[0:00] Me calling the meeting to order september eleventh nine AM.

[0:06] Are there, is there

[0:08] a request for any additional agenda items from anyone on the account?

[0:12] So here are a non metal. Sure. Yes ma'am. Not an agenda item,

[0:17] but we just pause for

[0:18] a moment of silence for native. Yes ma'am. Thank

[0:28] you Terry,

[0:32] do we have any members of the public that would wish to speak on any agenda items?

[0:38] No public comments have been received. Thank you. The next item on the agenda

[0:45] is,

[0:46] are items of can sense We can say all

[0:53] those in favor,

[0:53] i suppose unanimously. Thank you. The first item on the agenda for general

[1:00] business is the downs and saint germain research presentation for f y twenty,

[1:06] calling in progress. Thank you. Mm hm. Um, yeah,

[1:12] it makes you everything that happened before the recording started,

[1:15] doesn't matter. So jordan,

[1:19] you're making the presentation today. Thank you. Welcome. Thank you. Good morning.

[1:27] Morning, jordan turner,

[1:28] project director with down to saint germaine research. And I will be speaking to

[1:33] you just for a few minutes this morning about our q three april three, june twenty,

[1:38] twenty five visitor data. We don't have anything we have anything on the screen. Do

[1:44] I need to do something? Oh yes,

[1:49] if you would like to follow along and the presentation ends in tab four of your no

[1:54] books. A

[2:03] dirty one or give it a shot without oh, I will go ahead, started. Yes. All right,

[2:08] and I'll be moving through the slides just in case we get the project. Okay,

[2:14] so to start off,

[2:16] just going to start with page four in my presentation. So it's page numbers on the

[2:21] bottom of the slides that you'll see. Just

[2:24] a refresher on what happened in April through june because it is unbelievably

[2:27] already september. We had the word of South festival, the chain of parks,

[2:31] our we had three wonderful concerts we had emancipation day in June tenth the

[2:38] southern shakespeare festival. And as she capital tough,

[2:41] so lots of events during that quarter. There we go. We got one,

[2:46] we got two more that one up. And then I'll just go ahead and start with. There we

[2:52] go. Both of them are up. I'll go ahead and start with the economic impact of

[2:56] visitors year over year in q three of twenty, twenty five compared to twenty,

[3:01] twenty four. So looking first at just a visitor number here,

[3:05] you can see visitor number is slightly down. However,

[3:08] we are still seeing an increase in both spending and economic impact,

[3:12] and that's the result of each visitors spending more while in the area. So that's

[3:16] a good thing to see. Part of that increase in spend as this increase in room rates

[3:21] year over year that you can see in the second table here. And then we're also

[3:25] seeing increases in occupancy and room nights in spite of that decrease and

[3:30] visitors,

[3:31] that's the result of visitors traveling and smaller parties this quarter compared

[3:35] to last year. I also want to mention here that we do collect this data in fifteen

[3:40] other destinations across florida. Most of these numbers and those other

[3:44] destinations are down. So it's really,

[3:46] really great to see some of these numbers up here. And then we have added this

[3:52] slide at the request of the board to compare this year to the previous session year

[3:58] . So this slide is comparing april through june of twenty,

[4:01] twenty five to April through june of twenty, twenty three. And as you can see,

[4:05] even when compared to an equivalent session year,

[4:08] we're still seeing increases across the board and all of these numbers. And we're

[4:12] also still seeing more of an increase in spending and economic impact compared to

[4:17] visitor number for the same reason. visitors spending more while they're in the

[4:21] area. So this is all as well. Great to see. Also we have added at the end of the

[4:26] presentation. I won't be going through it today,

[4:29] but we've added more information on the twenty twenty three data into our year over

[4:34] year comparison slides. So those now show twenty twenty three,

[4:38] twenty twenty four and twenty,

[4:39] twenty five. So that you can see how things are changing in session versus non

[4:43] session years. And then now we'll go ahead and move back to comparing this

[4:50] year to the previous year and stay there for the next few minutes as I have

[4:53] finished my presentation. So looking at the fiscal year to date twenty,

[4:57] twenty five compared to twenty, twenty four,

[4:59] we're again seeing numbers across the board here up, which is great. And again,

[5:04] seeing the same increase in spending and economic impact that's kind of outpacing

[5:08] that increasing visitors for the same reason. Last,

[5:14] we liked to look back at the last five years on some of these metrics just to see

[5:18] how things are changing over a longer period of time. And so with occupancy rate,

[5:23] we're seeing a little bit of

[5:25] a little bit of fluctuation. But overall and upward trend and then an eighty r,

[5:29] we're also seeing overall and upward trend, their visitor numbers,

[5:34] some fluctuation. But again,

[5:36] that's okay. visitors are spending more per person consistently over time. And so

[5:42] we're still seeing an increase in room nights spending and economic impact over the

[5:47] past five years are Ok. Now I'm going to talk just briefly

[5:54] about your q three visitors, your april three,

[5:56] g and visitors and what they did before they plan their trips or what they did

[6:01] before. They came to the area as they plan their trips. What they did while they

[6:04] were here, and then a little bit about them,

[6:06] reflecting on their time here. So as we usually see about two and three visitors

[6:12] start planning their trip

[6:13] a month or less in advance. And most visitors do say that tallahassee was their

[6:17] primary destination. We see the usual top planning sources,

[6:22] so people turn to advise from friends and family who know about the area or just

[6:26] previous knowledge of the area,

[6:28] especially. We see that in the session year on surprisingly,

[6:31] but people also do search for information about tallahassee on Google. And then

[6:36] we're seeing increasingly people use social media. So not surprisingly,

[6:39] that's becoming

[6:40] a more important planning source over the past three years. Looking at advertising,

[6:46] we did see a slight decrease year over year and visitors, recalling,

[6:50] seeing advertising and being influenced by it to visit. But again, at

[6:54] a session year, people aren't coming to the area because of ads,

[6:57] so that is expected and normal. And then among those who did remember seeing

[7:01] advertising,

[7:02] social media is again becoming more important here. So most people seeing that on

[7:07] their personal or visit tallahassee,

[7:09] social media page And then the top reasons visitors came to the

[7:16] area we're seeing visiting friends and relatives going to one of our wonderful

[7:21] events just relaxing or traveling to the area for business. Looking now and

[7:28] who tallahassee is. q three, visits are most visitors,

[7:32] unsurprisingly come from either florida or elsewhere in the southeast. Specifically,

[7:37] most visitors travel from surrounding areas,

[7:40] the Atlanta area or the miami fort Lauderdale area. And those are the same as last

[7:44] year. The same top area is The average travel party size. Last quarter was two

[7:51] point five, only about

[7:53] a third of visitors traveling with children. Or the average age was forty five,

[7:58] average income,

[7:59] eighty seven thousand per year. Most visitors are married. And you can see here the

[8:04] specific breakdown of Education, race and ethnicity,

[8:08] most visitors have some college education at least also seeing four percent of

[8:13] a high school degree and four percent with

[8:15] a trade school or technical degree. And then most visitors are caucasian,

[8:19] african american or has been Looking at what visitors do while they're in the area

[8:26] . We're seeing about a fifty fifty split between visitors,

[8:29] staying and hotels versus other overnight accommodations or just coming for the day

[8:33] . average length of stay was two point nine nights and then about twenty percent

[8:39] were in the area for the first time. Looking at what visitors do while they're

[8:46] here usual top sources, they go to restaurants, visit friends,

[8:50] and family. Just relax. We are seeing fewer visitors reporting that they went out

[8:55] to eat in restaurants or,

[8:57] and all and more visitors reporting that they went to special events or family

[9:01] vacations this year. And then we also like to compare why visitors said they came

[9:08] to the area versus what they said they did while they were here. So on the left you

[9:12] see the same for top reasons for visiting that I've mentioned,

[9:17] but visitors while they're here, are enjoying

[9:19] a wide variety of what we have to offer. In spite of you,

[9:23] we're going to restaurants. We're still seeing that as the highest percentage

[9:26] people have to eat and enjoying attractions, bar shopping, nature,

[9:32] even in the heat of the summer Looking at spending we saw and this is

[9:39] travel parties been not spend per person. So an average travel party spend of two

[9:43] seventy per day and about seven eighty per trip. And then last,

[9:48] looking at how visitors, reflect on their time here,

[9:51] they gave tallahassee an average rating of seven point seven out of ten as

[9:55] a place to visit. And most said they would come back to our area or when asked to

[10:01] describe tallahassee visitors said things like tallahassee has

[10:04] a southern fuel with a lot of energy. Hello. Has the,

[10:07] has great natural trails for those who want to get outside and relax. And there's

[10:11] a nice selection of restaurants for the whole family. So that is my very quick run

[10:16] through what we saw in q three of this year. And I'm happy to answer any questions

[10:21] . Yes,

[10:26] michelle. Thank you. Um, thank you for your,

[10:29] for you. You mentioned session during the session, you made

[10:33] a legislative session. Yes. Okay. Because we have legislative session every year.

[10:37] It's just

[10:37] a matter of whether it's in stars early or whether it started late in our later. So

[10:44] um, I just want to make sure that we're talking about the same session, correct?

[10:47] So and then the other thing is that I noticed that the household income has come

[10:52] down for these individuals used to be ninety five thousand dollars or eighty seven

[10:57] thousand. That's. That's interesting. Yeah, that's

[11:00] a trend we're seeing each quarter is that is the income is coming down. It did come

[11:04] down less this year compared to last year. It's only about

[11:08] a thousand. Mm hm. But we are seeing that trend,

[11:10] the lower household income. And my final question is when we have capturing,

[11:15] whether they stay in hotels on a home,

[11:17] the what have you or we including airbags in the hotel column. Those are included

[11:22] in vacation rentals. Okay. A interesting reason

[11:30] and do we see, do we have another question?

[11:32] Do we see any type of trans going from moving from hotels to vacation rentals,

[11:39] holmes or whatever?

[11:41] So I know we've seen a decrease in people saying, and hotels not

[11:45] a dramatic decrease,

[11:46] but it is going down slightly. I have not looked at the vacation rental data,

[11:49] but I will. Um, we're seeing more day trippers as well. Okay,

[11:53] so that's kind of off setting that hotel decrease,

[11:55] but I'll look back at how vacation rentals have changed. And I'm going to be really

[12:00] interested to see especially football season when we look at that,

[12:04] because we're still hearing at the hotel costs are extremely high. I get,

[12:09] I'm getting calls all the time about it. And um we, we know we, we,

[12:14] we know that what we've been sharing,

[12:17] but it still hurts to park it. And so that turns people into going to air

[12:22] b and b's or seeing and others homes are doing day trips. So we just need to be

[12:28] sure to see how that transitioning during football season. And we know that in the

[12:33] spring of the year we had graduation as it was the same kind of the same thing with

[12:37] graduation as well. Thank you. Yes,

[12:42] russell. Just to kind of spring off like you were just bringing up

[12:50] for our projections in September or may not august and September or the

[12:56] a predicate on last year's numbers. And then ten actually enhance

[13:03] a disorder cli,

[13:05] our projections collections are based on historical data. And then again,

[13:11] we smooth it and look at different trends and things like that. But yeah,

[13:14] the reason I bring that is so far we have

[13:17] a football team that is feeling the stadium much better than last year. And I'm,

[13:23] I'm optimistic that we may exceed those numbers if they were based upon last year's

[13:30] numbers. So I'm just curious about that and then regarding the cost,

[13:36] I was surprised that two hundred and sixty nine dollars

[13:39] a day is what the average band is. Because I know my costs have

[13:46] gone up and we've had to increase our ticket prices and everything. And I'm sure

[13:52] the hoteliers are running into that same problem. I think it's going to be very

[13:57] difficult. So whole but daily spend at the level it is given everything we're

[14:03] facing in the economy. So somebody keep an eye on. And that bins does also

[14:10] include overnight visitors in day trippers. So day trippers are probably bringing

[14:14] that number down a little bit. That makes sense. Yes,

[14:19] carrie russell to address the teach a projection,

[14:22] the trend we an hour and we based of

[14:26] a modest projection i believe like three percent and year over year again,

[14:31] looking at of course, considering football season and you know,

[14:34] cross country season and you know, all of special time and all that,

[14:38] but this year so far we are seven percent higher. And so again,

[14:44] we're well on trend there and exactly that. I mean when you look,

[14:47] even last year we had hurricanes in August and September. So again,

[14:52] you've got accounts for that as well, but as far as the, the,

[14:57] the trends and the optimism that's there, you bet we're all,

[15:01] we're all anticipating that in the months ahead as Well. So it will be

[15:07] ten percent expedited by Anyone have any other follow up questions for

[15:14] jordan?

[15:17] Thank you very much. You The next item on our agenda is

[15:24] the

[15:24] a four and twenty six cards and special events grant award recommendations. matter

[15:30] . I believe you're gonna need this item and call on somebody else if you want. I

[15:39] Don't think I've ever done this. I think I just said yes,

[15:41] things went well. We were done it in twenty eight minutes. I believe all the money

[15:47] was awarded. The changes this year to how we analyze

[15:53] grants, i think were welcomed so much easier. The staff did such

[15:59] a great job with revamping that process so much more emphasis on heads and beds.

[16:06] So to give you guys a perspective, you know, let's say

[16:10] a grand applicant has done this for several years. Okay. And uh,

[16:16] they, historically, let's just say have fifty room nights. And that equates to

[16:23] a range of money that they should get. Well, they put on their application,

[16:27] sometimes two hundred room nights and with no clear plan,

[16:32] ask actually how they're going to get from fifty to two hundred or ignoring the

[16:37] fact that for the last five years they've had fifty room nights. And then not only

[16:42] do they do they, you know, Have

[16:47] a very optimistic view of the room nights that have that are not grounded in any

[16:51] sort of history. They will ask for the upper echelon of that next range for the two

[16:58] hundred room nights. So again, historically,

[17:02] something that is generated fifty room nights now it's saying two hundred and now

[17:06] is asking for call it seven thousand dollars in

[17:09] a grant. And so that was one of the key emphasis that I believe staff and everybody

[17:15] tried to fix this year to make that clear. And the process was just so much easier

[17:21] . But by the time all of our scoring was done,

[17:24] I believe the number was fourteen thousand dollars left out of the deal. A lot of

[17:30] the money which typically doesn't happen normally were,

[17:34] were over me. And so we were down fourteen, split it up amongst all the grand tees,

[17:40] about thirty five of them. And I think everybody left pretty happy with

[17:45] a clear explanation as to what they need to focus on for next year. Just first of

[17:51] all, I need to recuse myself from. I gotcha. Um, well,

[17:58] on behalf of the entire council. Thank you all for survey on that committee. It's

[18:02] not easy. We know how long those applications are and we appreciate your

[18:09] just your commitment to the process and ensuring that the T D two is advocated

[18:13] appropriately and fairly. So thank you. If you will bear with me a little bit,

[18:19] we have

[18:19] a few work for people that need to recuse themselves from these notes. I'm going to

[18:23] be doing a little bit of choreography here,

[18:25] as I call for some motions to ensure that we have the refusals and the

[18:32] conflicts of interest kind of debate up. Um I would like

[18:39] to entertain

[18:40] a motion that we approve all of the special events grant

[18:47] funding sans removing grant number three. brent number

[18:53] eighteen and grant number thirty three. And for this vote,

[19:00] russell and mat um can vote no

[19:09] Hold on. I have this all worked out Because there is a Okay,

[19:16] so personal and I cannot run,

[19:17] i cannot vote on these Right

[19:28] first. Which which numbers do you need to recuse yourself from?

[19:38] Man,

[19:38] if you could look at to find out which ones you need to recuse yourself from as well

[19:42] . I did have the choreography on her

[19:58] interview. You're looking for minus number nine, number thirty three,

[20:03] and thirty nine. Or

[20:11] If I have one, I'm one of those all worked out perfectly,

[20:15] but Mr. proctor was not fitting something. So I had the numbers down which ones are

[20:20] you mat? I'm one one in seventh,

[20:24] one and seven. Okay. All

[20:33] right. If I said thirty three, I meant thirty for your thirty three. No,

[20:40] I'm thirty four. Thirty one. So thirty four. Thirty nine.

[20:52] Right Right. So yeah,

[20:57] tell so again with Frontier are have to meet yourself from nine, nine,

[21:02] mean twenty nine, twenty nine. Thirty four, thirty four, and thirty nine,

[21:08] thirty nine. All right,

[21:14] so If we

[21:20] take,

[21:22] all of them met these on. If we take all of them met fees,

[21:31] you can but they have to and they can great. All right,

[21:36] we're going to take a vote and omit number three, number eighteen,

[21:42] and number thirty three,

[21:43] matt and russell. You do not vote on us. They're both recused. You are both

[21:50] recused on this. Now. We're gonna, i'd like to make a motion to approve the slate,

[21:58] omitting number three,

[22:00] eighteen and thirty three. Those are the ones of which I am. Oh,

[22:06] I Don't,

[22:09] but all those in favor of approving all in v in words. sam's number three,

[22:15] eighteen and thirty three. Say I I and there are two refusals. Oh,

[22:21] okay. All right. Now I will entertain

[22:25] a motion of which I am going to retire as myself,

[22:29] for the acceptance of the special event grants. Number three, number,

[22:36] eighteen,

[22:37] and number thirty three. Second. All those in

[22:43] favor. I first as you mostly.

[22:51] Thank you. All Right,

[22:57] uh huh scott, you are next with the concert of the day. Please don't ask us,

[23:04] do any mental gymnastics like was just,

[23:07] you can do. We can do you do. Yeah. So you do, you do cause

[23:12] a lot of folks to dance. Start seeing a sub Thank you. Last time I was here,

[23:19] we had wrapped up a spring. It was the middle of shakespeare week,

[23:23] and we didn't have everything finished with paper work wise,

[23:26] but we've turned everything in and feel real strong about the spring we have. We

[23:30] have two great events coming up one course. gladys knight,

[23:35] i think is one that is pretty powerful, was

[23:38] a grammy winner in hits in six I think different to John was she's just class act

[23:44] and quite

[23:45] a get from tallahassee and that so act over twenty four friday night. And then

[23:50] after that we have the john williams music,

[23:55] unbelievable music presented by

[23:57] a tell us who symphony along with the first commerce credit Union or

[24:03] a great sponsor. We've brought in for that. Is there eighty fifth anniversary

[24:08] celebration. So it worked out great. And I think That mandy and her

[24:15] crew will put on

[24:16] a packet or that and that's december eighth friday night. And then the,

[24:22] we missed a couple of things. We wanted to get the call really make it a special,

[24:29] but one of them is going to come back in the spring,

[24:31] i believe. And we have some events that area and our working on

[24:37] a very closely to bring the spring into focus pretty soon and some looking at as

[24:44] far as out of two oh two,

[24:46] six. So everything seems to be on track for hopefully for another great year. Two,

[24:53] oh two, six. Does anyone have any questions or comments for Scott?

[24:59] Thank you. I do have one comment. Oh boy. I was really expecting our

[25:06] steam colleague, bill proctor to start doing some gladys tonight,

[25:11] harming and we're singing. So I'm disappointed not to hear that You'll have to

[25:18] just accept that we are all human and so I mean on an side All right,

[25:24] um next stop is an update on the world athletics cross country championships and I

[25:30] believe taylor and amanda. Yes. Are going to be giving us presentation as we're

[25:36] just talking. We don't have a presentation today. I thank you. I hope everyone has

[25:42] a great morning. It's less than four months to go. So who's counting now?

[25:48] I've actually

[25:48] a hundred and twenty days from today will be welcome in the world here in leon

[25:53] county until the house. And so to say we're excited is an understatement. Um and

[25:57] may be ready for the day to be over at the same time. Since I know honestly we're

[26:02] really excited when we say we're full,

[26:04] full head to seem like we are in the merge of everything. So Oh,

[26:09] I think we did it last time,

[26:10] but we will be watching ticket sales and race registration any day. Uh so we are

[26:16] really excited,

[26:17] you will see it everywhere as soon as it comes out. So please for the word uh,

[26:21] the tickets are ten dollars for adults. All children twelve and under our free uh

[26:26] you will have to purchase a ticket as in like, go on and get

[26:29] a free ticket. Everyone will need a ticket to enter,

[26:32] but kids proven under will be free race registration for the last one run,

[26:36] which were hosting for those as twenty five dollars. A person. Every finisher gets

[26:41] a metal, their own championship metal,

[26:44] not quite the same size as the championship one,

[26:46] but very much like it. And then for that also we're doing an initiative with kids,

[26:51] athletics and all kids twelve and under will be able to compete for free. And the

[26:56] twelve,

[26:57] the to k race so really excited to get the families and the kids out and get involved

[27:01] in the race. And then part of that, and kind of the legacy from this event is

[27:06] a portion of all the ticket sales from races and the tickets to get in. I will be

[27:11] donating back to leon county Schools so really excited. And in particular,

[27:15] that funny will be going to the five high schools,

[27:18] they're tracking cross country programs. So we're, it's really,

[27:21] really trying to start and start

[27:21] a legacy for the sports. We brought the world championship here and we hope all the

[27:26] kids get behind it is that haven't been involved in the sport or no,

[27:29] the sport will hopefully now know the square of athletics as

[27:32] a really excited about that leon county Schools obviously is excited to. But we'll

[27:36] be doing

[27:36] a lot of initiatives with them just spread the words and get all the kids and

[27:39] families out there and then tailor on the marketing of day. Yep. So um regarding

[27:44] the marketing um some of the local signage has started to go up around town. Um and

[27:51] is banners um it is also I believe library mon, on. So we have launch

[27:56] a world athletics inspired library card and that's going out and they have some

[28:01] information,

[28:02] all the libraries about the event. And so really excited about that. Our team is

[28:07] also working with the city on the whole thing. Some of the light pool banners as we

[28:12] get closer to promote the event as well. Um so that will be covered around downtown

[28:18] . Um and then with cross country season starting we're really planning on larger

[28:23] activations at each of our events. And for the world championships,

[28:28] we will have uh just some giveaways and information um at those ten they will be

[28:34] able to register for the fun, ron, or just got

[28:39] a ticket as well. I'm really excited about that. Our team is also going to be

[28:43] attending the Disney wine and dine half marathon five k, and expo,

[28:49] which will be about sixty five thousand people that will be there. So it'll be

[28:52] a great chance for us to get our information in our name, in the event,

[28:56] in front of

[28:56] a lot of people that will hopefully return and then coming back um for the event

[29:01] itself. Uh, the website for the event has launch the world athletics website,

[29:06] as well as the visit tallahassee, landing page for our website, and that has

[29:11] a little bit more local information. Those are being populated with information

[29:16] about coming to tallahassee. What to do and all of that,

[29:20] so really excited for that a, our kids athletics,

[29:24] program promotion has begun as well. We started

[29:28] a creative arts contest inspired by our logo and welcoming the world to Florida.

[29:34] And that's been grouped into separate ages. They all have

[29:38] a chance to be featured. All of the submissions will be featured at the event

[29:43] itself. And then we will select winners to receive

[29:47] a kind of kid swag back from world athletics kid. And that will be sending some

[29:53] things over for us. If to those winners,

[29:55] we're really excited about that. Um amanda and I have also been working on

[30:02] interviews a. So we have some podcasts coming up with golf when

[30:07] a series that will be coming out. And later october, we have

[30:11] a interview that will be published in the athletics weekly magazine. us are really

[30:18] excited about that as well. Um and then our team is getting ready to your out for

[30:23] the final reading, the site visit with world athletics. The week of October,

[30:28] sixteenth through seventeen key athletics,

[30:31] rolled athletic staff and come over to just kinda see how things are going and go

[30:35] over some final details you some things around the course. So we're really excited

[30:39] to welcome them for that and kind of final put some final touches on thing I once

[30:45] was just oh yes,

[30:46] and then sponsorships. We're continuing to reach out to sponsors. We have some

[30:51] meetings coming up for additional sponsors and we have some key sponsors that are

[30:56] on board or last commercial meeting with world athletics. They've given us the

[31:00] greenlight to go ahead and start working on finalizing sponsorship agreements. So

[31:04] we're really excited for that because then we can now our sponsors officially to

[31:09] you guys and the rest of the world,

[31:11] so excited for that. And that should hopefully be coming with um and so I'm just

[31:16] the course developments. Obviously there's a lot of work going on. Our apple Watch,

[31:20] regional parks are cross country season actually starts tomorrow night. So really

[31:24] excited about that. But wanted to share with the counsel is as soon as we end our

[31:28] normal cross country season, which will be on November twenty second,

[31:31] the course will actually be closed until the event takes place on January tenth. So

[31:35] that just gives you kind of odd glimpse into how much will go into actually

[31:40] creating this course. Remember,

[31:41] it's not the course that is existing. Now we are creating

[31:44] a different course in addition to it. So there's

[31:46] a lot of elements that we have to build out and so the courts will be closed for

[31:50] nearly two months. So it just gives kind of everyone and an idea of

[31:54] a lot of work that's going to go into the execution of the,

[31:58] of that meeting involved. Obviously you want the counsel involved spreading the

[32:03] word,

[32:03] we will be formally inviting everyone to the welcome dinner. The welcome dinner

[32:08] invites to individuals from every country, and so hopefully about

[32:12] a hundred and twenty individuals from across the world. And then our key

[32:16] stakeholders in our community. Um,

[32:18] well hopefully joining us that efforts you are the champions called for the welcome

[32:22] dinner the night before the event. So look out for that. We'll be sharing that

[32:25] information once you get it. But hopefully everyone can be part of that and really

[32:29] show the world are, you know,

[32:30] are southern hospitality here in leon county. And then obviously,

[32:33] hopefully everyone can be at the event, will have

[32:35] a huge v I P R attach that is going up. It will be first class and so everyone on

[32:41] accounts will be involved in the part of that and hopefully and then edition really

[32:47] just spread the word. We want this to be a, you know,

[32:50] community event outside of welcoming the world in the region here. We want our

[32:54] house to,

[32:55] to show up. We want everyone to be there. This is really our opportunity when they

[33:00] handed us the flag and serbia they said we expect our, i see in leon county,

[33:07] we just ship ever and we don't want to let them down and that,

[33:11] that comes with numbers, right?

[33:12] That's people, they're cheering on. So we want

[33:15] a record number and that comes from everyone here in this community showing up for

[33:19] it. So again, we're really excited and does anyone have any questions?

[33:22] We'll have more updates. ticket sales are going on sale any day now. So um,

[33:26] be on the look out for that a this is really sounds number seven, a comment?

[33:31] Yes. Thank you for that great presentation. I see the excitement. But my question

[33:37] is,

[33:37] are we marketing to our high schools in the not only in the state of in the region,

[33:44] because you know, this is a great price for me so, so to speak. But for the,

[33:50] for those um high schools that I guess even to, to, to the young people,

[33:55] are we marketing to those, those individual groups as well?

[33:59] Or Yeah, we are, um,

[34:01] and I think there is obviously an emphasis on lilian county Schools. But we are

[34:06] looking at and reaching out to you all of the, uh,

[34:10] kind of regional area as well to get those people involved. Um and to get them here

[34:16] for our championship. I think really waste across country coming up and

[34:21] a lot of those teams and coaches and people coming to the community just naturally

[34:26] that's really going to be

[34:27] a great time for us to kind of in market to them and get them to sign up on site

[34:32] and,

[34:33] and plan to come back to worry and I get emails from even teams and coaches in for

[34:40] like, we want to bring our team down like let us know and we have information,

[34:44] so I regionally. Um I think we'll,

[34:47] we'll be able to capture it when it's taylor so we have activation,

[34:51] is that all of our events which are regional events. So our f,

[34:54] as you invitational throughout, generates kids from South Carolina, texas,

[34:57] alabama. And then in addition to that, we've hosted the USA

[35:01] t f of junior championships and the a year which we have

[35:04] a really great connections with and they're promoting the event on their site too.

[35:08] So they're really excited to get the kids here and get them involved for me. I just

[35:12] united States as a whole, but I obviously our region in particular. Thank you. Hi,

[35:18] Carrie. Thank you. Wanted to have say a few words to thank you so much,

[35:22] madam chair. And again, really want to recognize the entire team,

[35:26] particularly taylor and amanda, as the co chairs of this chime norm, this event,

[35:32] i really cannot adequately convey the magnitude and go

[35:39] of this event. So a true testament to their leadership,

[35:42] their tenacity. Talk about hurting cast or kitty, i mean and globally,

[35:48] all over caps all over the globe and, and they've really done

[35:52] a terrific job the entire visit tallahassee team. virtually everyone is involved.

[35:59] It's been always been all hands on deck,

[36:01] but I mean same with parks. This has been such

[36:04] a tremendous with so many other county departments. Again,

[36:08] really want to really acknowledge all the terrific work that they have been doing

[36:13] again we're four months ago. And so we're going to,

[36:15] they've been operating at extremely high level and they're gonna kick it even to

[36:19] another gear here just starting tomorrow with cross country season kicking off. So

[36:25] I really want to acknowledge the incredible work of these two ladies in the entire

[36:30] team. I also want to share a couple other points here. We will be,

[36:35] I will be sending

[36:36] a email to you all to invite you to come out to one of our cross country

[36:43] events this season. So you can start to already see some other changes to the

[36:47] course. There is a physical,

[36:50] large physical structure that's built that's going to be part of the world. But you

[36:55] can see there's already some things that are taking place that are being

[36:58] incorporated into, you know,

[37:00] they're not going to impact the regular cross country season. But to also give us

[37:05] a comparison how far along we are not just every year with our cross country season,

[37:10] like I just say for the I believe, thirteen consecutive year,

[37:14] we are hosting the Florida state high School athletic association cross country

[37:20] championship. At arcus thirteen consecutive year, so we will be all the,

[37:24] the schools from around the state competing will be here and they will be every,

[37:29] we will have a table out of each one promoting worlds. So again, that's very,

[37:33] very important. I'm also gonna send an in my email to you all inviting you to come

[37:38] out to a particular van. So I can say will take you around, put you on a,

[37:42] put you on a gator. Also car's take you around the course so you can kind of get

[37:46] a first hand look kind of see what development is taking place. And that way when

[37:50] you see it,

[37:50] where else you're going to go. Wow. Because we're really going to be building

[37:54] a city out there, like the olympics, you know, when you go anywhere,

[37:58] i mean there's, I mean, all these temporary buildings. I mean it's,

[38:01] like I said china warm is. And so what all that's going into that is,

[38:08] like I said, cannot be understated because it's it and it's already

[38:13] a spectacular site. I think most of you all have already been out there,

[38:16] but it's going to be completely transformed. Like I said,

[38:20] just like the olympics out there will be a whole city. As amanda and taylor shared,

[38:25] we are whole close on launching our website with the ticket sales platform and the

[38:30] fund run race registration. You haven't seen all the marketing kick in yet because

[38:36] of that. There's not been that call to action. We've been building awareness. So

[38:40] you see some of the signage. The marketing team is locked and loaded. They've been

[38:44] shop and at the BET to unlace the marketing plan. But without the platform as the

[38:50] call to action, we've been, you know, again, just chomping at the bit,

[38:54] getting ready to run and we are mere days away from,

[38:57] from flipping the switch. And then you're going to see

[39:00] a lot more marketing there. Also I will send if it's all right with you all

[39:05] a save the date to put on your calendar for the welcome dinner on January ninth.

[39:11] That is a Friday night doke. So if that's okay with you all, I just want to put

[39:15] a save the date so that where you guys haven't locked in on your calendars with

[39:19] more. So um, thank you so much madam chair,

[39:23] for being able to share some additional recognition for the,

[39:27] for Amanda taylor and the entire team and just how excited we are. And we've been

[39:32] talking about this for years. As you all know. I mean, you all, you're like,

[39:35] it's been right there with us the entire way because of you all are here for months

[39:40] to go. So again, this be a lot more common,

[39:43] so thank you all for your support as well. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you both so

[39:48] much. Thank you. Three entire team. Do you want me to stay into sports now?

[39:53] Sounds good. I do good. Yes. Um we had our sports council meeting on Tuesday. Oh,

[40:00] great. Turn out um again, sports council is very involved which we much,

[40:04] I know the sports team really appreciate. Um, you know,

[40:07] I think obviously cross country is something we talked about

[40:09] a lot. We are starting the cross country season uh,

[40:12] tomorrow. Uh with the hook as nice as thunder. That's one of ten unique events that

[40:17] will take place this year,

[40:19] including the world championships. Um well also housing another role. Another

[40:24] championship the any I A national championship along with the slack and others. So

[40:29] again, very busy fall as we move into the world championships,

[40:32] so excited for that. But in addition this weekend we're hosting

[40:36] a cross country meet and then we're also hosting

[40:38] a softball tournament. So we have over thirty teams in town. Um that's taylor and

[40:43] the team organize to come here. One

[40:45] a half of it that might one of my parts and the other one is that f as you Um,

[40:49] so not to lose sight of not yes,

[40:51] we have cross country. We have so many other events,

[40:54] and that kind of leads me into these grants. And if you go and look at how many

[40:58] different sporting events take place in this community, all or,

[41:02] and taylor have both and a great job of making sure we,

[41:05] we spread that portfolio and with I don't get to the acceptance of the fiscal year

[41:11] twenty six forty that grant, we have a new grants this year,

[41:16] so that's really excited. And um we had thirty eight total um coming in at

[41:22] a hundred and thirty eight thousand three hundred and ninety nine. The grand budget

[41:27] was a hundred and forty thousand dollars. If you are familiar,

[41:31] general we sports has the second cycle doesn't leave

[41:34] a lot of money for the second cycle. But we know that there's some attrition within

[41:38] here. That's sometimes cancel and we generally have

[41:41] a little additional funds that come through. But all these events are worthy of it

[41:46] . And again, thank you to the committee. As it tedious the committee, it takes

[41:50] a lot of times to review thirty eight grants and take the time to go in and look at

[41:55] and read each one. So with that,

[41:57] the recommendation to the gdc is to recommend all thirty eight grants at

[42:02] a hundred thirty eight thousand three hundred ninety nine. moves the list for full

[42:06] funding all those in favor. Man leslie. Thank. Thank you.

[42:14] All right,

[42:15] next on the agenda is the F right. Twenty six. cultural and tourism

[42:21] marketing ramp award recommendations an update For for

[42:28] for to kathleen kerry? Did you want to get this off?

[42:36] Thank you so much madam chair. Before kathleen gives her update and answers the

[42:42] grant recommendation. So I did want to point out

[42:47] a couple of things of note in the grant

[42:51] a coca grant recommendations document gives me as you all could

[42:58] saw. Also you were sent this the streamline version to um as

[43:04] requested um without the descriptions. Again that sets her place and was also

[43:09] emailed yesterday. So you can again kind of see a line by line comparison. This is

[43:15] a, a banner year for the COBRA grants. Again, this year,

[43:20] these recommendations again,

[43:21] just want to point out there's more than two million dollars in grants that are

[43:25] being recommended. So that's

[43:26] a lot of tourist development dollars. That will be going to all these organizations

[43:33] in the community. But I want to make sure we're all aware and to see this,

[43:37] that same amount will continue in future years. And also of note is of

[43:44] the thirty seven grants. Seven applications have been

[43:51] told for eligibility verification by the county attorney's office and myself.

[43:58] As we do every year, as you all know and part of the contract,

[44:02] and we review every single coca grant application for eligibility

[44:08] as has been every year since really twenty nineteen. There's always

[44:13] a few that had that require additional legal and like I said towards the review to

[44:19] ensure the eligibility there is an amendment process in place that has been

[44:24] utilized every year. So that would be again utilize. So I did want to, to clarify

[44:29] a couple of points on that. The seven applications that have been pulled for the,

[44:35] the ability reviews have not been identified in the document. So I did want to

[44:41] share who those were. Those were also included in the email yesterday,

[44:47] but I want to again make sure for the record,

[44:49] since it's not in the written document. The following seven grant applications are

[44:56] pending. The final eligibility review with county attorney's office and myself that

[45:02] the asian coalition in tallahassee for experience, asia, the enhanced ability,

[45:07] able artist gallery for their general programming. The challenge or learning Center,

[45:14] the launch box. Um, its a hands on adventure for,

[45:18] for children making light productions that's they're making light program theater

[45:24] program. The tallahassee box are lay there, concert series,

[45:29] institute for music business there, music money and mindset program,

[45:34] and the strikers use arts project for the Capital city dance festival. Like I said,

[45:39] just this eligibility review process takes place every year. So again,

[45:44] this is that's not uncommon for them to be pulled to, to, for further,

[45:49] for applications to be pulled for additional review. What is and the usual this

[45:53] year is two things. Is one,

[45:56] the delay usually the according stopped. Uh huh.

[46:05] Um. And so the, the to,

[46:08] I'd say kind of not typical things is the, the,

[46:14] the meeting typically cuz calculating as, as the grant cycle knows the,

[46:19] they concluded their, um,

[46:21] application period. We've had them for several months that we had received the

[46:26] applications themselves. But due to

[46:30] a backlog in the county attorney's office for legal review,

[46:36] again, due to the world's agreements and etc, there was

[46:41] a tremendous backlog to work through. So we're working through that as the last two

[46:46] to three weeks. They've cleared them off. So again,

[46:49] all these contracts are now moving in the last two weeks,

[46:53] the delay has been on me with my l. This,

[46:56] but I do anticipate again this week that they will be reviewed. Um,

[47:01] hopefully this week we can get those done and, and started. So the timing is,

[47:06] is different due to several factors, again,

[47:09] with the county attorney's office and then my illness the last couple weeks. So

[47:13] that's on you as well. But again, in process,

[47:16] the other part that is unusual is that you will see them in here that are

[47:20] recommended because again, that is a little out of out of the process. So again,

[47:26] I just wanted to point out,

[47:28] since it wasn't pointed out in there that these seven applications are still

[47:33] pending, eligibility review, but yet they have been scored and evaluated. So again,

[47:37] I just wanted to provide that clarification and also noting again this is

[47:43] a banner year for our arts and cultural organizations. So they've receiving

[47:47] a lot of diverse development council money this year,

[47:50] a tourist development tax schedule,

[47:52] and that was all concludes my remarks. Thank you. Thank you. I'm sure before we

[47:57] begin,

[47:57] I refuse myself on this. Sure. Um before we move on to comments or questions

[48:04] from the console. Kathleen, did you want to make any comments on the proposal?

[48:10] I'm sure so, um, as I just wanted to clarify that they are the twenty,

[48:17] the twenty six grant recommendations for the to do to for the cultural grant and

[48:22] control tours and marketing. I just want to make sure that that's there for the

[48:25] record. And between these two programs,

[48:27] it is does represent thirty seven organization and since seventy four grants for

[48:31] the total of two million, six hundred and fifty four dollars in

[48:35] a completely agree with everything that kerry said regards especially in regards to

[48:40] being a banner here. Really appreciate that. Also it's a banner year in,

[48:45] in arts and culture. We are the state funding has again not been awarded to

[48:52] about I would say about thirty well it's the majority of organizations in this

[48:57] community that asked for not all of them. There were some that were that are on

[49:01] this list that were awarded by the states, but unfortunately this year, again,

[49:06] there's a second year in a row of not having that funding. So this,

[49:10] this funding this year is really needed in the community to make sure that that

[49:16] tours and programming continues to move forward. I also wanted to just add that we

[49:23] know this isn't unusual situation on this year,

[49:27] but we have also worked with our coca attorney on this process and worked very

[49:34] closely with kerry and emily and to stay updated on how everything went. So when we

[49:40] look at what's being proposed for this year,

[49:42] we're really confident between everything that the guidelines say,

[49:46] between all the compliance is that we checked out. And the process that we followed

[49:51] because we also extensively review this with the culture,

[49:55] with the coca board and executive committee and so on and put the whole process in

[49:59] place. We're confident from here on once these are approved,

[50:02] we can just complete this process and,

[50:05] and move forward with these proposals. Of these proposals,

[50:10] the seven organizations that you see on this list are also return applicants of

[50:15] applicants. And they have all,

[50:18] I have passed the tourism as eligibility in the past,

[50:24] so all supplements have so several years. So we are confident that,

[50:30] as we looked at these applications and we looked at the projects and kinda compare

[50:34] that information to pass eligibilities that we can move forward confidently with

[50:40] this process. Okay. Um, before I have it, I have

[50:47] a couple of questions. Are you asking the council to approve all thirty seven,

[50:53] inclusive of the southern not have not been deemed eligible for funds at this time?

[51:00] Yes we what we were would um suggest and what we request is that approval be given

[51:05] to the slate of recommendations,

[51:07] pending eligibility review and county approval. That's how we are the cocoa board

[51:13] move forward with the,

[51:15] with the funding approval. And so we are asking this counts to do the same

[51:22] thing to move forward with it,

[51:23] pending eligibility review and county approval. So those two things would need to

[51:28] be in place for these seven in order for them to move forward. Okay,

[51:33] um My personal opinion is I don't want to hold up the process for the

[51:40] other thirty,

[51:42] but I certainly would not feel comfortable moving forward with approving the seven

[51:49] that have not been deemed dollars of all by the county attorney, tvc staff,

[51:56] etc. That is right, hold on, hold on one second,

[52:01] I got yes. Just did also have an additional question with that. Are those same

[52:05] seven also being question eligibility for the marketing grant portion as well or

[52:11] that is completely separate?

[52:12] That's not, that's a good question. What do with the marketing side?

[52:14] That's a good now,

[52:15] I'm just trying to get this cultural programming only. Not the marketing. Okay.

[52:19] Okay. Especially on rosecrans. Did you have a question?

[52:24] A, a, the, the question that I have is, um,

[52:31] if we do not do this,

[52:32] will we have to then come back and deal with the seven separately?

[52:37] Because if that means that we have to have another meeting to deal with the seven

[52:41] separately,

[52:42] i can get on more with approving them and naming the seven

[52:49] that would be pending for, for uh,

[52:52] moving for um with the approval of the, the process as

[52:57] a place to review process within a county attorney's office, cvc,

[53:01] executive director and whoever else that needs to sign off on otherwise we would

[53:05] then have to come if we,

[53:06] if it means that we would have to do another meeting to approve the seven. If

[53:13] you follow what I'm saying, I do, I think what I am concerned about,

[53:17] and I think we could handle this at the next meeting,

[53:20] which is what is there november sixth november um. But if these

[53:27] programs are not deemed eligible,

[53:30] and they then have to have an amendment to their program,

[53:36] how do we know that they would be scored the way that they scored?

[53:41] During the first review, i'm worried about the scoring being affected if it's

[53:45] a different program. So if these programs were deemed ineligible,

[53:50] they would have to take an amendment to their application. What if that amendment

[53:55] is deemed eligible or did not receive the score for the same score that their first

[54:01] one did? Well,

[54:02] I think we're looking at these programs. Some of them are really counting on

[54:08] getting going with this with this funding. So I would say that if,

[54:11] if they are deem and eligible and do have to make and remember that those would

[54:16] need to come back to the next meeting,

[54:18] back to the November meeting before the. But if they are reviewed and they are div

[54:22] eligible, let them go, go ahead and get going. Only those that are not approved,

[54:27] not only eligible, bring them back to the November meeting. But for the others,

[54:32] you know, if they are approved that let them go ahead and get started. As you know,

[54:36] is, are ready to hard enough and kind of get

[54:38] a hit these programs going again and get them going in the course. They were not

[54:41] able to get everything that they, they've asked for. My concern, i have

[54:45] a different concern that all of these funds have to be expended this year. And the

[54:50] later they start expanding the funds, a heart is going to be to,

[54:54] to do it. And we don't want anybody getting real creative or how they spend it.

[55:01] And I hope they have been prepared. And this is

[55:05] a banner year we hope to have future banner years. But in this particular time,

[55:10] this, this is not probably won't be repeated next year because of the, the,

[55:17] just the way things are going economically. What have you. My concern is that they

[55:22] have a great year this year. They have

[55:24] a drought potential drought next year. But they can't hold these funds over for

[55:30] future years. They have to use it and this year is that correct?

[55:33] So they do need to use this year. There's a, there's

[55:38] a possibility. So after, so let's say this,

[55:42] this goes through september thirtieth of twenty, twenty six. There is

[55:45] a possibility of another six months of use after that and then that's it. And it

[55:50] cuts off after the after that. Okay. And then my other question about that I always

[55:56] is telling, you know, this whenever we're, we're building out money,

[56:03] we need results. You know, how will this been?

[56:06] And I know you will probably have that come to accountability. How is expanded with

[56:10] the program successful?

[56:11] Because if, if there is the money is being spent,

[56:14] if for some reason the program was not successful at folder,

[56:17] we need to know that as well. Because if they come back and apply again they,

[56:20] we need to know that, you know,

[56:21] they were funded previous year but were not able to deliver to the desired results

[56:26] . Those that we need. So that should be

[56:28] a part of the scoring for the next time. So I say it said

[56:34] a lot of kind of maybe talked in circles,

[56:36] i'm kind of thinking out loud. I know that they need these funds to get going in

[56:40] and they got to get funding from other places. And sometimes they use the fact that

[56:44] they got this funded to help get other funding. Absolutely. So I don't,

[56:47] I don't want to hold that up,

[56:48] but I think that going back to my original point. But those seven that are still

[56:53] under review, if they are not deemed eligible in something nice,

[56:58] they have to change something they know should come back to the next meeting of

[57:01] this of this board. So I wouldn't be ready to move to make,

[57:05] make the motion that we move forward with the thirty that have been approved. That

[57:12] the seven that are pending. If they,

[57:15] it is determined that all the parties involved that they are eligible,

[57:19] then they to shift move forward with funding for those who may be deemed eligible

[57:24] and they come. They be brought back to the November meeting of discounts as they

[57:29] need to move before I have

[57:32] a few additional questions before we move for anything I did as well actually. Okay,

[57:38] we got the motion. Okay, is there

[57:42] a second so that we so now we can open up for discussion. Yes, we're there,

[57:49] man. We go. I just having served on our own grant committee for

[57:56] however many years of

[57:58] a two hundred thousand dollar max budget. How is this two million dollars?

[58:04] That's my first question. Thirty four out of thirty seven score. Ninety or above.

[58:10] That is never happened in any panel that I've ever been on for scoring. Thirty six

[58:17] out of thirty seven were eighty five plus. I'm sorry,

[58:21] none of this passes the sniff test. I don't understand how two million dollars is

[58:26] awarded in grants when we don't even have that budget combined in the six years

[58:32] that I've been sharing,

[58:34] it just doesn't make any sense to me. So I don't know how luck,

[58:40] however you guys do your thing,

[58:42] whatever. But if I'm joe public looking at this,

[58:48] it makes no sense to me. So may I address that?

[58:51] Well, in just one moment, I think did you want to follow up conversation?

[58:55] Did you have a follow up comment or I did

[58:57] a little bit. Yes. So partly to piggyback off of that, you know,

[59:01] we don't see anything in here and I know, I mean,

[59:03] we're not involved in this process at all for healthy or their grounds for the

[59:07] review process of that. But there's, there's nothing in here that,

[59:12] that we see that tells us, you know,

[59:14] what the husband as are and the tourism that's generated from these events. So you

[59:19] know, it to match point. And if it's still

[59:21] a lot of money to these organizations are wonderful organizations and,

[59:25] and I certainly think that all of them are,

[59:27] are worthy of receiving grant funds. But there is some question as to how are this

[59:31] dollars so much if we have, you know,

[59:34] seven that aren't eligible. And I know our grant is, aren't given

[59:39] a second chance to revise and come back and say, okay, well we, you know,

[59:44] we know we weren't granted or we weren't, you know,

[59:46] able to receive what we asked for. Let me revise that and come back and hope that

[59:51] we can get some additional funds or that we would then be eligible for those funds

[59:54] . So I'm a little curious as to why they have this kind of, let's go back and,

[59:58] and rewrite and revise to then be eligible on eligibility on our side of it is

[1:00:05] required prior to applying. Or if they apply and read the review process and we

[1:00:10] deem that it's questionable or that they aren't eligible, they're not given

[1:00:13] a second chance to then rewrite that to then come back to us and say, you know,

[1:00:17] please give us a scrap, you know,

[1:00:19] funding and and if we have seven that are potentially not eligible and are

[1:00:26] then given that to rewrite or to revise and amend to be eligible. I'm not saying

[1:00:30] that that shouldn't be a process that we do. I think, you know,

[1:00:34] there's definitely some worthwhile components to that. But say we have three of

[1:00:38] them that were awarded a hundred thousand and that money then goes back in to

[1:00:43] a pot. But if, if it's not used,

[1:00:46] my understanding is that goes back to the state. Or is that correct?

[1:00:50] So I guess helped me understand a little bit about how, you know,

[1:00:52] if we have the seven grand

[1:00:53] t is all of this money to million plus pot is awarded. If we have seven that are

[1:00:58] truly deemed and eligible. And it's, you know,

[1:01:01] three hundred thousand dollars say I don't know the exact amount,

[1:01:04] but where does that money go then?

[1:01:06] If it's not being granted to them, I also have one more not to add more,

[1:01:10] but I have one more thing. We assume the grand to look exactly like the grants work

[1:01:16] for everything else, which is you spend the money and then you get reimbursed is

[1:01:20] a lot of money for these organizations to even spend. How does the have this money

[1:01:25] to even spend? It's much money. I run businesses,

[1:01:30] i would have fifty six thousand dollars to spend on

[1:01:33] a summer camp and then get money back. That said,

[1:01:39] fifteen million dollars with the businesses. I can't do that. It just,

[1:01:43] it doesn't make any sense to me. logically,

[1:01:47] you can't. You don't have the money in the coffers to spend to get reimbursed. Most

[1:01:52] of these don't to Me

[1:01:59] um kathleen,

[1:02:00] um could you please address or explain to us the process that the grant

[1:02:07] fees go through, who reviews them? What is the make up of your grand panel?

[1:02:13] So these are great questions. Thank you so much for them. One of the things that it

[1:02:17] really illustrates to me is that I think all of you need need to do a,

[1:02:22] this grant program is very different than the grant programs that are for sports.

[1:02:28] They're, they're not,

[1:02:29] they are vince. But they're also for year round. So what you're seeing here in

[1:02:34] regards to a funding is not just for one of that, it's for several events,

[1:02:40] and it, it keeps the tourism going you around. And I want to make sure,

[1:02:45] I think michelle,

[1:02:45] i will address what you're saying. But I want to make sure that that's really,

[1:02:48] really clear. This community supports arts and culture. I know we all do

[1:02:55] arts and culture events also bring folks to restaurants. They bring folks to other

[1:03:00] um, to hotels. They do

[1:03:01] a lot. And this is we're talking about year round or all the times,

[1:03:06] especially when there are special events from the other. The other grants that

[1:03:12] we're just approved by this council. So I just want to make that point because it's

[1:03:15] really important that we continue to support arts and culture at this level. Two

[1:03:21] million dollars is a great achievement and we worked pretty hard to get there as

[1:03:26] a community and the arts and cultures eighty five million dollars annual. They who

[1:03:32] knew that it,

[1:03:33] it does contribute to this community. This is how it helps to get there. And so I

[1:03:38] just want to make sure the that was really familiar. Can you answer the question

[1:03:41] about the answer? Some of the council members questions regarding the process?

[1:03:45] Yes. And who reviews i will answer on how those could you get to those questions?

[1:03:50] I will and I wanted to give that context because that's why this grant program is

[1:03:55] different. So the applicants receive this application in this year,

[1:04:02] it was the end of April and they had uh, they have a few weeks to apply for the,

[1:04:09] the funding. And when we look at the CAPS of this year and how much could

[1:04:15] be be spent, we knew that this was

[1:04:18] a banner year. So we were able to adjust some of the CAPS, for example, the,

[1:04:22] the museums or the museum. And the symphony orchestra were able to apply for more

[1:04:28] money than they did in the, in the years past. But in the, the,

[1:04:31] the museum was able to qualify for that the tallahassee museum. So we were really

[1:04:35] fortunate to be able to offer that this year. So we did look at that this year and

[1:04:39] adjusted the CAPS. We know that sometimes the CAPS will go up,

[1:04:42] sometimes they'll have to go down. But that's why we're looking at that kind of

[1:04:46] pool for this year. So the applications go out the applicants and apply for the

[1:04:52] program. They come to to

[1:04:54] a coca and we do get consultations on that and assist as much as possible upon

[1:05:00] request for the applications to be submitted. Then they're submitted. Then they're

[1:05:06] reviewed by our staff for eligibility to the grant application and

[1:05:13] then we after the eligibility is done. And if there's any kinds of questions that

[1:05:19] would need to be answered with that, then we move forward a slate,

[1:05:23] send to the to the tourism director and to the county attorney's office for their

[1:05:30] review. So that's, that's how that is handled. And then we work with the,

[1:05:36] the, the,

[1:05:37] those two entities on the tours and eligibility review in regards to the grant

[1:05:42] panel. We do receive grand panel application grant panel applicants from all over

[1:05:48] we recruit also. And so normally we put together a large we,

[1:05:54] we try to recruit more applicants or more of a panelist,

[1:05:58] and we need because sometimes that are our family emergencies or there's things

[1:06:03] that happen that will maybe take a,

[1:06:05] a panelist or two out. And so that's what we've been doing consistently every year

[1:06:10] . And so this year the same thing happened where we had more applicants or more,

[1:06:16] a panelist in we'd about seven, a panelist,

[1:06:19] and then we had some panelist that had to drop out because of

[1:06:24] a family situations. And so we had three panelists that move forward with the

[1:06:28] application process. Do any of those panelists have torres um,

[1:06:34] do you recruit a panelist or have

[1:06:37] a panel listen that reviews these for tourism impact applicability, visitation,

[1:06:43] marketing, etc. So we,

[1:06:46] our program is an arts and culture program. So our panel is needed to be experts in

[1:06:52] or have a lot of background in nonprofit, in um,

[1:06:55] arts and culture in our to marketing, communications and tourism too. So we,

[1:07:02] we are open to all of those kind of

[1:07:05] a panelist. It really depends on who ends up kind of what the mix of people are.

[1:07:09] This year we had a lot of our panelists,

[1:07:12] we have two that have very familiar with this process, have gone through

[1:07:15] a lot of tours and marketing and tourism. They've gone through this program,

[1:07:22] they understand the process and they understand what the the county expects for

[1:07:28] tourism and they are a very well versed in,

[1:07:33] in tourism and how tourism needs to be used needs to happen here

[1:07:40] in arts and culture in the community. So yeah, so we, we felt that we had a very,

[1:07:45] a solid panel that had the,

[1:07:48] the kinds of skills that's needed for this panel room. Is it normal though,

[1:07:53] for thirty six out of thirty seven to receive eighty five plus. Is that

[1:07:58] a normal trend, or is this an abnormal year?

[1:08:01] Well, all of these are the majority of the there's

[1:08:04] a great question that the majority of these folks are returning applicants. And so

[1:08:10] you're going to see higher scores with those because they understand not only the

[1:08:13] process,

[1:08:14] the understand what needs to happen with tourism in this community and they receive

[1:08:19] okay, sure. Then you would have a historical record, right?

[1:08:22] So did I know the thirty six thirty four got ninety plus so have all these people

[1:08:28] always got ninety plus it's buried,

[1:08:31] i think depending on the quality of their application. So they've got good this

[1:08:35] year. What is the uh I keep hearing banner year, and so I just wanna understand,

[1:08:42] or how do we have two million dollars this year. And we've never had two million

[1:08:46] dollars. We did the coca board and

[1:08:51] a few years ago. And during the pandemic, put

[1:08:54] a policy in place to to give out on the funds on actual us. And so that's what

[1:09:01] we're doing is we're giving amount on actuals. We knew that this would be at the

[1:09:04] end of year. So we have to receive the money from the county that just have it

[1:09:08] projected,

[1:09:08] but we need to receive the money from the county in order to give out the money. So

[1:09:12] this is how much money we ended up with is we know from our or if we seen tours in

[1:09:17] our dollars have been doing very well. So we know that this year is going to be

[1:09:21] a banner year as what it has been already talked about next year. We won't be that

[1:09:26] in that realm necessarily. We don't anticipate that we'll have that much collection

[1:09:30] to give out next year. It really depends on how to do

[1:09:33] t goes. So it depends on the interviews. Here's money. This is,

[1:09:36] this is whatever was collected this year. You guys,

[1:09:40] this is actual in their account. This is actually, this is if this is

[1:09:45] a banner here and we're not anticipating next year to be as grand. Why wouldn't we

[1:09:50] keep some of those funds in reserve to continue additional funding in future years?

[1:09:55] Who's to say there's not enough of it coming or something to that effect?

[1:09:58] Yeah, yeah, that, that's

[1:09:59] a great question. And I think that we are looking at the need to make sure that

[1:10:04] we're spending this money as soon as we get it. We need to get a,

[1:10:07] give it out to the community of the community,

[1:10:08] especially needs of this year with the um,

[1:10:11] the amount of with the state funding being pulled off at the second year in

[1:10:15] a row. So um, so we, we've also told our fancies and our, you know,

[1:10:21] that we, you know, we, well adjust caps depending on how much this money is,

[1:10:26] because this is all tax related. So unlike years past where you've had flat funding

[1:10:33] necessarily, um and that's the same every year. Any time you have

[1:10:37] a tax based grab program,

[1:10:39] you're going to see fluctuations. It's going to go up. It's going to go down. And

[1:10:43] we had that happened during coven, where it went down,

[1:10:45] and then went back up again. And this is great. So next year,

[1:10:49] if we could keep it to two million,

[1:10:50] that's fantastic. But we can't guarantee that we, we did test to fluctuate, well,

[1:10:55] what was last year? Just curious. It was um,

[1:10:57] one million nine hundred and nine. The, um, it was about just about one hundred,

[1:11:04] one point nine million dollars

[1:11:05] a little over that in total tv to collections. Not frontier digital grant awards

[1:11:12] last year. I believe around one point three. That was a year before. Yeah. Okay,

[1:11:17] and there is we haven't, we have a lot of tourism, of course, because that's,

[1:11:21] you know,

[1:11:21] we want this money to be continuing to encourage you to the arts and culture

[1:11:25] programs that are let's talk about the tours inside of it. Is there a,

[1:11:29] a staff that they are required required to provide or data that actually tracks and

[1:11:35] counts the heads and pads,

[1:11:37] but they can actually say year over year this event is growing. We're showing

[1:11:41] additional tourism generated because we can talk, you know, so tell state is or,

[1:11:46] or things of that nature. Is that a component that's required with your grant

[1:11:49] a method to bed so that that is not required because it is also your own

[1:11:53] programming. And so when you're talking about your own programming,

[1:11:56] if you're looking at heads in beds,

[1:11:57] you're not talking about tracking. One of that you're talking about tracking

[1:12:00] a whole year. And I sure I understand that. Yeah. And,

[1:12:04] and I know that some of these organizations do have large or kind of keystone

[1:12:08] events throughout the area because the symphony orchestra and some of their bigger

[1:12:13] events and, and the ballet and whatnot. I would think that there would be

[1:12:17] a manner in which we would in some way say yes,

[1:12:22] this is bringing people from outside of our if the hotel,

[1:12:26] maybe we can talk about that with

[1:12:27] a hotel. The hotels could track something like that for us and have some if there

[1:12:31] could be some easy way to do something like that. I mean,

[1:12:33] we would certainly consider that that could be tracked as long as it wasn't

[1:12:37] required. If it was a encouraged,

[1:12:41] i think that that would certainly be helpful to the data that we're collecting. I

[1:12:47] think we also have

[1:12:47] a question here. Yes. commission rooms. I just want to bring us back in and this

[1:12:51] has been help the conversation. But I think that these are the conversations that

[1:12:56] we need to have after this at this point,

[1:12:59] because these individuals have done what they've been asked to do. They have been

[1:13:05] scored and whether we understand the score or not,

[1:13:09] they have done what they've been asked to do. They've been score,

[1:13:11] they have been ordered and we're standing in between them and being able to

[1:13:16] continue to provide what we need our community. Unfortunately,

[1:13:20] the arts and crafts the funding for our arts and what have you got set at the state

[1:13:26] level. And if we're able to fill in at the local level until we're able to get some

[1:13:30] additional funding,

[1:13:32] i think that's what we really need to be keyed on doing. I know I'm a, I may be

[1:13:35] a bit biased because I'm with the City of tallahassee,

[1:13:38] and we do know that people come to tallahassee for our arts and,

[1:13:42] and perhaps we are something we need tracking on what people visit if they are

[1:13:47] coming for

[1:13:48] a specific event or what have you and know what that even is so we can tie it back

[1:13:52] . But I think that at this point, i'm gonna call the question because I've made

[1:13:57] a motion. We have a second, we've had a discussion and we don't do it. Are we not?

[1:14:02] So at this point we just, I think we just need to go. Thank you manager. We have

[1:14:09] a motion. We have a second. You have two individuals, russell and myself,

[1:14:15] that most refuse from this phone. So I do have

[1:14:21] a motion based just so that where do you fear that service is gonna say we're gonna

[1:14:25] re you think you can do it?

[1:14:27] I can do repeat the motion. I move that we approve the recommendations that

[1:14:34] have been provided but with the seven that are pending once,

[1:14:40] if they are deem eligible,

[1:14:42] that they to should be included is approved. But if there is any that needs to be

[1:14:47] modified or not approved,

[1:14:48] and they are brought back to the next meeting of the gdc. And

[1:14:55] we have a second on that. Um, before we vote, is that possible?

[1:15:02] Is that in with, in your guidelines to do an amendment that's part of motion?

[1:15:08] Is that part of the guidelines of the grant application as it stands now,

[1:15:13] if they were to be, those programs were to be deemed and eligible?

[1:15:18] Are they eligible to redo their application per year guidelines?

[1:15:25] Because we heard over here that that's not something we do not redo. The mood are

[1:15:31] not re, do I mean?

[1:15:33] Because if there is,

[1:15:36] if there is an area of concern or something that needs to be corrected,

[1:15:41] then they should be allowed an opportunity to correct it a listening to

[1:15:44] a med question, how do they get to be so good?

[1:15:49] And then here definitely is response. These are repeat applicants,

[1:15:53] so they've gotten better at the application process because they may have had to do

[1:15:58] some of the Amazon maybe did not receive funding previously. And so now they,

[1:16:02] they gotten better at the application. So there could be, there will be a,

[1:16:06] so I'm not saying that they get to do over. I'm saying that if,

[1:16:09] according to the rules and I don't know, that's what I was trying to do,

[1:16:12] but the rules, they can, I mean they're allowed,

[1:16:15] they should be allowed the opportunity to

[1:16:17] a meeting or appeal to whatever their process is. Okay. So per the I guess

[1:16:23] friendly amendment like further if it's part of the regulations of the god grant

[1:16:27] guidelines to amend or me in some manner. And it's ma'am and somebody and they're

[1:16:34] going To send it to the county attorney's office right now. Yeah. And it would

[1:16:41] be, again, it's a, a conversation with us of the, the goal would be to, again,

[1:16:47] this is this week would be a target. Like I said, they,

[1:16:54] they finally built some capacity in the last two weeks. And then I've been sick. So

[1:16:58] it's been kind of a double whammy,

[1:17:01] but the per obviously as quickly as possible and it's gonna depend on, like I said,

[1:17:05] I'm unhealthy or again. Now that will depend on the county attorney's schedule as

[1:17:10] to when we can get together. But obviously we want to move this along as quickly as

[1:17:13] possible. Now that they've got free that capacity as well. So. So

[1:17:20] will they have the infrastructure in place in these or

[1:17:27] is that man, if I mean it's, there's an established amendment process,

[1:17:32] there is it. So there is the both the review process and an amendment process in

[1:17:35] the guidelines and so we would just follow that. Yeah. Right. That was the where

[1:17:42] are you with that was feel good. Yeah. Okay. Okay. So I added

[1:17:46] a little bit after the motion was repeated, but did you under,

[1:17:51] did you get the emotion?

[1:17:52] You understand the motion on the table on the far,

[1:17:55] maybe have. Okay. Want to have somebody read it back and make sure we're all clear

[1:17:59] . Easy for good. I believe the motion is to if you want to do it one more

[1:18:06] time. Sure. Okay. Third time's the charm. I move that we move forward

[1:18:13] with approving the recommended awardees with the exception i. Every time I said

[1:18:19] there's with, with the seven that are under review,

[1:18:24] if they are deem eligible,

[1:18:27] then they too will be awarded. But any that are not deem eligible will have the

[1:18:32] opportunity to do an amendment or appeal for the guidelines that already

[1:18:37] established. And they will be brought back to the tourist development council next,

[1:18:41] meeting for review and subsequent disclosure,

[1:18:46] whether approved or not. And does the second still hold?

[1:18:51] Yes. All those in favor I'm opposed

[1:19:05] To rise is not going to cut it.

[1:19:16] I just I,

[1:19:17] I totally echo what you said. If you went through the process and you are now

[1:19:21] deemed ineligible, why do you get to come back?

[1:19:24] I'm, I'm, I'm not clear on because there is an amendment in an appeal process as

[1:19:29] a stablish is already established in place. So is that support for the rooms or the

[1:19:35] coca cola said grand like guideline?

[1:19:38] I mean look,

[1:19:38] I totally echo what the commissioner says. You don't punish the groups by playing

[1:19:43] by the rules, but the rules need

[1:19:45] a lot of look. I will say that at the end up in our care,

[1:19:48] you control that and I don't know if anybody here can but the but again having

[1:19:53] thirty six out of thirty seven score ninety plus percent is,

[1:19:57] is unheard of. So if I go by, there you go. I'll join the two,

[1:20:04] I Okay. Yeah. For them coming back,

[1:20:10] if they're deemed in eligible and it has to be amended. Yes. The amendment,

[1:20:17] but for the seven that are not currently being eligible. Yes.

[1:20:33] Yes. They don't they're not going to get the check it now that it's been enough now

[1:20:39] rather, and They sits there … grand process is not

[1:20:45] a reimbursement price like ours in Grand for their grand policies. They have

[1:20:52] established, you get some money upfront,

[1:20:56] some money. I think midway and some money and yeah,

[1:20:58] and that's how they do it. Is that correct kathleen?

[1:21:01] That's correct. There's

[1:21:01] a point in process and it's in its place and so they have to submit the report and

[1:21:06] report has to be approved before any other that triggers be. And so as I understand

[1:21:11] it with this again with the carry out those applications still pending

[1:21:18] eligibility verification. Um all the other ones would proceed in the normal

[1:21:25] coca process. But not the site,

[1:21:28] not the seven. That is correct unless they are deem eligible. Right?

[1:21:33] Unless they are deemed eligible and then now sale right along the line that they'll

[1:21:37] join that for me and it will then with in November, correct?

[1:21:44] Got it print in, right. All right,

[1:21:48] the most is going to call them. I don't, I don't have to repeat it again. No, no,

[1:21:53] no, no. We're worried about where the getting i'm getting. I'm leaving. No,

[1:21:57] no. All right,

[1:21:59] so the motion passes. Thank you. Kerry

[1:22:08] . You're up next. Thank you. It's the few things here to

[1:22:17] bring us on home. And matt,

[1:22:20] this answer one of your questions that you had asked about why this year

[1:22:26] a banner year. We are on the counties contract with coca the current

[1:22:33] five year agreement concludes this month. The end of this month and her that

[1:22:38] agreement all the remaining

[1:22:42] t T dollars were to be returned to tourism with the county. So that was

[1:22:48] why in their budgeting, coke up words, budgeting,

[1:22:53] they did put more on the grant funding because as kathleen noted,

[1:22:59] they had left their process to go to funding in arrears, you know, and actually,

[1:23:04] so they've been conservatively funding their grant programs knowing, i mean,

[1:23:09] we talked about this two and a half, two years ago, a year and

[1:23:12] a half ago that knowing this last year, again,

[1:23:15] also depending on how tdc collections were rolling,

[1:23:20] that the last year would be the big box to support the cultural, you know,

[1:23:27] couple organizations for the last year you know, in the last year, because again,

[1:23:31] then it funds would be return to the county at the conclusion of the five year

[1:23:35] agreement. So that provide some additional insight as to why so much funding this

[1:23:41] year as compared to past years. So with the five hundred five counties,

[1:23:48] five year agreement with coca concluding,

[1:23:52] it ends in light of the legislative interest in

[1:23:58] t D T. This past session. It was,

[1:24:03] it's not wise to consider it in my view,

[1:24:06] entering into another multi year agreement with coca when we don't know what's

[1:24:11] going to happen this upcoming legislative session. So again,

[1:24:15] just as an informational item is that the county is moving forward with

[1:24:21] a one year agreement extension with amendments i and,

[1:24:28] and again addressing a little more of the transparency and,

[1:24:31] and some of the accountability. Again,

[1:24:33] things we've learned over the last five years in this extension with amendments and

[1:24:39] then depending again what happens at the end of the legislative session. We'll be

[1:24:44] working on another multi year agreement with co gas beginning f y twenty seventh.

[1:24:50] So I can just and again we can,

[1:24:53] I'm taking delight to some of the discussions here today,

[1:24:56] and I'm sure others that we will have a but again,

[1:24:59] just wanted to make everybody aware that

[1:25:02] a one year extension with amendments and some of them addressing some of this that

[1:25:07] discussed today But again to the next legislative

[1:25:14] session on choose tallahassee. They've been

[1:25:18] a marketing partner of ours since they were first created in two thousand and

[1:25:23] twelve,

[1:25:24] which is hard to believe they've been around that long. Um and again we've been

[1:25:28] a marketing partner with them and from the inception i think many of you all know

[1:25:32] they've presented in past years to this body under they do their credit

[1:25:36] organization. They primarily focused on relocation of, of retirees,

[1:25:43] businesses, the, you know, doctors went to the hospital,

[1:25:47] recruiting stuff like that. They're out there. They have produced

[1:25:50] a number of relocation guides. So again,

[1:25:53] we've been marketing partners with them. So again, we're planning to continue

[1:25:57] a three year agreement with them. They're only like fifteen thousand dollar

[1:26:00] a year investment. So again small,

[1:26:03] but they do generate return. I'd like to have done if that's right,

[1:26:07] come to present after November meeting. They've got real short people. And they had

[1:26:13] enough all their digital marketing again,

[1:26:15] they worked with us really well to have them present at the November meeting along

[1:26:20] with the request for Michael alford from memphis. You to come present as well as

[1:26:26] the November meeting for the some. Let's see. So just to check in and get an update

[1:26:30] there. So again, just wanted to let everybody know to bring both these, you know,

[1:26:35] ask both these folks to, to come to the November meeting to present the,

[1:26:41] as far as the amtrak building the office update construction as well under way. And

[1:26:47] now if any of you all have been driven down there recently on,

[1:26:50] on male right avenue,

[1:26:51] the road is open redesign looks beautiful. We

[1:26:58] can't wait to get back in there. It's going to be probably summer um,

[1:27:03] but they have completed i understand the demolition inside where there's the two

[1:27:09] stories where there was

[1:27:10] a lot of damage there again from the tornado. Really ripping up the roof and then

[1:27:16] setting it down. But um,

[1:27:17] they're also starting now the roof replacement. So been kind of grateful to have

[1:27:23] some,

[1:27:23] at least not so much rain or hurricane the slow things down. So they're moving along

[1:27:29] pretty good. So again, that's, that seems to be moving well. Well, on the way,

[1:27:35] just a couple other informational items um,

[1:27:38] particularly um that you all may have been hearing. There's two interesting

[1:27:44] pieces of property in town now up for sale that the in the winds, people have said,

[1:27:50] well,

[1:27:50] maybe visit tallahassee or tourism should consider purchasing them. One of them is

[1:27:57] a beautiful historic property on …,

[1:28:00] a suki road that it can tell us how see historical, society and others. mean it's

[1:28:06] a beautiful historical home to see, you know,

[1:28:10] so there's some interest there. All the of, of folks saying, you know, hey,

[1:28:14] is this a possibility as well as spring house?

[1:28:18] As I'm sure you're aware,

[1:28:19] spring house is the only frank lloyd wright design residence in the state of

[1:28:23] Florida. It's here, it is squarely in a residential neighborhood. I mean,

[1:28:29] I've had the opportunity to be there several times,

[1:28:33] but there is some rumblings there again,

[1:28:35] about tourism perhaps in person not. So I say the say you're,

[1:28:39] you're hearing rumblings or I'm harry rumblings currently,

[1:28:44] as you all know by ordinance the td

[1:28:48] t as it is established within the county,

[1:28:52] and it's all dedicated towards destination marketing,

[1:28:56] tourism marketing. So that's not anything that can be changed again for capital

[1:29:02] investment easily, as we know,

[1:29:04] twenty percent of the T T T gets allocated to coca the other eighty percent again

[1:29:09] for marketing the destination again and all the sports and meetings and business

[1:29:13] events, everything else that we do marketing the destination,

[1:29:17] so any change as far as any capital investments purchase any properties. Again,

[1:29:23] any discussions on that. If it does get traction would be in no future years.

[1:29:29] But just know it would come back to this body in the county commission before any

[1:29:34] further, but I just wanted to know there is rumblings out there,

[1:29:37] but structurally we're not currently set up that way. But should there

[1:29:44] be a direction and, and discussion as this got, you know, again, I don't know,

[1:29:48] but just so everyone is aware how we're currently structured and would require any

[1:29:54] modifications going forward again to bring back to this board as well as the,

[1:29:59] the county commission so they're really cool properties, but again, there's um,

[1:30:06] you know,

[1:30:07] like anything pros and cons. So with that that concludes my report. madam chair,

[1:30:13] you members. Thank you of asked agenda item is any additional business or for the

[1:30:20] good of the cause? I think the only thing I have is I believe that we have

[1:30:23] a birthday this week. I have him are day me thompson.

[1:30:33] Sure. Always. Michelle. Has anyone?

[1:30:39] Yeah. I'm sorry. Yes. So some of you may have already seen this already, but um,

[1:30:43] both the cocoa and the downtown and prevent authority are working together to get

[1:30:49] to when and level of foundation grant. The level foundation builds music cities

[1:30:53] around the country. So we have an opportunity to win up to

[1:30:56] a hundred and twenty thousand dollars over three years to activate the downtown

[1:31:00] with live concerts, outdoor concerts. So if you text tally eight, seven, seven,

[1:31:07] four, nine, five, two, five, and I've got plenty of these,

[1:31:09] and I'm gonna repeat that over and over again. You'll vote for us, we're

[1:31:13] a nine out of a hundred right now,

[1:31:15] so we're doing really well. But we want to get into the top five slot,

[1:31:18] so whatever we can do between now and Monday at eight PM to get this out and we,

[1:31:23] we really appreciate it. I don't want to thank the visit tallahassee for posting.

[1:31:27] We've been helping get the word out, but anyone, you know, social media is

[1:31:31] a big thing and this one. So we can get some more people to vote for tally. Then we

[1:31:36] can try to get this money in and, and have these contacts. Thank you. So it's uh,

[1:31:40] eight, seven, seven, four. Oh, nine, five, five, two,

[1:31:46] five. Now have to do is just text tally

[1:31:48] t A L Y. Thank you. Any other additional items or

[1:31:55] anybody? Objectified, you know,

[1:31:58] during those meetings now is it made it concerns?

[1:32:04] Uh, ten,

[1:32:04] thirty two AM and go rattler. Okay

[1:32:24] .

Tourism Development Council Meeting - September 11, 2025

Transcript