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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04/08/1981 73 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington April 8, 1981 .1 I CALL TO ORDER The special meeting was called to order by Mayor Haguewood at 5:00 P.M. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss a marketing analysis for a potential convention center in Port Angeles. II ROLL CALL Members Present: Mayor Haguewood, Councilmen Hordyk, Polhamus, Quast. Members Absent: Councilmen Boardman, Buck, Duncan. Staff Present: Manager F10dstrom, Deputy Clerk Headrick. D. Frizzell, R. Orton. III - V Suspended. VI LEGISLATION 1. MARKETING ANALYSIS FOR CONVENTION CENTER: D. JEWELL I Parks Director Don Frizzell introduced Mr. Don Jewell to the Council and audience. Mr. Jewell, President of Event and Facility Consultants, has been in Port Angeles for the past several days in an attempt to identify and profile the potential convention/meeting market for the City. He has viewed the Vern Burton Memorial Community Center to determine its feasi- bility as a convention center, and met with several groups which may have an interest in a convention/sports/community center. Mr. Jewell then addressed the Council to give a brief presentation on his impressions over the past several days, based on previous findings and studies. The City, Mr. Jewell pointed out, has several alternatives for development of the Vern Burton Memorial community Center property. But regardless of which alternative the City chooses, the Center must have a strong commitment from the City, County and private sectors (i.e the Chamber of commerce). Mr. Jewell reviewed several charts which contained "conservative" statistics on the total convention center market for Washing- ton State, and the range and amount of convention "draw" that Port Angeles may expect. ,He also outlined the economic advantages of a convention center in Port Angeles (which could amount to approximately $2,000,000 per year); alternative uses for a community center when it is not being used for conventions; how the main exhibition space and outlying support space can best be utilized in a convention center; the role of the Chamber of Commerce in marketing a convention center; and steps the City should take in planning and developing a convention center. .1 There were several questions from the Council, staff, and audience in regard to whether the 4th Street location and isolation of Port Angeles would be a disadvantage to the success of a convention/recreation/community center; the staff which would be needed for a "Meeting Planner"; possible problems which could arise from a wooden floor, as in the Vern Burton Memorial Community Center; the County-wide benefits of a convention center; the feasibility of a self-supporting facility (beyond the hotel/motel tax); regional and national trends in convention going; the incompatibility of a combined sports/convention facility; funding for renovation of the Vern Burton Memorial Community Center and whether it would be better to borrow funds and build a total facility, renovate on a phase-to-phase basis, or tear down the existing building and construct a completely new facility; expanded planning for the entire area surrounding a convention center; and the different types of equipment, lighting, etc. which would be needed for a multi-purpose facility. 74 CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 8, 19B1 VI LEGISLATION 2. PAYMENT TO EVENT AND FACILITY CONSULTANTS Councilman Polhamus moved the Council authorize payment of $2,500 to Event and Facility Consultants for services performed by Mr. Don Jewell. The motion was seconded by Councilman Quast and carried. VII ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:20 P.M. ~e~~ city Clerk ~l>>~J1~~ I I I I