HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - 11/29/2007 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
November 29, 2007
Committee Members Present: Tim Clark, Jacquie Alexander, Greg Haffner and Ryan Noel,
Others present: Ben Wolters, Bob Nachlinger, Marcelle Wellington, and Julie Pulliam
Guest: Denise Higgins and Gail Schaar
Tim Clark called the meeting to order at 2:08 and introductions were made.
Kent Events Center Update; Ben Wolters gave an overview of the project noting the construction
is on schedule. The Operator RFP has been advertised and the closing deadline is November 30,
2007 at 4:30 p.m. Three submissions are expected; possible 4. All are established event center
operators; SMG, Global Spectrum, VenuWorks and IFG are the interested ones. One has already
been received from VenuWorks at this time. Ben Wolters stated the timeline for the selected
operator contract will be present to City Council at the meeting in December. Seattle Thunderbirds
have all rights to organizing all Hockey related events.
Looking ahead on the construction, the large crane that will be erecting the superstructure will be
up starting in the New Year through March. On July 1, 2007 we should receive the certificate from
the contractor on the opening date we are estimating Jan 2009 for first event, but we will take
ownership in December 2008.
The advertising is coming together the Thunderbirds have multiple interested parties in the suites;
some are at the letter of interest stage. Many of the boxed seats are already sold.
Naming rights are coming along with much interest.
FEMA is still in the proposed process it has no impact on the Kent Events Center since it is
grandfather in.
City of Kent Update; The topic of a second sheet of ice at the Kent Ice Center is possible but is
still being worked out. The area having aging facilities in the region and larger population all are
pointing to an opportunity for a second sheet of ice as a possibility.
Seattle Southside Update; Katherine Kertzman distributed the Lodging Tax Report. PMCA
hosting there convention Jan 11-14, 2008. Martin Yen will be coming to the Great Wall Mall Tour.
Tom Douglas will also be here for a book signing. Seattle Southside will be pitching the Kent
Events Center at their booth at the PMCA convention.
A discussion of a shuttle to Kent Station from the Airport was discussed. It was decided it was
definitely worth looking into.
A culinary promotion to train chefs for Asian restaurants is being reviewed.
Room Rental is up 18%. It was reported an all time record for Lodging Tax Revenue was
$15,892.74 in November 2007. Online advertising is up and Seattle Southside will be investing
more money on this in 2008. Looking into the possibility of a Spanish website along with the
Japanese website that is already up and running.
BudIlet; Bob Nachlinger, City of Kent Finance Director gave a report as of October 31, 2007 and
handouts were distributed. The Seattle Southside contract was discussed and a motion was made by
Ryan Noel and seconded by Greg Haffner to increase the contract for 2008 to $120,000.00. Motion
carried. The Kent Chamber contract was also discussed and it will be no more than $19,000 for
2008. Total budget was amended to $159,000.00 motion was made by Ryan Noel and seconded by
Jacquie Alexander. Motion carried.
Committee Positions; The committee voted on the empty hotel committee position, candidate
Andrew Hutchinson the Manager of Kent's Best Western Motel was voted on. Motion carried.
Hutchinson was invited to the committee o fill the seat.
A seconded motion was made to fill the last empty position with Dennis Higgins. Ryan Noel
seconded. Motion carried. Higgins was invited to join the committee. Ben Wolters will move
forward to get on Council agenda for Council approval.
Other Business; Jacquie Alexander reported the Kent Downtown Partnership would be advertising
on the back of the KOA guide.
Approval of minutes; Ryan Noel move to approve the minutes of the September 27, 2007,
meeting. Greg Haffner seconded the motion carried.
Next MeetinIz Date; Thursday, Feb 7, 2008, 2 p.m. was set for the next meeting.
Adjournment; The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
e Pulliam
conomic Development Administrative Assistant