HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - 09/24/2009 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
September 24, 2009
Start Time 2:00 pm
ShoWare Center, Rainier Room
Committee Members Present: Tim Clark, Greg Haffner, Dennis Higgins, Andrew
Hutchison, Aaron Watne
Others present: Ben Wolters, Paula Barry, and Julie Pulliam
Guest: Barbara Smith (KDP), Katherin Kertzman,
Chair Tim Clark called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm and introductions were made.
City of Kent Update - Ben Wolters
An update on the Softball Championship - Lodging Tax Committee gave $3500 to the
USSSA. The amount was determined by the value of the hotel stays to Kent.
Katherine Kertzman - new Washington State Tourism Commission Co-Chair
Ben congratulated Katherine on her appointment from the Governor. A very big
honor.
ShoWare Center Update - Ben Wolters
The ShoWare Center has also felt the effects of the down turn in the Economy. But
over the next few months the Circus, Disney on Ice will fill the hole and create an
operation surplus to reach a positive year end break even. We are currently at 93 %
capacity for the circus to date. The circus will skip 2010 but will return in 2011 that is
just the way they schedule. Disney on Ice is looking to be a sell- out, tickets are
doing really well.
The concert industry is still difficult and we don't have too many shows booked.
The flood threat is real we are in the Green River area which increases the threat.
The Corp. and King Co. have repaired the abutment with a grout curtain and feel this
will lower the threat. City has raised the height of the levee system with super bags
(2000 cube ft per second).
Hotels can go to the website of BOMA there will be a seminar on October 1st at
ShoWare Center for information for Building protection. City and King Co information
will be available. Emergency Management - Katherine Kertzman offered Seattle
Southside as a resource for the Hotelers.
Seattle Southside Update - Katherine Kertzman
Katherine handed out the information on the new branding effort and financial
reports; budget revenue is down 18% (attached).
Seattle Southside is working on updating their brand. "We will be focusing on the
practical traveler" said Kertzman.
The hotel booking engine is also being updated to hook into the hotels own booking
engines. Then Seattle Southside website search engine is also being updated to the
tune of $100,000. We are opening an all new campaign focused on the practical
traveler and will be having different vacation packages listed on the website. The
2010 Vacation Planner will be published soon.
Big news is the Visitor Center is being relocated 1 block east of Sea Tac Airport, the
3100 Building, close to the light rail station. We are getting more walk in traffic and
this will help accommodate it.
Budget — Paula Barry
Revenue continued to track the same as previous, but these are not final numbers.
Haffner asked should we lower the revenue projection for 2010. Yes, I agree said
Clark. Revenue should be lowered to $161.105 for 2010.
Dennis Higgins asked if we have a level of fund balance year to year we hold back for
big projects? Centennial Celebration for the City of Kent might be one we would want
to set aside money for, so we will have it when the time comes. Clark recommended
we make a special category of the future "Centennial Budget".
Haffner moved if hotel and travel/industry would see it as a good thing we would be
willing to mark a line item for $50,000 for the Centennial Celebration. Higgins 2na
Hutchinson will support for sure if it provides heads in beds. Motion passes.
Members — Ben Wolters
Vicky Molzer's position on the board needs to be filled she filled the position required
to collect Lodging Tax. Brad Knutson of Hawthorn Suites name was brought up for
this position. Ben Wolters will contact.
Tim Clark also invited Barbara Smith to attend this meeting, possibility for her to also
fill the empty position which was held by Jacquie Alexander representing persons in
activities funded by Lodging Tax.
Discussion followed;
Dennis Higgins endorsed Barbara Smith to fill the vacated position. Haffner 2"
Motion Passed.
Tim Clark thanked everyone for working with him on the committee and he has
enjoyed his time on the committee.
Approval of minutes - Dennis Higgins moved to approve the minutes of the March
26, 2009 meeting, Greg Haffner seconded, motion passed.
Next Meeting Date- Tentatively set for February/March, and will move back to the
City of Kent in the Centennial Center.
Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 3:32 p.m. '
li Pulliam
onomic Dev. Administrative Assistant