2022-03-22 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee MinutesLodging Tax Advisory Committee
Via Zoom
Summary Notes from 3/22/22 Meeting
Committee members present: Laura Johnson, City Council
Frances Chapin, Edmonds Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Services, Mgr.
Pat Moriarty, The Studio
Joe Mclalwain, Edmonds Center for the Arts Executive Director
Committee members absent: None.
Guest: None.
Staff present: Doug Merriman, Interim Economic Development & Community Services
Director
Megan Luttrell, Economic Development
Meeting began at 3:01 p.m.
Approval of July 12, 2021, meeting minutes: Laura abstained. Joe moved and Pat seconded to
approve the 7/12/21 meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment: None.
3. Review of 2021 Expenditures: Doug shared a PowerPoint that outlined the 2021 expenditures.
He gave a brief background on how the tax revenues is allocated in City funds (120; 123; 117).
He provided a graph showing the Lodging Tax Revenues from 2015 through projections for
2023. The graph shows a significant hit in 2020 due to COVID-19 and a clear rise in 2021 and
projected trend thru 2023. By 2023 revenue is projected to nearly bounce back to pre-COVID-
19. Total expenditures in 2021 were $84,111 for Fund 120 and $14,621 for Fund 123. Fund 123
receives 25% of the Lodging Tax per City Council Resolution. Some of the grants that were
awarded were unexpended since events were canceled or online; those monies stayed in the
fund. 75% of the lodging tax goes to Fund 120. The $4,000 that Fund 117 receives is per Council
direction. Frances clarified that the LTAC Committee recommends the grants, but they go to
Council with the budget for final approval.
4. 2022 Tourism Promotion Grants Press Release: Frances explained past practice for advertising
the grants. There are two different applications for grant requests, and they are announced in
one press release. The larger not for profit or non-profit organizations applications are
submitted to Economic Development and include general events and the larger cultural
institutions. The other application is for small grants up to $2600 for arts and culture projects
that are reviewed by the Arts Commission and recommended to the LTAC. Pat asked who
receives the press release; Frances explained The Beacon, The Herald, My Edmonds News and
all arts organizations that the arts office has contacts for. She also recommends that all Arts
Commissioners send it out to their contacts. Plus, social media thru Parks; City's main page;
Writer on the Sound; Instagram. Laura also suggested that Youth Commission receive it. Frances
said the Diversity Commission also gets it. It should be sent out as soon as possible.
5. Economic Development 2021 recap on Tourism Promotion: Frances shared the report that
Ellen Hiatt provided, including Visit Edmonds site upgrades and the new Visit Edmonds Guide,
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and the Welcome Magazine ad for 2021. Unique visitors were up in 2021. Social media ads
increased as well. The 2022 goals are attached in Exhibit A. Frances suggested that the tourism
efforts focus on different areas of the City than just downtown. Megan shared that the
information we gain from the Datafy contract will aid in the tourism promotion efforts around
the entire City. Ellen meets regularly with the BID/Ed! group so that they don't double up on any
promotion efforts but rather support one another.
6. Miscellaneous: Joe suggests reaching back out to the Harbor Inn/Best Western for a new
committee member. He has a contact and will forward it over to Megan. Joe suggested
considering committee membership expansion. Frances explained that it requires equal
numbers of users and generators. If we add more users, you must add more generators. It has
historically been difficult to get members from lodging, including Hwy 99 lodging. Pat will give it
some thought and bring ideas back to a future meeting.
Pat mentioned resurrecting the idea of purchasing a trolley and would like to add this to a future
meeting
7. Set next meeting date: Joe suggests meeting in early May to discuss the tourism budget. Joe
will reach out Best Western to loop them in. May 91h @ 3:30.
i. AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Closer look into the budget and investment of Hiatt Studios. Invite Ellen
(overview and Q&A). Request written information before Q&A
2. Trolley Discussion?
3. Moving from virtual to in -person meetings? ECA offered to host.
Pat asks about meeting in person. Laura explains it is an option. Let's put it on the Agenda for
May.
8. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 3:59 p.m.
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