City Council

CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS May 27, 2020 On May 27, 2020, a workshop of the Odessa City Council was held at 9:01 a.m., City Hall, Council Chambers, 5th floor, 411 W. 8h St., Odessa, Texas. Due to the COVID-19, the meeting was teleconferenced, as allowed by Governor Abbott’s executive order. The City Council was present through teleconference. City Council present: Council members: Michael Shelton, District One; Detra White, District Three; Tom Sprawls, District Four; Mari Willis, District Five; and Peggy Dean, At-Large. City Council absent: Mayor David R. Turner and Council member Dewey Bryant, District Two. Others present: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, City Secretary; Cindy Muncy, Interim Assistant City Manager; and other members of City staff. Presentation on the eligible uses of the local hotel tax and discuss the most effective practices utilized by cities throughout Texas to maximize the impact of these funds. Monica Tschauner, Discover Odessa Director, thanked the Council for being a great advocate for the hotel funds. Scott Joslove, President the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association, provided his background on Hotel Motel Tax funds. He explained the general uses of the tax that included public safety and any public purpose. The tax funds to be used needed to pass a two part test that included to directly promote tourism and the hotel and convention industry and meet a category used for conventions, hand out materials, advertising, promotion of arts or historical restoration and preservation. Council member White joined the meeting 9:13 a.m. Mr. Joslove explained the categories that the hotel tax funds could be used. The categories were convention centers, registration and convention delegates, advertising and promotions, promotion of the arts, historical restoration and preservation, sporting related events, sporting related facilities, tourism related signage, and spending funds on shuttles. He provided examples of each category. Randy Ham, Odessa Arts Executive Director, stated that there were alternative measures for the hotel funds such as hosting events at a hotel. Mr. Joslove stated it must have tourist impact. He encouraged that the attractions be made an amenity. Mrs. Tschauner stated that the Chamber has worked with the arts as it improved the quality of life. Council members Shelton and Dean thanked Mr. Joslove for the information. Mr. Joslove commended Mrs. Tschauner for the leadership and partnership for the hotel industry. Council Workshop Minutes May 27, 2020 Page 2 There was no other business, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC Peggy Dean City Secretary Mayor Pro Tem