HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02/25/2015 LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
February 25, 2015 at 10 a.m.
City Council Chambers, City Hall/Port Angeles, Washington
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Cherie Kidd called the meeting to order at 10 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Voting Members Present: Cherie Kidd, Hannah Hooper, Scott Nagel, Holly Dempsey and Ryan Malane.
Non-Voting Members Present: Fowler Stratton, Dave Shargel and Betsy Wharton.
City Staff Present: Nathan West, Sherry Wright, Heidi Greenwood,Jennifer Veneklasen and Ben Braudrick.
MINUTES
Committee approved minutes from its December 10, 2014 meeting.
POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Ryan Malane disclosed that his business, Black Ball Ferry, is a sponsor, contributor or promoter of at least 65% of
the applicants. He said they do not receive any direct funds from the events.
Hannah Hooper disclosed that her employer, Red Lion, is associated with some of the events and provides
housing for many of the people who attend the events, but that they do not receive direct funds.
Scott Nagel, director of the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival disclosed that he had a direct conflict in
relationship to the Crab Festival event grant application and that he would recuse himself when discussing that
grant application. He cited a potential future conflict due to his relationship with Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts
and also disclosed that the Crab Festival partners with the Chamber of Commerce which has submitted a grant
application for a separate event.
No other conflicts were noted.
Chair Kidd read an email Nagel sent to the committee and City staff about potential conflicts of interest.
Committee discussion followed. Chair Kidd recommended that Nagel recuse himself from all event grant
consideration.Nagel agreed and exited the meeting.
Nathan West, Director of Community& Economic Development, noted that when the Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee make up was set by State stature, it did intend for some conflicts of interest and as such knew there
would be indirect benefits to some committee members. Director West said that the important distinction with Mr.
Nagel's situation is that he has an actual application for event grant funding before the committee.
The audience was asked to disclose any potential conflicts of interest they know regarding committee members.
None were given.
EVENT GRANT APPLICATIONS
The committee discussed the merits of the 17 event grant applications, considering the number of overnight stays
the event might generate in Port Angeles,timing, history, potential for success and money spent on out-of-town
marketing.
It was noted the committee had $70,000 in available funding and $96,760 received in requests for events.
Committee discussion followed.
LTAC Minutes
February 25,2015
Page 2
It was moved by Malane and seconded by Hooper to:
Approve the$70,000 budget as outlined:
$1,000 to 82nd WA State Federation of Garden Clubs Annual Convention
$3,000 to Blocktoberfest Beer, Wine and Music Festival
$15,000 to Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival
$7,000 to Extreme Sports Park Run Amuck and ASB Pro Racing Events
$1,500 to Forest Festival Storytelling Event
$14,000 to Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts
$13,000 to North Olympic Discovery Marathon
$1,000 to NW Cup
$500 to Old Timers Rod Run
$1,000 to Olympic Culinary Loop
$3,000 to Port Angeles Kayak and Film Festival
$2,500 to Ride the Hurricane
$1,500 to Run for Joe
$1,000 to Summer Solstice Art Festival
$3,000 to The Big Hurt
$2,000 to William in Webster's Woods
Motion approved 4-0.
The committee agreed by consensus to allow the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center to combine funding for the
Summer Solstice Art Festival and William in Webster's Woods into one event, if the organization chooses to do
so.
UPDATE FROM CITY STAFF
Director West updated the committee on marketing and Visitors Center operations contracts with the Port Angeles
Regional Chamber of Commerce. He further informed the committee that City Council approved$23,500
allocation to the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission.
Director West encouraged committee members to reapply for the Lodging Tax Committee. He also noted that it
would be beneficial if the committee provided recommendations to Council for future event grant funding, such
as the need for additional events in the shoulder seasons. Committee discussion followed.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Kidd adjourned the meeting at 11:54 a.m.
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