Tourism Commission

Tourism Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Tuesday 3:30 PM November 26, 2024 Mayor’s Boardroom Video Recorded https://meetings.cob.org Call to Order The Tourism Commission meeting was called to order by the Chair at 3:30 PM. 1. Introductions Present: Peter Frazier (Chair), Christine Jenkins, Craig Jewell, Kevin Coleman, Marc Blake, Nick Kelly, Stephanie Morrell, Todd Elsworth, Hollie Huthman (Council Representative), Dylan Deane-Boyle (ex- officio) and John Purdie, Mount Baker Theatre (ex-officio) Absent: Kelly Hart, Matt Lesinski, Sara Holiday and Patricia Leach (ex-officio) City Staff/Other Panelists: Tara Sundin, Darby Galligan, Tayor Webb, PCDD; 2. Approval of minutes from previous meeting No minutes to approve. 3. Link to Meeting Video Click here to view the meeting Agenda Items LTAC Hollie Huthman, LTAC Chair, opened the LTAC meeting at 3:34pm. 1. Consideration of the Jury's Downtown Activation and Beautification Proposals p. 2 Staff presented an overview of the project goals and timeline then discussed the three proposals recommended for funding by the jury: 1) Coast Salish Interactive Mural by Children of the Setting Sun Productions (Paper Whale is interested in collaborating on this project to combine the funds they were awarded in the last grant round for alley activation); 2) Silent Film + Live Music event by Bellingham Symphony Orchestra and Pickford Film Center; and 3) KZAX Presents: Radio Forever event by Make.Shift Art Space. High level of support for indigenous art Christine Jenkins moved to approve the three projects to move forward for council approval. Seconded by Nick Kelly. All in favor, motion passed. 2. Signature Event Grant Deliberations p. 19 Hollie Huthman, LTAC Chair, led a discussion about the next steps for selecting a new signature event. Stephanie Morrel recused herself from the conversation because she is an applicant of the signature event. The record should also note that because Stephanie is an LTAC member, she ranked the signature event applications but did not rank her own application. Hollie Hutham  also did not one of the applications (Artist Home) because they are proposing to use her business as a venue which would pose a conflict of interest. During the discussion, Hollie and Marc noticed their scores were recorded incorrectly in the scoring matrix. Staff reviewed all rankings from LTAC members, corrected the scoring matrix, and confirmed the top two applicants were Artist Home and All Night Ball in Bellingham. Since the applicants were close in score, LTAC members wanted a chance to hear more from the applicants and ask questions. Would like to call in top two applicants for a presentation: Bellingham Bells and Artist Home Additional questions to applicants ahead of time Marc Blake moved to invite the top two applicants, Artist Home and All Night Ball in Bellingham, for a short presentation and Q&A during the January Tourism Commission meeting. Seconded by Nick Kelly. All in favor, motion passed. Hollie Huthman, LTAC Chair, adjourned the LTAC meeting at 4:26pm. Full Commission 1. Tourism Strategic Planning Subcommittee p. 20 Staff shared that an updated strategic plan has been drafted, and they would like to convene a subcommittee to work through document edits. Todd Elsworth, Peter Frazier, Dylan Deane- Boyle, Marc Blake, Craig Jewell, and Kevin Coleman all expressed interest in joining the subcommittee. Staff will reach out to the members to schedule a subcommittee meeting in the coming weeks. Other Business 1. Public Comment Period 2. For the Good of the Order, Legislative Issues, and Announcements • Marc Blake and Sara Holliday were reappointed to the Commission. • A thank you card was passed around to recognize Kelly Hart’s years of service on the Commission. • The Port of Bellingham is considering an indoor pickleball facility. Todd Elsworth moved to draft a letter of support, with approval from the Mayor, to support the Port of Bellingham’s proposed pickleball facility. Seconded by Christine Jenkins. All in favor, motion passed. • A few members attended the open house for the Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan. There is still opportunity to provide input on the plan: Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan | Engage Bellingham • Legislative updates from BWCT o State of WA Tourism is supporting legislation that would enable a new sustainable funding source which includes a self-assessment on tourism-related  businesses. They are also supporting Sports Commission funding which could be a separate bill or combined with funding source previously described. o Support for increased funds for WWU to drive visitation to our community. Adjourned at 4:56pm Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Taylor Webb, Development Specialist II Minutes edited by both staff and Tourism Commission members.