HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - 05/24/2007 o
KENT W A S H I N O T O N LODGING TAX ADVISO
RY COMMITTEE
May 24, 2007
Committee Members Present: Tim Clark, Jacquie Alexander, Greg Haffner, Vickie Molzer
and Ryan Noel.
Others Present: Ben Wolters, Katherine Kertzman, Carla Lindula, and Gail Schaar.
'1 The meeting was called to order by Clark at 3:10 p.m.
Amiga Center at Kent Wolters gave an update on the Amiga Center and said that the State
Legislature
g e passed a bill that provided authority to establish a Public Facilities District to
help fund the facility and with finances in place, the permitting process is going ahead. He
noted that for the next 10 days testing at the site is going on for the pilings that will help
support the building. He stated that the economic impact will be very good for the City.
City of Kent. Wolters gave an update on Project Springboard and noted that the developer is
having financial struggles and that the City's interest is protected. He stated that he is
confident about the outcome of this site which is in a very good location and he has received
interest from other developers.
Seattle Southside Update Katherine Kertzman passed out reports and noted that 2006 was
a record breaking year for the Greater Seattle area, lodging tax revenue as a whole was up
14%, for Kent 21.7% and is confident that this partnership will drive the same kind of
success for 2007. She described the Seattle Southside Visitors Services for the new
members. Kertzman noted that SSVS is responsible for four areas: tourism development;
new opportunities; business relations with 600 industry representatives, local business
people; public relations and marketing and visitors center. She noted that the PCMA will be
coming this year, this group is a group of meeting planners and event planners from all over
the nation, each one plans hundreds of events and are coming to Seattle in January 2008 for
the first time and announced PCMA's 2008 annual meeting sponsorship levels. She also
noted an opportunity to be platinum sponsors or co-sponsors with Seattle's CVB. She briefly
described other events, visitors center signage, revising the vacation planner, map, cultural
tourism, partner organizations, and working with partner cities.
2007 Budget. Wolters passed out a summary of the current budget and mentioned that there
will be a substantial surplus at the end of the year.
Kent Tourism Map Wolter passed around a downtown walking map that had been printed
by Town Graphic Printing that can be made available to travelers. He noted the past interest
and would like a resolution of approval to go ahead and print the map. After comments from
the Board, MOLZER MOVED to approve funds to take $75,000 for the cost of printing.
Alexander seconded and the motion carried.
Seattle Southside. After discussion by the Board for the platinum sponsorship with Seattle
CVB for splitting $50,000 with two other cities, HAFFNER MOVED to approve up to
$17,000 for the PCMA Sponsorship. Molzer seconded and the motion carried.
Lodging Tax Advisory Board
Page 2 of 2 May 24, 2007
Board Positions. Clark asked for recommendations for a board position and two candidates
were mentioned.
Approval of Minutes., HAFFNER MOVED to approve the minutes of November 2, 2007.
Molzer seconded and the motion carried.
Next Meeting, September 27, 2007, at 2:00 p.m., in the Centennial Center Conference
Rooms North and South, were set as the date, time and place of the next meeting.
Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 4:19 p.m.
Mary Simmons
Deputy City Clerk