Lodging Tax Advisory Commission

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Special Lodging Tax Advisory Commission YOU AND EACH OF YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a SPECIAL meeting of the Lodging Tax Advisory Commission of the City of Pullman is to be held: DATE: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 TIME: 2:00 PM LOCATION: Palus Room; 190 SE Crestview Street, Building A THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING IS: See attached Agenda ***** DATED this 19th day of May 2026. Pat Wright, Chairperson Page A. Call to Order Roll Call B. Agenda 1. Dispense with the reading of the minutes of the meeting of April 14, 2026 and May 3 12, 2026 and approve them as submitted. Lodging Tax Advisory Commission - Apr 14 2026 - Minutes - Public (4).docx Lodging Tax Advisory Commission - May 12 2026 - Minutes - Members.docx A Motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the meeting minutes of April 14,2026 and May12, 2026 and approve them as submitted. 2. Grant Application--Cougs First! QB Classic Golf Tournament 11 Budget Source: 120.7300.57390.4025.540250 Request Amount: $25,000.00 2026 LTAC Cougs First !Grant App signed.pdf 2026Cougs First!- Golf Tournament Fundraiser Budget Template.pdf Submit independent scoring sheets prior to the meeting, discuss the application, and as a Commission complete the City Council recommendation worksheet. C. Adjournment 1. A motion to adjourn the Special meeting of the Pullman Lodging Tax Advisory Commission. A motion to adjourn the Special meeting of the Pullman Lodging Tax Advisory Commission. Page 1 of 14  Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Lodging Tax Advisory Commission - Minutes A. Call to Order Pat Wright - Commission Chair, Councilmember Meghan Wiley - Hampton by Hilton Pullman Isabel Potter - Cougar Land Motel Rachelle Simons - STR Enamul Khan - Mela/International Community Angela Lenssen - Cougs First! Ginger Flynn - Pullman Chamber of Commerce Trevor Vance - Councilmember * Shantel Sanders - Secretary & Administrative Liaison 1. Roll call A motion was made to excuse Enam Khan from the meeting. Moved by: Angela Lenssen; seconded by: Trevor Vance Yea: Trevor Vance, Rachelle Simons, Pat Wright, Angela Lenssen, Meghan Wiley, Isabel Potter, and Ginger Flynn Motion Carries 7-0 B. Agenda 1. Dispense with the reading of the minutes of the meeting of March 26, 2026 and approve them as submitted. LTAC Minutes 03262026 Draft.pdf A Motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the meeting minutes of March 26, 2026 and approve them with changes to voting record on Cougar Athlete Youth Sports Clinics to correct record. A Motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the meeting minutes of March 26, 2026 and approve them with changes to voting record on Cougar Athlete Youth Sports Clinics to correct record. Moved by: Ginger Flynn; seconded by: Angela Lenssen Yea: Trevor Vance, Rachelle Simons, Pat Wright, Angela Lenssen, Meghan Wiley, Isabel Potter, and Ginger Flynn Motion Carries 7-0 2. Tourism Report--Pullman Chamber of Commerce Update by JJ Martin--Tourism Director Page 3 of 15  Visit Pullman Tourism Report - February 2026.pdf JJ Martin Tourism Director with Pullman Chamber of Commerce updated the Commission on current Pullman tourism happenings. JJ expressed that tourism is currently down in Pullman--this is an international trend due to current oil prices. It is not expected to change for several months. Social media for Visit Pullman is picking up steam and they just released a new video on YouTube--please follow! The Chamber is also reinstating the Lentil Festival poster unveiling. The unveiling is Friday, April 24 at Paradise Creek. They are also working on starting a "Heads in Beds" campaign in conjunction with 4th of July and National Lentil Festival. They are finalizing several media contracts. 3. Grant Application--Cougar Athlete Youth Sport Clinics Budget Source: 120.7300.57390.4025.540250 Request Amount: $23,895.00 Submit independent scoring sheets prior to the meeting, discuss the application, and as a Commission complete the City Council recommendation worksheet. INDEPENDENT SCORING 2022.pdf LTAC Grant App - Cougar Athlete Youth Sport Clinics V2.pdf Nick Garner with PlayFly/Max attended the meeting and updated the Commission on the feedback they had given him at the previous meeting and how they were working to apply it. He discussed the sponsorships/partnerships/donations they were working on. He also spoke on the ways they were working to expand the reach of the sport camps. Some in the Commission expressed concerns about the ability to bring in overnight stays. They were also concerned about the success of the event as this is a new event model--and is a different fundraiser with the NIL. Others in the Commission mentioned that Pullman needs to bring people in and WSU athletics brings in people and supporting the athletes through NIL, helps bring in athletes. The Commission was also hopeful that with the Camps providing a free ticket to camp participants it will help bring families back to Pullman to see the athletes that taught the class play. They also appreciated that the Camps cost were reasonable and would allow a wide variety of participants to join. They also felt the camps would be a nice introduction to Pullman. A motion was made to approve a grant to Playfly/Max Properties for Cougar Athlete Youth Sport Clinics for $13,000.00. Moved by: Ginger Flynn; seconded by: Angela Lenssen Yea: Angela Lenssen, Rachelle Simons and Ginger Flynn Nay: Meghan Wiley and Isabel Potter Abstain: Trevor Vance and Pat Wright Motion Fails as Uneven Number of Recipients vs. Collectors Page 4 of 15  A motion was made to approve a grant to Playfly/Max Properties for Cougar Athlete Youth Sport Clinics for $7,000.00. Moved by: Isabel Potter; seconded by: none Yea: None Motion Not Seconded A motion was made to approve a grant to Playfly/Max Properties for Cougar Athlete Youth Sport Clinics for $10,000.00. Moved by: Angela Lenssen; seconded by: Meghan Wiley Yea: Angela Lenssen, Meghan Wiley, and Ginger Flynn Nay: Isabel Potter Abstain: Rachelle Simons Motion Carries 3-1 4. Grant Application--Cougs First! QB Classic Golf Tournament Budget Source: 120.7300.57390.4025.540250 Request Amount: $25,000.00 Submit independent scoring sheets prior to the meeting, discuss the application, and as a Commission complete the City Council recommendation worksheet. INDEPENDENT SCORING 2022.pdf 2026 LTAC Grant App signed.pdf 2026 Golf Tournament Fundraiser Budget for LTAC - Golf Tournament Fundraiser Budget Template.pdf As there would be an uneven number of recipients vs. collectors (Angela Lenssen had to recuse herself) this grant request will need to be considered at the next meeting. 5. Grant Application--DPA Music on Main Budget Source: 120.7300.57390.4025.540250 Request Amount: $9,000.00 Submit independent scoring sheets prior to the meeting, discuss the application, and as a Commission complete the City Council recommendation worksheet. INDEPENDENT SCORING 2022.pdf DPA Music on Main Grant Application.pdf Bobbie Ryder with Downtown Pullman Association (DPA) attended the meeting to present her grant application. Music on Main is new for the DPA as they are taking over from Pullman Chamber. The DPA is hoping to refresh Music on Main and make it more of a festival feeling. They are hoping to bring in bigger bands. The DPA has applied for other grants as Music on Main has always been sponsored. They have received some of these Page 5 of 15  sponsorships. The Commission was concerned if it would draw in overnight stays, but felt strongly that it was important to Pullman. The Commission mentioned that Music on Main is one of the ways they are trying to make Pullman a destination with events on Thursday, Friday night with the Market on Saturday. They felt that Music on Main had value to the community. A motion was made to approve a grant to Downtown Pullman Association for Music on Main for $7,000.00 for the bands. Moved by: Ginger Flynn; seconded by: Meghan Wiley Yea: Angela Lenssen, Meghan Wiley, Isabel Potter, and Ginger Flynn Abstain: Rachelle Simons Motion Carries 4-0 6. Budget Update--Professional Services & Grants Review current grant requests and Professional Services contract expenditures. LTAC Budget Update Master Sheet--External April 2026.pdf LTAC Budget Update Master Sheet--Tourism April 2026.pdf The Commission reviewed the current budget reports. 7. New Process for Lodging Tax Advisory Grant Requests. Discussion considering new process for grant requests. The Commission discussed if they wanted to move forward with amending the process to submit Lodging Tax grant requests. The Commission is looking at various other Washington State Lodging Tax Commission/Committees and their procedures for accepting and dispending lodging tax grants. All Commissioners were interested in reviewing the process and decided to discuss it at the next meeting after reviewing other procedures. 8. New Business C. Adjournment A Motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the Lodging Tax Advisory Commission. A motion to adjourn the meeting of the Lodging Tax Advisory Commission. Moved by: Angela Lenssen; seconded by: Isabel Potter Yea: Trevor Vance, Rachelle Simons, Pat Wright, Angela Lenssen, Meghan Wiley, Isabel Potter, and Ginger Flynn Motion Carries 7-0 Page 6 of 15  Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Lodging Tax Advisory Commission - Minutes A. Call to Order Pat Wright - Commission Chair, Councilmember Meghan Wiley - Hampton by Hilton Pullman Isabel Potter - Cougar Land Motel Rachelle Simons - STR Enamul Khan - Mela/International Community Angela Lenssen - Cougs First! Ginger Flynn - Pullman Chamber of Commerce Trevor Vance - Councilmember * Shantel Sanders - Secretary & Administrative Liaison 1. Roll Call Members 7/8 Present Late Absent 1. Trevor Vance--P 2. Rachelle Simons--P 3. Pat Wright--P 4. Angela Lenssen—P 5. Enamul Khan—L 6. Meghan Wiley--P 7. Isabel Potter--P 8. Ginger Flynn—A Non-voting standard attendees 2/2 1. Sean Miller 2. Shantel Sanders B. Agenda 1. Dispense with the reading of the minutes of the meeting of March 26, 2026 and approve them as submitted. A Motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the meeting minutes of April 14, 2026 and approve them as submitted. Page 7 of 15  Minutes needed clarification before they could be approved. These will be added to the next meeting for approval. 2. Tourism Report--Pullman Chamber of Commerce Update by JJ Martin--Tourism Director JJ Martin was unable to attend and this will be moved to the next meeting. 3. Grant Application--Cougs First! QB Classic Golf Tournament Budget Source: 120.7300.57390.4025.540250 Request Amount: $25,000.00 2026 LTAC Cougs First !Grant App signed.pdf 2026Cougs First!- Golf Tournament Fundraiser Budget Template.pdf INDEPENDENT SCORING 2022.pdf Recommendation Work Sheet PDF.pdf Submit independent scoring sheets prior to the meeting, discuss the application, and as a Commission complete the City Council recommendation worksheet. Angela Lenssen recused herself from voting as she represents Cougs First! and this would be a conflict of interest. Due to this situation...a voting quorum on this Grant Request could not be formed. The Commission will be looking to schedule a Special Meeting of the Lodging Tax Advisory to consider the Cougs First! Lodging Tax Grant Request. 4. Grant Application--Palouse Summer Series Budget Source: 120.7300.57390.4025.540250 Request Amount: $91,635.00 Palouse Summer Series Grant App 2026.pdf INDEPENDENT SCORING 2022.pdf Recommendation Work Sheet PDF.pdf A motion was made to give Palouse Summer Series a Lodging Tax Grant for $80,000.00. Moved by: Meghan Wiley; seconded by: Angela Lenssen Yea: Trevor Vance, Pat Wright, Angela Lenssen, and Meghan Wiley Nay: Enamul Khan and Isabel Potter Abstain: Rachelle Simons Motion Carries 4-2 Scott Parrish attended the Lodging Tax meeting to speak with the Commission regarding Palouse Summer Series (PSS) and his grant request. Palouse Summer Series is in its 23rd year here in Pullman. Scott Parish has been doing it for the last 16 years. PSS has always had LTAC funding for as long as he was aware. The Commission was concerned about the increased amount asked for in funding this year...Scott explained that there were increased costs in umpire fees and the last- minute large increase in WSU Rental fees. This late increase did not allow PSS to adjust Team Fees to compensate for the difference. However, Palouse Summer Series has grown to around 200 teams this year and expanded the number of games played in Pullman. Page 8 of 15  The Commission was concerned about the number of games played in Moscow and some voiced concern over not all Pullman Hotels being listed as preferred hotels to stay at by PSS--but then only applying to Pullman LTAC. It was noted by Scott that due to limited playing fields and fields with lights in Pullman--he would always need to use additional fields. He also noted that Moscow does give PSS a sponsorship. The Commission did ask what was limiting PSS from growing--what was the goal? Scott spoke to the limited fields in Pullman--he needs both good playing surface (Astro-turf is ideal) and that lights are an absolute necessity. The Commission discussed returning grant applicants and increased funding requests. They also talked about criteria, budgeting and how to look at what comes back in to the community from tourism grant requests. It was noted that with Palouse Summer Series continuing to grow--it is an excellent way to communicate Pullman as a hub for these events. Events like Palouse Summer Series is also a good way to help attract businesses to Pullman. 5. Budget Update--Professional Services & Grants Review current grant requests and Professional Services contract expenditures. LTAC Budget Update--External MAY 2026.pdf Information only. 6. New Process for Lodging Tax Advisory Grant Requests. Discussion considering new process for grant requests. This discussion is to explore changing the LTAC grant request process. Attached is information from other Washington Lodging Tax organizations. LTAC DATA.pdf l32lodging lacey.pdf Lodging Tax Clallam County.docx Lodging Tax Kittitas county.docx Kirkland.docx The Commission asked for more time to look over the research material and to look at refining the municipalities that are looked at for LTAC restructuring. They also suggested to perhaps form a sub-committee to explore and create a proposed new process. Economic Development Manager, Sean Miller, volunteered to be on this subcommittee and to help refine which LTACs to review. The Commission was going to think about this and consider further at the next regular meeting. 7. New Business No new Business C. Adjournment A motion to adjourn the Lodging Tax Advisory Commission. Moved by: Angela Lenssen; seconded by: Trevor Vance Page 9 of 15 Yea: Trevor Vance, Rachelle Simons, Pat Wright, Angela Lenssen, Enamul Khan, Meghan Wiley, and Isabel Potter Motion Carries 7-0 Page 10 of 15  Application for Pullman Lodging Tax Funds Amount of Lodging Tax Requested: $ _______ 25,000 Organization/Agency:____________________________________ CougsFirst! _________________ Federal Tax ID Number:_______________________ Phone:______________________ 46-3907731 509-336-9107 Event/Activity/Project Name:________________________________________________ CougsFirst! QB Classic Golf Tournament Contact Name and Title:________________ Angela Lenssen ___________________________________ Mailing Address:____ _________________City:__________ P.O. Box 321 Pullman State:______Zip:_______ WA 99163 Email Address:___________________________________________________________ angela@cougsfirst.org Check all service categories that apply to this application: ✔ Tourism Promotion/Marketing ✔ Operation of a Special Event/Festival designed to attract tourists Operation of a Tourism Promotion Agency ✔ Operation of a Tourism-Related Facility owned or operated or non-profit organization Operation and/or Capital Costs of a Tourism-Related Facility owned by a municipality Check which one of the following applies to your agency: ✔ Non-Profit (Attach copy of current non-profit corporate registration with Washington Secretary of State) Public Agency Other, please describe____________________________________________________ CERTIFICATION I am an authorized agent of the organization/agency applying for funding. I understand that: • I am proposing a tourism-related service. If awarded, my organization intends to enter into a Municipal Services Contract with the City; provide liability insurance for the duration of the contract naming the City as additional insured and in an amount determined by the City; and file for a permit to use City property, if applicable. • The City of Pullman will only reimburse those costs actually incurred by my organization/agency and only after the service is rendered, paid for if provided by a third party, and a signed Request for Reimbursement form (or other form acceptable to the City) has been submitted to the City, including copies of invoices and payment documentation. • My agency will be required to submit a report documenting economic impact results in a format determined by the City. Signature:__________________________________________ Date:_____________________ 4/1/2026 Printed or Typed Name:__________________________________________________ Angela Lenssen _____ Page 11 of 15  Supplemental Questions – You Fill in your may answers use this below, form or a save andsheet separate emailof orpaper print for answers 1. Describe your tourism-related activity or event. • If an event, list the event name, date(s), and projected overall attendance. CougsFirst! QB Classic Golf Tournament Weekend August 6-8, 2025 20+ VIPs who draw a crowd to Pullman - Dinner and reception on Thursday of 150 at The Table, golf tourney day at Palouse Ridge with 300 people, and following day joining football team practice on campus for 100. • Describe why tourists will travel to Pullman to attend your event/activity/facility. Over 300 people will participate in events covering three days of time in Pullman. Only two meals are provided, and as mostly alums they love to come patronize their favorite bars and restaurants for this off-season event when Pullman and the area is still quiet before the big fall season. 2. Tourism-Impact Estimate As a direct result of your proposed tourism-related service, provide: Estimate a. Overall attendance at your event/activity/project 400 b. Number of people who travel more than 50 miles for your 300 event/activity/project c. Of the people who travel more than 50 miles, the number of 50 people who travel from another country or state d. Of the people who travel more than 50 miles, the number of 200 people who stay overnight in Pullman or the Pullman area e. Of the people staying overnight, the number of people who stay in 200 PAID accommodations (hotel/motel/bed-breakfast) in Pullman or Pullman area f. Number of paid lodging room nights resulting from your event/ 35 Th, 75 Fri, 30 activity/project Sat (example: 25 paid rooms on Friday and 50 paid rooms on Saturday = 75 paid lodging room nights) 2 Page 12 of 15 3. What methodology will you use to calculate the estimates? Historical data of our repeat event, hotel room blocks at Hampton Inn and the two Pullman Marriott locations for our registration. Team registration also helps us determine how many will be sleeping and eating in town. 4. Is there a host hotel for your event (yes or no)? If yes, list the host hotel. 12 rooms blocked at the Hampton (2 nights) 10 rooms blocked at the Courtyard (2 nights) 10 rooms blocked at the Residence Inn (2 nights) *will add more rooms to blocks as needed 5. Describe the prior success of your event/activity/project in attracting tourists. This has become a strong tradition for former players and coaches to return to the Palouse as a homecoming. They spend their personal money to travel and pay for accommodations. As WSU has added more pro football athletes to their alumni base, we've attracted more spectators looking for autographs. 6. Describe your target tourist audience (location, demographics, etc) WSU alumni (athletics and general), football fans and their families - most fly or drive and need to stay overnight at least one night. Demographics is all ages, but a majority are adults age 30-60. 7. Describe how you will promote your event/activity/project to attract tourists. We capitalize on the opportunity to get photo and video content of the VIPs who come to town. We use images, video, and interviews throughout the year to promote WSU athletics events and CougsFirst! events year-round. Promo videos by Dryland Media of VIPs at the event have garnered a huge buzz for WSU Football - enticing return visits for athletic events. We use video, social media, email marketing, digital ads and Cougfan.com as media outlets to get word out about the event. 3 Page 13 of 15 8. Describe how you will promote lodging establishments, restaurants, and businesses located in the City of Pullman With event registration we include the hotel block links for three options for rooms. Booking starts right away. We utilize local Coug - owned and managed businesses for our meals, food options on the course, beverages, video production, photography, swag, etc. These local businesses are all supported and promoted during the event. We suggest "off course" food and shoppint options as well to get the players to shop in town during their time off the course. We invite Visit Pullman to be at the event to promote return tourism to Pullman. 9. Are you applying for Lodging Tax funds from another community (yes or no)? If yes, list the other jurisdiction(s) and amount(s) requested. No 10. What is the overall budget for your event/activity/project? What percent of the budget are you requesting from Pullman Lodging Tax Fund? Our overall expenses for the event are about $100,000. We are asking for ~25% of that amount as LTAC support. We also receive income/in-kind & cash donations of about ~$150,000 to make it a profitable fundraiser. 11. What will you cut from your proposal or do differently if full funding for your request is not available or recommended? Our tournament raises funds and we generally net positive allowing us to donate money to scholarships at WSU, Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation, the Cougar Collective and CougsFirst! Without LTAC funding we will need to use some of the money we get in sponsorships and team fees for marketing instead of being able to donate that amount to the organizations we're fundraising for. 4 Page 14 of 15 2026 Golf Tournament Fundraiser Budget for LTAC Category Item Description Expenses Revenue Day-of Revenue "Cheat Packages" (Mulligans, etc.) $2,760 Live & Silent Auction $13,375 Paddle Raise / Donations $13,100 Registration/Partnership Revenue Foursome registration ($4,500/team) $40,000 Sponsorships from CougsFirst! Partners $85,000 TOTAL REVENUE: $154,235 Golf Course Fees Greens fee + Carts $35,000 Food and Bev $15,000 Tournament Coordination $12,000 Misc. Fees and Supplies $10,000 TOTAL EXPENSES (NO MARKETING): 72,000 Marketing Signage $2,500 Branded swag w/ sponsor logos $2,500 Prizes from partner businesses $5,000 Videos by Dryland Media $8,500 Featured local businesses on holes $2,000 Social Media Advertising $1,000 CougFan Ads $1,500 Print Materials $1,600 Podcast creation and promotion $1,000 TOTAL MARKETING EXPENSES: $25,600 ALL EXPENSES $97,600 Page 15 of 15