HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - 03/19/2002 LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES for March 19, 2002
Amended 6.18.02
The regular meeting of the Lodging Tax Advisory committee was called to order at 2:40 p.m. by chair, Rico
Yingling.
Committee Members Present: Diana Albertson, Kathy Madison, Carol Vass, Andy Wangstad, Rico
Yingling
Committee Members Absent: Vickie Molzer
Staff Present: Dena Laurent, Asst. CAO, May Miller, Finance Director, Mike Martin, CAO and Cheryl
Viseth, Administrative Assistant.
Guests: Raul Vaca and Barb Ivanov, Kent Chamber of Commerce
Departing Members: Dan Shirk
Approval of Meeting Minutes for November 18, 2001: Minutes for the November 18, 2001 meeting
were approved as amended.
Introduction of New Community Committee Member: Rico Yingling, Committee Chair
Rico introduced Diana Albertson she will be serving as the new Community Committee Member. Diana is
a member of the Arts Commission and was a spokesperson for the Kent Civic and Performing Arts Center.
King County Life Ad: Dena Laurent, Assistant CAO
Dena noted that the King County Life Ad is distributed to over 53,000 Journal subscribers. Ad copy is due
Mid May. Carol moved that the committee approve the King County Life Ad, Andy moved that we not
approve the King County Life Ad, Diana seconded. Motion passed to not approve ad in King County Life.
Updated Lodging Association Activities Raul Vaca, Kent Chamber of Commerce
Raul handed out the 2001-Kent Lodging Association Report of Marketing Events for the 1st Quarter of
2002 along with a hand out for the Washington State Visitors Guide 2002 (ad on page 48) Raul mentioned
that they had received six calls in the past month.
Barb, asked about funding an additional six months to the Chamber contract. Rico suggested that the
Chamber look at their budget. It was decided that no action be taken at this time. Kathy mentioned that
her Hotel is booked for the ASA Tournaments in July.
Financial Report: May Miller, Finance Director
May handed out a two page financial report (see attached). She will check on the King County Life Ad,
cost backup.
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3.19.02 Lodging Tax Committee Minutes
Review of"Project Funding Proposal" Guidelines and Policy: Rico Yingling
Rico asked if there are any concerns, listed below:
♦ Acknowledge the process
♦ Figure out who can be funded
♦ Good idea to have a deadline for requesting funds. May suggested an estimated budget be given to
Finance by June.
♦ Hotels would like the focus to be on overnight stays.
♦ People who apply need to know who will be funded.
Hotel Report; All Hotel People
Vickie Molzer is out on Maternity leave until mid-April. Dan Shirk has left Howard Johnson. Alicia at La
Quinta was suggested as his replacement. Kathy Madison will see if she is interested in being on the
committee.
Additions: Rico
Rico handed out an AWC Legislative Bulletin. The first article dated 2.1.02 was regarding Hotel-Motel Tax
Changes (HB 2713); the hospitality industry, in an attempt to address perceived abuses of lodging tax
revenues has introduced a bill that would make substantial changes to the hotel-motel tax laws (see
attached). The second article dated 2.8.02 was regarding Hotel-Motel Changes (HB 2713). The bill
received an icy reception when in the House Finance committee the previous week. It was noted in the
last paragraph; though the bill appears to be dead, this is not a time to be complacent. We urge cities to
be careful about how lodging tax revenues are used. There have been a couple of instances in which
these revenues were used for very questionable purposes, and some legislators are upset about this.
Action Item:
Rico asked that Cheryl check on the Sunset Clause in Council Minutes and bring it to the next meeting.
Mike Martin will device a Community Submission form, to solicit Lodging Tax funds.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Next Meeting: To be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 2:30 p.m.
NOTE: Meeting was postponed until Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at 2:30 p.m. in the Mayor's Conference
Room, 2"d floor City Hall.
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