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[00:00:09]
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ÷÷AYE LEE VANCE.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> THAT BRINGS US TO APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
WE HAVE TO DO ROLL CALL. SORRY.
>> COMMISSIONER KRIS TA JOSEPH.
[4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
>> ALL RIGHT. THAT BRINGS US TO THE A PORTFOLIO OF APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
>> ALL IN FAVOR AYE. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES --
>> EXCUSE ME, CHAIR. A REVISION WAS MADE TO PAGE ONE OF THE MINUTES IN THE STAFF PRESENT SECTION.
THE STAFF PRESENT SECTION PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE NO LONGER PARTICIPATING IN THIS MEETINGS. IT'S CORRECT IN YOUR BOOK, BUT IT WAS NOT CORRECT IN THE ELECTRONIC VERSION.
>> IS THAT NECESSARILY AN AMENDMENT --
AMENDED. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[6. PUBLIC COMMENT]
ALL IN FAVOR.>> POSED. THAT BRINGS US TO PUBLIC COMMENT. MICHAEL, YOU GET TO READ THE SPEECH.
>> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT SCHEDULED ON THE AGENDA. WHEN ADDRESSING THE BOARD, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
EACH PERSON WILL BE PROVIDED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND WE ASK THAT YOU SPEAK DIRECTLY INTO THE MICROPHONE. SPEAKERS WILL COMPLY WITH THE BOARD'S RULES OF CIVILITY AND DECORUM.
>> ALBERT SILAS, 83 BRIDGE STREET.
SINCE IT APPEARS YOUR BUDGET WILL BE PUTTING OFF STRATEGIC PLANNING, IT MIGHT BE USEFUL TO THINK ABOUT THE TDC MISSION AND KEEP IT IN MIND.
HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF MISSION STATEMENTS.
FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS, PRESERVE AND PROTECT FREDERICKSBURG TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC VITALITY AND QUALITY OF PLACE.
NAPPA, CALIFORNIA, PROMOTE, PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE NAPA VALLEY DESTINATION.
CAMDEN, MAINE, CREATE A CAMDEN AREA THAT IS VIABLE AND VITAL FOR BUSINESS, WORKERS, RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. COLORADO, PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM THAT ENHANCES THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE WHILE PRESERVING THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL ASSETS OF THE REGION.
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, CLOSER TO HOME, PROVIDE COST EFFECTIVE MUNICIPAL SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY AND SUPPORT A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE AND EXPERIENCE.
NOW, I OFFER A DRAFT POSSIBLE MISSION STATEMENT FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY. TO STIMULATE A SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT TOURISM INDUSTRY IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY THAT CELEBRATES OUR UNIQUE CONFLUENCE OF CULTURE, HISTORY, ARTS, ATHLETICS AND NATURE BY FOSTERING A VIBRANT AND INCLUSIVE VISITOR EXPERIENCE
[00:05:03]
THAT CONTRIBUTES TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY AND THE WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY.OUR VISION IS TO BE AN AUTHENTIC HOME OF HISTORIC AND CULTURAL DISTINCTION WHERE INSPIRATION MEETS LEGEND AND A NATURAL PLAYGROUND FOR ENRICHING EXPERIENCES, STIMULATING SPORTS AND REWARDING RECREATION FOR VISITORS AND RESIDENTS ALIKE. THE GOALS UNDER THAT SHOULD FOLLOW THE FIVE PILLARS OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT. THESE ARE STANDARD.
DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT, CULTURAL AMPLIFICATION, ECONOMIC IMPACT, PROMOTION AND MEASUREMENT, SUSTAINABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
FINALLY, I MENTION THE STATE STATUTE THAT OFFERS THE TDS IS A TOOL OFFERED TO YOU. IT'S NOT A MISSION IN AND OF ITSELF.÷÷THANK YOU.
[7. FY2026 ACH TOURISM GRANT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS]
I THINK WE CAN CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.THAT WILL TAKE US TO AGENDA ITEM SEVEN. GRANT FUNDING AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> THE ARTS CULTURE HERITAGE GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2026, THE APPLICATIONS WERE ACCEPTED IN MAY AND THEY WERE REVIEWED AND SCORED BY THE GRANT PANELISTS IN JULY. A TOTAL OF 30 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED, TOTALING $1.4 MILLION AND CHANGE.
THE RECOMMENDED ACH BUDGET ALLOCATION IS $683,084.
THE GRANT PANEL MEANT ON THE 29TH AND SCORED THE APPLICATIONS. THEY RECOMMENDED FUNDING FOR 29 OF THE APPLICATIONS. THERE WAS ONE APPLICATION THAT DID NOT ACHIEVE THE MINIMUM SCORE FOR FUNDING.
THE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS -- ALSO BRENDA SWAN FROM THE CULTURAL CENTER IS HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> HEY, THERE. SO THIS IS REVIEWED BY A PUBLIC GRANT PANEL AND SO WE'VE -- THIS IS WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS SUPPLIED, NOT THE FULL APPLICATIONS. PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THEY ARE REVIEWED BY THE PANEL WHICH CONSISTS OF SUSAN PHILLIPS WITH THE BCB, ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JEFF PUTTS AND A MEMBER OF STAFF AND THIS YEAR IT WAS TERA MEEKS.
>> RIGHT. THAT JUST HASN'T BEEN REQUESTED IN THE PAST THAT I'M AWARE OF.
>> DO WE WANT TO PUT THAT IN FOR NEXT YEAR YOU THINK?÷÷
>> I WOULD FEEL IN A GOOD POSITION VOTING ONE WAY OR ANOTHER IF I HAD -- THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE RECOMMENDING AND I GUESS I EITHER VOTE YES AND GO WITH WHAT THEY'RE RECOMMENDING, AND THAT'S FINE. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO. OR I SAY, NO, I READ THE BACKUP MATERIAL AND THIS DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT TO ME AND I CAN PROVIDE VALUABLE INPUT OR NOT. RIGHT NOW I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO RUBBER STAMP IT IF I SAY YES.
[00:10:01]
>> ALL RIGHT. WE PROBABLY NEED THAT PRIOR TO THIS MEETING. THAT WOULD GIVE US A CHANCE -- THIS IS A LOT TO DO THAT, TO LOOK OVER.
>> I WAS LOOKING AT THIS. THE ONLY ONE I DON'T AGREE WITH AND I THINK SHOULD GET MORE MONEY AND I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN SAY THIS IS THE FESTIVAL.
THAT'S A BIG DEAL. THEY ONLY GAVE THEM HALF OF WHAT THEY ASKED FOR, NOT EVEN HALF. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYWAY TO RELOOK AT THAT.
>> YOU KNOW, THE AMOUNTS ARE BASED ON WHAT THE TOTAL ELIGIBLE FUNDING BASED ON THEIR SCORE WHICH IS PUT IN THE GRAND GUIDELINES THAT WERE APPROVED BY DEC IN JANUARY.
BASED ON THEIR SCORE, THAT REDUCES THE AMOUNT THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR AND WITH THE FUNDING BEING HALF OF WHAT WAS REQUESTED, THE ELIGIBLE FUNDING BEING TWICE AS MUCH AS WHAT'S AVAILABLE, THAT'S WHY IT'S HALF.
IF THAT MAKES SENSE. IT'S BASED ON THE AVAILABLE FUNDING AND SPREADING THAT OUT BASED ON THEIR SCORE, THE RATIO.
>> YEAH. IF YOU COULD RELOOK AT HOW THEY SCORE IT, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN SOME OF THE OTHER --
>> IT WAS BASED ON WHAT THEY REQUESTED. THEY DIDN'T REQUEST AS
>> THE REQUESTED AMOUNT IS -- THAT'S WHAT THEY ASKED FOR.
>> I JUST WANT TO REITERATE WHAT MR. WICKS SAID.
IF WE COULD, MOVING FORWARD, HAVE THE BACKUP MATERIAL JUST TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK AT. IF WE HOLD IT TO THE SPORTS GRANTS THE SAME WAY, THEN IT ALL SHOULD BE THE SAME.
>> ALL RIGHT. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR LEX.
I VOLUNTEER WITH SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS.
I'M NOT ON THE BOARD OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS.
SHOULD I RECUSE OR -- I MEAN, I'M NOT A VOTING MEMBER ON ANY OF THESE BOARDS, BUT I DO VOLUNTEER FOR AT LEAST TWO ON THIS
LIST. >> HAVE ANY OF THE BOARDS MADE ANY PAYMENT TO YOU FOR ANY
>> I DONATED TO SEVERAL, BUT I VOLUNTEER ON A COUPLE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT PUTTING MYSELF IN ANY --
>> OR THE BOARD IN ANY JEFFREY EPSTEIN. JEOPARDY.
>> YOU'RE NOT IN ANY JEOPARDY.
>> I USUALLY RECUSE MYSELF EVEN THOUGH I DON'T GET ANY DEC FUNDS. WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS THAT THE PACKETS THAT WE SUBMIT FOR GRANT REPORTS, THEY'RE QUITE THICK. I'M NOT SURE IF YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR. IT'S GOOD TO HAVE ACCESS TO IT, EVEN IF IT'S ONLINE PORTALS OR -- IT'S QUITE A DETAILED APPLICATION THAT GETS US TO THE ELIGIBILITY PROCESS AS WELL AS PROOF OF OUT OF TOWN GUESTS AND THE NUMBER OF VISITORS AND ALL THOSE THINGS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN
THAT. >> I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO KILL TREES, BUT I THINK WE NEED AN AVAILABLE PORTAL FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO READ IT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT WHY DID THEY GET THE MONEY.
>> WOULD IT MAKE SENSE TO HAVE THE EVALUATIONS?
>> I THINK WE NEED BOTH. I THINK WE'LL NEED THE APPLICATION AND THE EVALUATION BECAUSE IS IT A FIVE- TEAM CREW ÷÷THAT DOES IT?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE -- SOMETIMES THERE'S PERSONAL FEELINGS THAT GO INTO IT AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT. I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO PRINTOUT EVERY PAGE. IF WE HAVE A DROPBOX OR PORTAL THAT WE CAN ACCESS AS A GROUP, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
>> SORRY. I ALSO SERVE ON THE -- LIKEN BOARD, FULL DISCLOSURE. I DON'T TAKE ANY FUNDS OR RECEIVE ANYTHING DIRECTLY.
>> ARE YOU A VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD?
>> IN THAT INSTANCE WE'LL FILL OUT A FORM AND LET YOU RECUSE
>> YOU STILL COUNT FOR QUORUM, BUT SHOULD NOT VOTE IF YOU'RE A VOTING MEMBER OR RECEIVE A SALARY.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SOMEONE WILLING TO MAKE AA MOTION? PUBLIC COMMENT? THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
[00:15:08]
I LIVE AT 204 CECILIA COURT. FROM 1983 TO 1987 I WAS THE SIT CITY COMMISSION'S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD. YOU MAY REMEMBER FROM THE LAST TIME I SPOKE WITH YOU THAT IN 1985 WE HAD TAKEN OUT THE BED TAX THREE TIMES AND THREE TIMES THE PEOPLE HAD REJECTED IT.
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HIRED A JACKSONVILLE FIRM TO SURVEY THE COUNTY TO SEE IF THERE WAS A CHANCE OF TRYING TO DO IT AGAIN. THEY CAME BACK SAYING ABSOLUTELY NOT. THERE WAS NOT THE SUPPORT THERE FOR THE BED TAX. WE ASKED WHY.
THERE WERE TWO COMMENTS THAT CAME BACK.
THE FIRST WAS -- REMEMBER, IN THOSE DAYS ST. AUGUSTINE WAS THE GREATER ST. AUGUSTINE AREAS AND PONTE VERDE. THE RESPONSE WAS THE BED TAX WILL BRING PEOPLE HERE TO CLOG UP OUR ROADS AND NOT BRING ANYTHING OF THE VALUE. IT WAS AT THAT POINT THAT WE AS A BOARD BEGAN TO DISCUSS THE WHOLE QUESTION OF INVOLVING THE ARTS AND CULTURAL COMMUNITY AND THE EFFORT TO PASS THE BED TAX.
PROBABLY THE MOST ELOQUENT LEADER IN THAT CONVERSATION WAS THE -- WAS THE HEAD OF THE FACTIONS ASSOCIATION BILL PUCKETT.
HE WENT FROM ONE CIVIC GROUP TO ANOTHER TRYING TO SHOW THAT IF -- THAT WE NEEDED THE ARTS AND CULTURAL COMMUNITY TO PASS THE ACT.
ONCE I ASKED HIM, I SAID, BILL, ÷÷WHY ARE YOU SO INTERESTED IN THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID, SANDRA, IF FAMILIES COME HERE FOR A PERFORMANCE OR FOR A FESTIVAL, THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO STAY OVERNIGHT AND THE NEXT MORNING THEY MIGHT COME TO THE ALLIGATOR FARM.
BILL SHOWED THAT THE INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND THE ATTRACTIONS COMPONENT AND THE ARTS AND CULTURAL COMMUNITY WAS A SOUND ONE.
40 YEARS ON WE HAVE THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, WE HAVE THE AMP, A PRO LIFERATION OF ARTS AND CULTURE. IF WE HAVE TO GO OUT FOR ANOTHER REFERENDUM ON THE BED TAX, WE'VE
>> HI THERE. I'M SHERRY PROVINCE WITH THE LIMELIGHT THEATER. I WANT TO TELL YOU A FEW THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW SINCE WE SUBMITTED OUR GRANT.
WE'RE PARTNERS WITH SUNNY TV WHO WILL BE BROADCASTING LIVE FROM THE THEATER EVERY DAY. WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT PARTNERSHIP BECAUSE THEY'RE WANTING TO ELEVATE AND CELEBRATE THE COMMUNITY AND WE ARE HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THAT IN CELEBRATION OF ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE LIMELIGHT AND ST.
AUGUSTINE. WE HAVE A SPECIAL PROJECT COMING IN OCTOBER. WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE FOUNDATION FOR THE BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM.
THEY'RE GOING TO DO THEIR FUNDRAISER AT THE LIMELIGHT. WE'RE DOING A WORLD PREMIER OF A SHOW -- THE PLAY IS WHEN ALL THE SAINTS ARE GATHERED.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE FUNDING WE'RE RECEIVING.
WE'RE NOT GETTING IT ALL, BUT WE'RE THANKFUL WE DON'T HAVE THE HUGE BUDGET WE HAD LAST YEAR.
I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT THE LIMELIGHT AND THINGS THAT ARE COMING NEXT SEASON. THANK YOU.
[00:20:04]
>> ALBERT SILAS AGAIN. I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A SIMPLE FACT. CGM RESEARCH DID A SURVEY AFTER -- DURING ROMANZA FESTIVAL THIS MAY.
IT WAS A LIGHT SURVEY. THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF RESPONDENTS. I WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT MORE THAN HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS TO THAT SURVEY FOR ROMANZA WERE STAYING IN PONTE VERDE BEACH.
I THINK THAT WAS AMAZING AND I WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE? WE'LL CLOSE THIS PORTION OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT AND BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND?
>> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS AS PRESENTED.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANYMORE COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? ALL RIGHT. YOU WANT TO DO A ROLL CALL?
YES. >> PHILLIPS IS RECUSING HERSELF.
[8. MONTHLY REPORTS PROVIDED IN PACKETS]
THANK YOU. MOTION PASSES. THAT BRINGS US TO OUR MONTHLY REPORTS.>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. I'M SUSAN PHILLIPS.
I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT A FEW THINGS WE'RE SEEING. DON'T WANT TO NECESSARILY GO THROUGH ALL THE NUMBERS ON THE SCREEN. YOU CAN READ THAT.
I WANTED TO LOOK BEHIND IS SCENES AND GIVE YOU IDEAS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH TRAVEL AND TOURISM. THERE'S A STORY FROM THE AP PRESS ABOUT LAS VEGAS BEING DOWN 11%.
THEY'RE SEEING A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN TOURISM NUMBERS AND THEY'RE ATTRIBUTING THAT TO THE ECONOMY, TO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND THEY'RE GETTING VIRTUALLY NO CANADIANS COMING IN. PLUS, THEY'RE STATING A LOT OF FOLKS ARE CHANGING THEIR ATTITUDES ABOUT THE HIGH PRICING IN VEGAS AND THEY DO EXPECT THIS TO CONTINUE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. HAVING SAID THAT, WE HAVE SEEN NUMBERS THAT ARE DOWN, BUT I'M ENCOURAGED WITH SOME OF THE NUMBER THAT IS S THAT HAVE COME IN RECENTLY.
I JUST GOT THE JULY REPORT. JUNE THE NUMBERS WERE DOWN AND THEY HAD A LOT OF GROUPS THAT DIDN'T RETURN THIS YEAR.
I WANTED TO ASK MR. GORDON TO TALK WITH US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN PONTE VEDRA BECAUSE I THINK THE NUMBERS ARE DOWN DUE TO RENOVATION.
>> YES, IN PONTE VEDRA WE'RE UNDER A RENOVATION THERE WITH NEW SPORTS CLUBS AND WE'VE BEEN AFFECTED BY GROUP OCCUPANCY AND SOCIAL OCCUPANCY.
WE HAVE A SMALLER ROOM COUNT DUE TO THE PROJECT, BUT ALSO IT'S A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT TO FIND GROUPS WHEN THE OCEAN FRONT DINING AND POOLS ARE OUT OF ORDER.
WE EXPECT TO SEE THAT HOPEFULLY GO AWAY IN ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. WE'LL HAVE A FULL RESORT THEN. IS IN THAT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR?
>> YES. I WANT TO MAKE SURE FOLKS UNDERSTOOD THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR DESTINATION THAT IS DOING WELL, DOING BETTER THAN PREVIOUSLY. THE ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH AREA IS DOING BETTER NOW BECAUSE THE BEACH NOURISHMENT IS OVER.
WHEN WE HAVE SOME OF THE ROOMS OUT AT THE PONTE VEDRA
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AREA, WHEN I LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS ANDAND JULY ISN'T WHAT WE WOULD LIKE, BUT I LOOKED AT THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME WE'RE SEEING DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH ACROSS THE BOARD. I THINK PERHAPS MAYBE WE'RE SEEING SOME OF THE SOFTENING THAT WE FACED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, MAYBE IT'S TURNING AROUND A LITTLE BIT FOR US. FROM AN ADVERTISING PERSPECTIVE WE'RE OPERATING ON ALL EIGHT CYLINDERS. WE HAVE EVERYTHING IN THE MARKET PLACE. ON AUGUST 11TH WE STARTED OUR SING OUTLOUD CAMPAIGN AND LAST MONTH WE HAD 69 MILLION IMPRESSIONS ON THE MARKET PLACE.FOR THIS PAST MONTH WE HAVE 75.6 MILLION.
WE'RE CONTINUING TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT THERE AND DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO BRING THE RIGHT VISITOR HERE AT THE RIGHT PRICE AND THE RIGHT TIME. THIS MORNING I DID A SEGMENT ON RIVER CITY LIVE PROMOTING THE NEW CONCERT HALL AND TALKING ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO COME VISIT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR MUSIC DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER. AGAIN, WE'RE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN LOCALLY, REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY TO KEEP US IN THE FOREFRONT.
HAVING SAID THAT, I WANT TO TELL YOU A BIT OF GOOD NEWS.
I'M GOING TO CALL ON THE MAYOR, MAYOR RUMRELL, TO ADD SOME COMMENTARY. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO WE FOUND OUT THAT HGTV IS COMING TO TOWN. THEY HAVE A NEW SERIES ON BEACHFRONT HOMES AND THEY WANTED TO FEATURE VALANO BEACH.
WE WANTED TO BE INVOLVED AND POSITION THIS AS BEST AS POSSIBLE. WE GOT TOGETHER WITH THE PRODUCERS AND THE TEAM, WE WERE ABLE TO WORK IT OUT SO THEY COULD DO FILMING HERE IN OUR BEAUTIFUL DESTINATION AND NOT JUST LOOK AT THE HISTORIC DISTRICT, WHICH WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WAS INCLUDED, BUT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THERE ARE OTHER PLACES TO VISIT SO WE DON'T HAVE AS MUCH CONGESTION AND SPREAD IT OUT.
WE DID SCENES AT THE BEACH AND SCENES DOWNTOWN.
WE NEEDED A PERSONALITY TO GO ON CAMERA.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT PERSONALITY IN JUST A MOMENT.÷÷I HAVE TO TELL YOU THIS IS GOING TO BE A SPECIAL SHOW THAT WILL AIR IN DECEMBER OR JANUARY.
WE'LL GET REPEAT EPISODES OUT OF IT. AGAIN, THIS DIDN'T COST US ANYTHING. I THINK I PAID A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY FOR PERMITTING FEES. THE COUNTY AND CITY FOLKS WERE PHENOMENAL TO TURN THIS AROUND IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS STORY IS ABOUT A FIREFIGHTER AND HIS DAUGHTER WHO ARE COMING TO OUR DESTINATION AND LOOKING AT PURCHASING THIS NICE BEACHFRONT PROPERTY.
I THINK YOU'LL ENJOY IT WHEN YOU SEE IT.
WE HAD THE MAYOR ON CAMERA. HE WAS OUR LARGER THAN LIFE PERSONALITY JUST TO SHOW WHATWHAT HE, AS A NATIVE OF THE AREA, WHAT HE FEELS ABOUT HIS COMMUNITY AND HOW PROUD HE IS.
>> YEAH. I HAD A GOOD TIME, BUT I WARNED THEM I HAVE A FACE FOR RADIO, NOT FOR TELEVISION.
IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE AND IT WAS WONDERFUL TO SHOWCASE WHAT A BEAUTIFUL AREA WE HAVE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, IN GENERAL, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. HOW WE HAVE A BUNCH OF ART AND THE FOLKS OUT HERE DOING THE EVENTS FOR THE ARTS. GOT TO EXPLAIN THAT.
OUR NUMBER TWO RANKED AMPHITHEATER IN THE UNITED STATES, NUMBER THREE IN THE WORLD, OUR NEW RENOVATED CONCERT HALL.
IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE OUR GREAT COUNTY, NOT JUST THE CITY. SUSAN, THANK YOU.
>> I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> JUST ONE COMMENT. I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE THIS ST.
AUGUSTINE VISITOR INFORMATION, IT WAS A BRIGHT SPOT, UP 2.4%. I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. I HAVE A COMMENT AND A QUESTION.
THE YOUTUBE IS UP 1,179.9%. CAN YOU TELL ME -- WERE WE JUST NOT DOING A LOT WITH YOUTUBE AND WE THREW SOME STUFF UP THERE OROR SOMETHING THAT --
>> THIS HAS BEEN THE GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING.
WE STARTED THIS PROMOTION I WANTWANT SAY THE END OF LAST YEAR. YOU ARE CORRECT WE HAVEN'T BEEN DOING ANYTHING ON YOUTUBE OTHER THAN PUTTING OUR VIDEOS OUT THERE.
[00:30:01]
WE STARTED A CAMPAIGN AND PUT MONEY BEHIND IT.IT STARTED GROWING AND SNOW BALLING. WE ADDED OUR ADS TO IT AS WELL AND THOSE ADS ARE DOING WELL TOO. WE'RE PICKING UP MILLIONS WITH THIS. WE'LL KEEP IT IN PLACE FOR AS LONG AS WE CAN AND SEE IF WE CAN CONTINUE TO GROW THOSE NUMBERS.
>> ALL RIGHT. MY OTHER COMMENT WAS, AS YOU SAID, AUGUST IS IN A POSITION TO BE UP DOUBLE DIGITS.
I WANT TO WARN YOU THAT NUMBER IS BECAUSE LABOR DAY WEEKEND FALLS IN AUGUST THIS YEAR. IT DID NOT LAST YEAR.
YOU GOT TO GO BY QUARTERS TO MAKE THAT WORK.
THAT'S A NUMBER THAT'S REALLY A TOUGH ONE TO GET AROUND. I JUST WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT USING THAT NUMBER BEING IN DOUBLE DIGITS BECAUSE OF OUR HOTELS. WE'RE PRETTY FLAT FOR THE QUARTER, BUT WE UNDERSTAND WHERE YOUR NUMBERS FOR AUGUST COME IN TO PLAY. THAT'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR
WE'RE HOPING THAT WILL CONTINUE.
THERE'S NO GUARANTEE OF IT. WE HAVE THOSE THINGS CALLED HURRICANES WE'RE TRYING TO OPT OUT OF. WE'RE TRYING TO STAY OUT OF THE NEWS REGARDING THE WEATHER. AT LEAST TO HAVE DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH -- AND I LOOK AT THE REPORTS EVERY WEEK. WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT FOR A LONG TIME. HOPEFULLY THAT CAN BE SUSTAINED.
EVEN SINGLE- DIGIT GROWTH, ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING.
>> I HAVE A QUICK ONE. ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH VISITORS ARE÷÷DOWN. IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE REMODELLING? WHEN I TALKED TO THE FOLKS AT THE EMBASSY AND OTHER PLACES, THEY WERE UP FOR JULY.
>> THERE WERE A COUPLE THINGS THAT HAPPENED.
THERE WERE DAYS WITH A LOT OF LIGHTNING AND RAIN AND IN ADDITION TO CLOSURES. THOSE WERE THE TOP
REASONS. >> THE COMMENT -- YOU KNOW, IT'S NICE TO SEE IT GO UP WHEN YOU START YOUR NEW ADS.
I'VE BEEN SEEING THEM. IT'S FUN TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I THINK THEY'RE HELPING.
ONE THING -- SORRY I FORGOT TO BRING THE ADS WITH ME TODAY.
NEXT MONTH I'LL SHOW THOSE TO YOU.
WE WORKED WITH GABE AND HIS TEAM TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE FOCUSSED ON PROMOTING THE EVENTS AND THE VENUES. WE'RE PROMOTING THE DESTINATION AND ALSO, BY THE WAY, WE HAVE A WONDERFUL FESTIVAL THIS MONTH AND COME CELEBRATE WITH US.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? THANK YOU, SUSAN.
I'M HERE TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A COPY OF OUR BLACK HERITAGE TRAIL GUIDE. I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A FEW MONTHS. THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. IT WAS FUNDED THROUGH A FEDERAL GRANT, STATE GRANT, COUNTY DOLLARS AND FUNDS FROM THE LOCAL ARTS AGENCY. THE GOAL BEHIND THIS PUBLICATION IS TO TELL 450 YEARS PLUS WORTH OF HISTORY IN RELATION TO BLACK HERITAGE IN OUR COMMUNITY. IT'S A GREAT TOURISM PIECE.
IT HIGHLIGHTS 20 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND OUR HOPE IS IT'S THE INSPIRATION FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND EXPLORE, TO VISIT SOME OF OUR GREAT INSTITUTIONS, TO GET OUT TO SOME OF OUR PARKS AND MORE SO TO LEARN THE GREAT, RICH HISTORY OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU PERSONALLY GOT A COPY.
WE LAUNCHED THIS LAST WEDNESDAY WITH AN EVENT AT THE WATER WORKS AND WE'VE BEEN FEATURED ON EVERY GREAT TELEVISION STATION IN THE REGION. WE ARE WORKING TO GET THE WORD OUT ON A NATIONAL LEVEL. WE BELIEVE THIS PRODUCT IS THE NEXT IN LINE OF AWARD WINNING PUBLICATIONS THAT THE COUNTY DOES. THAT TRANSITIONS TO MY OTHER UPDATE. NEXT WEEK WE'LL BE AT THE GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON TOURISM.
OUR CULINARY GUIDE IS GOING TO BE RECEIVING A FLAGLER AWARD AND WE'RE AWFULLY PROUD OF THAT.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
WITH THE CONCLUSION OF THE ACH GRANTS, WE GET BUSY WORKING WITH ALL 29 OF THOSE PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE SUCCESSFUL EVENTS. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.÷÷HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS IS REALLY FABULOUS.
I LOVE TO SEE IT. THE STATE'S HAD ONE FOR MANY YEARS SO IT'S NICE TO DRILL DOWN AND SEE WHAT THE CITY AND COUNTY HAS TO OFFER IN THE WAY OF BLACK HERITAGE HISTORY AND CULTURE.
[00:35:02]
I HAVE HAD ONE GROUP APPROACH ME WHO IS DEEPLY A GRIEVED WAS LEFT OUT.JESSIE FISH, I'M NOT A HISTORIAN SO I CAN'T SPECULATE, BUT I'LL BE WORKING WITH THE GROUP TO BRING THEM FORWARD. THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION.
>> I HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION WITH SOMEBODY BY PHONE LAST FRIDAY ON THAT VERY TOPIC.
AFTER SPEAKING WITH HER AT LENGTH, THE STORY THAT I WASN'T COMPLETELY AWARE OF, IT REALLY PIQUED MY INTEREST IN DOING SOMETHING.÷÷AS WE STARTED TO TALK, IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A PUBLICATION LIKE THIS, BUT TO ME IT WAS A STORY OF HOW EVERY CULTURE BEGAN AROUND HERE AND IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN COMBINE IN A COUPLE DIFFERENT PRODUCTS WE
DO. >> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ORANGE GROVES?
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WE HAD SO MUCH ORANGE INDUSTRY AT ONE TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE BOOK. IT'S GREAT.
TWO QUESTIONS. CAN YOU DROP SOME OF THOSE OFF AT CITY HALL?
>> I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YOU MADE.
ALSO, AT THE PIER GIFT SHOP SO PEOPLE CAN
>> ANYMORE QUESTIONS? I ALSO COULD USE SOME AT
HOTELS. >> WE'LL MAKE THE ROUNDS IN THE COMING WEEKS.
>> JUST A COMMENT. WE'VE GOTTEN SO MANY REALLY POSITIVE REVIEWS ABOUT THIS.
I GOT SOME ON SATURDAY AND I WAS AT THE MUSEUM AND PEOPLE WERE COMING FROM ALL OVER.
WE HAD PEOPLE FROM THE DOMINICAN AND WISCONSIN AND ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THAT WERE VISITING AND SOME FLORIDA PEOPLE. THEY WERE JUST ELATED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THIS AWAY WITH THEM.
IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GO TO ALL THESE PLACES, THEY WERE PLANNING TRIP S TO COME BACK.
IT'S GOOD TO SHOW THE DIVERSITY AND THE BLACK HISTORY IN THE
COMMUNITY. >> IS THAT ONLINE AT SOME POINT?
>> YES, THANK YOU FOR ASKING. YOU CAN GO TO STJOHNSCULTURE.COM.
>> WE SHOULD SHORTEN THAT. THERE MIGHT BE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS THAT NEED THAT INFORMATION.
>> ALSO, THAT FLYER THAT HAS A ÷÷QR CODE THAT YOU CAN SCAN.
APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.
[9. MEMBER COMMENTS]
ALL RIGHT. I THINK THAT'S IT ON REPORTS.>> SO I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE OUT÷÷WITH THE HGTV.
I HAVE A PRODUCER IN THE AUDIENCE WHO IS GOING TO BRING AND TRY TO BRING A MOVIE BY KAREN ALLEN AND HAVE IT FILMED IN OCEANVIEW LODGE, AT THE PIRATE MUSEUM, ALLIGATOR FARM, ÷÷THE PLANETARIUM. KAREN ALLEN WAS IN "RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARC. " COULD YOU COME UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT IT? THIS IS BRIAN LARSON.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> BRIAN LONG FROM NEW YORK CITY, NOT A LOCAL, BUT I LOVE COMING HERE. A COUPLE YEARS AGO I WAS APPROACHED BY KAREN ALLEN WHO WANTED TO DIRECT THIS FILM CALLED "THE BATTING CAGE. "÷÷IT WAS WRITTEN BY JOHN ACKERMAN AND IN THIS SCRIPT SHE'S WRITTEN A LOVE LETTER TO ST. AUGUSTINE.
[00:40:02]
THERE'S A NUMBER OF THE ATTRACTIONS IN THE AREA FEATURES IN SOME OF THE SCENES. IT'S A FILM THAT WE COULD ONLY MAKE IN ST. AUGUSTINE. IT WOULD NEVER WORK ANYWHERE ELSE BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A BIG CHARACTER IN THE FILM.MY PROBLEM, AND A NEW PROCESS FOR ME, ANYWHERE I'VE GONE BEFORE STATES ISSUE TAX CREDITS.
THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS A TAX CREDIT, BUT IT'S BASED ON COUNTIES. I KNOW THAT WHATEVER COUNTY MIAMI IS IN, WHATEVER COUNTY ORLANDO IS IN AND TAMPA IS IN, IF YOU FILM THERE, YOU GET A 30% INCENTIVE TO FILM THERE.
ST. AUGUSTINE IS NOT ONE OF THOSE COUNTIES THAT THE FLORIDA FILM COMMISSION WILL PROVIDE THAT TAX CREDIT FOR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M KIND OF GOING TO AN AREA WHERE IT DOESN'T HAVE A TAX CREDIT AND TOTO WITH THE STUDIOS AND DISTRIBUTORS THAT WE'RE PLANNING TO WORK WITH, THEY REQUIRE US TO FIND 35% FILM BUDGET THROUGH INCENTIVES FROM THAT COMMUNITY. I'VE STARTED THE PROCESS OF JUST INTRODUCING MYSELF AROUND.
I MET WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS EARLIER TODAY. I DON'T HAVE ANSWERS.
I'M JUST BRINGING MY SITUATION HERE TO SEE IF WE CAN START COMING UP WITH WAYS WHERE WE CAN FIND ABOUT $1.5 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE FILM IN LIEU OF THE TAX CREDIT. THAT CAN COME IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR SOME GOVERNMENT BODY TO GIVE US THE MONEY.
IT CAN COME THROUGH LOCAL INVESTORS, SPONSORS, DONORS.
IT CAN COME IN MANY, MANY WAYS. I'M HERE TO START TO ASK YOU TO EXPLORE IDEAS AS TO HOW WE COULD MAKE THIS WORK.
I THINK THE FILM WOULD BE VERY HIGH PROFILE.
THE BENEFIT TO ST. AUGUSTINE IS DIRECTLY -- PROBABLY ABOUT $2 MILLION, $2.5 MILLION OF THE FILM BUDGET WILL GET SPENT HERE THROUGH HOTELS AND LOCATIONS AND CERTAINLY FOOD AND RESTAURANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THERE'S ALSO SOME VERY INDIRECT THINGS THAT A FILM CAN DO FOR AN AREA, IN PARTICULAR FOR TOURISM. LOOK UP THE ROAD TO SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, A NUMBER OF FILMS HAVE GOT DONE THERE AND THAT BRINGS TOURISM THERE.
FILMS, YOU KNOW, WE OBVIOUSLY NEED SOME SUPPORT, BUT THE FILM BEING DONE HERE CAN ALSO GIVE BACK DOUBLE, TRIPLE FOLD BASED ON WHAT THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE FILM ARE.
IT ALSO ENCOURAGES OTHER FILM MAKERS TO COME HERE WHEN THEY SEE FILMS DONE. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S OF INTEREST TO YOU, BUT THAT'S A BENEFIT OF HAVING A FILM DONE
HERE. >> COULD YOU ALSO REALLY QUICK THE ACTORS AND WHAT MONTHS WERE YOU LOOKING AT FILMING? I DIDN'T BRING HIM HERE TO ASK FOR MONEY, BUT I WANTED HIM TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH WE'RE DOING FOR ST. AUGUSTINE.
>> BETTY GILPIN IS ONE OF THE ROLES.
ANNETTE BENNING IS THE OTHER ACTOR WE'RE AFTER.
WE SHOULD HEAR BACK FROM THEM IN A COUPLE WEEKS.
WE'LL START DOING STUDIO SHOPPING SOMETIME IN OCTOBER ONCE WE GET THE CAST NAILED DOWN. KAREN BRINGS A HISTORY IN HOLLYWOOD. SHE'S AN ATTRACTIVE DIRECTOR.
I'M SURE WE'LL GET A GREAT CAST AT THE END OF THE DAY.
THE ONLY MONTH THAT REALLY WORKS FOR US IS APRIL.
I THINK WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON IN NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, JANUARY TIMEFRAME.
I'VE BEEN HERE DURING THE CITY OF LIGHTS.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE. I THINK THE SUMMER WILL BE TOO HOT FOR CREW BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF OUTDOOR STUFF IN THE CITY.
THE FALL FEELS LIKE HURRICANE SEASON IS STARTING TO BECOME A THING HERE.
APRIL SEEMS LIKE THE BEST MONTH FOR US.
WE'RE LOOKING TO TRY TO SHOOT IT THIS APRIL, IF NOT THIS APRIL, NEXT APRIL.
>> YES, THANK YOU. ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? HE CAN MEET EVERYONE AFTER.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL FOR MY
REPORT. >> ANYBODY ELSE HAVE A REPORT?
>> I WANTED TO MAKE A STATEMENT. REGARDING NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, DISCUSSIONS IN THE COMMUNITY ARE CONTINUING. THEY'RE QUITE LIVELY I UNDERSTAND. WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED INQUIRIES ABOUT FUNDING FOR THAT.
IT'S STILL A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC FOR US.
WE HAVE, HAVE MUCH APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT AND ATTENTION OF THIS BOARD TOWARDS THAT
[00:45:04]
FUNDING REQUEST, SPECIFICALLY OUR SUPPORT FROM COMMISSIONER JOSEPH. WE APPRECIATE THAT AND WE KNOW YOU'LL BE HAVING THOSE DISCUSSIONS COMING UP.WE REALLY WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE'RE HERE TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION OR ANY ASSISTANCE.
IF YOU NEED US TO ATTEND ANY GROUPS THAT YOU'RE HAVING AND MEETING WITH ABOUT THESE SUBJECTS, WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT. DO WE NEED A MOTION TO ADJOURN?
>> ONE MORE. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT I GOT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS WEEKEND TO ATTEND A LIVE SHOW AT THE CONCERT HALL.
IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN YET, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND LOOKING AT THE CALENDAR AND FINDING A SHOW. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE THE JOB THEY DID TRANSFORMING THAT PLACE FROM WHAT IT WAS TO WHAT IT IS. I MEAN, IT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE LEADERSHIP OF GABE AND JERRY WILSON'S CREW AND EVERYBODY THAT WAS INVOLVED, THAT TOOK THE VISION OF WHAT THAT PLACE NEEDED TO BE AND MADE IT HAPPEN BECAUSE WHEN I TELL YOU IT IS PERFECT -- I MEAN, I'VE BEEN TO PROBABLY 150 SHOWS AT THAT PLACE.
THIS IS MY FIRST ONE IN THE NEW BUILDING.
EVERY DETAIL WAS PERFECT. IT'S -- IT PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE HISTORY OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY. THERE'S SOME PHOTOS IN THIS OF OLD PALM VALLEY. IT FEELS PERFECT.
IT FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO AGE INCREDIBLY WELL.
I KNOW THEY HAVE BIG PLANS FOR THE NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THERE. I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF IT.
AS SOMEBODY WHO CAN RIDE MY BICYCLE THERE, WHICH I DID ON SATURDAY NIGHT, IT'S AN INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY
THEY DID AN AMAZING JOB.÷÷ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT. I THINK WE CAN ADJOURN.
DO I NEED A MOTION TO ADJOURN?
[10. NEXT MEETING DATE]
>> NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED RIGHT NOW FOR SEPTEMBER 15TH. THAT IS BEFORE SING OUTLOUD.
SUSAN, IF YOU COULD HAVE THAT RE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.