HomeMy WebLinkAbout111215 FINAL Minutes
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
DATE: November 12, 2015 START TIME: 3:00 p.m. LOCATION: City Hall, Conference Room 3
VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: Michelle Sandoval (Chair), Sherri Hanke, Janette Force, Dave Robison, Denise Winter
NON-VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: Teresa Verraes, Mari Mullen
MEMBER(S) EXCUSED: Robert Birman, Nathan Barnett, Will O’Donnell, Cindy Hill Finnie, William Roney
OTHERS PRESENT: City Manager David Timmons, Marketing Director Christina Pivarnik, Deputy City Clerk Joshua Stecker
GUESTS: None
Topic Action
Approval of Minutes: October 13, 2015 Unanimously approved.
2016 Budget – City Manager reported that higher than expected revenues were received in 2015 and that
the 2016 budget reflected the revenue growth. He reported that the administrative budget was being reduced to $18,500 to reflect Council’s involvement in LTAC activity. Other highlights included $97,000 for the Visitor
Information Center which would be rent free for the year and $3,500 for new trail maps.
Mr. Timmons also reported that the current budget projects a $153,000 reserve. Plans for using the reserve
funds will be discussed at a future meeting. Marketing Director Christina Pivarnik presented plans for the 2016 advertising budget, including an emphasis
on 50-50 split advertising with shoulder season events, Fort Worden and increased search engine optimization advertising. She also noted a $1,500 budgeted expense for a conversion study in cooperation with other tourism organizations.
Dave Robison noted that the $40,000 for Fort Worden marketing expenses would be applied to digital
marketing, collateral materials and community partnership marketing. Ms. Pivarnik detailed her scope of
services for Fort Worden which included social media support and increased connections with media and tour operators. She will also represent Fort Worden at the Go West Summit and work with the Visit Seattle
organization to bring more fam tours and group business to Fort Worden.
The Committee
unanimously approved the 2016 budget as
proposed.
Dave Robison gave an update of Fort Worden features including future additional hotel rooms and glamping
units and the potential for a passenger boat service to the Maritime Center and Boat Haven
Denise Winter reported a successful year at Key City Public Theater.
Next Meeting: January 12, 2016
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.