Lodging Tax Advisory Committee

MOSES LAKE LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE December 6, 2016 The regular meeting of the Moses Lake Lodging Tax Advisory Committee was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Chairman Ecret in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam, Moses Lake, Washington. Executive Secretary Sophia Guerrero called the roll. The following were: Present: Chairman Bill Ecret, and members Brenda Teals, Tim Molitor, Daniel Ramarui, and Debbie Doran-Martinez Gilbert Alvarado, Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager Absent: W. Robert Taylor, Finance Director MINUTES: The minutes of the October 31 meeting were presented. Action Taken: Ms. Doran-Martinez moved that the minutes be approved, seconded by Mr. Molitor, and passed unanimously. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS Gilbert Alvarado, Community Development Director/Deputy City Manager, stated that there is approximately $223,000 which the Committee can allocate to various projects. He recommended that the deadline for applications to be received be changed to October 1 in order to meet city budgetary requirements. Mr. Alvarado recommended that in 2018 the LTAC have a retreat in June to audit what has been funded and prepare for the next round of applications. LODGING TAX FUNDS UPDATE Mr. Alvarado provided information on the Council’s role in awarding lodging tax funds and the prior use of the funds. There was some discussion about the advantages of establishing a reserve fund. COLUMBIA BASIN ALLIED ARTS Columbia Basin Allied Arts requested $10,000. The Columbia Basin Allied Arts is a non-profit organization that provides cultural and art events including 4 premier shows and 3 Green Turtle shows at the Wallenstien theater. There was discussion by the Committee on the request. MOSES LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - LAKE OF LIGHTS FESTIVAL The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce requested $30,000 for an annual festival beginning the first Saturday of July to celebrate Independence Holiday with a fireworks display, food truck rodeo, concerts in the park and possibly an air show at the Grant County International Airport. There was discussion by the Committee on the request. MOSES LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER OPERATION The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce requested $40,000 to support the operation of a tourism related facility owned or operated by non-profit organizations. The visitor information provides information to those interested in the community in a variety of ways. There was discussion by the Committee on the request. MOSES LAKE LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 2 December 6, 2016 MOSES LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce requested $60,000 to support an advertising campaign to attract tourists to the community. CITY OF MOSES LAKE - LARSON PLAYFIELD BALLFIELD LIGHTING The City of Moses Lake requested $250,000 to provide outdoor ballfield lighting for the Larson Ballfield complex. The lack of evening play on the ballfields due to no lighting has had a negative impact on the community. There was discussion by the Committee on the request. Action Taken: Mrs. Teals moved that all five proposals be approved with the stipulation that if the City does not receive the grant for the Larson Playfield Ballfield Lighting, that the City provide the needed funds for that project, seconded by Ms. Doran-Martinez. There was additional discussion on allocating more funds to some of the projects than requested since the there is $473,000 available and the applications submitted total $390,000. Action Taken: Mr. Molitor moved that the motion be amended to add an additional $40,000 to the request from the Chamber of Commerce for the advertising campaign, and $12,500 be put in a reserve fund, and $25,000 be used for debt relief by the City, seconded by Ms. Doran-Martinez, and passed unanimously. The amended motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: The regular meeting was adjourned at 2:52 p.m. ________________________________________ ATTEST Bill Ecret, Chairman ____________________________________ W. Robert Taylor, Finance Director