Tourism Commission

Tourism Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Tuesday 3:30 PM City Council Chambers, City Hall 210 Lottie St Bellingham, September 23, 2025 WA 98225 Audio Recorded https://meetings.cob.org Call to Order The Tourism Commission meeting (video) was called to order by the Chair, Peter Fraizer, at 3:31 PM. Members: Council Representative: ☒ Peter Frazier (Tourism Commission Chair) ☐ Hollie Huthman, LTAC Chair ☐ Christine Jenkins, LTAC ☒ Craig Jewell Ex-Officio: ☒ Kevin Coleman, LTAC ☒ Dylan Deane-Boyle, BWCT ☒ Marc Blake, LTAC ☒ Maria Coltharp, Whatcom Museum ☒ Matt Lesinski ☐ Nick Kelly, LTAC ☒ Sara Holliday, LTAC Staff/ Other Panelists: ☒ Stephanie Morrell, LTAC Tara Sundin, PCDD ☒ Todd Elsworth Taylor Littrell, PCDD Lorin O’Grady, Mt Baker Theater Mayor Lund, City of Bellingham NW Skate Collective representatives Approve Meeting Minutes Motion to approve the meeting minutes from the June meeting by Kevin Coleman, seconded by Matt Lesinski. All in favor, motion passes. Minutes approved. Agenda Items Tourism Commission 1. 2026 Budget Overview Tara Sundin shared an overview of the draft budget for 2026. The draft budget was also shared at the previous meeting in June. Commissioners asked a few questions about specific budget line items as well as the assumption of decreased lodging tax revenue in the coming years. LTAC will vote on the 2026 budget recommendation at the October meeting. 2. Waterfront Skatepark Presentation A presentation was made to support a budget request for $450,000 for the newly proposed Waterfront Skatepark. The presentation was made by representatives of the Northwest Skate Collective, Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, and City of Bellingham staff including Mayor Kim Lund. The group discussed that the skatepark would support the tourism strategic plan goals by advancing recreation and included supporting claims that a world class skate park would draw visitors from across the region and the country. LTAC will vote on the budget request as part of the 2026 budget at the October meeting.  3. Mount Baker Theater Presentation The Mount Baker Theater receives lodging tax funds annually as a tourism related facility. Lorin O’Grady, MBT marketing director, shared an overview of their successes to date in 2025 as well as future plans for 2026. 4. Whatcom Museum Presentation The Whatcom Museum receives lodging tax funds annually as a tourism related facility. Maria Coltharp, interim executive director, shared an overview of their successes to date in 2025 as well as future plans for 2026 and beyond. 5. 2026 Tourism Grant Applications Overview Taylor Littrell gave a brief overview of the 2026 tourism grant submissions. The program continues to grow with 54 applications submitted equated to over $1.2 million in funding requests. LTAC will vote on which applications they recommend funding for 2026 at the October meeting. Other Business For the Good of the Order, Legislative Issues, and Announcements • Due to lack of time, no updates were shared. Public Comment Nathalie Wagler, Downtown Bellingham Partnership, expressed gratitude for the programing Whatcom Museum provides to the community and stated the partnership is excited to continue collaborating on First Fridays. Upcoming Meetings • October meeting 10/28 Meeting adjourned at 5:15 PM. Minutes prepared by: Taylor Littrell, Development Specialist II Minutes edited by both staff and Tourism Commission members.