Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting

TWENTYNINE PALMS TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT REGULAR MEETING AGENDA 6136 Adobe Road Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 www.29palms.org / www.Visit29.org Thursday, November 21, 2024 REGULAR SESSION AGENDA 3:30 P. M. CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call. CHANGES TO AGENDA PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS TBID ADVISORY BOARD COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS ATTENDED DIRECTOR OF MARKETING UPDATE CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Approval of Minutes for the October 17, 2024, Tourism Business Improvement District 3-6 Meeting. Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting - 17 Oct 2024 - Minutes - Pdf PUBLIC COMMENTS This is the time for the public to address the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) on issues within the jurisdiction of the TBID that are NOT on this agenda. All comments are to be directed to the TBID and shall not consist of any personal attacks. Members of the public are expected to maintain a professional, courteous decorum during their comments. There is a time limitation of three minutes per person. If you haven’t already done so, please fill out name and address slips and give them to the Secretary to the TBID. The TBID is prohibited by State law from taking action or discussing items not included on the printed agenda. Public comments on specific agenda items will be deferred until consideration of the item on the agenda. Page 1 of 14 DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS 2. Appointment of Event Grant Review Committee Members 7 - 14 RECOMMENDATIONS: TBID Advisory Board to Appoint Three Members to the 2024-25 Event Grant Review Committee. Event Grant Review Committee - Pdf CITY MANAGER UPDATE FUTURE BOARDMEMBER INITIATED ITEMS 1. Events 2. Social Media ADJOURNMENT It is the intention of the City of Twentynine Palms to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act in all respects. If you are a person with a disability who requires a disability-related modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please request such modification or accommodation from the City Clerk at (760) 367- 4890 (facsimile). Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to the meeting. Please advise us at the time whether you will require accommodations to participate in meetings on a regular basis. Any person affected by any application on this agenda may submit their concerns in writing prior to the meeting or appear in person and be heard in support or opposition to the proposal at the time the matter is considered on the agenda. The staff reports, applications and environmental documents may be viewed at either the office of Community Development or the office of the City Clerk, 6136 Adobe Road, from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, except legal holidays. The Invocation is given per Policy 10-01, and does not reflect the views of the City but rather is an expression of speech by a private citizen making the presentation. Telephone inquiries may be made at (760) 367-6799. If you challenge any agenda issue in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues that you or someone else raised at the public meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Twentynine Palms at, or prior to, the public meeting. This notice of agenda is hereby certified to have been posted on or before 3:30 p.m., November 18, 2024. Cindy Villescas CMC, City Clerk Time/Date Page 2 of 14  TWENTYNINE PALMS TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 www.29palms.org / www.Visit29.org October 17, 2024 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Mehta called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance - TBID Director Dusastre led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call - The following TBID Advisory Boardmembers were present: Uyeda, Metha, Madrid, Ramsey. CHANGES TO AGENDA: TBID Director Dusastre requested a change of order of discussion items, and to discuss item #5 prior to item #4. PRESENTATIONS: None BUSINESS 1. Approval of Minutes for the August 8, 2024 Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting. A motion was made by Boardmember Madrid, seconded by Boardmember Uyeda, to approve Minutes for the August 8, 2024 TBID Meeting. The above motion was carried by the following: Roll Call Vote: Yes: Uyeda, Metha, Madrid, Ramsey No: None CARRIED. 2. Visit 29 Palms Marketing Updates TBID Director Dusastre’s marketing updates kicked off with an overview of the recent Brand USA FAM Tour which welcomed leading UK/Ireland tour operators to the city and insights into the UK travel market, California’s 5th most powerful international market. Media updates included an overview of Visit California’s media reception event in Los Angeles, noting key contacts made and insights into story angles writers are looking for, as well as networking opportunities with other destination marketing organizations across California, and the official launch of Visit 29 Palms’ two-page advertorial in Palm Spring Life’s annual Desert Living Guide. Dusastre shared insights about the recent 29 Queer Film Festival in terms of community response and impact on room demand and highlighted the series of events still to come in 2024 that are being supported by the TBID's sponsorship and event grant program. Lastly, Dusastre shared updates on the latest Art in Public Places exhibit being hosted at the City's Visitor Center and the supporting programming that Mil-Tree has planned to celebrate the exhibit during its three-month run. Page 1 of 4 Page 3 of 14  Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting October 17, 2024 PUBLIC COMMENTS Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms, of Joshua Tree Gateway Communities Alliance, asked that future TBID meetings be recorded. Mr. Menendez feels there is confusion about the TBID and how funds are spent, and without recordings, people cannot follow along. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion on City Entertainment Permits with Community Development Director Keith Gardner. Keith Gardner, Community Development Director, provided an overview of the entertainment permit process, noting that live entertainment venues will be treated as licenses rather than land permits, with details still under development. He emphasized the importance of involving business and arts community members, as well as concerned citizens, in shaping rules and regulations that gain broad support. A Planning Commission workshop is scheduled for November 19, with the goal of finalizing the process and presenting it to the City Council by year-end. 5. Discussion on Subcommittees and Supporting Strategic Initiatives for Fiscal Year 2024-25. TBID Director Dusastre presented the topic of establishing subcommittees in support of strategic initiatives for fiscal year 2024-25, seeking two TBID Advisory Board members to participate on the event subcommittee, marketing subcommittee, and partnership development subcommittee. Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms, of Joshua Tree Gateway Communities Alliance, commented in support of subcommittees, and that there should be a bigger TBID board, suggesting that other organizations be pulled in and that the board be more representative of the community. Susan Peplow, Joshua Tree, TBID Stakeholder, shared recommendations to the TBID events subcommittee, board members, and staff to actively monitor events supported by grants to ensure grantees are fulfilling their obligations. She also requested that subcommittee reports be part of future agendas for those unable to attend TBID sessions in person. Chair Metha went through each of the three subcommittee categories seeking volunteers from the TBID Advisory Boardmembers, and based on interest, the following subcommittees have been established for the TBID’s 2024-25 fiscal year: Events Subcommittee: Vice Chair Ramsey, Chair Metha Marketing Subcommittee: Boardmember Uyeda, Vice Chair Ramsey Partnership Development: Boardmember Uyeda, Chair Metha 4. Discussion on Timeline and Review Process for Sponsorship and Event Grants. TBID Director Dusastre presented a proposed timeline for the first of two rounds of event sponsorship and grant funding for the TBID's 2024-25 fiscal year, reviewing application deadlines, review periods, and future TBID meeting dates to award funding. Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree Gateway Communities Alliance shared comments about the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of the sponsorship and event program, questioning where are the evaluations, and that there's no need to rush into the next round of funding. Page 2 of 4 Page 4 of 14  Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting October 17, 2024 Jacqueline Pfister, Twentynine Palms, asked for an explanation of how the application and review process works. 6. Marketing Proposal by Joshua Tree Gateway Communities Alliance. The Joshua Tree Gateway Communities Alliance (JTGCA) marketing proposal was presented by Eric Menendez and began with an overview of regional networking efforts he's made with other organizations and feedback on how the last four weeks at the Palm Springs Village Fest events have gone. He discussed his interest in having JTGCA be the resource to help Visit 29 Palms partner with other organizations such as DARTA and outlined ideas for different types of collaborative and co-branded regional marketing efforts that could be done centered around digital marketing, advertising, leveraging partnerships, and events and promotion. Boardmember Uyeda thanked Eric for his presentation and asked for clarity in monthly costs and deliverables outlined in the proposal, and asked Chair Metha to discuss the process for obtaining bids and recruiting services from vendors and agencies. Chair Metha encouraged Eric to consider parts of his proposal that could fit into the TBID’s budget, specifically the reoccurring Palm Springs Village Fest events, and to consider submitting for TBID funding support through the sponsorship and event grant program. BOARDMEMBER COMMENTS Chair Metha expressed gratitude for the reauthorization of the TBID, highlighting the valuable support from City Council, the City Manager, and City staff. Chair Metha also expressed his appreciation of the participation from community members attending TBID meetings, commenting the more voices the better. Boardmember Madrid commented that she is excited for the year ahead, and to see the new event proposals that come in. Boardmember Uyeda, noting his participation in the newly formed marketing subcommittee, spoke about establishing baselines and tracking results in real time. DIRECTOR OF MARKETING COMMENTS TBID Director Dusastre commented that she will look into the possibility of recording future meetings. CITY MANAGER UPDATE Deputy City Clerk Christina Benton shared comments about the upcoming Pioneer Days celebration, inviting everyone to come out and join the festivities. FUTURE BOARDMEMBER INITIATED ITEMS: 1. Events 2. Social Media ADJOURNMENT: Chair Metha adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m. It is the intention of the City of Twentynine Palms to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act in all respects. If you are a person with a disability who requires a disability-related modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please request such modification or accommodation from the City Clerk at (760) 367-4890 (facsimile). Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to the meeting. Please Page 3 of 4 Page 5 of 14  Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting October 17, 2024 advise us at the time whether you will require accommodations to participate in meetings on a regular basis. Any person affected by any application on this agenda may submit their concerns in writing prior to the meeting or appear in person and be heard in support or opposition to the proposal at the time the matter is considered on the agenda. The staff reports, applications and environmental documents may be viewed at either the office of Community Development or the office of the City Clerk, 6136 Adobe Road, from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, except legal holidays. The Invocation is given per Policy 10-01, and does not reflect the views of the City but rather is an expression of speech by a private citizen making the presentation. Telephone inquiries may be made at (760) 367-6799. If you challenge any agenda issue in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues that you or someone else raised at the public meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Twentynine Palms at, or prior to, the public meeting. This notice of agenda is hereby certified to have been posted on or before 3:30 p.m., October 14, 2024. Cindy Villescas CMC, City Clerk Time/Date Page 4 of 4 Page 6 of 14  STAFF REPORT TO: TBID Advisory Board FROM: Director of Marketing FOR MEETING: Nov 21 2024 SUBJECT: Event Grant Review Committee RECOMMENDATION: TBID Advisory Board to Appoint Three Members to the 2024-25 Event Grant Review Committee. ORDER OF PROCEDURE: ATTACHMENTS: Request Staff Report (TBID Director of Marketing presenting) • Audrey Philpot TBID Advisory Board Questions of Staff Request Public Comment TBID Advisory Board Discussion • Evan Cuellar Motion/Second Discussion of Motion Call the Question • Veno Nathraj • Crystal Meisner • Karen Ickes • Scott Clinkscales BACKGROUND: As part of program guidelines for Visit 29 Palms’ Sponsorship and Event Grant Program, the initial review and scoring of event grant applications are done by a five-member event grant review committee. This committee is to maintain five members, made up by two TBID Advisory Boardmembers and three members at large. On November 10, 2024, Visit 29 Palms put out an open call seeking TBID lodging stakeholders, local business owners, and engaged community members to join the event grant review committee for the TBID’s 2024-25 budget year and participate in the review and scoring of event grant proposals to ensure that proposed events align with our tourism goals, foster community engagement, and attract overnight visitors to the city. Page 7 of 14 Open recruitment for the event grant review committee took place between November 10 – 17, 2024, and interested individuals were required to complete a short online questionnaire. In total, six applications were received and it is recommended that the TBID Advisory Board appoint three members. ENVIRONMENTAL: None. ALTERNATIVES: The TBID Advisory Board could choose to not make appointments and reopen recruitment. FISCAL IMPACT: None. Page 8 of 14  Visit 29 Palms Event Grant Review Committee Application Responses Applicant Name: Audrey Philpot Tell us a little bit about yourself; are you a Visit 29 Palms TBID stakeholder, 29 Palms business owner, or 29 Palms community member: Community member. Tell us why you are interested in joining the committee: I am a seasoned event producer and promoter and want to use this knowledge and experience to benefit the TBID's goals and objectives. Share any previous experience you have serving on committees: I have been on this committee for two grant review cycles. Do you actively attend events in 29 Palms, and our surrounding area? Yes - many local events. Have you attended any of the recent events supported by Visit 29 Palms Sponsorship and Event Grant Program. If so, we’d love to hear your feedback: Most recently I attended the Book Festival and saw a lot of growth in the event from the first one which I also attended. I also attended some of the sponsored events as well - Red Light Lit, Poetry Happy Hour at the Twentynine Palms Inn and Mojave Noir. Multiple venues allowed for more promotion of the venues themselves and the City of Twentynine Palms as a desirable location for visitors. I have read and agreed to the terms and conditions relating to eligibility and conflict of interest: Yes. Visit 29 Palms Event Grant Review Committee Application Responses | November 2024 Page 9 of 14  Visit 29 Palms Event Grant Review Committee Application Responses Applicant Name: Evan Cuellar Tell us a little bit about yourself; are you a Visit 29 Palms TBID stakeholder, 29 Palms business owner, or 29 Palms community member: TBID stakeholder. Tell us why you are interested in joining the committee: I would like to curate the events happening on our community. Share any previous experience you have serving on committees: None. Do you actively attend events in 29 Palms, and our surrounding area? Yes. Have you attended any of the recent events supported by Visit 29 Palms Sponsorship and Event Grant Program. If so, we’d love to hear your feedback: Yes. I have read and agreed to the terms and conditions relating to eligibility and conflict of interest: Yes. Visit 29 Palms Event Grant Review Committee Application Responses | November 2024 Page 10 of 14  Visit 29 Palms Event Grant Review Committee Application Responses Applicant Name: Veno Nathraj Tell us a little bit about yourself; are you a Visit 29 Palms TBID stakeholder, 29 Palms business owner, or 29 Palms community member: TBID stakeholder. Tell us why you are interested in joining the committee: I am TBID stakeholder and a local businessman. Share any previous experience you have serving on committees: Served on sewer committee and serving of homeless committee. Do you actively attend events in 29 Palms, and our surrounding area? When I am not traveling and in town yes, I do. Have you attended any of the recent events supported by Visit 29 Palms Sponsorship and Event Grant Program. If so, we’d love to hear your feedback: Recently my family has been having health issues and I have been missing them. I have read and agreed to the terms and conditions relating to eligibility and conflict of interest: Yes. Visit 29 Palms Event Grant Review Committee Application Responses | November 2024 Page 11 of 14  Visit 29 Palms Event Grant Review Committee Application Responses Applicant Name: Crystal Meisner Tell us a little bit about yourself; are you a Visit 29 Palms TBID stakeholder, 29 Palms business owner, or 29 Palms community member: 29 Palms community member. Tell us why you are interested in joining the committee: I'm interested in knowing what's being suggested in the grant applications, and to weigh in on ensuring those receiving the grants have the widest local audience inclusion goals, although I know some are very specific in nature. Too many folks in the area are asking "what's there to do?", as most activities are geared towards tourism. And I'm tired of always seeing an answer to an inquiry posted on SM referring folks to something in YUCCA. Share any previous experience you have serving on committees: Served on the Advisory Board for Desert Area Special Olympics for 5 years; was a CINDY (Cinema in Industry) Awards Judge for 2 years, which was more collaborative discussion than simply judging; served on the San Bernardino City Unified Schools PTA Council for 3 years as Auditor; created and headed the Anderson School PTA; was a member then meeting coordinator for the I-10 Corridor Neighborhood Watch, which liaised with the Sheriff's Dept.; CA P.O.S.T. Video Production Committee member and project contributor; and more. Do you actively attend events in 29 Palms, and our surrounding area? Yes, as and when I can. Have you attended any of the recent events supported by Visit 29 Palms Sponsorship and Event Grant Program. If so, we’d love to hear your feedback. Was the Car Show at the Historic Plaza a grant event? That was fun, and, while somewhat specific to car enthusiasts, also a nice family time. And Pioneer Days, I believe some events were grant events? The biggest problem encountered was the weather-driven change of venue for one event, without any posting at the original location of the change. I have read and agreed to the terms and conditions relating to eligibility and conflict of interest: Yes. Visit 29 Palms Event Grant Review Committee Application Responses | November 2024 Page 12 of 14  Visit 29 Palms Event Grant Review Committee Application Responses Applicant Name: Karen Ickes Tell us a little bit about yourself; are you a Visit 29 Palms TBID stakeholder, 29 Palms business owner, or 29 Palms community member: 29 Palms community member. Tell us why you are interested in joining the committee: I want to volunteer on this committee because I’m passionate about making our city a vibrant, engaging place for people of all ages. Entertainment and cultural events play such a vital role in connecting our community, boosting local businesses, and enhancing our city’s identity. I’d love the opportunity to help allocate resources to programs that can bring joy, foster inclusivity, and showcase local talent. I believe my skills and perspective would help ensure that we’re supporting events that are diverse, accessible, and enriching for everyone in the community. Share any previous experience you have serving on committees: I have served on several committees through my Human Services background and in my community, outreach events through my church and nonprofit. I have been on policy council committees, PTA, and several other committees where I served various positions such as president, secretary and fund-raising committees. Do you actively attend events in 29 Palms, and our surrounding area? Yes. Have you attended any of the recent events supported by Visit 29 Palms Sponsorship and Event Grant Program. If so, we’d love to hear your feedback. I’m not sure if the events were supported by Visit 29 Palms or not. I have read and agreed to the terms and conditions relating to eligibility and conflict of interest: Yes. Visit 29 Palms Event Grant Review Committee Application Responses | November 2024 Page 13 of 14  Visit 29 Palms Event Grant Review Committee Application Responses Applicant Name: Scott Clinkscales Tell us a little bit about yourself; are you a Visit 29 Palms TBID stakeholder, 29 Palms business owner, or 29 Palms community member: 29 Palms community member. Tell us why you are interested in joining the committee: I am interested in joining the events subcommittee because I believe events play a vital part in growing our community. It's also key to have an idea of what events our community is capable of hosting with the spaces we have available for use and when it's best to have events. Share any previous experience you have serving on committees: As the Community Events Coordinator for the City of Twentynine Palms, I have worked with the Events Ad Hoc Committee comprised of Councilmembers Mintz and Scott. We have allocated nearly $100,000 in grant funding to various events of varying sizes over the past 2 years. I have seen a number of proposals and have worked with the majority of organizations, businesses, and individuals who have received funding. Do you actively attend events in 29 Palms, and our surrounding area? Yes. Aside from the events I have coordinated, I do my best to attend as many events as I can. Have you attended any of the recent events supported by Visit 29 Palms Sponsorship and Event Grant Program. If so, we’d love to hear your feedback. Yes, I attended the Freedom Daze concert series and have worked with a number of the other grantees who have used or will be using City facilities for their events. Most recently, I worked with Kenji from Friends of Joshua Tree for the Connected Landscapes event. My biggest feedback is that grantees MUST do more marketing and work on getting publicity for their events. Seth from Climb Smart was recently on the Up Close Show on Z107.7, so doing things like that is definitely going to help grantees out in getting the word out about their events. I have read and agreed to the terms and conditions relating to eligibility and conflict of interest: Yes. Visit 29 Palms Event Grant Review Committee Application Responses | November 2024 Page 14 of 14