Tourism Commission

Verona Tourism Commission MINUTES Verona Tourism Commission December 20, 2017 The meeting was called to order by Scott Stewart at 4:04 p.m. Roll Call: Scott Stewart, Alder Jack Linder, Halley Jones, Jason Hunt, and Charlie Eggen were present. Also present: Mayor Hochkammer, City Administrator Jeff Mikorski, Planning and Zoning Director Adam Sayre, Executive Director of the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce Le Jordan. Discussion and Possible Action regarding Approval of the November 15, 2017 Tourism Commission Minutes: Motion by Linder, seconded by Hunt, to approve the November 15, 2017 minutes. Motion carried 5-0. Discussion regarding Verona Area Chamber of Commerce Tourism Budget: Le Jordan presented a proposed 2018 tourism budget for the Chamber of Commerce. The budget totaled $300,000 and included a new position for tourism related activities such as event planning. Other activities include marketing, promoting, and advertising the City of Verona as a destination, and costs associated hosting the Visitor’s Center within the Chamber of Commerce building and Office administration. A refined budget will be presented at the next Tourism Commission meeting. Discussion regarding Research on Tourism Positions As a part of the budget discussion Jordan discussed the tourism event planner position. Copies of other tourism position job descriptions were provided to the Tourism Commission from surrounding communities. They will be used as a guide on the development of a job description and duties of the proposed position. A copy of a proposed Tourism Commission employee was provided by Mikorski showing a job description for a City employed tourism position that could be developed. By consensus, the Tourism Commission requested Jordan to develop a job description and duties for the proposed Chamber of Commerce tourism position. Discussion and Possible Action regarding use of Room-tax dollars by Tourism Commission Mikorski provided commissioners a proposal to explore a contract for a feasibility study for the development of a conference facility or convention center. The feasibility study would look at the size of a facility that could be supported in Verona. The feasibility study would look at the possible locations and the opportunities for working with private developers and owners of current hotels in Verona. It would also explore the possibility of utilizing room-tax funds or other incentives that could be used to develop a conference center or convention center. By consensus, the Tourism Commission requested the exploration of the feasibility study. Adjournment: Motion by Jones, seconded by Stewart, to adjourn the Tourism Commission meeting at 5:40 p.m. Motion carried 4-0 (Linder left before motion). Respectfully submitted, Jeff Mikorski, ICMA-CM Verona City Administrator