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TDC Minutes 05/28/2003 RMay 28, 2003 TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Naples, Florida, May 28, 2003 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Tourist Development Council in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 AM in REGULAR SESSION in Building "F of the Government Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the following members present: CHAIRMAN: Commissioner Tom Henning David Loving Gary Galleberg (arrived 9:37) Susan Becker Rhona Saunders E. Glenn Tucker Kevin Durkin (Absent) Robert Dictor (Excused) Joe Dinunzio (Absent) ALSO PRESENT: Jack Wert, Tourism Director Ron Hovell, Public Utilities Engineering Murdo Smith, Parks & Recreation Page 1 I II III IV V VI VII VIII 1. COLLIER COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA COLLIER COUNTY COMMISSION CHAMBERS MAY 28, 2003 9 A.M.- NOON CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL CHANGES AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS APPROVAL OF MINUTES- April 28, 2003 STAFF REPORTS 1. Director' s Report 2. KSR Report Category "C" - Museum Grants- C-1- County Owned Museums- Ron Jamro- Museum Director Projected Annual Allocation- FY 03/04 - $1,069,800 Category "A" Beach Projects- Ron Hovell, Public Utilities Engineering Dept. New Aonlications a. Proposed TDC Category "A" Funding Policy from CAC b. Gordon Pass Jetty Sand Tightening Project $131,113 c. Budget Amendment Canceling or Reducing TDC Category "A" Projects with funds being returned to reserves of $3,213,390.84. Old Applications a. Hideaway Beach Access Improvements Environmental Studies [$25K within $76K previously committed by P.O., CAC recommended] b. Draft 10-YearPlan FY 2004 Beach Maintenance TDC Grant Applications a. County / Naples Beach Renourishment [$10M application, $9M recommended by CAC] b. Hideaway Beach Renourishment with Upland Sand [$600K, CAC recommended] c. Hideaway Beach Renourishment with Offshore Sand [$4,577K application, $2,300K recommended by CAC for 2004 with the balance to be considered in 2005] Beach Cleaning Operations [$246,300, CAC recommended] Marco Island South Beach Renourishment [$600K, CAC recommended] X XI XII XIII XIII XIV FY 2004 Beach Park Facilities TI)C Grant Applications- Murdo Smith, Parks & Recreation Dept. a. Barefoot Beach Back Bay Pier [$865K, CAC unanimously recommended to deny] b. Barefoot Beach Entrance [$272K, CAC unanimously recommended to deny] c. Clam Pass Parking Lot Resurfacing [$40,700, CAC recommended] d. Pedestrian Beach Access [$100,000, CAC recommended] OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS AUDIENCE INPUT & DISCUSSION COUNCIL DISCUSSION NEXT MEETING DATE/LOCATION June 23, 2003- BCC May 28, 2003 The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Tom Henning at 9:10 AM. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. II. ROLL CALL- a quorum was establish with Mr. Dictor-Excused, Mr. Durkin-Absent, Mr., Dinunzio-absent, and Mr. Galleberg-excused but arriving later. III. CHANGES AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA- None IV. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 28, 003 Susan Becket moved to approve the minutes of April 28, 2003 amending the spelling of"Wingaurd". Seconded Ms. Saunders. - Page 5 should read "motion was carried 5-1" not unanimously. Motion Carried 5-0. VI. Category "C" - Museum Grants - C-l-County owned Museums - Ron Jamro-Museum Director Projected Annual Allocation-FY 03/04-$1,069,800. Donna Ridewood - Manager of the Collier County Museum Ms. Saunders would like to see the hours of operation, expenses, revenues, and attendance records before approving the Grant. It was found the information needed was not received. Ms. Saunders may not agree with how they are spending TDC monies without looking at all the facts. She would not be able to approve without studying the information needed. Susan Becker moved to continue the Category "C" Museum Grant funding until the next meeting on June 23ra, 2003. Seconded Ms. Saunders. SPEAKER Mr. Terry Miller - read verbatim comments to the Committee. (Attached) He questioned the validity of the Museum. He mentioned hidden costs of the facility not in the budget that would save the County money by using the building rather than buying or leasing space for expansion. He would like to see them move the museum to the Everglades and convert it to an eco-tourism attraction. The money saved should then go to Roberts Ranch. Convert the facility to county offices. Motion carried 5-0. Page 2 May 28, 2003 VII. Category "A" Beach Projects - Ron Hovell, Public Utilities Engineering Dept. Mr. Hovell introduced Patty Petrow who is working with Mr. Hovell & Mr. Wert on the Grants. 1. New Applications b) Gordon Pass Jetty Sand Tightening Project - $131,113 The State will pay. Commissioner Henning noted the BCC took action at their meeting pending the recommendation of the TDC. Ms. Saunders moved to approve the Project for $131,113. Seconded Mr. Tucker. Carried unanimously 5-0. a) Proposed TDC Category "A" Funding Policy from Coastal Advisory Committee. Commissioner Henning stated the Board of Commissioners discussed the subject concerning beach access and the policy at length at their meeting. There were only two votes for staffs report for beach access. So the Commissioners voted unanimously to have the CAC and TDC tighten up recommendations for providing more beach access to the general public and visitors. What is presented today the BCC will not accept. A handout entitled "Collier County Tourist Development Tax Funding Policy for Category "A" Projects" was given to the Committee. (Attached) SPEAKER David Somers - General Manager of Hideaway Beach Club - The Policy from CAC they have in their packets, came out of a sub-committee meeting of CAC. A policy was given to the County Commissioners from the Parks and Recreation and did not pass. That policy and the CAC policy went back for an overall policy. He discussed the access points and whether there would be any money provided under the policies presented. He made reference to bathrooms being accessible. He feels the TDC should look at the policy from CAC's recommendation. Commission Henning stated it is the desire of County staff to provide not only parking spaces, but also restroom facilities. The reason is that there are potentially grant monies available from Federal and State. It is a goal Page 3 May 28, 2003 to get more beach access. He too mentioned grant monies ifrestroom facilities are provided. (Gary Galleberg arrived at 9:37 AM.) John Dunnuck - Pubic Services Administrator - recognizes a limited number of resources in the TDC funding program. The plan priorities beach access as a priority and provide such for the future. It will meet Federal standards to apply for Grants in the future for renourishment if they have the access. They are not eligible now because the access does not meet the Federal requirements. If a system is established as outlined, the staff can plan for the future and leverage the existing TDC funding against the Federal Funding for future renourishment projects. It encourages access. The indications from the BCC meeting was to spread out beach access, instead of dumping people in larger areas; have smaller areas over a larger area. Vanderbilt Beach was mentioned specifically, but only partial funding would be for certain areas at this time. It would meet 100% funding if they acquired a small portion for restroom facilities. Commissioner Henning said their beach accesses are so limited; and asked what the benefit of the tourism and tax dollars is. Discussion followed on the funding and what the TDC is willing to fund. Mr. Galleberg commented public access is very important. Parking is also important but didn't feel public restrooms increased access being a restroom by itself. If it is part of a facility for snacks etc. it would be considered. If it is hard to get full funding from the TDC, he felt it would cause a big problem in the community being the primary purpose of the tax was to provide for Beach Renourishment. He does recognize that is the end result however. Commissioner Henning asked if it was the public's intent to renourished beaches that have limited access. Need to provide a better level of service for the residents and tourists. The Federal Funding is 65% and the State maximum is 50% of the non- federal share if considered 100% accessible. Mr. Tucker felt if it took $100,000 for a restroom facility to get a $500,000 Grant, then it needs some consideration. They need to have a liberal policy in place to maintain a continuing system. A policy to continue to address the big picture with beach access being replaced with "what is public purpose" is important. Marco Island will deal with whatever the policy is as long as it is a fair policy. Page 4 May 28, 2003 After a lengthy discussion Mr. Dunnuck said they don't want to piece meal the renourishment program and need to look at the whole beach. The issue is funding of the access. They use the Federal standards so they can get the funding and leverage the TDC money for more funds available for the TDC "and" Renourishment. This is a County wide issue and policy. On a long stretch of beach they see people in bunches, the goal is to spread them out. As the population continues to grow they have to look into the future, not for today. SPEAKERS Bruce Anderson - addressed the staff's proposal handed out earlier. It is a proposal to divert beach renourishment money to land acquisition. The proposal does not address how the cost sharing is going to be accomplished by not leaving gaps in the shoreline when it is renourished. It will have to be an overall county wide special taxing district for beach renourishment, or segment by segment of smaller taxing districts. He tells the Committee not to pass half a policy without figuring out how the rest of the beach renourishment is going to be funded that is currently funded by the tourist taxes. The proposal from staff does not address that. It will affect Marco Island where the County has concentrated beach access on the north and south ends and not spread out like City of Naples. He read from the Executive Summary presented to the Commissioners at their meeting. Commissioner Henning asked Mr. Anderson if his perspective of the intent of the voter was to renourish beaches that have limited access to the public. Mr. Anderson responded "yes to renourish all of the beaches". (Ms. Saunders left at 10:00 AM) The Staff will take the wishes of the BCC's comments back to the Coastal Advisory Committee, then to the Tourist Development Council and back to the Board of County Commissioners. c) Budget Amendment Canceling or Reducing TDC Category "A" Projects with funds being returned to reserves of $3,213,390.84: Staff proposes to cancel previously approved projects. Heidi Ashton - County Assistant Attorney - stated if there are outstanding Contracts they will have to be canceled unless they are expired. Page 5 May28,2003 Susan Becker moved to accept the staff recommendations to the cancellation of the projects on page 42 of the report and return the funds to reserves. Seconded Gary Galleberg. Carried unanimously 2. Old Applications a) Hideaway Beach Access Improvements Environmental Studies- $25,000 within $76,000 previously committed by PO, CAC recommended. Existing approved project - Humiston & Moore did a preliminary design and submitted a permit application to DEP. Negative reactions from environmentalists and staff recommends the TDC reconsider the value of pursuing the project. This is between Tigertail & Hideaway Beach with placing sand and a boardwalk to improve the pedestrian access. Mr. Galleberg explained the CAC's position. They felt for the $25,000 they would have insight for the usefulness and knowledge of the entire coast line. Mr. Galleberg moved to approve the $25,000 for the Hideaway Beach Access Improvement Grant. Seconded Mr. Tucker. Carried unanimously 5-0. 3. FY 2004 Beach Maintenance - TDC Grant Applications a) County/Naples Beach Renourishment- $10M application, $9M recommended by CAC. The CAC recommends $9M in 2004 and that the permeable groins are considered in a future year. Ms. Becker moved to accept the staff's recommendation for the $9M. Seconded Mr. Tucker. Carried unanimously 5-0. b) Hideaway Beach Renourishment with Upland Sand - $600,000 - CC recommended. Mr. Galleberg stated this has 3 parts: Upland Trucking/Permanent T- Groins/and full scale renourishment. They felt a stabilization activity was Page 6 May 28, 2003 justified and recommend permanent T-Groins 2004 budget. Deferred the larger renourishment for having a better policy in place. Councilman Tucker moved to approve the funding for $600,000 for Hideaway Beach for Renourishment. Seconded Ms. Becker. Commissioner Itenning would like to continue this item until there is a policy in place. Council Galleberg agreed with Commissioner Henning. The CAC were working with a policy that didn't have approval and didn't know at that time it would come back. Motion fails - 3 no -2 yes - (Becker & Tucker) Commissioner Henning moved to continue the item until they have a Policy by the CAC, TDC and BCC. Seconded Gary Galleberg. Carried unanimously 5-0. c) Hideaway Beach Renourishment with Offshore Sand, $2,300,000 recommended by CAC for 2004 with the balance to be considered in 2005 Planning and design is being done to replace the temporary T-groins and renourish Hideaway Beach. SPEAKER David Somers - Hideaway Beach Club - the Coastal Advisory Committee discussed and decided that protecting the shoreline in all of Collier County was important. The shoreline is eroding and residents will need to protect their land. He realized there will be a policy to come back to CAC again and the T-groins are underway but that they have a critically eroded beach. He seeks approval for the funding. Commissioner Henning moved to continue this item until they get the policy in hand. Mr. Anderson asked if they will be continuing other items dealing with sand in the City of Naples and other parts of the unincorporated areas in expectations of a forthcoming policy. Commission Henning responded that it depends on access, and the question of "where is the public and/or tourist benefit". Discussion followed between Mr. Page 7 May 28, 2003 Anderson and Commissioner Henning on possible violation with DEP Permits and the policy that was rejected and trying to endorse it. Mr. Loving seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-1. (Mr. Tucker voting no) c) Beach Cleaning Operations - $246,300 CAC recommended. This deals with the grooming, cleaning and maintaining the beaches. Ms. Becker moved to accept staffs recommendation on the Beach Cleaning Operation Grant. Seconded Mr. Galleberg. Discussion followed on why they would engage in something that causes erosion. The Board is considering LDC changes that would prohibit that type of beach cleaning. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. BREAK- 10:30 AM RECONVENED - 10:47 AM e) Marco Island South Beach Renourishment, $600,000-CAC recommended. Ms. Becker moved to accept the recommendations and approve the expense. Seconded Mr. Loving. Carried unanimously 5-0. FY 2004 Beach Park Facilities TDC Grant Applications- Murdo Smith-Parks & Recreation. a) Barefoot Beach/Back Bay Pier - $865,000-CAC recommended to deny Mr. Smith showed diagrams on the visualizer of the location and would bring additional people to the beach. He showed the learning center, where the boats would appear and pick up people etc. It is also a safety issue because of the erosion. Mr. Hovell explained the CAC's denial were mainly concerns about the environmental impacts and in balancing the budget. Mr. Galleberg moved to continue this item being contingent of the overall budget until the September meeting. Page 8 May 28, 2003 Seconded Commissioner Henning. Carried unanimously 5-0. b) c) d) Barefoot Beach Entrance - $272,000 - CAC recommended to deny Parks & Rec are asking for removal of the old Guardhouse and construction of a new one with restroom and landscaping. Mr. Tucker supports the staff's denial and would like to see self-service. Mr. Murdo mentioned they have maintenance concerns with automated service. Mr. Tucker moved to deny the grant for the Barefoot Beach Gatehouse. Seconded Ms. Becker. Carried unanimously 5-0. Clam Pass Parking Lot Resurfacing - $40,700-CAC recommended. This is next to the Ritz and needs repaying and striping. Ms. Becker moved to recommend approval for the Clam Pass Parking Lot Resurfacing grant. Seconded Mr. Tucker. Carried unanimously 5-0. Pedestrian Beach Access - $100,000- CAC recommended. The location is Vanderbilt on North Gulf Shore Drive North of the beach access. Mr. Tucker moved to continue this item until the guidelines are reconsidered. Motion fails for lack of a second. After discussion concerning parking, Commissioner Henning moved to defer this item until some policies are in place. Seconded Mr. Tucker. Carried Unanimously 5-0. Xo OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Hovell mentioned the people from Surfsedge appeared before the Board of County Commissioners asking for money ($3,700) for the landscape plants in their development along the beach where sand was blown onto the property causing damage to the plants. He further stated it was unanimous with the TDC that it was a private purpose and should not receive tourist tax money. Discussion followed. The consensus of the TDC was not to reimburse the condo association with public funds. Mr. Tucker moved to recommend to the BCC not to provide TDC funds for the public request of $3,700 for the Surfsedge Condominium for plants due to sand blowing onto the property. Seconded Mr. Loving. Carried unanimously 5-0. Page 9 May28,2003 2. b) Draft 10-Year Plan: Ms. Becker moved to defer this item and bring it back in the fall. Seconded Commissioner Henning. Carried unanimously 5-0. VI. STAFF REPORTS: 1. Directors Report: Jack Wert- Tourism Director He reminded everyone to take a tour of thc beaches. Roundtable - June 25th -- 9:00 AM Major meeting (Meeting Planners Intemational) 2004 Awards Luncheon held - 5/15/03 Appreciation Awards for TDC members - were given out - Mission & Fact statement about Tourism in Collier County - Future Reports by E-mail - Been asked & nominated to serve on the International Convention & Visitors Bureau for the next 3 years. Sales Manager Report: Debi DeBenedetto - Tourism Sales & Marketing Manager - serves on 5th Avenue South Association/Chairman Debbie covered the many projects she has and is working on and the many activities planned. (Attached) Commissioner Henning wanted everyone to be reminded that the Category "A" Funding Policy will go before the CAC, then the TDC and then to the BCC for their second meeting in September. KSR Report: Barbara Larkin - she covered and gave an overview of her report consisting of customer inquiries, advertising activities, and other activities such as: attending roundtables, website and finalizing a logo. Joanne Modys - her report was accompanied with press clippings and her activities. Some of the activities she has held and attended are the following: - FAM Tours - Summer special Press Release - Deals and Offerings - Museum Motorcades - Press Releases about luncheons - Clyde Butcher-Miami Orchid Show XI. NEW BUSINESS: None Page 10 May 28, 2003 XII. XllI. XIV. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None AUDIENCE INPUT & DISCUSSION: None COUNCIL DISCUSSION: Mr. Galleberg asked about Parks and Recreations requests - when putting them into the context of other renourishment and dredging requests and then presenting them to the TDC - CAC is asking for direction whether CAC input is desired or not. Commissioner Henning pointed out it is part of the policy and felt it was appropriate. XV. NEXT MEETING DATE/LOCATION June 23, 2003 - BCC Chambers There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 11:45 AM. COLLIER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Chairman Commissioner Tom Henning Page 11