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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/11/27 MASON COUNTY LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES November 27, 2012 Attendance: Beverly Voss-Petredis, David Wagner, Jean Farmer, Greg Oldham and Steve Bloomfield were in attendance. 1. The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. 2. Farmer/Voss-Petredis moved and seconded to approve the May 1, 2012 regular meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Financial Review—The Committee reviewed the current financial statement. 4. Review 2012 Lodging Tax Grant applications: 4.1. North Mason Chamber of Commerce Mr. Oldham explained that the same amount was being requested that had been requested for the last five years. He went over the expenses that would be reimbursed. The primary uses of the funding were for staffing and rental of the facility. Ms. Voss-Petredis had concerns about the number of people that visit the new Chamber location. She didn't think the new location was as accessible as the old one. Ms. Farmer moved to approve the North Mason Chamber of Commerce's application for the North Mason Visitor Information Center in the amount of$35,000. The motion died due to a lack of a second. Mr. Oldham noted that the VIC would close if the $35,000 were not received. It was the amount of money needed to operate the facility. Ms. Farmer stated that she lives in the area and the VIC is always busy. It is a better facility than the last building. If the money wasn't received there wouldn't be a VIC in North Mason. Heidi McCutcheon noted that the VICs aren't designed to draw tourists to the community. They are there to help the visitors that are already in the area. The Joint Tourism Promotion would be used to draw tourists to the area. Ms. Voss-Petredis wanted to see longer business hours. Ms. Farmer felt that the Chamber's hours were correct because people tend to do their business in the morning before they go out for the day. She has had a business in the area for 28 years and has noticed that business is best in the morning. Voss-Peterdis/Farmer moved and seconded to approve the North Mason Chamber of Commerce's application for the North Mason Visitor Information Center in the amount of$35,000. Motion carried unanimously. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 November 27, 2012 4.2. Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce Heidi McCutcheon explained that the application covers three visitor information centers. They have approximately 30,000 visitors between the three. There was a $3,000 increase for maps. The rent had gone down about $2,000. Ms. Voss-Petredis noted that the majority of the funds go to personnel. Ms. McCutcheon stated that they also have several volunteers along with the three staff members. Mr. Wagner was concerned that two of the VICs were right next to each other. He didn't feel like the VICs provided a lot of referrals to local businesses. Ms. Farmer agreed that the VICs didn't provide referrals to businesses. She thought the LTAC needed to focus on technology and future generations. She thought Ms. McCutcheon was good at focusing on new technology. Mr. Oldham felt that the amount was reasonable to support three VICs. Ms. Voss-Petredis thought personnel was expensive and automated kiosks should be looked at in the future. She didn't think something like this could be approved next year. Voss-Petredis/Oldham moved and seconded to approve the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce's application for the Shelton and Hoodsport Visitor Information Centers in the amount of$66,605. Motion carried unanimously 4.3. Joint Tourism Promotion Ms. McCutcheon noted that the loss of Washington State tourism promotion was difficult for local tourism promotion. They are looking at partnering with other counties' marketing efforts on the peninsula. The cost of participating in that partnership would have a good return on investment. There were some changes that needed to be made to the Explore Hood Canal website. They would like to look at changing the website host. Ms. Voss-Petredis noted that some of the changes that were suppose to be done last year still hadn't been done. Ms. McCutcheon stated that they have not asked for reimbursement for those changes because they aren't happy with the website host. The company isn't performing, which is why they would like to change companies. Mr. Wagner asked how much funding wouldn't be used. Ms. McCutcheon replied that $17,000 to $18,000 was set aside for those website upgrades in 2012 and it would not be used. Mr. Wagner asked what the project management costs were for. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 November 27, 2012 Ms. McCutcheon stated that it was for both chambers to jointly manage tourism. There was discussion about how the Explore Hood Canal website upgrades would take place. Mr. Wagner was concerned about the timeframe. He thought the website issue needed to be corrected immediately. Wagner/Farmer moved and seconded to approve the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce's application for Joint Tourism Promotion in the amount of$93,600 with the stipulation that the Chambers would provide a first quarter report to the LTAC. Motion carried with Oldham recusing himself. 4.4. Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce - Video Advertising Ms. McCutcheon explained that the proposal was solely for the advertising and promotion of three MAson County tourism commercials that were shot this year. The commercials would be broadcast at regional cinemas, through Facebook promotions and Comcast Spotlight. They would be aired in the greater King County area. Ms. Farmer thought they were great commercials that promoted the whole county. Mr. Wagner stated that his only concern was that the commercials didn't reflect the multi-cultural demographics of the areas they were being marketed to. Wagner/Voss Petredis moved and seconded to approve the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce's application for the video advertising in the amount of$66,000. Motion carried unanimously 4.5. Allyn Days Ina Culberson explained that the events have been combined to a three day event. There was a local emphasis on youth that would be expanded on for 2013. She gave an overview of the event and noted that they have increased their number of vendors and overnight stays. They want to focus more advertising in the north and do more internet advertising. Ms. Farmer stated that there were a lot of fun busy events. It was great thing for the whole county. Mr. Wagner was concerned about doubling the award amount for the same event when it was in the peak season. Mr. Oldham was comfortable with an increase due to the increased advertising efforts. Voss-Petred is/Oldham moved and seconded to approve the Allyn Community Association's application for Allyn Days in the amount of$7,000. Motion carried unanimously Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 4 November 27, 2012 4.6. Bluegrass from the Forest Cmmr. Bloomfield noted that the organization was asking for the same amount as the previous year. Daune Wilson noted that they draw a lot of people for the camping season. They have support from out of state visitors. It is a three day event including a children's program. Farmer/Voss Petredis moved and seconded to approve Kristmas Town Kiwanis' application for Bluegrass from the Forest in the amount of$5,000. Motion carried unanimously 4.7. Celebrate Hoodsport Cmmr. Bloomfield noted that the Association did not apply last year. Ms. Farmer thought that most people go to Hoodsport for the 4th of July anyway. Mr. Wagner didn't like the atmosphere at the event. He thought the crowds could get rowdy. Mr. Oldham thought it would generate lodging because it was a three day event. He scored it at an 18 in the score sheet. Mr. Wagner didn't think people were coming in for the event. He thought it was people in the community that attended the event. Ms. Voss Petredis didn't feel the event brought tourism to the county Wagner/Farmer moved and seconded to deny the Hoodsport Community Events Association's application for Celebrate Hoodsport. Motion carried unanimously. 4.8. Hama Hama Oyster Rama Ms. Farmer thought it was a great family event that draws people to the area. It also promotes the shellfish industry and clean water. Mr. Wagner thought they needed to gather more data about visitors to the event. Voss-Petredis/Wagner moved and seconded to approve the Hama Hama Oyster Company's application for Hama Hama Oyster Rama in the amount of $2,000 with the request for more visitor data for next year. Motion carried unanimously. 4.9. Hood Canal Celtic Festival Tom McDonald provided an overview of the event. They bring a large number of people from outside of the county and it is well advertised. They have outgrown the Theler Center and have moved to the Belfair State Park. He noted that the Belfair Motel was totally full from the festival as well as the Eagle's campsites. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 5 November 27, 2012 Ms. Voss Petredis asked if the event could be moved to a different weekend. Mr. MacDonald explained that the Celtic Festivals are all over the State and they are all on different weekends. If they moved the event it would conflict with another Celtic Festival event. Mr. Oldham noted that the Celtic Festival in Scotland in on Labor Day weekend. Mr. MacDonald stated that they are also trying to divert traffic problems by moving the location of the event. Ms. Voss-Petredis thought that it was a big jump in funding from last year and she wasn't comfortable with awarding the full amount. Mr. Wagner suggested that Mr. MacDonald needed to supply more visitor statistics for the next year. Voss-Petred is/Wagner moved and seconded to approve the Hood Canal Celtic Festival's application in the amount of$4,000. Motion carried unanimously. 4.10. Mason County Forest Festival Lynne Freeman explained that the increased amount was to support the expanded float travel to Eastern Washington. The float was also going to need increased safety improvements. She provided an overview of the event. Mr. Wagner was concerned about the jump in funding. Ms. Freeman noted that they have increased tourism as well. The anticipate that they will be a SeaFair sanctioned event this year. Mr. Wagner wanted to see the tourism website displayed on the float. Ms. Voss-Petredis wasn't comfortable with the increased amount of the request. Voss-Petredis/Oldham moved and seconded to approve the Mason County Forest Festival's application in the amount of$6,000. Motion carried unanimously. 4.11. Mason County NPRA Rodeo Cmmr. Bloomfield noted that the Fair and Rodeo received $15,000 last year. This year the application was just for the Rodeo. Ms. Voss-Petredis was concerned that the event was at a peak time. Farmer/Voss-Petredis moved and seconded to approve the Mason County Rodeo Association's application for the Mason County NPRA Rodeo in the amount of$5,000. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Oldham left the meeting at 12:05 p.m. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 6 November 27, 2012 4.12. Olympic Culinary Loop Ms. Farmer was concerned that the Culinary Loop didn't promote North Mason County. The Committee agreed that the Culinary Association didn't promote Mason County restaurants and businesses enough. Voss Petredis/Farmer moved and seconded to deny the Olympic Culinary Association's application for the Olympic Culinary Loop. Motion carried unanimously. 4.13. Pumpkin Fest The committee agreed that the amount being requested was too high. They didn't feel that the event draws tourists from outside of the county. Mr. Wagner didn't feel they were generating tourism revenue for the county. It mainly supported Hunter Farms. Voss-Petredis/Farmer moved and seconded to approve the Union Tourism Association's application for Pumpkin Fest in the amount of$2,000. Motion carried unanimously. 4.14. Shelton Old Time Fiddlers Fest The Committee agreed that it was a good event at a good time of the year. Voss-Petredis/Farmer moved and seconded to approve SOCK's application for the Shelton Old Time Fiddlers Fest in the amount of$1,500. Motion carried unanimously. 4.15. Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia Mr. Wagner liked the idea and the fact that it was a permanent solution and one time spending. Cmmr. Bloomfield asked where the signs would be. The Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia stated that most of the signs would be in Mason County. They approached Grays Harbor and they recommended that the group approach Mason County because that is where the lodging tax from camping at the park goes. Cmmr. Bloomfield was concerned that Lodging Tax funds could not be used to pay for a permanent sign in another county. The Clerk was directed to investigate whether the Lodging Tax funds could be used for permanent street signs. Voss Petredis/Wagner moved and seconded to approve the Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia's application for Signs for Schafer State Park in the amount of$2,400. Motion carried unanimously. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Page 7 November 27, 2012 4.16. Spencer Lake Fishing Derby The Committee was concerned that there wasn't enough information provided as to the number out of county visitors. Wagner/Farmer moved and seconded to approve the Pioneer Kiwanis Club's application for the Spencer Lake Fishing Derby in the amount of$200. Motion carried unanimously. 4.17. Taste of Hood Canal Ms. Farmer didn't feel that the people who attended the event stayed the night. It was a fairly small event. Tom MacDonald noted that the event would be going to two days and they are now affiliated with SeaFair. They are also trying to expand it and move it to the Theler Center. Farmer/Wagner moved and seconded to approve the North Mason Rotary's application for the Taste of Hood Canal in the amount of$2,500. Motion carried unanimously. 4.18. Traveler Days Arts Celebration The Committee agreed that the event didn't qualify for lodging tax funding on the scoring sheet. Voss Petredis/Farmer moved and seconded to deny the Union Tourism Association's application for the Traveler Days Arts Celebration. Motion carried unanimously. 5. The next meeting was scheduled for March 19, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. to review the status of the Joint Tourism Promotion efforts. 6. The meeting adjourned at 12:34 p.m. LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON ATTEST: Shannon Goudy, LTAC Clerk Chairperson