. Official Minutes of MARION COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. August 25,2016

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1 . Official Minutes of MARION COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS August 25,2016 CALL TO ORDER The Marion County Board of County Commissioners met in a joint session with the Tourist Development Council-at 3:06 p.m. on Thursday, August 25,2016 at the Growth Services Training Room located at 2710 E, Silver Springs Boulevard, in Ocala, Florida... INTRODUCTION 'OF WORKSHOP BY CHAIRMAN KATHY BRYANT Chairman Bryant advised that the workshop was scheduled this afternoon "to discuss gateway signage.. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of ourcountry. ROLL CALL Upon roll call the following members were present: Chairman Kathy Bryant, District 2; Vice-Chairman Carl Zalak, District 4; Commissioner David' Moore; District 1; and Commissioner Earl Arnett, District 5. Commissioner Stan McClain, District 3, was absent due to a prior commitment. Also present was County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes. The following Tourist Development Council (TDC) members were present: Chairman Navroz Saju, HDG' Hotels; Digvijay (Danny) Gaekwad, MGM Hotels/Holiday Inn Conference; TraciWalker, CanyonsZip Line and Canopy Tours; Rus Adams, Mid-Florida Physical Therapy; City ofdunnellon Mayor Nathan Whitt; and Richard Hendrix, Courtyard by Marriott. Shawn Doherty, Florida Horse Park, appeared telephonically. Councilman Jay Musleh, City of Ocala, was absent due to a prior commitment. Also present was Tourist Development Executive Director Loretta Shaffer; Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau (VCB). PRESENTATION BY RICHARD BUSCHE, KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES The Deputy Clerk was in receipt of a 1 page Agenda, an 11x17-inch road map and a 23 page handout entitled, "Gateway Signage Joint Workshop" to follow along with the PowerPoirit presentation.. Senior Vice-President Richard Busche, Klmley-Horn and Associates, advised that his firm was retained as a consultant approximately 6 weeks ago to gather/provide data collectlon. in order to facilitate a discussion with 'the TDC; and then assist in a joint workshop with the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) in order to present the information collected.. He stated the firm has provided a lot of gateway signage programs, including one for the City of Dunnellon and the City of Ocala. He-noted he is present today only as a resource to discuss gateway signage and to gather direction and/or consensus as to.whether the project should move forward, a timeline, and in what shape the program should take. Mr. Busche referred to page 2 of the handout, which contains several pictures of typical gateway signage to major destinations that accomplish their purpose with architecture, style' and a clear message to create a sense of destination. He referred the City of Ocala's. gateway sign, which he opined is a very simple sign that reinforces their logo and their message "Find your place"... Book V, Page 917

2 August zs, 201'6 Page 3 contains several examples of local wayfinding signage that offer directions to specificareas/destinations such as libraries, shopping, dining;' theater, etc. Mr. Busche noted the City of Ocala will be installing 183 local way-finding"signs in the next phase of its program. Page 4 addresses the,principals discussed at the TOG workshop, including the need to capture the Interstate 75 (1-75) North and South bound traffic; utilize land bridges and flyovers; as well as the need to set the tone based on the county's current brand as the "Horse Capital of the Worlg".,.,. 1\IIr. Busche statedthe gateway signage program can utilize the current brand, but mayneed to be adjusted slightly for a new media application. The signs' need to incorporate fi historical element while stayinq true to the brand concepts. He recommended that the' sings be kept clean, effective, and lowmaintenance (page 5). Pages 6and 7 contain pictures of iconic gateways (i.e., Disney World). Mr. Busche opined' that Marion County has a great opportunity to do something very special and iconic, noting there is not any truly nice gateway signage coming from the City. of Orlando (north) or.coming from the Florida state line heading south. He stated this offers a very good opportunity for Marion County to have a gateway that makes an impact notifying travelers that they have arrived. ' Pages 8 through 12 address gateways signs that are underwhelming versus those that attract attention. Mr. Busche noted, the' Department of Transportation (DOT) has a contract to install 4 new gateway signs along 1-75 and 1-95 welcorningtravelers to Florida (page 9). ' The photographs on pages 10 through 12 address the elements of good gateway signage. Mr. Busche referred to the City of Ocala gateway sign on page 10, which isa side of the highway application that welcomes visitors to Ocala with its logo and simple message of "Find your place". He referred to the photograph on page 11, which is located on a pedestrian walkway in Daytona Beach and lights up at night. Mr. Busche commented on the City of Northport gateway siqnaqe, which has architectural components that can be used on local county roads rather than 1-75 (page 12). Mr. Busche advised that page 13 addresses the importance of g~teway sign placement, noting the need to be located near the destination, visible at road speed,properly lit and low maintenance. The maps on.paqes 14 through 16 offer recommendations. for placement of gateway.slqnaqe. Mr~ Busche referred to the map on page 15, which shows several major interchanges along 1-75 that may be good locations for gateway signage; however, there are very specific permitting and design guidelines required by the State of Florida 'for'. installing signage along an Interstate. He opined that the county will have more flexibility along county and state roadways because they are not considered. limited access facilities., Mr. Busche referred to the 11 x1.7-inch road map, which shows all of the locations where the county has either an interchange or an overpass. He advised that in Marion County, 1-75 crosses over all the major side streets (CR 42, CR 484, SR 200, SR 40, US 27,.SR 326, etc.), noting there is not an interchange in the county where one travels underneath the side streets. Mr. Busche commented on the proposed site fora future interchange _near the Ocala Commerce Park (49 th Street), which offers an opportunity to try and, implement signage as part of the interchange design process. He addressed the.' - opportunities for gateway signage at the 42 nd Street Flyover, SW 66 th Street, as well as. the Greenway Trail overpass.. Page 918, Book V

3 August25,2016 General,discussion ensued., 'In response to Commissioner Zalak, Mr. Busche stated there is approximately 7 miles between the Greenway Trails and the SR 200 interchange. Commissioner Zalak opined. that it makes more sense to beautify the 42 nd Street Flyover, where visitors will engage in an interchange relatively quickly when entering the county. Mr. Busche referredto the' map on page 15, where the future interchange is proposed, noting there will be a lot going on at this site (Commerce Park) and would be good location to place gateway signage to capture southbound traffic. He reiterated that the site will also offer a great opportunity to implement siqnaqe as part of the desig'n process. TDC Member Danny Gaekwad opined that the interchange at 326 'is too far north of the' county to be a good location for gateway signage. Mr. Busche addressed the interchanges at NW 100 th Street and NW 120 th Street, which are basic overpasses in the middle of nowhere, reiterating the importance of the destination being located within 3 to 5 minutes from the signage., TDC Member Russ Adams stated the addition of Fed-Ex and AutoZone locating in Marion County will completely change what SR 40 and Highway 27 look like over the next 10 years. Mr. Busche stated pages 17 through 22 provide renderings of overpasses with gateway signage and commented on the difference between those that are simple and understated versus ones that are complex and grand. He advised that the example on page 18 is one that the City of Ocala has considered in the past, noting page 19 offers the same option, but on a grander scale., Mr. Gaekwad noted the rendering on page 19 is nicer than any style he has seen anywhere in the state, which he opined would put Ocala on the map. Commissioner Zalak commented on the need to partner with municipalities and local businesses to address signage relating to signature events, restaurants, etc., that will welcome visitors to Marion County. Mr. Gaekwad addressed the need for a Welcome Center that is visible and easily accessible from Mr. Adams addressed DOT regulations relating to traffic management and digital signage on interstate highways and advised that the county will have to utilize private property for self-promoting of local events. Mr. Gaekwad addressed the possibility of utilizing billboards to promote local events and suggested the county consider pre-selling advertisement to cover the cost of maintenance and provide for a possible return on investment (ROI). ' Page 23 displaysthe county's current logo/brand. BOARD DISCUSSION Chairman Bryant questioned whether there is consensus that the 42 nd Street Flyover is the best place for a gateway sign coming into Ocala. She noted inthe future the county will want to address a plan for signage forthe Horse Park (CR 484). Chairman Bryant commented on the need to put a plan in place thatwill set priorities as to which locations. the Board wants to look at first and then address those one at a time, noting each project will be unique to its own area. In response to Commissioner Zalak, Mr. Busche advised that the cost for theproposed signage at the 42 nd Street Flyover (as shown on page 19) is approximately $750,000. He 'advised that most of the cost is associated with the arch, notinqhe will send the BCC a, presentation that has other variations of this option for consideration. Chairman Bryant 'Book V, Paqe 919,

4 August 25,2016 questioned if the Board would prefer that Mr. Busche send that presentation to the TDC first to review variations for this option in order to move forward with the 42 nd Street Flyover as the county's first gatewaysignage project. In response to Commissioner Zalak, Tourist Development Executive Director Loretta Shaffer, VCB, advised that there is currently $250,000 available inthe fiscal year (FY) budget. Chairman Bryant-advised that this is a.recurrinq budget line item and opined-that there should be another $250,000 set aside again in next year's budget; therefore, the county will need another $250,000 to move forward with the project. Mr. Adams' suggested; the City of Ocala may be interested in partnering with the county to, help pay part of the cost. Commissioner Zalak noted money will need to be set aside if the county plans on, including gateway signage in DOT's design plan for the proposedinterchanqe. : In response to Commissioner Zalak, County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes advised that the county needs to begin discussion with DOT now if it plans on incorporating signage into DOT's Project Development and Environment (PD&E) design plan. He commented on the need to incorporate branding from the TDC into projects. Commissioner Zalak addressed DOT's upcoming widening project on SR 40, noting the county is planning on constructing a roundabout at the intersection of Baseline Road and SR 40 at the entrance to Silver Springs, Park, which will provide an opportunity for. destination signage welcoming visitors to the park. He opined that the county needs to ' focus on signage after travelers exit 1-75 in order to provide destination information for.events within thecommunity.. Mr. Adams commented on the number of travelers that drive through Marion. County every day and the importance of getting.their attention and letting them know Marion County is here. He advised that banners are a great way to welcome visitors and let them know about special events.: In response to Chairman Bryant, Mr. Busche stated the contract between the TDC and. Kirnley-Horn and Associates expires after today's meeting. Chairman Bryant commented. on the need to address internal signage and suggested Ms. Shaffer bring the matter back to the TDC as an Agenda Item at its next meeting to determine if there is funding to have the consulting firm bring back informationlrecommendations relating to internal signage. Chairman Bryant advised that the list of sign age priorities include gateway signs at the 42 nd Street Flyover and then focusing' on the future interchange near the Ocala, Commerce Park (49 th Street)" Silver Springs, as well as internal signage vyelcoming different events. It was the general consensus of the Board to concur. She clarified that there is consensus for Mr. Busche to provide the TDC with a presentation that has other variations/options for 2 gateway signs at the 42 nd Street Flyover in order to have further discussion and for staff to work with Mr. Busche to determine whether or not the firmwill continue to be utilized in the future on this project.'. Mayor Nathan Whitt stated the project also benefits the City ofocala and suggested the county reach out and include the Ocala City Council in future workshops. Chairman Bryant requested Ms. Shaffer reach out to Ocala City Council President Jay Musleh to see if the City is interested in partnering with the county on this project. TDC Member Traci Walker addressed the SR 326 exit, noting the fastest way to get from 1-75 to 1-95 is this exit and many'travelers do not realize that just a few exits further down is the,city of Ocala/Marion County, which offers many vacation destinatlons. In response to TDC Member Shawn Doherty, Chairman Bryant commented on the cost for the proposed gateway signage at the 42 nd Str~et Flyover and stated the county will Page 920, Book V

5 August25, reach out to the City of Ocala to help fund this portion of the project. Commissioner Zalak opined that the city and county can get started early (in the upcoming year) by amending the Ordinances/regulations to allow for event banners, pendants, etc., for signature events and by providing the apparatus to put them up.. Mr. Bouyounes advised that detailed designs can be implemented and a permit put in place that will determine the type of signage/banners that can be utilized along specific corridors for various signature events. " Commissioner Zalak commented on directional signage from hotels/motels to events, which will offer the county an opportunity to determine the best route for the visitor to take; Mr. Gaekwad commented on electronic/digital siqnaqe that can be programed for each specific event, which he opined is the best and cheapest way to direct a visitor to. an event. Mr.. Bouyounes advised that depending"on the size of the sign it can also be solar powered. CLOSING COMME~TS Chairman Bryant advised that staff has direction for Mr. Busche and Ms. Shaffer to work together and bring back an Agenda Item for the TOC to determine the Scope of Service and the costs involved to continue utilizing the services of Kimley-Horn and Associates; consensus as to priorities for gateway signage locations (42 nd Street Flyover, the new interchange near the Ocala Commerce Park (49 th Street), Silver Springs); and direction to move forward to address internal signage. She stated the TOC will make its recommendations and bring the matter back to the BCC for consideration. In response to Mr. Bouyounes, Chairman Bryant clarified that the Scope of Service will be presented to the TOC first in order to identify projects and provide recommendations and then it will goo to the BCC for approval. Mayor Whitt noted the Board has yetto address the west side of the county. Chairman Bryant advised that those scopes of work will come as the project moves forward. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting thereupon adjourned at 4:04 p.m. Attest: ~----- rmann, Clerk Book V, Page 921

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