Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA ACCOMMODATIONS TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 12:00pm Municipal Complex, Committee Meeting Room, 3rd Floor 100 Ann Edwards Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 MINUTES PRESENT: Su McManus-Frost, Chair; Jennifer Bagwell, Vice Chair; Cheryl Craven, Laurie Bixler, Shannon Hartman and Rebecca Gosnell ABSENT: Chad Shore ALSO PRESENT: Elton Carrier, Council Liaison STAFF PRESENT: Amy Livingston, Business & Tourism Manager Ms. Frost called the meeting to order at 12:01 p.m. I. Public Comments [None] II. FY 17/18 (January – June) Group Evaluation Ms. Livingston stated that there is currently $371,274 in the budget, and this is the last funding period for this fiscal year. Ms. Frost asked if any remaining funds roll over to the next fiscal year. Ms. Livingston stated that it will roll over; however, the Committee has two years to utilize these funds. A. Omar Shrine Installation Ms. Bagwell moved to fund the Omar Shrine Installation at $7,100 as per the matrix; seconded by Ms. Frost. All present voted in favor.  Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee October 5, 2017 Page 2 of 5 B. Charleston Restaurant Foundation’s Lowcountry Oyster Festival Ms. Gosnell made a motion to fund the Lowcountry Oyster Festival for $9,700; seconded by Ms. Hartman. All present voted in favor. C. USS Yorktown Foundation’s Battle of Hue City Symposium Ms. Frost stated that her thoughts were to fund a little higher than the matrix calculations at $4,000. Ms. Frost made a motion to fund the Battle of Hue City Symposium at $4,000; seconded by Ms. Bagwell. All present voted in favor. D. Southeastern Wildlife Exposition Ms. Bagwell made a motion to fund the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition at $14,250; seconded by Ms. Gosnell. All present voted in favor. E. Family Circle Tennis Center’s Dunlop Junior Tennis Tournament [No evaluation on this item] F. United Soccer Academy Mount Pleasant Charleston Spring Shootout Ms. Bagwell moved to fund at $1,593; seconded by Ms. Craven. All present voted in favor. G. United Soccer Academy Mount Pleasant Charleston Challenge Cup Ms. Craven moved to fund the Charleston Challenge Cup at $1,464; seconded by Ms. Bagwell. All present voted in favor. H. Charleston Wine + Food Festival Ms. Bixler made a motion to fund at the full requested amount of $20,000 considering the huge impact they have on Mount Pleasant, the strides they have made in the last six years, and the fact they are focusing on Mount Pleasant; seconded by Ms. Gosnell. Ms. Hartman stated that she does not agree with the full funding of $20,000 with its impact on Mount Pleasant. She said that even with the inclusion of more events in the Town, these are the smaller-scale events and looking at the history at her hotel, she does not see a huge impact on the hotels. Ms. Craven stated that she agrees, as she also does not see the numbers at her Marriott properties.  Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee October 5, 2017 Page 3 of 5 Ms. Frost asked if ATAC could make it a stipulation that they show hotel nights here in the Town. Ms. Gosnell stated that ATAC could recommend the $20,000 with a caveat that more effort be placed on bookings at Mount Pleasant hotels and larger events be held in the Town of Mount Pleasant. Ms. Hartman stated that for the record, she still does not agree with full funding, but it should be a caveat for them to indicate what events are actually being held here in the Town and the volume of people that it draws, because in the past, they were very small dinners brought over to the Town. Ms. Gosnell said that she would add that Mount Pleasant is just now starting to grow its restaurant quality to have individuals such as Chef Nico and Chef Mike Lata who are able to facilitate those moves over the bridge to Mount Pleasant. All present voted in favor. I. Town of Mount Pleasant Recreation Department’s Jim Ryckman Basketball Tournament – Ms. Bagwell moved to fund at $1,000 and send to the Recreation Department next year; seconded by Ms. Craven. All present voted in favor. J. Charleston Area Sports Commission CAA Men’s Basketball Championship Ms. Bagwell made a motion to fund at $3,950 per the matrix; seconded by Ms. Craven. Ms. Gosnell recommended that if this event does not demonstrate a track record in hotels, then the ATAC should not fund them next year. Committee members agreed. All present voted in favor. K. Southcoast Symphony Orchestra Ms. Bixler made a motion to fund the Symphony at $5,000 due to the cultural need and because they have made significant strides; seconded by Ms. Craven.  Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee October 5, 2017 Page 4 of 5 Ms. Gosnell stated that she would like for the funding to come with a recommendation that they meet with the Cultural Arts & Pride Commission (CAP) for additional support. Mr. Carrier stated that he also does not see it being a huge undertaking to change their name on the 501c3. He said they only need to go through the State office and suggested that this Committee recommend such. Ms. Frost suggested the change to Mount Pleasant Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Livingston stated that they are also able to change their DBA (doing business as). All present voted in favor. L. Cooper River Bridge Run – across the board Ms. Gosnell made a motion to fund the Bridge Run at the recommended amount based on the matrix of $24,750; seconded by Ms. Bagwell. Ms. Bixler suggested funding at the requested amount of $25,000. Ms. Hartman stated that the event is in April and suggested funding at the full amount as well. Ms. Gosnell withdrew her motion; Ms. Bagwell withdrew her second. Ms. Bixler made a motion to fund the Bridge Run at the full requested amount of $25,000 due to the impact on the community; seconded by Ms. Hartman. All present voted in favor. M. Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival Ms. Bixler moved to fund at $10,000; seconded by Ms. Hartman. All present voted in favor. N. Omar Shrine Sports Gala & Tournament Ms. Gosnell made a motion to fund the Sports Gala & Tournament at $1,000; seconded by Ms. Bagwell. All present voted in favor. O. College of Charleston Softball Program Ms. Bagwell moved to fund at $5,700; seconded by Ms. Gosnell. All present voted in favor.  Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee October 5, 2017 Page 5 of 5 II. Adjourn Ms. Bagwell moved to adjourn; seconded by Ms. Craven. All present voted in favor. There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 1:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Ashe October 5, 2017