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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - 06/24/2010 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee June 24, 2010 Start Time 3:00 pm Centennial North & South Conference Rooms Committee Members Present: Les Thomas, Chair, Greg Haffner, Aaron Watne, Barbara Smith Others present: Ben Wolters, Julie Pulliam, Bob Nachlinger, Kurt Hanson Guest: Katherin Kertzman, Barbara Smith (KDP), Katherin Kertzman, Brad Knutson, David Kwok, Steve Turlock, John Casey, Vicky Molzer, Tim Higgins Les Thomas called the meeting to order at 3:07 pm and introductions were made. Approval of minutes - Greg Haffner moved to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2009 meeting, Aaron Watne seconded, Motion passed. Election of Committee Chair - Committee discussed the new amendment to the ordinance 3930, election of chair. Greg Haffner moved to elect Les Thomas, Chair of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and Aaron Watne seconded, Motion passed. Committee Appointments - Discussion of candidates for three empty positions left by Greg Haffner, Vickie Molzer, and Dennis Higgins took place. Names were entered into the minutes of interested parties. Those parties are; Beth Sylves, ShoWare Center, David Kwok , Hampton Inn, John Casey, Curran Law Firm, Brad Kuntson, Hawthorn Suites. It is the Committees request to forward all four names to the Operations Committee for review and suggestion for appointment. There are four interested candidates and only 3 positions. Greg Haffner moved to pass the list of candidates to the Operations Committee for their selection of the three candidates to fill the open positions on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Barbara Smith seconded, Motion passed. Approval for $5000 to support ShoWare Shootout presented by Allied Waste Steve Turlock presented his request for funding from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee in the amount of $5000. He is partnering with ShoWare and Allied Waste in the 1s' annual Shootout. It is an event that is very big in Spokane and other cities. The event will be held at ShoWare and consist of 20 courts and approximately 100 teams. Katherine Kertzman of Seattle Southside offered to help with marketing and getting the information out to the Seattle Sports Commission where she is a board member. The request is for basics this year, hoops, scoreboard, and operating expenses. This year's hope is to break even and to become a bigger event each year. Greg Haffner moved the amount of $5000 for the ShoWare Shootout be approved. Barbara Smith seconded, Motion passed. ShoWare Center Marquee - Les Thomas opened up the discussion of the topic; using Lodging Tax Advisory Committee funds to purchase a Marquee for ShoWare Center. Discussion took place. Greg Haffner wanted all to be aware he is a PFD member and his connection to the ShoWare Center, but he has support for a Marquee at ShoWare for the benefit of the community. A Marquee would be a good thing to let everyone know ahead of time what is at ShoWare and what is coming. Les stated he is very interested in getting a marquee for ShoWare. The most likely location would be on James Street. Ben Wolters noted in the City's legal review is it within the perimeters to use lodging tax funds for a marquee. Committee's questions were; is it something the Council wants to do use funds on? And what amount of funds should be used? Aaron Watne moved to ask Council to issue an opinion for further support and research of the use of lodging tax funds to be used to purchase a marquee at ShoWare Center. Along with defining what the sign would be and to seek the level of contribution that would come from lodging tax. Barbara Smith seconded, Motion passed. Seattle Southside Update - Katherine Kertzman Katherine handed out the information from the most current Smith Travel Research showing the South area is up and projecting flat revenue for 2011. Seattle South side has moved to their new location and the grand opening went great. The new vacation planner is coming out July 10, 2010. Ben Wolters suggested Katherin do a presentation to the Council at a Council workshop. Julie Pulliam will check on available times on the workshop schedule with John Hodgson. Budget - Bob Nachlincier Bob presented the budget report as of May 31, 2010. Budget is not anticipated to make projection of $160,000 more likely reach approximately $145,000. At the last meeting it was discussed putting aside $50,000 for Kent's Centennial Celebration Bob was unaware of this. The question of what is the date of the Centennial came up. Bob will look into the budget line item. Julie Pulliam will find out the date for the Kent Centennial. ShoWare Center Update - Tim Higgins gave an update on the 13 graduations and the half a million visitors that have been to ShoWare center. All have been very surprised with it and look forward to coming back to an event. Next Meeting Date- No date was set. Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m J ie Pulliam Economic Dev. Administrative Assistant