Resort Tax Monitoring Committee

Agenda Resort Tax Monitoring Committee Remote Meeting – Via Webex Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 7:05 a.m. Meeting Information Meeting link: https://cityofwhitefish.webex.com/cityofwhitefish/j.php?MTID=m27830875bfb2f51 b4073605a44d7e725 Meeting number: 187 979 9474 Password: tfYSgrJd233 More ways to join Join by video system Dial 1879799474@cityofwhitefish.webex.com You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number. Join by phone +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll Access code: 187 979 9474 Call to Order. • Review and approve minutes for March 17, 2021. • Review the monthly report for February 2021. • Update on Streets/Parks Projects. • Resort Tax Budget Discussion • Resort Tax Renewal Communication and Education • Set next meeting date. Members Andy Feury Doug Reed Ken Stein Chris Schustrom Julia Olivares Trek Stephens Brian Averill A. Property tax reduction for taxpayers residing in the city in an amount equal to twenty five percent (25%) of the three percent (3%) resort tax revenues derived during the preceding fiscal year; B. Provision for the repair and improvement of existing streets, storm sewers, all underground utilities, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, in an amount equal to sixty five percent (65%) of the two percent (2%) resort tax revenues derived during the preceding fiscal year; C. Bicycle paths and other park capital improvements in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the two percent (2%) resort tax revenues derived during the preceding fiscal year; D. Repayment of a loan or a bond to finance a portion of the costs of, or to otherwise pay for, the acquisition of the conservation easement or other interests, in and around Haskill Basin in order to protect and preserve water quality and quantity, including the source drinking water supply for the municipal water system of the city of Whitefish, in an amount equal to seventy percent (70%) of the one percent (1%) resort tax revenues to be received in a fiscal year, except that if such portion of resort tax revenues received in a fiscal year is more than is needed in that fiscal year for such loan or bond, the excess will be applied to additional property tax relief in the next fiscal year; E. Cost of administering the resort tax in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the three percent (3%) resort tax per year.  Resort Tax Monitoring Committee Minutes March 17, 2021 Present: Andy Feury, Ken Stein, Julia Olivares, Brian Averill, Doug Reed, Chris Schustrom, Ben Dahlman, Dana Smith, Vanice Woodbeck, Craig Workman, Maria Butts, Alan Myers Davis, Heidi Van Evron and Brian Schott 1. Review Minutes from previous meeting. Minutes from the prior meeting were approved unanimously. 2. Review Financial Report Numbers were more stable. January down 2%. Cash basis was better than expected. Collections are up year over year. 3. Street Projects Council approved initial design for E. Edgewood. There are concerns about the amount of cash available for the project due to the addition of water main replacement. Work on Baker Ave. overpass will resume soon. Landscaping, lights, cameras. The goal is to open by Farmer’s Market 4. Resort Tax Renewal Discussion Brian Schott provided an overview of the campaign he was part of to gain approval of the additional 1% for Haskill Basin acquisition. Suggestions made by panel and committee members: • Focus on 1% being used for infrastructure, parks and maintenance of trails. • Tax Relief. • Site where we came from and educate new residents. • Letters to the editor • Stop negativity before it starts. • Values matter to our residents • Consistent messaging and education • Use local businesses to inform patrons on how resort tax funds benefit our community. • Utilize a “Grass Roots” approach • If we form a committee it should consist of broad representation. Doug informed us that there is opposition – individuals campaigning to return tax percentage to 2%. He has extended an invitation for them to join our meeting.  Chris asked Ben for the amount of funds collected and a list of projects completed with Resort Tax funds. Dana is going to highlight the benefits of Resort Tax in the city’s May newsletter. Chris offered to draft a “white paper” on the topic. 5. Next Meeting Date April 21, 2021.  Resort Tax Projects Funded Since 1996: STREETS: PARKS: Baker Avenue (2nd Street to River) Riverside Park Bike/Ped Path Baker Avenue (River to 10th Street) Baker Street Park Bike/Ped Path Baker Avenue overlay (10th Street to 19th Street) Grouse Mtn Park Tennis Court reconstruction 7th Street (Columbia Avenue to Pine Avenue) Riverside Park Tennis Court improvements 7th Street (Pine Avenue to street terminus) Kay Beller Park Construction 19th Street overlay (Baker Avenue to Hwy 93) Memorial Park Basketball Court Resurfacing Columbia Avenue (River to 7th Street) Baker Park Bike/Ped Path Columbia Avenue (2nd Street to 7th Street) 2nd to Armory Trail Skyles Place (Wisconsin Avenue to Dakota Avenue) East Edgewood Trail Lupfer Avenue (Entire length) Rocksund/Monegan Trail Railway St. (Miles Avenue to O'Brien Avenue) Rocksund Footbridge Railway St. (Columbia Avenue to Somers Avenue) Ice Den Signage Somers Avenue (Railway Street to 2nd Street) Donation for New Baseball Stadium Colorado Avenue (Edgewood Drive to Crestwood Court) Parks and Recreation Master Plan Community-wide sidewalk replacement project - 84 blocks Soroptimist Park Play Equipment 6th St / Geddes-Baker Ave to 3rd Street-In progress Pickleball Courts at Memorial Park Central Avenue-Railway to 3rd Riverside Tennis Court Renovation 6th and Geddes Update Ped-Bike Master Plan East 2nd Street Basketball Court Resurfacing at Memorial Park West 7th Street Lacrosse Fields at Armory Park with Irrigation Somers Avenue Armory Improvements (Flooring/Lighting/HVAC) State Park Road Bakke Nature Reserve Parking Lot WAG Dog Park Pave Road and Parking Lot Riverside Park River/Boat Access City Beach Restrooms Lacrosse Fields at Armory Parks with Irrigation Wayfinding Signs Improvement Project Gator for Bike Path Maintenance Future Street Projects: FY 2021 and Future Parks Projects: East Edgewood Place Armory Park Improvements – Playground Bike Path Connection – Armory Bike Path Armory Park Improvements – Irrigation Well Memorial Park Irrigation and Field Total Resort Tax Collected : $ 49,821,390