE IT IN A CONFERENCE ROOM. WE WILL NOT HAVE THE ROOM BIG

ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE. >> I HAVE A ROOM BIG ENOUGH.

>> WELL, THE COUNTY'S POLICY FOR TDC MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO TAKE PLACE IN THIS ROOM AND THEY HAVE TO BE RECORDED AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE HAVE TO TAKE MINUTES FOR THEM.

AND CERTAINLY I CAN GO AND VET THAT FURTHER, ALL TDC --

>> THE COUNTY RUNNING THIS BOARD, NOT US.

>> WHEN WE DID THE AMPHITHEATRE, IT WAS IN THE SUNSHINE.

AND WE MET IN THIS BUILDING IN THE ATTORNEY'S CONFERENCE ROOM

17 TIMES. >> WHEN WE REINVENTED THE TDC AND VCB, WE HAD WORKSHOPS WITH COMMISSIONERS IN A CONFERENCE

ROOM. >> I WILL SAY THE COUNTY HAS

GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THEN. >> GOOD.

I AM GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP. AND SO HAS THE BED TAX.

AND SOMETHING THAT WAS BROUGHT UP LAST WEEK WAS THE CULTURAL COUNTY FUNDS THAT WE GRANT OUT HAVE NOT GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY, IF AT ALL. I REMEMBER LOOKING AT THAT GRANT REQUEST ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO AND WAS $450,000.

AND I AM SURE WE CAN GET A NUMBER OF WHAT IT WAS LAST YEAR BUT NOT MUCH MORE THAN THAT. THE ADVERTISING SPEND FOR THIS COUNTY HAS BEEN FLUCTUATING BETWEEN $2.7 MILLION AND $2.3 MILLION ON AN ANNUAL BASIS FOR ACTUAL ADVERTISING SPEND.

BUT I ASSURE YOU THAT THE COST OF ADVERTISING HAS INCREASED TENFOLD SINCE THEN. I BUY IT EVERY DAY AND KNOW THAT. SO IT'S AWFULLY INTERESTING TO ME THESE SPENDS HAVE REMAINED ROUGHLY THE SAME WHEN THE -- WHEN THE BED TAX HAVE GONE SOMETHING FROM, LIKE, $4 MILLION TO $20 MILLION? I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE PART OF OUR -- WHERE DID ALL OF THESE EXCESS FUNDS AND RESERVES COME FROM BUT I THINK IT PLAYS INTO THAT.

>> A DIFFERENT MEETING ALREADY SCHEDULED.

>> I KNOW. >>MICHAEL GORDON: IRVING, YOUR

LIGHT IS ON, ARE YOU FINISHED? >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE WORK OFF THIS DONE TO GET US TO WHERE WE ARE. AND THAT I DO BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE ACTING IN GOOD FAITH AND YOU ARE TRYING TO FOLLOW THE PROCESS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO WORK UNDER.

AND I AM EMBARRASSED TO HEAR WHAT I HEAR FROM SOME OF THESE BOARD MEMBERS ATTACKING YOU. I -- I AM SORRY.

WITH THAT SAID, I AM -- I HAVE AN OPINION ON A LOT OF WHAT IS SAID, BUT I DO BELIEVE THIS IS THE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO FOLLOW. I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING OUT OF COMMISSIONER ARNOLD BUT SHE IS OUR REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE BCC

[01:25:02]

WE WORK AT THEIR PLEASURE. YOU WORK AT THEIR PLEASURE.

I HEAR, YOU KNOW, MEMBERS HERE WHO ARE REBELLING AGAINST THAT PROCESS, DON'T LIKE THE PROCESS. THEY LIKE THINGS TO STAY THE WAY THEY ARE. AND I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT SENTIMENT APPROXIMATELY. BUT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A TASK BUT I THINK WE NEED TO EXECUTE THAT TASK.

AND I AM PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.

WHETHER I LIKE IT OR NOT, IT IS A TASK THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

IT IS A PROCESS THAT WE ARE WORKING WITHIN.

AND WE HAVE A CHOICE. WE CAN SAY, NO TO THE REQUEST.

YOU CAN VOTE NO AGAINST IT. OR AGAINST APPOINTMENTS.

AGAINST THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CREATE THE WORKING GROUP.

I DON'T SEE ANY MOTIONS ON THOSE.

SO FAR WHAT I HEAR IS ARGUING WITH YOU.

AND THAT DOESN'T HELP. THAT IS NOT SOLVING OUR ISSUE HERE. IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO MAKE A MOTION TO REFUSE TO DO THE PROCESS.

THAT IS THEIR CHASE. BUT RIGHT NOW WE ARE BEING ASKED TO CREATE THIS WORKING GROUP. AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE SHOULD DO. UNLESS YOU WOULD LIKE TO OFFER -- UNLESS SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A MOTION TO NOT

CREATE A WORKING GROUP. >> I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THAT, MR. CHAIRMAN. I AM NOT ATTACKING ANYONE IN THIS ROOM. I AM STATING THAT THE WISHES OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THAT THE TDC BOARD IS IN CHARGE. AND I BELIEVE THIS PROCESS IS NOT BEEN LED BY THE BOARD OF THE INNER LOOPTDC.

AND WHAT IS PRESENTED IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY. AS A BOARD MEMBER, THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY SUPPORT. IF YOU GO BACK A YEAR AND A HALF AND WE SLOWED EVERYTHING DOWN. WHEN I REJOIN THE BOARD, BUT WHEN YOU GO BACK AND LISTEN TO JOE FINNEGAN AND KATHY FLEMING AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS FROM THE TAPES, THEY WERE AGAINST THIS, AND THEY HAD GREAT CONCERNS. WE HAVE NEVER ADDRESSED THOSE GREAT CONCERNS. WE ARE JUST CONTINUING TO MOVE AND WE STILL HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS WE HAD IN JULY AND THEY HAVE HAVEN'T BEEN ADDRESSED AND RESOLVED BECAUSE THE INDUSTRY TUNNEL BELIEVE THIS PLAN IS NECE NECESSARY. AND AS A MEMBER OF THE INDUSTRY AND THE TOURISM INDUSTRY FOR 45 YEARS, THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF WHAT WE THINK WE ARE DOING AND AFRAID WE ARE GOING TO HURT ANYONE'S FEELINGS ARE WAY TOO MAYOR TO LET IT SLIDE. THIS IS A REALLY SLIPPERY SLOPE.

AND I AM SCARED IF WE GO DOWN IT.

I AM ONLY ONE VOTE. IF EVERYONE THINKS I AM WAY OFF BASE. THAT IS GREAT, BUT WE ARE GOING TO LOSE MODELS OF DOLLARS OF FUTURE REVENUE IF WE GO DOWN THIS ROAD. SO JUST ONE PERSON.

BEEN IN THE BUSINESS A LONG TIME.

BUT SCARED TO DEATH GOING DOWN THIS DIRECTION.

AND I HAVE BEEN TAKE THIS FOR FOUR YEARS.

TARA ASKED ME MANY, MANY TIMES AND EVERY TIME I LOOKED AT IT, I WANTED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT WORK.

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK FOR FOUR YEARS.

SO WE SHOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING EXCEPT WHAT IS THE RIGHT ANSWER. AND JUST BECAUSE IT IS ON THE AGENDA DOESN'T MAKE IT THE RIGHT ANS

ANSWER. >> MR. CHAIR, IF I MAY, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR TARA OR JALISA, IS THERE A REASON WE CAN'T DO WORKSHOPS IN THIS ROOM AS A BOARD.

I HAVE SEEN PACKED HOUSES. I CAN'T IMAGINE WE WOULD HAVE

THAT BIG OF A TURNOUT. >> YOU CAN DO WORKSHOPS, BUT IT WILL NEED TO BE PUBLICLY NOTICED.

AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE OBVIOUSLY WITHIN THE SUNSHINE.

>> JUST LIKE WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW.

>> YES. LIKE A MEETING LIKE RIGHT NOW.

YES. I THOUGHT YOU WERE SAYING

WORKSHOP. >> OKAY.

JUST CHECKING. >> MAYOR?

>> YES. >> I THINK WE NEED TO WORKSHOP

[01:30:01]

WE STRIPPED THAT OUT OF THEIR CONTRACT BUT WE HAVE AN EXTENSION NOW. WE DO NOT NEED TO RUSH THE PROCESS. WE TONIGHT HAVE A YEAR TO FIGURE IT OUT BUT WE HAVE TIME. ALTERNATE PROCESS, I HAVE CONCERNS WITH. MAINLY WHO WILL MANAGE THIS MARKETING GROUP. WE HAVE A -- WE HAVE A WORKING GROUP TO FORMULATE A A RFP WHAT IS PROPOSED AND ANOTHER WORKING GROUP THAT WILL MANAGE THE MARKETING SERVICES.

I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH EITHER ONE OF THOSE AND I AM HEARING SOME -- SOME OTHER OPINIONS THAT PEOPLE ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH JUST A WORKING GROUP TO DO THE RFP.

I FEEL LIKE WORKSHOPING THIS, TAKING OUR TIME AND GETTING IT

RIGHT WILL BE IMPORTANT. >> AND I AM DEFINITELY IN FAVOR OF A WORKSHOP AND KEEPING IT WITHIN -- WITHIN OUR GROUP HERE, BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU, I FEEL LIKE WHAT I WAS HEARING TODAY.

WE ARE JUST -- WE ARE JUST WINDOW-DRESSING AND I THINK WE ARE HERE TO MAKE SURE THE USE OF THAT 20-PLUS MILLION DOLLARS.

AND -- I REPRESENT PROBABLY THE LARGEST COLLECTOR OF THOSE BED TAXES IN THIS COMMUNITY. AND I CAN TELL YOU IT IF WE LOSE THAT VOICE. IT IS GOING TO BE -- WE ARE GOING TO BE VERY, VERY UPSET. YOU KNOW, OUR COMPANY WANTS TO HAVE A VOICE ON HOW THIS MONEY IS BEING SPENT, WHERE IT IS BEING SPENT. I HAVE THE HISTORY OF WORKING ON THE OTHER SIDE WHERE YOU ARE AT. AND I CAN TELL YOU THE PAINS WE HAVE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW TOOK PLACE 14 YEARS AGO, 12 YEARS AGO AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

AND I DON'T WANT IT TO GET INTO ONE ENTITY CONTROLS ANOTHER COMPANY. OR CONTROLS ANOTHER INDUSTRY.

AND IT -- I WANT TO HAVE A WORKSHOP WITHIN THIS GROUP.

IF IT GOES TO -- GOING TO HAVING A WORKTROUPE OR SOMETHING HIKE THAT FROM THE WORKSHOP, SO BE IT, BUT I WANT TO HAVE A VOICE IN HOW THAT IS STRUCTURED AND NOT DICTATED HOW IT IS STRUCTURED TO ME. SO THANK YOU.

>>MICHAEL GORDON: CHARLES. >> I WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND NOT MAYOR'S COMMENTS. IF YOU FELT I WAS PERSONALLY ATTACKING YOU, I WAS NOT ATTACK CAN YOU.

ATTACKING THE PROCESS, NOT YOU. AD I AM FAVOR OF A WORKSHOP.

>> FOR LEGAL CLARIFICATION, WHAT WILL THIS WORKSHOP LOOK LIKE.

BECAUSE IF THERE IS A RFP, THE VCB CAN STILL NOT BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS. I WANT TO TRY TO GET BETTER

UNDERSTANDING. >> I THINK WE WOULDN'T KNOW THAT UNTIL SOMEBODY PUTS OUT A MOTION AND SAYS WHAT THAT IS.

>> AND I AM JUST TRYING FROM A LEGAL CON FLINT, I AM GOING TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE FOR US TO DFINE STRUCTURE AND NOT WORRY ABOUT PURCHASING. AND WORRYING ABOUT SOLICITATION UNTIL WE HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH THAT.

SO IF WE JUST DEFINE WHAT THE STRUCTURE TO RUN IT, THEN WE CAN GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE SELECTION PROCESS OF THE THINGS LIKE THAT. BECAUSE THE BIG ISSUE IS, WHO IS GOING TO MANAGE IN? AND UNTIL WE DEFINE THAT REQUEST, PURCHASING AND SELECTION PROCESS AND SOLICITATION IS IRRELEVANT. BECAUSE -- BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE SUBJECTS. AND I THINK IF YOU TREAT THEM AS TWO SEPARATE SUBJECTS, YOU CAN AVOID CONFLICT.

>> I THINK I AM REALLY CONFUSED BY A LOT OF IT.

AND THE REASON I AM, IS BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE WAY I UNDERSTAND THIS -- AND TARA, I WILL WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE DONE SO MAKE SURE YOU ARE UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM SAYING HERE.

>> GO AHEAD, TARA, I WILL LET YOU GO FIRST.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO NO MATTER HOW WE MOVE FORWARD, NO MATTER HOW WE MOVE FORWARD, THERE ARE -- I WILL TELL YOU ALL, I ALWAYS TALK ABOUT BUCKETS AND TALK OF SLICING PIZZAS.

THAT IS THE WAY I TALK IN TERMS -- WHEN I TALK TO YOU ONE ON ONE AND BIG GROUPS. WE CAN SET UP 50 MILLION BUCKETS

[01:35:01]

NO MATTER HOW WE MOVE FORWARD, THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS GOING TO HAVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH SOMEBODY.

OKAY. WE HAVE NO OTHER MECHANISM FOR THIS TYPE OF SERVICE OTHER THAN TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT, THE COUNTY HAS TO MAINTAIN A SET OF FAIR COMPETITIVE, NONBIASED -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER WORDS THAT LEGAL MAY WANT TO THROW IN THERE.

BUT WE HAVE TO KEEP THINGS ON THE UP AND UP.

WE HAVE TO KEEP THINGS ON THE UP AND UP.

THE VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN THAT BECAUSE EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM AGREES INCLUDING THE VISITOR AND CONVENTION BUREAU THAT THEY WANT TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR THE ULTIMATE CONTRACT. IF IT IS A WORKSHOP OR WORKING GROUP OR WHATEVER IT IS, THE VCB CANNOT BE GIVING INPUT INTO THAT THING BECAUSE IT GIVES THEM AN UNFAIR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF THE ULTIMATE CONTRACT THAT THE COUNTY WILL HAVE WITH THIS MARKETING ENTITY. DOES THAT OKAY, IF WE HAVE A WORKING GROUP OR WHATEVER IT IS, THAT IS FINE, BUT CRITERIA NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED. A WORKING GROUP TO TALK OF THE STRUCTURE, THAT IS FINE. WE ULTIMATELY HAVE TO GET TO SOME SORT OF A RFP TYPE PROCESS AND HAVE A RFP IN PLACE AND THE WAY TO MOVE FORWARD IS THROUGH THE RFP.

AND -- I CAN TALK TO YOU REAL QUICKLY OF SINGLE SOURCES IF YOU WANT. WE TALKED ABOUT THAT A FEW TIMES. THIS WOULD NOT BE QUALIFYING FOR A SINGLE SOURCE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

I AM HAPPY TO VET THAT OUT MORE IN A WORKSHOP.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A MOTION FOR THE WORKSHOP.

WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUR EXPECTATIONS ARE FOR THAT OR WE WILL NEED YOUR INPUT OR ELSE WE WILL SHOW UP WITH NOT ENOUGH TO

MAKE THAT EFFECTIVE. >> I THNK THAT WHAT YOU JUST SAID MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. SO BECAUSE -- I JUST KIND -- PLAYING IT FORWARD, I DID A LOT OF LISTENING AND I DID A LOT OF LISTENING TO CONSTITUENTS IN THE COMMUNITY FROM THE INDUSTRY, AND OBVIOUSLY EVERYBODY HERE ON THE BOARD, I HAVE LISTENED ALL DAY, RIGHT. AND SO WHAT -- IF WE MOVED THIS FORWARD, RIGHT. ANY WAY -- LIKE WHAT YOU JUST SAID. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE COME UP WITH AN RFP.

THAT IS NOT AN OPTION. WHETHER WE DO A WORKSHOP FIRST, RIGHT. WE CAN'T CREATE THE RFP IN A WORKSHOP, RIGHT. THE WORKING GROUP WAS GOING TO MEET MULTIPLE TIMES FOR MULTIPLE HOURS WITH INDUSTRY EXPERTS AND INTO WAY IN THIS SETTING IN A ONE WORKSHOP SETTING THAT WE WILL DEVELOP A RFP. WE HAVE TO CREATE A WORKING GROUP. WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, HAVE TO CREATE A WORKING GROUP. WHAT REALLY FOCUS ON IN MY OPINION, WHO WILL BE ON THE WORKING GROUP AND AGREE WE HAVE THIS WORKING GROUP BECAUSE WHETHER YOU WORKSHOP IT FIRST OR NOT, WE NEED A WORKING GROUP BECAUSE THE WORKING GROUP WILL HAVE TO PUT TOGETHER THE RFP BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GOING TO PUT THE RFP TOGETHER, THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT.

>> THE RFP WILL COME FROM THE DEPARTMENT AND TO PUT THE INGREDIENTS IN THE RFP. THAT IS WHAT WE WILL BE DOING BECAUSE PROCEDURALLY, WILL HAVE TO MEET THE CRITERIA OF THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND THAT CRITERIA ANYWAY.

SO THERE IS WE CERTAINLILY WOULD BECOME THAT WORKING GROUP CREATING -- I USE THE WORD "INGREDIENTS"S THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN THERE THAT WILL BE THE CRITERIA THAT WE WANT TO HAVE

REPRESENTED OF US. >> I DON'T SEE THE DIFFERENCE OF ALLOWING -- US PUTTING TOGETHER A WORKING GROUP.

LETTING THEM DO THEIR JOB. LETTING THEM MEET FOUR OR FIVE TIMES, AND COME BACK TO US. IF WE DON'T LIKE WHAT THEY COME BACK US TO, WE CAN MODIFY IT AND SEND THAT TO PURCHASING.

IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME. WE HAVE TO AGREE WHO THE PEOPLE ON THE WORKING GROUP WILL BE, BUT THEY WILL BE A MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE WAY TO DO THIS OTHER THAN US DOING IT UP HERE FROM THIS PODIUM. I THINK ALLOWS THEM REALLY SMART, INTELLIGENT PEOPLE WE ALL FEEL IS QUALIFIED TO DO IT COMES TO US IT AND SAY HERE IS WHAT WE HAVE COME UP WITH.

AND WE AS A GROUP CAN VET WHAT THEY HAVE COME UP WITH AND WE CAN DETERMINE WHETHER WE WANT TO MODIFY IT OR PASS IT ON TO PURCHASING AS IS. I THINK THE PROCESS WILL BE MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE DOING IT THIS WAY THAN FILLING THIS ROOM WITH A MILLION PEOPLE WHO ALL HAVE OPINIONS.

[01:40:02]

>> THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS THE MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE WERE ALL

MEMBERS OF THE VCB. >> THAT IS YOUR OPINION.

THAT IS YOUR OPINION. WHICH IS WONDERFUL, BUT I THINK WE CAN COME UP -- IF WE CAN'T COME UP WITH THE PEOPLE WE AGREE ON, THEN WE CAN'T, RIGHT. BUT I THINK WE PROBABLY CAN.

WE ALL SAID A LOT OF NAMES ON THAT LIST WE THINK ARE VERY QUALIFIED. WE SHOULD JUST VOTE ON WHO WE WANT TO HAVE IT. AND TALK THIS THING TO DEATH.

>> TWO-THIRDS OF THOSE NAMES ARE MEMBERS OF THE VCB.

THERE ARE 300 MEMBERS OF T THE VCB.

>> MEMBERS OF THE VCB ARE NOT DISQUALIFIED.

STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS. >> YOU DON'T THINK THAT VCB CAN BE ON -- ONLY THE BOARD MEMBERS OF THE VCB ON THE TDC.

>> CLARIFICATION. WE TALKED ABOUT MY CAL'S POINT.

WE TALKED OF A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

AND COULD IT BE THREE PEOPLE? >> SURE.

>> I MEAN, WITH THAT SAID -- THAT IS TRULY A POTENTIAL PATH.

AND PRETTY EASY TO AGREE ON. WE TALKED TO SOME OF THE TALENT THAT IS MAYBE NOT UP HERE. OR PROBABLY NOT UP HERE, RIGHT.

OR ON THE STAFF. THAT IS A POTENTIAL PATH FOR US.

BECAUSE YOU READ NAMES. WE HEARD NAMES THAT WEREN'T ON THAT LIST THAT ARE REALLY FANTASTIC.

LODGING PROFESSIONALS ROAR HOTELIERS, ETC.

THEY TRULY UNDERSTAND. TO HIS POINT, I DON'T KNOW HOW WE ARE GOING TO SIT HERE TODAY AT A MEETING AND COME BACK IN TOMORROW AND GET ALL THESE THINGS DONE.

IT REALLY DOES SOUND GOOD. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE ARE GOING TO

DO IT. >> THERE IS AN RFP ALREADY THAT EXISTS, SEVERAL ACTUALLY HAVE HAVE BEEN DONE -- USED IN THE PAST THAT ARE PROBABLY 80% OF THE WAY THERE.

SO I THINK A WORKSHOP WITH THIS GROUP LOOKING, REVIEWING THOSE RFPS AND COMING BACK WITH SUGGESTIONS IS ABSOLUTELY DOABLE IN ONE -- ONE, MAYBE TWO WORKSHOPS BUT I THINK WE CAN DO

IT IN ONE. >> IF YOU DO LOOK AT SOME OF THE SENIOR HOSPITALITY LEADERS IN THE COUNTY, THINK FOR A MOMENT, THE PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN TRUST TO DO THIS.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE THERE.

WHICH COULD REALLY HELP STREAMLINE THIS.

WHEN I HEARD IT THE FIRST TIME AND START HEARING ALL THESE NAMES, I WAS PICTURING THE UNQUALIFIED SITTING NEXT TO THE QUALIFIED. AND I THINK IN THIS SITUATION, WE ARE ABLE TO TAKE THEM OUT AND PUT THE RIGHT PEOPLE ON THIS.

>> THEN YOU CAN VOTE AGAINST. WHEN THEY COME BACK -- WHETHER WE DO IT IN A WORKING GROUP OR WORKSHOP, WE WILL STILL HAVE TO VOTE ON IT. MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO MAYBE MINIMIZE THE NUMBER, RIGHT.

MAYBE MAKE A MOTION TO MAKE THAT NUMBER THREE.

IDENTIFY THOSE PEOPLE HERE AT THIS MEETING TODAY.

LET'S LET THEM DO THEIR JOB AS PROPOSED.

AND THEN COME BACK TO US IN FEBRUARY WITH SOMETHING TO VOTE O ON.

>> MR. CHAIR, WOULD YOU OFFER -- I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT EVERYBODY AGREES ON IS HIGHLY QUALIFIED.

>> I WILL JUST SPEAK IT. DIM ABOUTLY WILSON MENTIONED.

TODD HICKEY WHO WAS MENTIONED. KIMBERLY HAS BEEN IN THIS INDUSTRY A LONG TIME. RECENTLY WITH KESSLER AND YOU HEARD IRVING SAY SHE WAS CONTRACTED OUT.

LOCAL ST. JOHNS COUNTY RESIDENT. AND TODD HICKEY, THE GENERAL MANAGER WITH THE MARRIOTT SAWGRASS RESORT FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND TRULY IS AN INDUSTRY EXPERT.

JUST -- I MEAN, I AM SURE THERE IS A THIRD THAT HAS A TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FO

FOR. >> I DID HEAR TWO NAMES?

>> YOU HEARD TWO NAMES. >> TWO NAMES.

>> I WILL ADD PHILLIP MCDANIEL TO THAT LIST.

>> MAYOR HAS SOME NAMES. >> I HAVE NAMES? NO, I SAID I WAS LISTEN TO INDUSTRY EXPERTS SPECIFICALLY IN THE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY AND HOT CHAIRMAN RECOMMENDED.

SEEMS LIKE THOSE NAMES -- BECAUSE THAT HAS BEEN ALLUDED TO IN THIS DISCUSSION. AND I DIDN'T KNOW SPECIFICALLY

[01:45:01]

I WAS TRYING TO GET TO A YES. >> I WILL BE HAPPY WITH TWO, IF THEY WOULD DO IT. I MEAN -- IT SOUNDS LIKE -- I AM

TRYING TO GET THE YES. >> THAT IS FINE.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARE DOWN THE FIVE, YOU CAN PARE IT DOWN.

I WOULD SUGGEST NOT ONE PERSON. IF YOU ALL ARE COMFORTABLE WITH

TWO, THAT WOULD BE FINE. >> IF WE CAN THINK OF ANOTHER --

I MEAN A THIRD. >> CHARLES SAID PHILLIP.

>> I THINK PHIL MCDANIEL IS A VERY CAPABLE PERSON IN THAT

REGARD. >> HIS WHOLE CAREER IS IN

MARKETING. >> HE BRINGS HISTORY OF THE --

OF THE COUNTY WITH THAT. >> BILLION, I WILL SAY WE GO WITH THREE INSTEAD OF TWO, BECAUSE YOU NEED A TIE BREAKER.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. VERY GOOD.

>> DO WE NEED A MOTION? >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION.

I WILL MOVE THAT WE APPOINT KIMBERLY AND -- KIMBERLY WILSON

TODD HICKEY. >> SORRY, WE HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION FIRST. OH, WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE MOTION BEFORE WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> I HAVE TO MAKE THE MOTION FIRST AND THEN PUBLIC COMMENT.

THAT'S CORRECT? AND THE THIRD IS PHIL MCDANIEL.

SO. >> I WILL SECOND THAT.

>>MICHAEL GORDON: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT WHICH WILL DISAPPOINT ALL OF US, I

HAVE A FEELING. >> I WAS GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS AWARE THAT KIMBERLY IS STILL ON OUR BOARD AND THE IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF THE VCB.

>> BUT SHE IS BOARD, AND NOT STAFF.

>> THEY ELIMINATED BOARD TOO. >> IT IS THE VCB BOARD.

I DIDN'T REALIZE SHE WAS CONTINUING ON.

VCB BOARD AND VCB STAFF. >> THIS IS OUR STRUGGLE.

>> AND SHE IS PROBABLY THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON IN THE COUNTY.

>> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS TAKE MORE PUBLIC COMMENT AND RECOMMEND THAT WE MOVE AHEAD WITH THIS AND SEE IF MAYBE SHE MOVES OFF THE BOARD. ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? A MOTION AND A SECOND. NO MORE PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> SHE IS NOT QUALIFIED. THAT MEANS WE ONLY HAVE TWO MEMBERS RIGHT NOW. I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN VOTE ON

THAT. >> SO WE WOULD HAVE TO.

>> BECAUSE THE CRITERIA IN PLACE.

>> I AM WILLING TO MODIFY MY MOTION NODE INSTRUCTIONS.

>> I WOULD MODIFY TO REMOVE KIMBERLY WILSON'S NAME.

>> WE NEED A THIRD. >> DOES ANYONE HAVE AN INPUT.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO RUN THROUGH THE LIST I TALKED ABOUT LAST TIME. CHRISTINA PARISH-STONE.

KATHY FLEMING. MELISSA WIESEL WITH THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. ROXANNE HIS OR HER VAST, VICE-MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.

GABE POLICER. DYLAN RUMWELL.

DAVE CHATTERTON. TODD HICKEY WITH HAVE YOU GRASS.

BEAU AND LEDEE BOZART. PHIL MCDANIEL WITH THE DISTILLERY. AND THAT'S ALL OF THEM.

>> I WOULD ADD GABE PELESER. >> I WILL SECOND THAT.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT GUY. >> WOULD MR. COX WHO MADE THE SECOND, WOULD HE AGREE TO THE AMENDMENT ON MY MOTION?

>> YES, OR DO IT IN SUCH A WAY IF KIMBERLY WASN'T FOLLOWING COME OFF OF THE VCB BOARD HAVE HIM AS A ALTERNATE.

>> I WILL MODIFY MY MOTION TWO WAYS.

ONE, I WILL STRIKE KIMBERLY WILSON, ADD GAB PELESER AND SECOND WOULD -- WOULD -- WOULD PUT IN PLACE --

>> CAN I SUGGEST -- MAKE A SUGGESTION? MAY I INVESTIGATE THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH A FOUR-PERSON BOARD THAT INCLUDES TODD HICKEY, KIMBERLY WILSON, GABE PELESR.

[01:50:07]

>> AND THEN PROCEED WITH THREE. >> THAT IS MY MODIFICATION TO MY

MOTION. >> WAIT A SECOND, YOU WILL HAVE FOUR PEOPLE WHERE YOU CAN GET A TIE THERE.

>> SO IT IS NOT -- THEY ARE NOT VOTING.

THEY ARE COMING UP WITH -- THEY ARE COLLECTIVELY WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO CREATE A RECOMMENDATION TO BRING BACK TO YOU. SO THERE SHOULDN'T BE -- THERE STHUNT BE A TIE. THEY SHOULDN'T BE VOTING.

THEY SHOULD BE WORKING TO GET TO AN END GAME.

SO THEY SHOULDN'T -- I NEVER HAVE BEEN PART OF ONE OF THESE GROUPS WHERE THEY SAY WE DON'T AGREE.

LET'S TAKE A VOTE. USUALLY DISCUSSION BASED AND THEY GET TO SOMETHING WHERE THEY AGREE.

>> CONSENSUS. THANK YOU.

>> DID YOU SECOND THAT? >> YES.

>> SO WOULD ANYONE ELSE CARE TO SECOND MY MOTION?

>> I WILL SECOND YOUR MOTION. >> THANK YOU.

>>MICHAEL GORDON: PUBLIC COMM

COMMENT. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, MICHAEL CORRIGAN, VISIT JACKSONVILLE. I DID NOT PLAN TO COUPLE BACK UP HERE TODAY AND THIS IS FASCINATING AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT HERE. I DON'T KNOW THE PEOPLE YOU ARE APPOINTING TO THE COMMITTEE, BUT IF ONE PERSON IS THE WISEST AND YOU WANT THEM ON THERE, I WILL PUT THEM ON THERE AND APPOINT AN ALTERNATE IF THAT PERSON IS NOT WILLING TO SERVE.

THAT WAY YOU CAN GET THE PERSON YOU WANT AND KEEP A THREE-PERSON COMMITTEE AND DOING THE WORK. HAVING SAID THAT, I WILL TELL YOU IN THE LAST HOUR OF LISTENING TO THIS PROCESS, I FEEL LIKE A DEJA VU BECAUSE FIVE YEARS VISIT JACKSONVILLE, WE WERE HAVING THE SAME EXACT CONVERSATION.

WE HAD THREE DIFFERENT CONTRACTS -- THE PREVIOUS TDC HAD FRAGMENTED THE WORK AND I GOT HIRED, MY BOARD OF DIRECTORS SAID ANYTHING YOU CAN TO DO GET TOURISM BACK ON TRACK.

IT IS OFF THE RAILS. BECAUSE STAFF AND COUPLE OF TDC MEMBERS MANAGED TO GET THE POINT ACROSS TO SPLIT IT UP BECAUSE THEY FELT LIKE THEY COULD DO IT BETTER.

YEAR AGO VISIT JACKSONVILLE ENTERED INTO A TEN-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE TDC UNANIMOUSLY APPROVING BY THE JACKSONVILLE CIY COUNCIL BECAUSE THEY REALIZED IT WAS A HUGE MISS STAINING. A HUGE MISTAKE TO SPLIT ALL OF THIS UP AND TRY TO DO IT BECAUSE YOU END UP WITH A BUNCH OF PIECEMEAL STUFF AND NOTHING IS WELL PUT TOGETHER AND DONE.

SO I -- YOU -- I DON'T LIVE IN THE COUNTY.

I LIVE IN DUVAL COUNTY. THIS IS A RESOURCE IF THE TDC MEMBER OR STAFF WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN IMPACT OF WHY IT WORKED OR WHAT DIDN'T WORK AND HOW TO DO IT.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP. WHEN YOU ARE YOU CAN IS SUCCESSFUL, WE ARE SUCCESSFUL. WHEN JACKSONVILLE IS SUCCESSFUL, YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL. I PROMISE YOU THAT CHARLESTON, ANY OTHER COMMUNITY THAT DOES HISTORICAL TOURISM THAT YOU ARE DOING IS WATCHING, SALIVATING BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY WILL GET A REALLY GOOD ADVANTAGE OVER WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR COUNTY. I KEN URGE TO REALLY THINK THIS.

AS I SAID I SERVED ON THE TDC. SERVED AS TDC CHAIR.

THEY TRIED TO TAKE AWAY WHAT WE ARE DOING.

AND NOW I AM TRYING TO MAKE SURE IT STAYS TOGETHER.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, THAT BRINGS UP QUESTION THAT WE PROBABLY HAVE TO DISCUSS BEFORE WE VOTE ON THIS.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE THREE OR FOUR INDIVIDUALS MEET AND COME BACK AND SAY WE HAVE DECIDED TO LEAVE IT ALONE AND JUST CONTINUE

ON WITH WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING. >> THE RECOMMENDATION HAS TO IT BE COMPLIANT WITH STAFF OOUP OUTS, LAWS, POLICIES.

SO WE -- IN WHATEVER RECOMMENDATION WE RECEIVE, THAT

HAS TO BE ACTIONABLE. >> EVEN IF THEY BELIEVE IT IS

THE WRONG WAY TO GO. >> IT HAS TO BE AN

APPLICATIONABLE RECOMMENDATION. >>STILL HAS TO FOLLOW THE

PURCHASING PROCESS. >> I HAVE -- I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THEM. WE HAVE A -- WE HAVE A MOTION.

WE HAVE A SECOND. WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> IS IT FOUR PEOPLE OR IS IT THREE AND ONE --

>> IT IS FOUR. >> FOUR AND IF KIM CANNOT SERVE, IT GOES TO THREE. THAT IS THE WAY THE MOTION IS.

THE WAY IT IS STRUCTURED. >> THAT'S CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> OKAY.

[9. SING OUT LOUD DISCUSSION]

[01:55:18]

>> MOTIONS PASSES. >>MICHAEL GORDON: MOTION PASSES.

ON TO NUMBER 9. SING OUT LOUD.

THANK YOU FOR STAYING WITH US. >> COUNTY CULTURAL EVENTS.

THANK YOU. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? HEAR MY STUFFY NOSE. DIANA MARKOVITZ AND THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY CULTURAL EVENTS, INC. AND PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL AND VERY GRATEFUL TO PRESENT TO YOU A RECAP OF THIS YEAR'S PAST FESTIVAL.

WHAT IS SING OUT LOUD? SING OUT LOUD IS THE ANNUAL MONTH-LONG CITY WIDE CELEBRATION OF LIVE ENTERTAINMENT IN ST.

JOHNS COUNTY. FEATURES NATIONAL HEADLINERS, LOCAL AND REGIONAL ARTISTS, CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS. THAT POSTER IS ALL ARTISTS THAT PLAYED THIS PAST YEAR. AND SOME BIRDS.

SING OUT LOUD MISSION. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 016, WE HAD FOUR MAJOR PILLARS OF OUR MISSION: BOLL ADMINISTER THE ECONOMY, SERVE AS AN ECONOMIC DRIVER SUPPORTING COMMERCIAL BY BOOSTING VISITATION. SPOTLIGHT OUR COMMUNITY.

CELEBRATE OUR VIBRANT ART COMMUNITY WITH ARTIST SHOWCASES.

EMPOWER OUR LOCAL ARTISTS BY SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL ARTISTS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. AND FUND RAISE FOR PHILANTHROPIC CAUSES. START OFF WITH OUR FIRST PILLAR SPOTLIGHTING OUR COMMUNITY. THIS PAST YEAR 157 LOCAL AND REGIONAL ARTISTS PLAY. SEVERAL GENRES INCLUDING BLUES, BLUE GRASS, COMEDY, COUNTRY, FOLK, HIP-HOP, LATIN, SOUL AND SPOKEN WORD. 56 SHOWCASES.

ALTHOUGHCASES WERE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND HELD AT 15 DIFFERENT VENUES AROUND ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

NICE TO KNOW THAT VENUES RETAINED 100% OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE REVENUE. ADDITIONAL FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS INCLUDED A PECHA KUCHA SING OUT LOUD EDITION, LINCOLNVILLE PORCH FESTIVAL, NIGHT MARKET, RECORD FAIR AND SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL.

ANOTHER PILLAR TO SHOWCASE OUR LOCAL TALENT.

EVERY PERFORMER WAS PAID $400 PER PERSONAL MANS AND AN INVESTMENT OF $70 0,000 IN OUR LOCAL ARTIST COMMUNITY.

WE HOSTED A LOCAL BUSINESS PANEL WHERE EMERGING ARTIST COULD HAVE ONE ON ONE TIME WITH EMERGING PROFESSIONALS TO LEARN TRICKS OF THE TRADE. WE HAD AN ARTIST WORK SHOP AT THE PONTE VEDRA HALL WITH FOUR BANDS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY WITH IS A PRIVATE REHEARSAL WITH PROFESSIONAL AUDIO ENGINEERS AND ABLE TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTO SHOOT.

WE ALSO RAISED FUNDS FOR LOCAL CHARITIES.

161,000 WAS RAISED THROUGH TICKET AND FNB SALES.

70 TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

$70,000 TO THE FIRST RESPONDER PROJECT.

$21,000 TO THE ROGERS FOLK FESTIVAL AND $500 TO THE FLORIDA STATE PARKS ASSOCIATION. $460,000 SINCE 2016 HAVE BEEN DONATED TO LIKE CHARITIES HOW THAT TICKET AND FMB SALES.

MAJOR PILLAR IS SING OUT LOUD IS AN ECONOMIC DRIVER.

WE OFTEN ASK WHY HOLD A MAJOR EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER, HIS FOR CHEE THE SLOWEST MONTH OF THE YEAR FOR TOURISM WITH AN AVERAGE OCCUPANCY OF 54.7%. LOCAL ECONOMY STRUGGLES DURING SEPTEMBER. STAFFING IS REDUCED.

HOURS ARE TRIMMED AND REVENUES DROP.

AGAIN, A POINT WE ALL KNOW. A DOWNTURN IN TOURISM IMPACTS OUR LOCAL ECONOMY. IN A RECENT VCB BUSINESS SURVEY.

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE CUSTOMER TRAFFIC AND SALES REVENUE IN SEPTEMBER COMPARED TO OTHER MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

80% OF THOSE SURVEYED SAY IT WAS EITHER MODERATELY AND THE SLOWEST TIME OF THE YEAR FOR THEM.

SO SING OUT LOUD, HOW DO WE BOOST TOURISM? ATTRACTING OUT-OF-AREA ATTENDEE. TWO THINGS, BOOK NATIONAL HEADLINE HE IS SEPTEMBER 2-23. DOWNTOWN ST. AUGUSTINE.

[02:00:02]

BY HOSTING THESE MAJOR HEADLINERS ON ONE WEEKEND WHERE YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE THIS LINE-UP ANYWHERE ELSE ATTRACTED MASSIVE FANS AND GO OVER THOSE NUMBERS.

WE HOSTED THE ST. AUGUSTINE SONGWRITER FESTIVAL AND WE WILL GO INTO MORE DETAILS ON THAT AND THE MOST UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN STORIES FROM HIT MAKERS FROM A VERY INTIMATE SETTING. THESE TWO INGREDIENTS.

NOW WE HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT IT.

DEPLOY DIGITAL ATS WITH 150-MILE RADIUS OUTSIDE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THAT HIT TOWARD TALLAHASSEE, SAVANNAH, CHARLESTON, ATLANTA AND SOUTH FLORIDA.

WE RAN PRINT. BROADCAST AND E-MAIL IN MAJOR MARKETS. AGAIN WITH THAT 150-MILE RADIUS AND PARTNERED WITH THE VCB AND VISIT FLORIDA WITH A ROBUST CAMPAIGN INVITING PEOPLE TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

INCLUDING THE SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL FOR SEPTEMBER AND THOSE CAMPAIGNS HELPED TO SPREAD THAT WORD EVEN FURTHER NATIONWIDE.

THIS IS A PHOTO OF MUM FORD AND SONS DURING THE FRANCIS FIELD EVENT. BY HOSTING NATIONAL ACTS FOR A TWO-DAY CONCERT EVENT, THOUSANDS OF VISITORS DRAWN TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY. OUR TOTAL ATTENDANCE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND 32,877 PEOPLE. WHERE DID THOSE PEOPLE COME FROM, TICKET SALES DATA. 51% OF THEM -- 51% OF THE TICKETS WERE PURCHASED OUTSIDE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY.

THIS OUR HEAT MAP FROM WHERE TICKET SALES CAME FROM.

ATTENDEES TRAVELED FROM 40 STATES.

THOSE RED DOTS WHERE WHERE THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF TICKET PURCHASERS CAME FROM. THE GREEN AND YELLOW SHOW WHERE OTHER STATES CAME FROM. THE FLORIDA HEAT MAP SHOWS THAT PEOPLE CAME FROM ALL OVER THE STATE.

TOP CITIES, ORLANDO, TAMPA, GAINESVILLE, TALLAHASSEE, SARASOTA AND MIAMI. AGAIN, MARKETING OUTSIDE THAT 150-MILE RADIUS WORKED. ANOTHER ELEMENT THAT WE TOUCHED ON WAS THE ST. AUGUSTINE SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL 65 AWARD-WINNING CHART-TOPPING SONGWRITERS AND EMERGE INNING TALENTS PLAYED MULTIPLE VENUES OVER THREE DAYS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER. IT IS UNIQUE AS PERFORMERS SHARE THE STAGE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND TELL THE STORY BEHIND THEIR HITS. I WOULD NOW HIKE TO INVITE SUSAN PHILLIPS OF THE VCB TO CO-PRESENT WITH ME.

SHE AND I WILL SPEAK OF HOW DID FRANCIS FIELD EFFECT LODGING IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. AS YOU CAN SEE THE VISUAL WILL SHOW YOU THE DIFFERENCE FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR LODGING.

OCCUPANCY RATE OF 74% THAT WEEKEND.

WE HAD AN INCREASED AVERAGE DAILY RATE 26%.

AND AN INCREASED REVENUE OF 25%. SUSAN PHILLIPS CAN TALK SOME

MORE ABOUT SOME OF THIS DATA. >> WELL, I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THIS WAS A HUGE SUCCESS. I WAS SO PROUD TO WORK WITH DIANA, GABE AND THEIR TEAM. NOT ONLY DO THEY HAVE THE PASSION FOR THIS, BUT THEY WORK SO WELL WITH US COLLABORATIVELY AND WE WERE ON THE PHONE CONSTANTLY SAYING WHAT ARE WE DOING. TRY THIS.

LET'S DO THIS. REALLY JUST A GREAT TIME FOR US AND I HAVE TO GIVE KUDOS TO THEM.

BECAUSE THIS -- OUR TRAFFIC -- -- IF YOU LOOK AT THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, OUR REVENUE, EDR, DEMAND, AND OCCUPANCY WERE ALL DOWN. I WILL GIVE YOU A FEW NUMBERS YOU PROBABLY WON'T SEE ON THE SCREEN THERE.

OCCUPANCY WAS IN DOUBLE-DIGIT DECLINE UNTIL THE SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL. THIS YEAR, FLAT AND ALMOST SLIGHTLY INCREASE CREASED JUST FOR THAT WEEKEND.

ALSO INTO SINGLE DIGIT DECLINES YEAR-OVER-YEAR BUT INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY FOR THAT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

AND WE WERE LOOKING AT 4.1 AND 27.9% INCREASES YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

IT WAS PHENOMENAL. YOU LOOK AT THE ENTIRE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, IT WAS VERY THE BRIGHT SPOT FOR US AND SIMILARILY, REVENUE UP. 21.3 AND 29.2% YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

AND THEN ALSO, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE ALSO, FOR ME -- THIS WAS A WAY FOR US TO MITIGATE THE DECLINE THAT WE HAVE SEEN.

WE HAVE NEVER REALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEASURE AND QUANTIFY THE ROOM NIGHTS THAT ARE GENERATED BY SING OUT LOUD.

WE HAVE DONE IT THIS YEAR, AND THIS TEAM IS REALLY IN PLACE TO NOW HAVE A VERY SUCCESSFUL FOR NEXT YEAR.

WE ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL DATA WE CAN DRILL DOWN ON.

WE LOOK AT THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO ATTENDED THE SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL, IT WAS $100,000 WAS THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME. THIS IS A SUCCESS.

THEY ARE DRAWING AND GENERATING THE BUSINESS THAT WE NEED AND WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THEM FOR NEXT YEAR.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

[02:05:02]

THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE VCB, WE WERE ABLE TO SEND OUT A POST FESTIVAL BUSINESS SURVEY.

64% OF SURVEYED BUSINESSES EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN CUSTOMER TRAFFIC. NEARLY 60% EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN SALES REVENUE. QUESTION WAS POSED.

WERE YOU BE IN FAVOR OF A SEPTEMBER SING OUT LOUD TWO MACHINE DAY CONCERT EVENT HELD EVERY YEAR.

77% SAID YES. THESE ARE JUST THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM THE SURVEY. WE HAD TRAFFIC EQUAL TO THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS IN OUR BAR AND HOTEL.

I FEEL IT BRINGS A GOOD CROWD OF PEOPLE SPENDING MONEY AND SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES TO INCREASE MORE VISITATION IN GENERAL AND GREAT WEEKEND. WE WOULD WELCOME IT BACK EVERY YEAR. SO WE LOOK TO NEXT YEAR.

AND WE HAVE -- WE HAVE MISSIONS FOR NEXT YEAR AS WELL.

WE WANT TO MAINTAIN THE MOW MEN TUM FROM 2023 FESTIVAL SUCCESS.

OUR PROGRAMMING TEAM WITH ARTISTS AN MANAGERS OF WHAT DATES FOR NEXT YEAR. FESTIVAL ATTENDEES ARE ASKING MAKING PLANS AND ASKING WHEN WE MAY HAVE THIS SING OUT LOUD THE NEXT YEAR. WE CONTINUE TO BUILD THE SING OUT LOUD BRAND ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.

SING OUT LOUD IS WELL KNOWN AND BELOVED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT IS ALSO GROWN IN AWARENESS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

IT IS NOW TIME TO TAKE IT TO A NATIONAL LEVEL.

THAT WILL TAKE ABOUT THREE TO FIVE YEARS AND WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY THIS PAST YEAR. WE GROW THE WEEKENDS BEFORE FRANCISFIELD AND THE ST. AUGUSTINE SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL.

GROWING THESE WEEKENDS. POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT ALL WEEK LONG. AND EXPAND OUR PROGRAMMING AND BUSINESS PARTICIPATION, HOST MUSICIANS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AND EXPLORE ST. JOHNS COUNTY SPECIAL OFFER PACKAGES WITH SPECIAL BUSINESSES. AND WE INCREASE.

WE HAVE MORE FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ARTIST DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THAT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BOOK MORE LOCAL ARTISTS, HOST MORE COMMUNITY EVENTS AND CREATE MORE ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS, NETWORKING EVENTS AND MORE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. WITH THAT, THANK YOU.

THERE IS ANOTHER OVERVIEW OF THE FRANCIS FIELD WEEKEND AND I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND YOUR SUPPORT OF SING OUT LOUD 20 2023.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY INVOLVED AN AMAZING EVENT AND DRAG THE NUMBERS BEFORE THE

OPERATION GROUP. >> WE WERE IN SINGLE DIGITS AND THE REASONS THE HURRICANES LABOR WAY WEEKEND REALLY HIT US.

WITHOUT SING OUT LOUD WE WOULD BE IN BIG TROUBLE AS FAR AS OUR

COMPANY GROWS. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AS SOMEONE WHO ATTENDED THE EVENT THE ENTIRE TIME.

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> BEFORE IRVING GETS ON A ROLL AGAIN, I WILL SAY -- OUT AT THE BEACH, IT WAS BUSY AS WELL. OUR RESTAURANT, WE WERE UP 20%.

THE BUSIEST WEEK WE HAD HAD PRIOR TO KIDS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL SO EARLY AUGUST. GREAT TRAFFIC OUT THERE.

JUST ONE REQUEST IS HAVE SOME MORE EVENS OUT THERE AT THE

BEACH, IF YOU WOULD, THANK YOU. >> UNDERSTOOD, THANK YOU.

>> IRVING. >> I THOUGHT IT WAS FABULOUS.

AND PROBABLY THE MOST EXCITING THING IS THE BRAND NOW IS ACCEPTED BY THE COMMUNITY. AND IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SIX YEARS, BUT TWO YEARS AGO, PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT SING OUT LOUD IS. NOW EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT SING OUT LOUD IS. SO WE CAN NOW START GOING TO STAGE TWO AND START BUILDING THIS.

I STILL LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY THAT SOMEONE IN MARCH TELLS A PERSON IN THEIR RESTAURANT DON'T FORGET TO COME BACK IN SEPTEMBER FOR SING OUT LOUD. THAT IS WHEN WE KNOW WE HAVE MADE IT. IT IS PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE US

[10. MONTHLY REPORTS PROVIDED IN PACKETS]

AND WE CAN START REALLY BUILDING ON IT.

AND I LOVE THE IDEA OF MIDWEEK. AND IF WE CAN EVER GET IT TO WHERE WEDNESDAY IS THE BUSIEST DAY, THEN THIS WHOLE ROOM WOULD

[11. MEMBER COMMENTS ]

BE SMILING. >> THANKS, IRVING.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[02:10:01]

>> THEY ARE IN YOUR PACKET. IF YOU WOULD LIKE A PRESENTATION, WE HAVE SOME OF THE SUMMARY SLIDES FROM THE VCB.

UP TO YOU. NO?

>> EVERYBODY IS SHAKING THEIR HEAD.

>> OKAY. >> AND THEN MEMBER COMMENTS.

MEMBER COMMENTS. >> I WILL GO FIRST.

BECAUSE I KNOW IRVING WANTS TO GO LAST.

JUST TO GET BACK TO WHAT WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT TIME ON RESERVES. TWO TYPES OF STRATEGY FOR SETTING A RESERVE. EITHER A PERCENTAGE OF SPENDING OF THE BUDGET LIKE YOU KEEP 20% OF THE BUDGET IN YOUR RESERVES OR YOU ACTUALLY HAVE A HARD NUMBER.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE SUGGESTIONS FROM STAFF OF WHERE THEY FEEL THAT NEEDS TO BE. AND THEN THE OTHER THING IS GOING BACK TO THE HISTORY LESSON A LITTLE BIT.

WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ARTS AND CULTURE AND THE DIVISION AND THE INCREAS. WHEN WE FIRST PUT THE BED TAX IN PLACE, THE ORIGINAL TWO PENNIES ARE, IT WAS SPLIT UP 40-30-30.

AND IT WAS CATEGORIES ONE, TWO AND THREE.

CATEGORY ONE, BEING MARKETING. CATEGORY TWO, ARTS AND CULTURE.

CATEGORY THREE, BEING RECREATION.

THE OTHER PENNIES DIDN'T FALL UNDER THAT SAME CRITERIA.

I AGREE THAT WE NEED TO BOOST UP WHERE THE ARTS AND CULTURE IS BUT WE CHANGED A LOT SINCE THE MID-80S WHEN THAT CRITERIA WAS SET. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE POLICY AND PROCEDURE IN PLACE FOR GROUPS LIKE TAG! AND SOME OF THE OTHERS GROUPS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE LEITNER GROUP OR OTHERS ARE HERE ON CAPITAL IN THE ARTS, BUT I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE OUT THE RECREATION SIDE ALSO.

THEY HAVE CAPITAL NEEDS THAT HELP OUR TOURISM LIKE BOAT RAMPS, LIKE BEACH WALKOVERS. THOSE TYPE OF CAPITAL PROJECTS.

THE PIER IS ONE THAT REALLY CAME TO MIND AS LIKE -- WE HAD A CAPITAL PROJECT THAT NEEDED TO DONE FOR 20-PLUS YEARS AND AN ALLOWABLE USE OF THIS MONEY. SO HOW WE FUND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT TOO. SO I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE EX-GO TO THOSE CAPITAL PROJECTS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE POLICY BE FAIR TO EVERYONE INVOLVED.

SO THANK YOU. >> SO, IF I MAY, WE CAN CERTAINLY DISCUSS RESERVES NEXT TIME.

IT HAS BEEN THE DIRECTION THAT STAFF IS NOT TO MAKE RECOMMENDATION TOTS TDC, BECAUSE THE TDC IS AN ADVISORY BOARD TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF GIVES ADVICE. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TF BEFORE BUT I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BRING YOU RECOMMENDATIONS OF RESERVE.

>> THEN I WILL ASK THE COMMISSIONER TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION WITH BUDGET, BECAUSE I THINK BUDGET HAS -- JESSIE'S OFFICE HAS TO BE IN PLACE FOR THIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY. THE PIER IS DEFINITELY ON OUR

RADAR. >>MICHAEL GORDON: THANK YOU, TROY. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? VERY GOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JUST -- JUST THE LAST THING IS, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE -- WHEN WE

[12. NEXT MEETING DATE – TBD ]

MEETING IS ADJOURNED -- >> HOLD ON, BEFORE WE ARE ADJOURN. ONE MORE ONLY ITEM.

THE NEXT MEETING DATE. SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO MEET IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE THAT IS THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING.

AND I ASSUME MOST PEOPLE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE THAT WEEK.

THE FOLLOWING MONTH IS DECEMBER. OUR THIRD MONDAY OF THE MONTH IS DECEMBER 18. THAT IS A GOOD WAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS BUT MAYBE NOT ENOUGH.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.