City Council Workshop

10801 Town Square Dr. City of Blaine Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes - Final City Council Workshop *While this is a public meeting where interested persons are welcome to attend, it is a work session for Council and staff to discuss issues before them. It is not for the purpose of receiving public input. Thursday, June 20, 2013 6:30 PM Cloverleaf Farm Room A Meeting Number 13-31 NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 6:30 p.m. Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: Clark Arneson, City Manager; Patrick Sweeney, City Attorney; Bryan Schafer, Planning Director; Joe Huss, Finance Director; Bob Therres, Public Services Manager; Dan Szykulski, Police Lieutenant; Rebecca Olson, Assistant to the City Manager; Roark Haver, Communications Technician; Jane Cross, City Clerk; and Recording Secretary Linda Dahlquist. Present: 6 - Councilmember Clark, Councilmember Kolb, Councilmember Bourke, Councilmember Herbst, Mayor Ryan, and Councilmember Swanson Absent: 1 - Councilmember Hovland 1 City Manager Arneson stated the City is a member of the Convention & Visitors Bureau along with eight other cities. He stated every year the bureau gives each community, based on their share of revenues generated within the community, a portion of funds from a room tax from hotels. Steve Markuson, Twin Cities Gateway, stated this year the City will receive $7,389 for the City to use on community events in 2013. City Manager Arneson stated staff recommends using $7,389 for the Blazin 4th celebration. He stated a motion will be needed at the Council meeting tonight. Mr. Markuson gave an overview of the Twin Cities Gateway funding, grants and strategic objectives. He stated that the hotel tax totals for 2010 was $591,556; for 2011 was $673,559; for 2012 was $719,716; and the 2013 budget is $750,000. He noted 20% of the budget is admin costs and 80% is marketing and promotion. He also noted that Dick Swanson is on the Twin Cities Gateway board. He stated of the grants awarded, Blaine received five City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final June 20, 2013 grants: Curling Club $10,000, USA Ultimate $5,000; One Hockey LLC $7,500; Blaine Triathlon $5,000; and NSC Sports Marketing $75,000. Mr. Markuson stated the strategic objectives for 2013 are: · Reach geo-targeted markets · Reach behavioral prospects on identified activities · Increase visitation during shoulder seasons · Increase grant program · Generate incremental travel · Stimulate tourism related economic impacts · Enhance the regional tax base and job creation · Highlight proximity/location · Target leisure/sports marketing/meetings and conferences · Focus on online and internet marketing. Councilmember Clark asked if TCG has documentation that tracks the business that is generated. Mr. Markuson replied the businesses do not track their customers. Councilmember Clark asked if a promo could be created with the hotels for tracking customers. Mr. Markuson responded the hotels do not want to have customer detail. Councilmember Kolb questioned the type of jobs that are created from tourism. Mr. Markuson responded the jobs range from entry level to career positions. DISCUSSED 2 WS 13-40 DISCUSSION ON CHARGING ROOM RENTAL FOR CITY HALL MEETING ROOMS Public Services Manager Therres gave an overview of the proposal to charge room rental fees at City Hall. He stated the proposal is to institute a $25 room rental fee and $100 room deposit fee for each room rental. Mayor Ryan questioned charging the Home Owners Associations a room rental fee. Public Services Manager Therres responded all organizations would be charged. He noted currently no outside organizations are allowed to use the rooms during business hours. Councilmember Bourke commented that a smaller fee may be more appropriate. City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final June 20, 2013 Councilmember Kolb commented $25 is not a lot and she would like to see what other cities charge. Councilmember Swanson commented that room set-up should continue to have a fee charged. Councilmember Clark requested detail on what other cities charge. Councilmember Kolb commented that City Hall is the property of the residents and organizations that use the meeting rooms should pay a user fee. Mayor Ryan questioned the City’s organizations/groups being charged user fees. Discussed 3 WS 13-41 ADJOURN Councilmember Clark gave an overview of a discussion that was held on disaster recovery. Council discussed the need for emergency and disaster planning. The Workshop adjourned at 7:30 p.m. City of Blaine Page 3