Tourism Commission

City of Verona Tourism Commission Agenda City Hall – 111 Lincoln Street—Room D110 Verona, WI 53593-1520 Tuesday – October 18, 2022 – 2:00 P.M. www.ci.verona.wi.us 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Public Comment 4. Discussion and Possible Action: Approval of the May 17, 2022 Tourism Commission minutes. 5. Discussion and Possible Action: 2022 2nd Quarter Room Tax Revenue Report 6. Discussion and Possible Action: Verona Area Chamber of Commerce Draft 2023 Budget 7. Discussion and Possible Action: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation: Vibrant Spaces Grant 8. Discussion and Possible Action: Paoli Room Tax 9. Reports and comments from Tourism Coordinator 10. Reports and comments from Staff 11. Reports and comments from Commission Members 12. Adjournment Posted: Verona City Hall, Verona Public Library, Miller’s Market All agendas are posted on the City’s website at: www.ci.verona.wi.us Notice is hereby given that a quorum of the members of the City Council or other standing committees of the City Council may be present at the meeting of the Tourism Commission to gather information about a subject over which they have decision- making responsibility. The City Council and any other standing committees will not take formal action at this meeting. If need an interpreter, materials in alternative formats, or other accommodation to access the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 845-6495 at least 48-hours preceding the meeting. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate your request.  CITY OF VERONA MINTUES TOURSIM COMMISSION May 17, 2022 1. Call to Order: Hunt called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Jason Hunt, Sara Hoechst, Pat Wehrley, and Christine Posey. Charlie Eggen arrived at 2:07 p.m. Also present: VACC Tourism Coordinator Allison Plumer, VACC Executive Director Le Jordan, City Administrator Adam Sayre, Finance Director Brian Lamers, and City Clerk Holly Licht. 3. Public Comment: None 4. Discussion and Possible Action: Approval of the February 15, 2022 Tourism Commission minutes Motion by Posey, seconded by Wehrley, to approve the February 15, 2022 Tourism Commission minutes. Motion carried 4-0. 5. Discussion and Possible Action: 2022 1st Quarter Room Tax Revenue Report Sayre presented the report, and it was entered into the record. The remaining excess is $138,000. Charlie Eggen stated that the past couple weeks have picked up for hotel rooms. 6. Reports and comments from Tourism Coordinator Visit Verona has contracted with a company for a website redesign and logos. Plumer stated that she is working on itineraries for day adventures in Verona. Eggen stated that he would be interested in having videos and other materials be universal, so that businesses can use them. Plumer stated she is also working with regional Chambers to promote the area including Paoli, New Glarus and Mt. Horeb and applying for grants for those projects. Plumer noted that she spoke with the school district, and they are allowing groups to book facilities further out if the group is larger than 500. She added that they are working on booking more events in the aquatic center. Plumer stated that they are also changing how they book make-up games and school shoot arounds to better accommodate larger community groups. 7. Reports and comments from Staff: Sayre stated that Ice Inc. has the agreement, and the City is working with them to finalize it. The agreement will need to be approved by the council. 8. Reports and comments from Commission Members: None 9. Adjournment: Motion by Eggen, seconded by Hoechst, to adjourn at 3:15 p.m. Motion carried 4-0. Respectfully Submitted, Holly Licht, City Clerk  Annual Budget $280,000.00 Facility $5,800.00 Utilities $1,000.00 Outside Maintenence $2,000.00 Inside Maintenence $2,000.00 Landscaping $800.00 Office Admin $24,200.00 Reception $7,800.00 Management $12,000.00 Communication $4,400.00 Tourism Coordinator $58,600.00 Salary $50,000.00 Office $3,600.00 Expenses $3,000.00 Memberships/Conferences$2,000.00 Community Impact $105,000.00 Grants $35,000.00 Event Coordination $35,000.00 Project Support $35,000.00 Website $36,400.00 Website Design $12,750.00 Website Management $21,500.00 SEO/Updates $2,150.00 Marketing $50,000.00 Print/Maps $6,000.00 Social Media $9,000.00 Digital $9,000.00 Content (blogs, articles) $10,000.00 Photography/Video $6,000.00 Event Hospitality $6,000.00 Scavenger Hunts $2,000.00 SHRPA $2,000.00 Total $280,000.00  new program alert Vibrant Spaces Grant PILOT GRANT TO ASSIST WITH PLACEMAKING EFFORTS Creating vibrant and engaging communities helps communities recruit and retain residents, sustaining a robust labor force and enhancing the quality of life. Creating public gathering places in the heart of our communities fosters community connections and creates accessible locations for programming and amenities desired by local residents, with the additional benefit of boosting foot traffic for nearby businesses. If your community has a vacant or underutilized space within a key commercial corridor, this grant could be your opportunity to create a community gathering space. Competitive projects will: GRANTS OF »Incorporate multiple improvements within or associated with one public space $25,000-$50,000 »Demonstrate community engagement and support via a community document/ to help local communities plan and/or letters of support from public, private and civic partners develop and enhance public spaces »Be ready to begin construction during 2023 »Increase the number and types of audiences using the space KEY PROGRAM FACTS »Create visible and lasting transformation that fosters public activity » 1:1 local match required Review criteria: » Application deadline: »Creation of visible and pedestrian-oriented public space Jan. 31, 2023 »Potential of the space to attract multiple user groups and activities » Local government applicants only »Impact of the project on the community, district and nearby businesses »Demonstrated community support for the project (multiple funding partners, civic » One application organization participation) per community »Ability of the project to be started in 2023 » Competitive application cycle with up to 30 grants awarded PROGRAM APPLICATION APPLICATIONS APPLICATIONS AWARD RELEASED DUE REVIEWED AND ANNOUNCEMENT TIMELINE NOV. 15 SCORED MAY 1 JAN. 31 FEB. 1 - MARCH  new program alert Vibrant Spaces Grant APPLICATION PROCESS Those interested in applying for the Vibrant Spaces Grant should: EXAMPLE PROJECTS 1) Talk to your local municipality, since they will need to serve as the lead applicant. 2) Attend the informational webinar on Sept. 23 at noon: https://forms.office.com/r/ r5mcMhfjj8 3) Reach out to your WEDC regional economic development director for a program application. Map and contact info: wedc.org/inside-wedc/contact-us/#regional 4) Collect relevant documents: a. Municipal resolution to apply b. Community plan, community document and/or letters of support that identify DE PERE the project as a positive community investment c. Completed budget and cost estimates d. Photos and plans for the space (pictures of the amenities to be installed or project renderings) 5) Write a narrative about the space. Who uses it now? What is the vision for the space? How will the district and community benefit from the public space transformation? 6) Upload application to Network Wisconsin by Jan. 31, 2023. RIPON THE FINE PRINT: » Eligible activities include: o Public space improvements (projects activating alleys, programmable park spaces, vacant parcels and underutilized parking lots) o Public space enhancements (e.g., public art, landscaping, benches, bike racks) o Public signage (wayfinding, interpretive signage, kiosks associated with the space) o Public infrastructure (restrooms, water features, electrical, lighting) ASHLAND o Seasonal equipment with the intent to use annually (tables, chairs, umbrellas, heaters) » Ineligible activities and costs include: o Building improvements, other than restrooms for public space use o District- or community-wide improvement projects o Events, staffing, programming, ongoing maintenance o Private spaces not accessible to the public o Activities eligible to be funded through other WEDC programs OSCEOLA o Ineligible for grant or match: Past costs, in-kind contributions, indirect expenses/soft costs 201 W. Washington Avenue  Madison, Wisconsin 53703  608.210.6700 wedc.org