2016-03-14 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee MinutesLodging Tax Advisory Committee
Draft Summary Notes from 03/14/16 Meeting
Committee members present: Mike Nelson, City Council
Joe Mclalwain, Edmonds Center for the Arts Executive Director
Frances Chapin, Edmonds Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Services, Mgr.
Jan Conner, Harbor Inn
Pat Moriarty, The Studio
Committee members absent: None
Staff present: Patrick Doherty, Economic Development & Community Services Director
Cindi Cruz, Economic Development
Meeting was opened by Mike Nelson at 3:30 p.m.
1. Approval of November 30, 2015 meeting minutes.
Joe Mclalwain moved to approve the 11/30/15 meeting minutes and Frances Chapin seconded
the motion. Motion passed with Pat Moriarty and Jan Conner abstaining.
2015 Year-end Financial Reports. The 120 Fund budget as proposed last fall was approved by
City Council. The $3,000 allocated for RevitalizeWa conference will not be expended in 2016.
The new tourism brochure was distributed. After some discussion it was suggested that the next
printing of the brochure should include more focus on staying the night in Edmonds along with
including that message in ads throughout the year. Frances gave a brief explanation of the 123
Fund budget which is 25% of the LTAC funds dedicated to the arts project awards from the
Edmonds Arts Commission (EAC). No more than $2,000 is awarded to each applicant subject to
approval and recommendation by the EAC.
Patrick gave an update on the downtown public restroom project which the LTAC has budgeted
$60,000 for 2016. The project was estimated to cost $300,000 and the City is working with
consultants and a committee to determine the best layout and location in the parking lot
adjacent to the south side of City Hall. The identified funds are $260,000 with $60,000 from
LTAC, $10,000 from the BID, and the Rotary potentially contributing up to $10,000. Costs could
be as high as $320,000 and the proposal will be presented to City Council on 3/22/16.
Funding request for 2016:
Edmonds Center for the Arts requested $2,500 in support of their 10th Anniversary Birthday
Bash to be held on July 30, 2016. Jan moved for discussion the approval of $2,500 to the ECA.
Pat seconded the motion. Joe gave a brief explanation of the events that will be happening in
celebration of the 10 year anniversary of the grand opening of the ECA. The ECA attracts 60% of
their visitors from outside of Edmonds. The July 30 event will be free to the public. Motion
passed 4-0, Joe Mclalwain abstained.
Edmonds Waterfront Festival requested $1,000 in support of advertising for the Waterfront
Festival to be held June 3-5, 2016. The $1,000 will be used to purchase a bus wrap on a
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Community Transit bus advertising the festival. Joe moved for discussion the approval of award
of$1,000 to the Waterfront Festival for advertising. Frances seconded the motion. There were
some concerns expressed about the Festival not attracting overnight stays but approximately 70
bed -nights are generated from vendors. It is an event that brings 20,000 visitors to Edmonds
over three days. Bringing new visitors to Edmonds is always a good investment. There will be a
stipulation that the advertisement must state that it is partially funded by the Lodging Tax Fund.
Motion passed 4-1 with Jan Conner voting no.
4. Discussion of schedule for awards cycle for 2017 funds.
Currently the Arts Commission advertises the application process for grants from the 123 Fund
which is 25% of the total received LTAC funds per year. These grants are no more than $2,000
and are recommended to the Committee by the Arts Commission. The awards are included in
the budget process along with the awards that the LTAC gives out to the ECA, Edmonds
Chamber/Visitor Center, and to the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau. The discussion revolved
around advertising grant opportunities from both the 123 and 120 funds or keep it the way it
has been and only advertise 123 Fund awards through the Arts Commission. There are new
organizations that have been established in recent years and the Committee expressed support
for jointly advertising these two grant opportunities. Grants from direct application to the LTAC
will generally be small. Frances moved to advertise small grant opportunities for limited LTAC
funding to promote events held in Edmonds at the same time as advertising the Arts
Commission Tourism Promotion grants. Jan seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
5. Meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m.
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