Occupancy Tax Board

OCCUPANCY TAX BOARD MEETING Tuesday, August 28, 2012, 2:30 p.m. City Hall Conference Room Members Present: Chairman Jill Cleveland, Julie Morrow, Josh Ragsdale, Edie Stevens Members Absent Adam Roe Staff Present: Stacye Hunter, Barbara Patterson Others Present: Barbara Gomez, Brooke Linthicum, Anne Baker, Caroline Brooks The meeting was called to order at 2:35 p.m. by Chairman Jill Cleveland. Approval of Minutes: There were no additions or corrections to the minutes. Edie Stevens made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Julie Morrow seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Regular Items: As no one was present on behalf of the 5th Annual Art Block Party and Chalk Art Festival, it was agreed to proceed to the second request until someone was present for the Art Block Party. 1. Lodger’s Tax Funding Request - 2nd Annual Southeastern NM Medical Conference Barbara Gomez was in attendance to present the request for $4,000. She gave the committee a copy of the agenda for the conference. Brook Linthicum was also present to give additional information. Discussion then followed regarding the amount given for last year’s event and the amount of money given in relation to the percentage of eligible expenses. It was noted by the committee that the proposed expenses this year add up to $4,500 therefore $2,250 is eligible to be considered. Ms. Stevens made a motion to recommend to the Finance Committee that lodger’s tax funding in the amount of $1,500 be provided for the conference with the stipulation that more information be provided regarding the expenses. Josh Ragsdale seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Ms. Morrow made a motion to amend the original motion to recommend $2,000. Mr. Ragsdale seconded the motion. Discussion followed. On voice vote, the count was 2 to 2 and the motion to amend the amount to $2,000 failed. Mr. Ragsdale made a motion to amend the original motion to recommend $1,500 and that the Finance Committee consider funding an additional $500. Ms. Morrow seconded the motion. Discussion followed. The motion to amend passed unanimously. The original motion as amended was then approved unanimously. 2. Lodger’s Tax Funding Request - 5th Annual Art Block Party and Chalk Art Festival Caroline Brooks was in attendance to present the request for $1,090. She stated that it is actually the 6th annual party and festival. Ms. Stevens stated that no funds were allocated for this event. There followed discussion on needing to have a survey to determine out-of-town attendance as well as this being part of the State Centennial events. Ms. Brooks said there will be a survey conducted and lodging will be included in the survey. Ms. Morrow made a motion to recommend to the Finance Committee that lodger’s tax funding in the amount of $1,090 be provided for this event. Ms. Stevens seconded the motion. Discussion followed. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Lodger’s Tax Funding Request - 7th Annual Roswell Jazz Festival Anne Baker was in attendance to present the request for $2,500. There was discussion that the application was complete and the amount requested was less than 50% of the eligible expenses. Ms. Morrow made a motion to recommend to the Finance Committee that lodger’s tax funding in the amount of $2,500 be provided for this event. Ms. Stevens seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. There being no further business, Ms. Stevens made a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Mr. Ragsdale. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stacye L. Hunter, SPHR Assistant City Manager