HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/06/19 MASON COUNTY LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Commission Chambers, 411 North St" Street, Shelton, WA
June 19, 2014
Members in Attendance: Chair Terri Jeffreys, Bonnie Knight, Duane Wilson, Stephanie Rowland and
Angela Rabelos, Kelly Bergh, Shaun Tucker, Darin Barry. Guests: Heidi McCutcheon, Nancy
Johnson, Jeri Eckenrode, Frank Pinter, Diane Zoren and Dawn Twiddy. Absent: Julie Gray
1. The chairperson called the meeting to order at 9:09 a.m.
2. Knight/Rowland moved and seconded the approval of the May 1, 2014
minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Review all Visitor Information Center proposals & make recommendation to
Commissioners.
Stephanie Rowland spoke and answered questions on behalf of North Mason
Chamber.
Heidi McCutcheon spoke and answered questions on behalf of Shelton
Mason County Chamber of Commerce.
Nancy Johnson spoke and answered questions on behalf of Union Tourism
Association.
Darin Barry shared that he feels it would make sense to eliminate a VIC as
more visitors are accessing information online compared to people receiving
information from Visitor Centers.
Shaun Tucker agrees that VIC are a thing of the past and it should be
updated yet still have human interaction.
Stephanie Rowland feels that it would just be a website and that VIC should
still be established.
The general consensus is that there should be a more modern and virtual
context VIC.
Dawn Twiddy confirmed that the contract can be adjusted at this time as it is
still in the process. The final action by the commission cannot be changed.
Stephanie Rowland feels it's best to have a 2 year contract to allow time for
planning and processing.
Bonnie Knight expressed she is in favor of a 1 year contract.
Heidi McCutcheon expressed that it feels frustrating to have changes being
considered at this time due to time restraints.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2
June 19, 2014
Knight/Wilson moved and seconded for a contract to be issued for
one year with a two year option following further discussion by the
board. Motion carried unanimously.
BREAK (5 min)
North Mason Chamber: The committee recommend staying open on Sunday.
Stephanie Rowland responded they are getting a portable kiosk with
brochures to put out on Sunday.
Rabelos 97% Knight 98% Barry is in support.
Tucker 95% Wilson 88% Bergh 100%
Wilson/Knight moved and seconded to approve the North Mason
Chamber Budget in the amount of $43,603. Motion failed.
Shaun Tucker expressed concern with the amount of rent.
Knight/Bergh moved and seconded to approve the North Mason
budget for the amount of$40,000. 5-aye, 1-nay, 1-abstain. Motion
Carried.
Shelton Mason Chamber:
Scoring criteria-
Rabelos 100%, Rowland 100%, Knight 90% avg,
Tucker 85% avg Wilson 91%, Bergh 95% Barry is in support.
Angela Rabelos recommends that the Shelton Mason Chamber use the city of
Shelton LTAC funds.
Rabelos made a motion to approve the budget for Hoodsport
location only in the amount of $35,700. Motion died due to lack of
second
Wilson/Knight moved and seconded to approve the Shelton Mason
Chamber budget in the amount of $50,000. 6-aye, 1-nay. Motion
carried.
Bonnie Knight just realized that the City of Shelton has their own LTAC
funding.
Union Tourism Association:
Scoring criteria-
Rowland 75% Knight. 66% Tucker incomplete
Wilson. 82% Bergh 90%. Barry is in support
Duane Wilson commented that he feels Union is not ready for funding at this
time as there are too many unanswered questions regarding location parking,
building, permits, etc.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3
June 19, 2014
Shaun Tucker also feels like there are too many unanswered questions at this
point and
Bonnie Knight agrees and added that she feels this proposal is more focused
on Union instead of Mason County.
Wilson/Bergh moved and seconded to not fund the Union Tourism
Association proposal at this time. Motion carried.
Angela asked if the committee could still fund Union Tourism Association at a
minimal rate to get this proposal off the ground.
Cmmr. Jeffreys stated this is completely different funding and it not part of
this RFP.
Diane Zoren agreed.
Shaun Tucker added that at this point, this proposal needs too much work to
consider funding at this time.
Bonnie Knight agrees with Shaun and added she is uncomfortable funding
this proposal with too many unanswered questions.
4. Review and Approve Small Festival Application, including Score Sheet:
Darin Barry reiterated that he feels this is really about getting more rooms
rented to gain lodging tax.
Jeffreys passed out a list of people who paid lodging tax in the month of May
2014.
The committee agrees that the revised grant application is a good start.
5. Chair Jeffreys informed the committee about the OPMA (Open Public
Meetings Act) and public records training that is required. The links to the
trainings will be sent to the committee.
6. Next Meeting Date —Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.
7. Adjourn 1:30 p.m.
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST:
LTAC Clerk Cmmr. Terri Jeffreys, Chair