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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12/05/1997 CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL: Presentations from Agencies Seeking 1998 Lodging Tax Funds LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE Port Angeles, Washington December 5, 1997 Vice Chairman Campbell called the meeting to order at I :35 p.m. Members Present: Councilman Orville Campbell, Bob Harbick, Dick Vogel, John Platt, David Morris, Randy Johnson, Bill Rinehart, Bob Grattan, and Jim Haguewood. Members Absent: Councilman Glenn Wiggins and Steve Oliver. Staff Present: Contracts/Projects Administrator Smith and Clerk Upton. Before commencing with the remainder of the presentations from the different agencies, Tim Smith reviewed the process to be used for allocations whereby the committee members would be asked to rate the requests based on high or low priority. Dan Youra Studios: Dan Youra presented a request for fimding in the amount of $5,000.00 to be used for a multimedia promotional campaign for the 1998 Olympic Jubilee, which would be held in conjunction with the 60th birthday of Olympic National Park. It is intended that the entire Olympic Peninsula would be promoted by this endeavor. Mr. Youra reviewed his plans for ad placement in 1998, as well as the distribution list of travel guides and maps produced by Dan Y oura Studios. Mr. Y oura spoke in support of the cities and counties on the Peninsula working in a spirit of cooperation to market the Olympic Peninsula. Mr. Youra noted Olympic National Park distributes many of his publications. David Manis advised the committee members that Mr. Y oura has been most cooperative with the Park, and he emphasized the fact that this has been a partnership between the Park and Mr. Y oura. When asked by Randy Johnson to what extent this marketing campaign would take place if not fully funded by all entities being approached for financing, Mr. Y oura indicated the promotion would still occur. However, it may be downsized somewhat. Further. when asked how effectiveness of the campaign would be monitored, Mr. Y oura responded there would be indicators, such as the number of visitors to Olympic National Park and the number of beds filled in the hotels and motels. Discussion followed about the number of invitations to be extended, the size of ads to be placed, and the specific inclusion of Port Angeles in the invitations. Mr. Y Oura reiterated that the size of the ads will be determined by the level of funding. Olvmoic Van Tours: Glenn Larson submitted a request for funding in the amount of $61,500.00 to be used for the purpose of offering educational field seminar programs based on natural events during the autunm and winter. The programs are intended to promote the Peninsula through education. Mr. Larson's request centered around the need for funding for equipment, marketing, and instructor salary. Mr. Larson indicated that Port Angeles would be the base for the operations, from which educational tours would be scheduled. Ms. Katie Keener, Olympic Park Institute, reviewed for the committee the anticipated programs to be offered. She noted the programs would provide education on the natural resources and animal life on the Peninsula. -1- LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE December 5, 1997 Presentations from Agencies Seeking 1 998 Lodging Tax Funds (Cont'd) Break Randy Johnsen and John Platt raised questions pertinent to the programs to be conducted during the winter season, as well as the number of programs to be scheduled. Mr. Larson indicated it would be expected that one 3 - 4 day seminar would be held every week. Ms. Keener indicated the timber industry is most supportive of the concept, and it 'Would be expected that seminars pertinent to the history of that industry would be conducted as welL When asked by Jim Haguewood as to the projections, Mr. Larson responded that 20 _ 30 people per week could be expected to participate. He reviewed the charges to be levied for the seminars, to include costs associated with food, transportation, and the like. Clallam Countv Museum: Joan Sargent and Kathy Monds were present for the purpose of seeking funds in the amount of $12,500.00 to assist in the operation of the Clallam County Museum. Support of Museum efforts would include the relocation of exhibits to the Federal Building in downtown Port Angeles. Ms. Monds reviewed the facts pertinent to the Museum's move out of the Courthouse the latter part of 1998, the intention to enhance exhibits at the Federal Building, and the anticipated move to the Lincoln site. Ms. Sargent and Ms. Monds reviewed services provided by the Museum, to include various levels of research. Discussion was held concerning the possibility of placing cards in hotel/motel rooms advertising the Museum, the fact that the focus for visitors is currently in the downtown area, and the Museum's desire to be able to utilize the old Carnegie Building once vacated by the Library. In the ensuing discussion, Tim Smith inquired as to the possibility of the Museum receiving financial support from the County, once the Museum is no longer housed at the Courthouse. Ms. Sargent indicated this possibility is being pursued at the present time. Vice Chairman Campbell recessed the meeting for a break at 2:50 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 3:00 p.m. Marcia Benedetto: Citing the need for an indoor horse arena, Marcia Benedetto submitted a funding request for $4,375.00, which would be used for locating and developing a suitable site, as well as structure design and approvaL Ms. Benedetto advised the committee members that a horse arena could prove to be a big business on the Peninsula, and she would be in need of financial support to pursue this endeavor. Discussion followed, and Randy Johnson noted the committee's desire to have off-season events held in the hope of attracting more visitors. In order to schedule horse shows during inclement weather, it would be important to have a covered arena. In view of the fact there is a horse show currently held on the Peninsula, would Ms. Benedetto be willing to pursue the possibility of further enhancing what already exists? Ms. Benedetto stressed the need for a covered arena that is large enough to attract large groups of participants. Bob Grattan, in pursuing the possible enhancement of present opportunities, queried as to whether Ms. Benedetto had pursued the use of the fairgrounds. Also, Tim Smith inquired as to whether such a facility could be multi-purpose. Ms. Benedetto was of the opinion that it would be advisable to not restrict such a facility to horse shows only -- multi-purpose uses would be beneficial. Peninsula Colleffe/Feiro Marine Lab: Dr. Jim Walton, Peninsula College, addressed the committee and requested funding in the amount of $20,000.00 to enhance the 1998 offerings at the Marine Lab so that it could remain open during the entire tourist visitation season. Dr. Walton discussed the history of the Marine Lab, the cooperative agreement with the City for the facility, and the fact that the Marine Lab is the primary place on the waterfront to be visited by tourists. Many of those visiting the Marine Lab are waiting for the next ferry, and it would be beneficial to maximize the number of hours the Lab is open. The Marine Lab has placed flyers in the motels, and it is presently working towards being self-sufficient. Dr. Walton reviewed efforts underway to expand the square footage of the -2 - Presentations from Agencies Seeking 1998 Lodging Tax Funds (Cont'd) ADJOURNMENT: ..------- LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE December 5, 1997 Marine Lab in order to increase retail sales. He reviewed the new signage planned for facility, as well as the new jellyfish exhibit, which is expected to draw a large number of viewers. Jim Haguewood asked for information relative to how the number of people can be increased, and Dr. Walton indicated that an increase would be expected just based on expanding the hours the facility is open. Additionally, better staffmg has a direct impact on the number of visitors. Lengthy discussion ensued concerning the specifics of the expansion, and the committee acknowledged the importance of having attractions such as the Marine Lab available as tourist activities. Vice Chairman Campbell indicated the Marine Lab is highly supported by the members of the City Council and the business community. Once expansion efforts have been completed, would the Marine Lab be in a position to charge more at the door? Dr. Walton offered a word of caution in that regard, as a previous increase in the charge resulted in an extremely negative public reaction. PortAnfleles Fine Arts Center: Jake Seniuk, Director of the Fine Arts Center, expressed appreciation to the committee members for accepting the late application for funds. The Fine Arts Center was requesting $2,440 to be used for the purchase of display advertising in Art Guide Northwest and Preview of the Visual Arts. Mr. Seniuk indicated these are the major guides to the visual arts. Additionally, the Fine Arts Center was hopeful of receiving assistance to create a Home Page on the Internet. Showing slides of the Fine Arts Center, Mr. Seniuk read his application to the committee members. Tim Smith and Jim Haguewood inquired as to whether the Fine Arts Center would be receptive to marketing in a cooperative effort, to which Mr. Seniuk responded affirmatively. Mr. Seniuk agreed that cooperative efforts need to be developed in Port Angeles. Once presentations were complete, the committee received information pertinent to the marketing of the Vern Burton Community Center. Tim Smith distributed information relative to costs, revenues, activities, charge structures, and the like. Lengthy discussion followed, and Tim indicated that a cost of service study had been conducted, and fees being charged were increased by the City Council in the past. Tim noted that every effort is made to attract paying groups to the Center, and it has been felt that the Vern Burton Center does playa role in filling hotel beds. Vice Chairman Campbell noted that, when the Center was renovated, there was a specific marketing program put in place by the Chamber and VCB, aided by a $30,000 grant awarded to the City. It was then suggested that revenues produced be directed toward payment of the debt. Also, committee members considered the mix of convention uses and recreational and community uses. Tim Smith noted that Parks & Recreation uses the facility a great deal for the recreational programs sponsored to attract additional visitors to the community. It was agreed there should be more communication between the hotels/motels and the Vern Burton Center in order to maximize marketing and utilization of the facility. In general, the hotels and motels need more information about facilities available in the area, and it was agreed this should be an item for further consideration once the allocation of tax funding has been resolved. Committee members were reminded of the December 8 meeting, at which time the committee would work on formulating its recommendation as to specific allocations. The meeting was adjourned at 5: 10 p.m. ~~~4~ Glenn Wiggins, Chair v8~ ~ ~~ J..ApI:D^ Becky 1. Up , Ci lerk - 3 -