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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09/19/2000 CALL TO ORDER- REGULAR MEETING: ROLL CALL: Advertising Campaign Approval of Minutes Hurricane Ridge Funding Opportunities LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE Port Angeles, Washington September 19, 2000 Councilman Wiggins called the meeting of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to order at 2:00 p.m. Members Present: Councilman Wiggins, Councilman Campbell, Carol Griffith, Jim Haguewood, Patty Hannah, Bob Harbick. John McCullough, Steve Oliver. and Bill Rinehart. Members Absent: Zoe Bayton, David Morris, and Bill Rinehart. Staff Present: Manager Quinn, Economic Development Director Smith, and Clerk Upton. Others Present: Rick Hert and LouAnn YageL Advertising Campaign: Rick Hert. North Olympic Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau, announced that the advertising campaign with Copeland had been introduced, incorporating the slogan "You Can See It From Here". Rick showed some of the ads to be used in such periodicals as Sunset Mal!azine and Readers DiQest. He also shared the 5-day planner associated with the advertising campaign. Approval of Minutes: Bob Harbick moved to approve the minutes of the August 29, 2000, meeting. The motion was seconded by Steve Oliver and carried unanimously. Hurricane Ridge Funding Opportunities: Steve Oliver, representing the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club, distributed information pertinent to the proposed Hurricane Ridge Public Development Authority, a matter that will be considered by the City Council at its meeting to be held this evening. Included in the information distributed was a memorandum prepared by the City Attorney to the City Council on the PDA. Mr. Oliver indicated the Public Development Authority is being pursued for the primary purpose of obtaining the long term concession for operating the Hurricane Ridge Lodge. He indicated there are several other Public Development Authorities in the State, such as the Grays Harbor Maritime Center and Lady Washington, the Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Art Museum. Mr. Oliver advised the committee members that the Winter Sports Club is committed to providing alpine skiing and snowboarding opportunities, as well as enhancing all forms of winter recreation opportunities for local residents and tourists. It is their hope to make this a tourist destination in the fall, winter, and spring. Mr. Oliver felt it should be helpful that the City and the County are working cooperatively to assist with the formation of the PDA. In addition, the two entities plan to work with the Public Development Authority to help keep the roads to Hurricane Ridge open. It is also planned to improve public transportation to Hurricane Ridge. Once approval of the PDA is gained, it is planned to spend the next year creating the proposal for the concession, The current contract expires in September, 2002. -1- LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE September 19, 2000 Hurricane Ridge Funding Opportunities (Cont'd) Merger of Two Taxes into One Budget Funding for New Events Funding for Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts Adjournment Discussion followed, with Mr. Oliver sharing the future vision for Hurricane Ridge, as well as funding needs for this endeavor. He indicated the Winter Sports Club may be seeking assistance from the Clallam County Opportunity Fund, as well as lodging tax funding frorn the City and County. After further discussion, Jim Haguewood moved to recommend that the City Council endorse the Public Development Authority project and, further, that the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee in the future look at funding opportunities for that group. The motion was seconded by Patty Hannah and carried unanimously. Merger of Two Taxes into One Budget: As a follow-up to the discussion at the last meeting, Tim Smith reiterated the desire expressed by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to merge the two taxes as one fund and that all contracts would be set on a calendar basis. Rick Hert indicated this approach would make the VCB's job much easier. Funding for New Events: Also as a follow-up to discussion held at the last meeting. Councilman Wiggins asked the committee for suggestions on how to advertise the fact that there are lodging tax funds available for new events and activities. Bob Harbick suggested the possibility of public service announcements, newspaper articles, and letters to the editor. Jim Haguewood suggested the possibility of seeking a type of RFP on new events and activities, with funding levels possibly set at $S.OOO - $6,000 - $4,000 over a three-year period, with an option for refinancing. He felt the RFPs should include information as to projected room nights. etc.. that would be generated. Discussion followed, and the suggestion was made that the committee set a maximum funding level for the new events and activities. Further, it was suggested that the ChamberIVCB do an annual "call for projects", conduct a screening of all of the applicants, and approach the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for support in the form of a budget amendment. Rick Hert discussed some of the possible new events that may be on the horizon. It was agreed by consensus that the ChamberIVCB will be responsible for the advertising to solicit new events and activities. Funding for Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts: Reference was made to a letter subrnitted by the Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts requesting funding for 2001. Jim Haguewood moved to recommend to the management partners that the Juan de Fuca funding request be addressed in the current funding level agreed upon with the ChamberIVCB. Rick Hert addressed the motion by indicating the Juan de Fuca Festival is a tremendous event deserving of funding. However, he reminded the committee of the effort to eventually wean group's from lodging tax funding. Jim Haguewood expressed his willingness to continue funding the Juan de Fuca until something better should arise. Therefore. Rick agreed to handle the request out of the ChamberlVCB budget, and there would be no need to proceed with the motion. The motion died for lack of a second. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. ~ ~~~~ LJ.ptnA Becky J. Up, Clerk -;----;r~~T ~ ?' Glenn Wiggins, Chair - 2-