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George Bunnell, member of the Tourist Development Council, <br />came before the Board. He commented that the.large and diverse <br />group that makes up this Council found it necessary to keep <br />reminding themselves that their main purpose is to better <br />tourism. There is an obvious controversy in this community about <br />the beaches, but there is no such controversy among the tourists. <br />Vero Beach without the beach is not the tourist attraction it <br />would be, and the tourists are the ones who give us this money. <br />This Council is aimed at improving things for the tourists, and <br />this Council has argued the point at length and decided that <br />using the tourists' money for this study was more than justified <br />on the tourists' behalf. This was decided by a unanimous vote. <br />Commissioner Scurlock asked when they were considering this <br />particular item, why wasn't the focus on a study with a larger <br />scope that would identify all the reasons people might want to <br />come to Indian River County as opposed to specifically beaches - <br />what about the ballpark, for instance, or the river and fishing? <br />Commissioner Eggert commented that in looking at the <br />Committee Minutes, she felt they were talking about a broader <br />study, and that is her concern also. <br />Mr. Bunnell felt that a broader study of all tourist <br />attractions is certainly called for, but noted that reasons they <br />zeroed in on the beaches is that they felt they are probably <br />number one, and they are in jeopardy. <br />Commissioner Scurlock discussed the actual beach frontage in <br />the county and in the city, stressing that his point is that <br />there is a substantial portion of beach that lies outside the <br />City - probably more than double the amount in the City. <br />John Morrison, member of the Tourist Development Council, <br />stated that it was the intent to broaden this into something <br />other than just a study of the beaches. He stressed that at the <br />time they approved the monies for the "Save Our Shores" request, <br />they also stated these funds were going to be subject to the <br />criteria for the study which would be submitted to them, and that <br />information has not yet been submitted to them. Obviously a <br />study of the beach would be an integral part, but other things <br />should be done also. In order to avoid a situation where you <br />have'a "grab bag," you need to know the interests of the tourists <br />here and to what extent they participate in that interest, and <br />that study has not yet been done. <br />Chairman Bird then asked if the $50,000 is a sufficient <br />amount to accomplish taking a look at overall tourism or is most <br />of that $50,000 needed to focus on the beach restoration issue. <br />Mr. Morrison could not say whether the $50,000 is enough; he <br />felt the issue is who would be competent to do this study. <br />jut, J1 11991 <br />27 <br />RUUK 8_:3 <br />