Download Report

February 3, 2015
Island Times
PAGE 5
New Visitors Center To Open Soon, Levin Rinke Leases Former Location
Out with the old and in with
the new. The Santa Rosa Island
Authority Full Board approved a
contract for Levin Rinke Resort
Realty and Premier Island Management to begin operations of
an eco-adventure business, offer
Starbucks coffee and establish a
vacation rental office in the old
Visitors Information Center at
their Special Full Board meeting
January 28. The board members
discussion revolved around concerns about contract termination
should the building need to be
moved or removed to make way
for road improvements. Board
attorney Mike Stebbins will give
that item further review.
The building was built in
1993 by the Pensacola Beach
Chamber of Commerce. Eventually, it was given to the SRIA who
maintains, insures and pays the
Chamber to manage the Visitors
Center operations. The management contract has been in place
for over two decades.
The SRIA and Beach Chamber will move the Visitor Center
operations into the new building
in the Casino Beach parking lot
Sunday, February 8. A ribbon cutting and grand opening is planned
for 4 p.m. on February 11.
“I think you will be excited
when you see the finished product,” said Buck Lee, SRIA executive director. “It’s twice as big as
the previous location.”
The Full Board voted unanimously to approve the Levin
Rinke-Premier Management
contract subject to legal review.
Regional Planner Vikki Garrett with the West Florida Regional Planning Council received
approval to begin the task of
visioning what the future of the
SRIA may look like in the wake
of reduced lease fees. The SRIA’s
request for proposals went unanswered until the WFRPC brought
forth a contract for review. The
collection of ad valorem taxes by
Escambia County increases the
desire of leaseholders to receive
services and to seek remedies to
alleviate the financial burden of
paying both lease fees and taxes.
Board Member Janice Gilley
wanted at least two public input
sessions which were not included
in the original scope of services.
The Board ensured that the final
contract included opportunities
for ample public input, interviews
with residential and commercial
stakeholders and county officials.
The contract was unanimously approved with results due
to the board in 90 days at a cost
of $50,000.
The SRIA committee meetings followed the full board meeting where Dottie Ford Director of
Finance told the Administrative
Committee that the collection of
lease fees in October and November of 2014 outpaced the previous
year by 11 percent. The year-todate collections are $780,857.
The SRIA received a $35,000
stipend from Tourist Develop-
ment Tax Collections granted by
Escambia County Commissioner
Grover Robinson, IV, whose district includes Pensacola Beach.
They voted immediately to dedicate $2,500 of the unexpected
windfall to offset the costs of
hosting the January 29 Snowbird
event.
Janice Gilley asked about
a plan for the remainder of the
money. Staff did not present a
plan.
Elected Board Member
Thomas Campanella reminded
other Board members that the
Krewe of Wrecks Mardi Gras
celebration has not been returned
to the pre-Ivan funding level of
$30,000. Costs to host the variety
of public events which include the
parade continue to rise.
Board Chairman Tammy
Bohannon discussed ways for the
Tourist Development Tax to be
used to fund or offset some of the
sponsorship requests that come
before the SRIA board.
Dr. Tom Schneider approached the board requesting a
$7,500 advertising stipend for a
first year Coastal Rowing event
scheduled for April 17-19 in the
Gulf near the Hilton.
“This is the fastest growing
sport in Europe right now,” said
Schneider. “The industry officials
are fascinated with this area. Perhaps we could be established as
the Coastal Rowing center for the
entire U.S.”
The event will bring 30 pro-
fessional rowers from worldwide
locations to Pensacola Beach.
There will be an amateur division
and demos to introduce the sport
to others.
Board Member Dave Pavlock’s motion to allocate $5,000
to the new event, passed unanimously. He commented, “I want
an exacting post-event report so
that we may adjust and make
good decisions for this event in
future years.”
In other business:
p The request to renew a
staffing contract with Landrum
Staffing passed the Administrative Committee by a 2-1 vote.
Bohannon opposed the renewal
stating that she did not approve
of the contract when it was first
presented years ago, and still has
the same concerns about the cost.
According to SRIA Director Lee, Landrum has provided
outstanding service and cur-
rently the contract services two
employees. That number will rise
to 6 or 7 staff members who are
hired seasonally to help keep the
beach clean.
p Delivery Dudes, a food
delivery service, was approved
to open at the Soundside Market.
p Jeff Walton was given approval to operate a scooter rental
concession located at The Dock.
p Dave Kelly and Brent
Maggio were approved to open
The Stand at the Tiffany’s building on Casino Beach. They will
offer walk-up window service and
provide outdoor seating.
p Innerlight and the Pensacola Beach Marina renewed
their use agreement to use the
unpaved area north of their location as overflowed parking.
The SRIA Full Board will
meet Wednesday, February 11
at 5 p.m. at #1 Via de Luna. The
meetings are open to the public.
VALENTINE’S DAY ONLY · STARTING AT 4 P.M.
VALENTINE’S
SPECIAL 29
99
Day boat swordfish grilled to perfection,
served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes,
P.E.I. mussels, and fresh gulf shrimp in a rich
saffron tomato broth finished with fresh herbs
DESSERT
899
House made French vanilla crème brûlée
spiked with Grand Marnier, served with
Chantilly cream, seasonal berries
AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT ON BEAUTIFUL PENSACOLA BEACH
flounderschowderhouse.com | 850-932-4653