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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - 03/06/2000 LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITEE MINUTES MARCH 6, 2000 Committee Members Present: Chair Judy Woods, Don Campbell, Carol Vass, Kathy Madison, Peterwynia and Alicia Bennett. Staff Present: Dena Laurent, Jacki Skaught, Cheryl Viseth Chair person Judy Woods called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m. There will be 6 items on the agenda. Each person then introduced themselves and gave a brief description of where they worked and what they do. Review of Purpose: Jacki Skaught noted that the City implemented a 1% Lodging Tax and that money was designated in the ordinance for promotion as relates to Tourism and then another portion goes to pay off the debt service for the Civic and Performing Arts Center. She added that we started collecting that money last year after paying the $85,000 for last year for the debt service, there's $37,082 in your account. The purpose of this group is to manage the use of those funds. Dollars Available: Judy explained that the Committee decided that it would be better to carry the extra money over and then work to develop a plan. Don said one of the things that we were interested in was finding a way to promote or bring people to Kent. The Civic and Performing Arts Center will be one of those magnets extending the Kent day beyond 5 o'clock. We're looking to partnership with the hotel/motel industry, the Chamber of Commerce or whomever we deem appropriate to promote this area. Discussion followed on total funds collected, which the committee agreed was on target at about $121,000. Judy noted that they have been conservative in their estimate and that there is about $37,000 to work with. Further discussion followed regarding promotion of the ice arena, which will benefit the hotels during there off peak season. Jacki agreed to invite John Hodgson to attend a future meeting. Dena Laurent - Money for Advertising/2000 Work Plan: Jacki introduced Dena Laurent, Government Affairs Manager for the City. Dena passed around a publication that is produced by the South County Journal and distributed to subscribers, newspaper buyers, hotels, chambers of commerce and other business places. The City has purchased a double page spread the past two years, which we were using as �-�' Page 1 of') LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITEE MINUTES MARCH 6, 2000 a presence, an imaging piece, with positive messages about local government. This year all Journal newspapers are printing one tabloid community piece, which will be called "King County Life" and will cover all of their papers; Eastside, Mercer Island, Shoreline and the South County Journal. The number of copies they are going to print is 68,000. That is about double what they have done in the past. The add costs this year for a one page full color ad is $1,940 two pages would be $2,400. Dena stated that more copies could be obtained. Add copy is due the first week of May, with the target for distribution being June. Don moved that the committee reserve funds to pay for two pages in the King County Life publication. With the understanding that the copy and layout could be used for in- house printing of additional material to promote Kent. Carol seconded the motion, not to exceed $4,000. There was no further discussion on the motion, the motion passed. Dena and Jacki will work on the initial layout with our in house graphic people Discussion continued on how the work plan would be carried out, that the money should be spent to promote tourism to help the hotel/motel industry. Cathy will bring in a copy of"Destination Washington" to the next meeting. "Shoulder" or off peak seasons were discussed for the Washington area. The "shoulder" being October—February. Below are some brainstorming ideas of events that bring business or overnight stays to Kent:: ♦ Commuter Rail ♦ SIR ♦ SAFECO Classic(looking for a sponsor) ♦ Cornucopia Days/Seafair(overflow) ♦ Mariners(overflow) ♦ Balloon Classic/pilot at Emerald Downs last year may do again this year ♦ Emerald Downs ♦ Softball Tournaments ♦ Kent School District/Highline and Green River Community College ♦ Commuter Rail/Sept. 18,2000 ♦ Lake Meridian ♦ . Ice Arena ♦ Golf ♦ Market ♦ Interurban trail/easy access for people staying in Kent ♦ Civic and Performing Arts Center/Fall of 2002, if ballot measure passes this year after raising 8 million dollars in private funds. Page 2 of 3 1 LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITEE MINUTES MARCH 6, 2000 Cathy suggested that a few of the topics be researched further and be brought back to the next meeting since list is not exhaustive. Jacki noted that the Port of Seattle has money for Economic Development and we as a City in King County can work with them to use some of that. Jacki let the committee know that Kent is just finishing up a feasibility study on a conference center. It will be presented to council workshop on the 21S` of April at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers East. Jacki will make sure that everyone receives a copy of that report. Judy asked that some calls be made to Lynwood, Federal Way and SeaTac on what types of things they have been doing, and then come back with our ideas. Cathy will look into the SAFECO Classic status and historically what it has done. Meeting Schedule: It was decided that a good day to meet was Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. And that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 4, at 2:30 p.m., in the Mayor's Conference Room, 2nd floor City Hall. Discussion followed about the Destination Washington publication and how Microsoft and Boeing use it as their relocation piece. The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m. C ,eryl Viseth I' Page 3 of 3 II