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TDC Minutes 10/25/2004 R October 25, 2004 TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Naples, Florida, October 25,2004 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 Donna Fiala Glenn Tucker David Loving (Excused) Kevin Durkin Robert Dictor Susan Becker (Excused) Murray Hendel Douglas House John Sorey III (Excused) ALSO PRESENT: Jack Wert, Director of Tourism Maria Bernal, Tourist Tax Coordinator/Tourism Scott Teach, Assistant County Attorney Gail Hambright, Administrative Assistant 1 10-25-04 Agenda Page 1 of 1 MEETING AGENDA & NOTICE COLLIER COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Monday, October 25, 2004, 9:00a.m. - Noon Collier County Government Center, AdministrationBldg. F, 3rd Floor I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Changes and Approval of Agenda IV. Approval ofTDC Minutes: Regular Meeting September 27,2004 V. Staff Reports . 1. Director Report - Jack Wert 2. Sales Manager Report - Debi DeBenedetto 3. P.R. Manager Report - JoNell Modys 4. Film Coordinator Report - Maggie McCarty 5. Inquiry Reports - Jack Wert a. Phase V - Fulfillment & Call Summary i. ListltemAlphaLower _RomanLowerText b. Golf Pac Inquiries i. ListltemAlphaLower_RomanLowerText C. Search Engine Report i. ListltemAlphaLower_RomanLowerText 6. Paradise Advertising & Marketing - Cedar Hames VI. OLD BUSINESS 1 . Wiggins Pass Dredging Update 2. County/City of Naples Beach Re-nourishment Update 3. South Marco Beach Re-nourishmenUCaxambas Pass Dredging Update 4. Hideaway Beach Re-Nourishment Update 5. Special Taxing Districts for Coastal and Inlet Projects VII. NEW BUSINESS 1. FDEP Beach Erosion Control Program Updated Submission for both the County/City of Naples Beach Re-nourishment and South Marco Beach Renourishment 2. City of Marco Island Tourist Development Category "A" Grant Application for Laser Grading 3. Discussion of Upcoming November 2, 2004 Referendum for Preservation of Caribbean Garden - The Zoo in Naples 4. Advisory Committee Outstanding Member Service Award and Achievement Awards Program 5. TDC Rules of Procedure VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS IX. AUDIENCE INPUT & DISCUSSION X. COUNCIL DISCUSSION XI. NEXT MEETING DATE/LOCATION - November 22,2004, Collier County Government Center, Administration Bldg. F, 3rd Floor XII. ADJOURNMENT All interested parties are invited to attend, and to register to speak and to submit their objections, if any, in writing, to the board prior to the meeting if applicable. For more information, please contact Jack Wert at (239) 403-2402. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Collier County Facilities Management Department located at 3301 East Tamiami Trail, Naples, FL 34112, (239) 774-8380. Public comments will be limited to 5 minutes unless the Chairman grants permission for additional time. . Collier County Ordinance No. 99-22 requires that all lobbyists shall, before engaging in any lobbying activities (including, but not limited to, addressing the Board of County Commissioners) before the Board of County Commissioners and its advisory boards, register with the Clerk to the Board at the Board Minutes and Records Department. http://www.colliergov.net/tdc/l0-25-04Agenda.htm 10/21/2004 October 25,2004 I. Meeting was called to order by Chairman Commissioner Donna Fiala at 9:00 AM. II. Roll Call: Ms Becker, Mr. Loving and Mr. Sorey were all excused, a quorum was established. III. Changes and Approval of Agenda: Add under "New Business," VI. December TDC Board Meeting date. Mr. Tucker will not be in attendance for the November meeting. IV. Approval ofTDC Minutes: Regular Meeting September 27,2004 Page 10 - Mr. Wert wished to insert "by the BCC" in his remarks concerning the 1 0 year plan. Page 11 - Mr. Wert asked that "Counties Engineer be changed to County Engineers." Mr. Hendel moved to approve the minutes of September 27,2004 as amended. Seconded by Mr. Tucker. Carried unanimously 6-0. V. Staff Reports 1. Director's Report - Jack Wert (Attached) · Bob Delaney /Clarion Inn & Suites represented Naples in Dallas at the Florida Experience promotion. He did a presentation on fishing in the area. · Tourist tax set records again over the previous year. · Awaiting research being done from Visit Florida · May have a need to use Emergency funds for early spring campaign. · Met with Hoteliers to hear what they have to say about next summer's business. (Mr. Dictor mentioned they are having a difficult time getting groups to contract for next summer and appreciate anything they can do at this time) · Page 18 - Tax Collections history and projections 2. Sales Manager Report - Debi DeBenedetto (Attached) · Sent press kit to European Tour Operators letting them know "the coast is clear." · Traveling and attended various meetings and shows. · Have sent many room night requests for proposals to destination hotels. · Booked 533 room nights last month. YTD approx. revenues booked from RFP' s are $1,317,240 · Sent leads to Tourism partners and follow ups · U sing new CD Meeting Planners · Have Guest click on Web site · Worked on many promotions · Planning rest of year trips, registrations and show plans 2 October 25, 2004 3. P.R. Manager Report - JoN ell Modys (Not in attendance- Mr. Wert gave report) (Attached) · Attended Journalist Show in Dallas - good contacts made · Working with news media getting correct information from storms · Online with capabilities for downloading photos Commissioner Fiala asked if the war going on is affecting travel. Mr. Wert responded domestically it is not a problem. It is the International Market they are getting different reactions from, but just particular Countries. The United States are still considered a safe destination. Will be working with the Museum on a rack for the Tourism guides. 4. Film Coordinator Report - Maggie McCarty (Attached) · Two incoming films in area · "One Evening" project shot in Naples · Increase of inquiries due to storms and asking for location photos · Updating photo library. · Updating permitting process - can use credit card and approval process taking only 24 hours. · Attending several meetings · Hosted workshop for States largest film making competition · USA Hosts/Bank of America meeting planners 5. Inquiry Reports - Jack Wert · Page 45 - Consumer 800# for hotel availability information a. Phase V. - Fulfillment & Call Summary · Will make weekly calls to Hotels to get a better feeling on numbers · Covered the numbers on Page 50 by State · Website users doubled this year over last year b. Golf Pac . No change in numbers - hard to promote golf in summer months. c. Search Engine . Pay for click throughs to our Tourism Site 6. Paradise Advertising & Marketing - Cedar Hames Carrie Durand gave the following report on how they are dealing with Hurricane perception for the future & how did they spend emergency dollars: o Sent email Blasts and updated website o Plan: Visit Florida campaign for Television coop spots o Contingency TV plan - alter commercial and ready if Hoteliers numbers aren't where they should be. 3 _.""~...~_......._."".- October 25,2004 o "Partner Hurricane Program" - showed boards with advertising Hurricane fact sheet and general advertising. o Partner Pack - CD o Focus Groups - November 15 & 16 o Showed various posters and ads The partners she referred to were hotels, the zoo and air boat tours. There are approx. 10 hotels out of about 80 that are contributing. Last year there were two. VI. Old Business: 1. Wiggins Pass Dredging Update - Ron Hovell The Grant application to dredge Wiggins Pass for $750,000 has been approved previously and will now go to the Board. Tight time line to finish this winter. Have request to approve a $13,500 work order for Engineering Services contingent on Budget and work order being approved tomorrow. Construction to be done mid-January to mid-March. Need to be finished by April 15th for turtle season. Mr. Wert mentioned the Joint TDCiBCC meeting December 7th. He asked if a special CAC meeting prior to that could be held to review the bid. Commissioner Fiala asked when they approved the $750,000 - was it approved on the 8.5 feet or 13 feet. The permit allows dredging a 1,500 foot long area. 1,400 feet of that are allowed to be dredged to 1,300 and the first 100 feet closest to shore by the permit. Restricted to 8.5 depths. The first 200 feet would be at 8.5 feet the remainder at 13 feet. Mr. Durkin moved to approve the Work Order for $13,500. Seconded by Mr. Tucker. Carried unanimously 6-0. 2. County/City of Naples Beach Re-nourishment Update - Ron Hovell Submitted permit application about a year ago. They have received information that the State will be accepting the application. Should have permit in hand 4-5 months from now. Work should start shortly after turtle season. Mr. Hendel mentioned Park Shore Beach and the rest of the area have never looked so good, and yet they are renourishing it. He does not object, but wanted to make the comment. 3. South Marco Beach Re-nourishmentlCaxambas Pass Dredging Update - Ron Hovell Had a number of permitting officials from State and Federal Government at a meeting on Marco in which a tour of the area was given. Many of their questions were answered concerning shorebirds and sea grasses. 4 October 25,2004 City is possibly pursuing some city funding for additional dredging for navigational purposes. 4. Hideaway Beach Re-nourishment Update - Ron Hovell On Board's Agenda for tomorrow for Budget Amendment - $648,775 for awarding the sand renourishment phase of the project. Need to approve the increase in the Tourist Tax Budget that will be reimbursed and also recommend awarding the Contract to Weeks Marine for $2,482,775. Mr. Tucker moved to approve. Seconded by Mr. Dictor. Carried unanimously 6-0. 5. Special Taxing Districts for Coastal and Inlet Projects - Verbal SPEAKER Ron Pennington - Resident-City of Naples, Chairman of Coastal Advisory Committee and Chairman of Moorings Bay Special Taxing District - Mr. Pennington gave an update of the Hurricane damage per storm: Charley leveled the beach and wiped out the dunes, Frances pulled the sand out, Ivan brought sand on top of the seawalls and Jeanne didn't do much damage, but need renourishment to get the additional sand in the system. He gave a history of the Taxing District - In 1987 the City of Naples established a Moorings Bay System Special Taxing District to: o Maintain the Bay and Doctors Pass o City wasn't prepared to use General Tax Funds o 1989 Park Shore Units 2 & 5 were annexed into the City and brought into the Taxing District. East Naples Bay Taxing District established in Royal Harbor area to maintain canals. In the late 80's the County needed a program to restore the beaches. He gave a history and background of how the Tourist Development Tax was presented to the residents. Many stumbling blocks were in their path and each referendum presented was voted down. The City then established a Committee of which Mr. Pennington was first Chairman. In 1992 a County Ordinance was presented and approved for a 2% Tax from the voters. It stated "Category A" was to finance beach improvements, maintenance, renourishment restoration and erosion control including pass and inlet maintenance. An Interlocal Agreement was made between the City and the County. The cost of maintenance of the Moorings Bay System will be borne by Moorings Bay Taxing District. They maintain all navigational aids and all spots in the Bay to be dredged etc. the cost of maintenance of Doctors Pass and approaches, will be borne by the Category "A" funds from the Collier County Tourist Tax. He recommended each pass be defined for parameters to be covered by Tourist Development Tax. Marco might want an Interlocal Agreement also. He stated all 5 October 25, 2004 the passes in the County be covered and laid out what is and what is not covered by Tourist Tax. He discussed more on the inlet management plan, funding, the policy plan and tourist tax funding for Wiggins Pass. Mr. House disagreed with Mr. Pennington in that the Tax money was first voted on to renourish the beaches, not the passes. The Beaches help develop tourism and the passes are secondary. Main reason is to renourish the beaches for the tourist. Mr. Pennington responded the Ordinance stated "including pass and inlet maintenance." When selling to the voters they were told the inlets would be maintained by Tourist Tax. It is a matter oflaw. He covered the different items covered by Category "A" and Category "B". BREAK-10:26 AM RECONVENED - 10:38 AM VII. New Business 1. FDEP Beach Erosion Control Program Updated Submission for both the County/City of Naples Beach Renourishment and South Marco Beach Re-nourishment - Ron Hoven These are for updates and looking for a Resolution of support from the BCC and appropriate cities. This updates the estimated costs and execution schedules. Mr. Tucker moved to recommend approval to the BCC for both Resolutions. Seconded by Commissioner Fiala. Carried unanimously 6-0. 2. City of Marco Island Tourist Development Category "A" Grant Application - Ron Hoven CAC approved the Grant Application less the area to be renourished under the Caxambas Pass dredging area. Mr. Tucker understands the CAC's reasoning, but the renourishment is needed. Mr. Hoven mentioned whether it needs to be done or not, the beach does get water trapped in areas and the standing water and the area will tend to turn brown and slimy. Mr. Tucker moved to recommend approval of the original request from the City of Marco Island being to perform the maintenance from Tigertail to the South end of the Beach. Seconded by Mr. Dictor. Carried 5-1. Mr. Hendel voting "No." 6 --~-""- October 25,2004 3. Discussion on Upcoming November 2, 2004 Referendum for Preservation of Caribbean Gardens - the Zoo in Naples - Mr. Wert SPEAKER David Tetzlaff - Caribbean Gardens - displayed map of area. Referendum is on November 2nd balloting. Noted they are not only trying to save only the 45 areas of the Caribbean Gardens, but also 200 acres of land around it. One part he showed can be used for public access. Information can be found on www.parkpac.com. He also gave the following information: o Only one of 213 accredited zoos in America. o Accredited zoos draw 136M visitors a year. o Despite the Hurricanes still having a good year at the zoo. o Season and Tourism is important - 40% of business is between Christmas and Easter. o With a "Yes" vote they will hire a Development Director. They are working on becoming a County Zoo on taxpayer land and a non-profit organization. o Will have an economic impact to the area. Discussion followed on what the TDC can do to help the referendum. Mr. Wert responded that the zoo and Pac Group wondered ifthere was a way they can come out in support of the referendum. As a County Department, they can't - but the TDC, as an Advisory group, can take a position, but they need to be careful. Scott Teach, Assistant County Attorney stated he would have to review the matter before he could give a definitive answer whether the Council could make an official endorsement in favor of the Resolution. Mr. Tucker mentioned it is a discussion item and wondered if appropriate to make their comments under the portion of the Agenda for Council discussion. It was agreed and comments were: Mr. Tucker - doesn't have a position at this time and commended Mr. Tetzlaff for his presentation and stated the Zoo is a wonderful attraction. Mr. House - in favor of helping the Zoo anyway they can. It's the best Tourist attraction in Collier County. Mr. Hendel- is an advocate of the process. The Naples Presidents Assoc. is supporting it. The Collier County Assoc. Presidents group is 100% in 7 -,-- October 25,2004 favor of it and his Golf Shore Assoc. (5,000) members are in favor also. He wondered if TDC could allocate funds from their resources or consider the possibility of raising the Tourist Tax by some percentage. Mr. Dictor - wasn't necessarily in favor until he heard Mr. Tetzlaff speak earlier in the week. He didn't know if it was the best use of the land and that the zoo may be better served on a larger piece of land where he could expand. But after he heard his explanation, he was in favor of it. Mr. Durkin - was also in favor and will do what they can as a Hotelier to support it. Commissioner Fiala - also in support of the zoo and felt they can incorporate more to benefit the community. Felt this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and will aid in Tourism. Mr. Wert responded to the question about the possibility of increasing the tax to support the zoo - the 4th and 5th penny can only be used for promotion and support of a Convention Center. Would have to come out of the first two. Would take a reallocation of funds as they currently have it set up. They support the zoo through promotions and advertising and travel writers etc. They will continue to support them through the brochures. 4. Advisory Committee Outstanding Member Service Award and Achievement Awards Program - Mr. Wert Approved by Board of County Commissioners in which each Advisory Board has the opportunity to recognize outstanding members. Maria Bernal- Tourist Tax Coordinator - two awards, service and achievements. Maria covered the procedure to follow among the Committees. Human Resources Award Committee will evaluate and select a volunteer and send onto Sue Filson. Mr. Tucker felt the people serving on Advisory Committees aren't looking for any rewards and creates another administrative hierarchy within County Government and takes up BCC time. He personally thinks the letter and certificates they now receive are sufficient. 5. TDC Rules of Procedure - Mr. Wert Mentioned CAC had felt they needed some structure within their Committee. The County Attorneys office is drafting guidelines and procedures. Mr. Wert covered several issues concerning conducting a meeting. 8 October 25,2004 Mr. Tucker would expect the County Commissioners direct their staff to prepare a generic set of rules and procedures for Advisory Boards and any other rules not inconsistent with other County policies. Rather than each Board initiating a process of doing their own rules. Mr. Wert stated there is an Ordinance now on the books that have some guidelines for all appointed Advisory groups with an attendance requirement. Each Board would have the opportunity to adopt its own guidelines in addition to. The current Ordinance may not be specific enough for some Advisory groups. Mr. Tucker felt their meetings have always run smoothly and followed proper procedure. He favors the process they have used for the Chairmanship. They also operate under Roberts Rules of Order. 6. Meetings: Discussion on the November and December meetings - decision was made to keep the November 22nd date and cancel the December 27th meeting. (Mr. Tucker will not be in attendance for the November 22nd meeting) There is a Joint Workshop for TDC and the Board of County Commissioners on December 7th. (Mr. Dictor will not be in attendance) They will hold a regular meeting that day for any business that needs to be addressed. Mr. Hendel asked the package reach them 7 days in advance of the regular meeting. VIII. Announcements - None IX. Audience Input and Discussion - None X. Council Discussion - None XI. Next Meeting Date/Location - November 22, 2004, BCC Chambers ***** There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 11 :25 AM. COLLIER COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Chairman Commissioner Donna Fiala 9