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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM051812 LTAC Minutes, 5-18-12 Attendees Members: John Austin, Debbie Wardrop, Bill Tennent, Joy Baisch, Amanda Lovelady via phone. Friends: Bill Roney, Kitti deLong Review of Agenda: No additions IV. Lodging Tax Fund: Current Status & Projected Revenue for 2012 Year-to-date, the fund has $57,454. At this point, Philip suggested we view 2012 as meeting budget. Joy stated that we had agreed to address the budget shortfall issue only. Philip stated that this information is for context only to use as a starting point, Philip looked at the fund balances. At the end of 2008, the fund held $482,385. Since then, we have grown that fund balance by $7,069. Philip feels that it is fair to say that is available for expenditure without touching our capital funding for projects. Also, $10,926 was taken by the State Department of Revenue to pay back an amount from 2004 that the State considered was an overpayment. That money was removed from the amount we received in 2011. So 2011 revenue was actually $10,926 more than what we saw. Philip suggested that there was $18,004 revenue that could and should be distributed in 2012, or that could be distributed in a subsequent year. Also, Philip looked at next year, assuming that 2012 meets revenue, that we would have that $10,926 to use next year. In addition, this is the last year for the Balloon Hanger payment of $9,450, which is now paid off. Philip stated that he thinks that we can allocate a supplemental amount of $18,000 without dipping into our historic fund balance and he feels that next year, with the availability of the Balloon Hanger amount and no repayment to the State, the amount we would be able to allocate would be $20,000 above what was allocated in 2011. VI. Potential Capital Projects Joy stated that the build-up of capital funds is not the issue for her but the degree of build-up compared to the shortfalls in 2012 budget fund. Philip introduced the history of building Gateway VC, and the various capital improvement projects that have been considered in that past. Bill Roney presented information about planned capital improvements for Gateway VC. He stated that 10-11,000 people visit the site per year since he has been there. Gateway is influential in providing services to people who are going to use Olympic National Park. He also sees short-term travelers who may not be staying overnight visitors and Gateway does present a spot to rest. There are no other restroom facilities within quite a distance. One of the important changes that has been planned for Gateway VC is to add restroom facilities. Bill has contacted the WA DOT and he distributed a handout from DOT’s Maurice Perigo, Safety Rest Area Program Planner. Perigo stated feels that the possibility of putting bathrooms would fit very well into the regional transportation plan. Washington State feels this has merit and would support Gateway VC as we go on to obtain funding for this project. Bill stated that there is some funding available from the Regional Transportation Board, and David Sullivan is Chair of that. DOT would support this through that Regional Transportation Board funds, though there are no funds available this year now. When the project comes up for review, Bill wants Gateway VC to be at the front of the line to request funding. When we do get restrooms, then we can get better signage. This would give us a much better chance of attracting even more people. DOT estimated this project would be about $200,000 for a four stalls facility. Two stalls are also a possibility. There is a volunteer at Gateway VC who is in Rotary and Bluebills, and those organizations are also interested in this project. There are no funds available at present except for our Capital Fund and Bill would like to see this paid by some other funding. This plan does not include the cost of the septic system or paving the parking lot, which will be required by the State. There was discussion about possible placement of the septic system. Bill Roney stated that another smaller capital project that is needed is to add a second exterior door at Gateway VC for fire safety requirements. Bill also stated that he will soon need to replace the linoleum tiles because he is almost out of them. Debbie suggested using portable restroom trailers. Discussion about possible types of funding. Debbie suggested seeking sponsorships for some of the costs of a possible trailer-restroom facility. Bill stated that he now pays $350 per month for the Port-a-potties. Philip stated that we are doing well with what we have and maybe with a little investment, we can do a little better. Bill Tennent stated that having Gateway VC as an official State rest stop would attract a lot of people. It was determined that we need to know what the State requires. Bill will call Maurice Perigo to get that determination. Philip stated that there is some harvestable timber on that 37 acres of County owned property, Discussion about harvesting. Philip stated that the County is facing some pressure to make capital building improvements, so if some funds were realized through selling that timber, some of that money would probably be able to go to Gateway VC as well as other capital building requirements. Fort Worden’s Building 202: Fort Worden’s PDA is trying to formalize an agreement between the State Parks and PDA. Are looking at relocating Peninsula College and recommended Building 202 to be an educational center. By freeing up the whole infirmary they may be able to attract private funding. That might generate addition revenue. City of Port Townsend also is pledging money. They want $4.5 million of capital dollars for the project, but feel they should have between $5-5.5 million. They are considering scaling back and doing only the bottom floor but that looses the scale of efficiency. So at this point, the Higher Ed Committee is looking for more funding. No request has been officially transmitted to the County, though they are interested if LTAC money could be made available and if infrastructure money could be made available for this purpose. Philip has checked with County Prosecutor to see if County LTAC money could be spent on this. The conclusion of the County Prosecutor’s office was yes, it could, if the County so desired to put lodging tax into this. Kitti stated that Peninsula College does not attract tourists and would be outside of the RCW’s. Philip stated that use may, in fact, be permissible, he felt that parents of students enrolled in Peninsula College would stay in lodgings and therefore would fit under the RCW’s. Philip also stated that he was reporting this matter as information only and that he was not supporting this issue. Joy stated that when the Balloon Hanger was built, there was a huge drop in income. Advertising begets the business, it is not the other way around. After much discussion, it was determined that LTAC tax generated from Fort Worden goes to the City of Port Townsend, and none of that income flows to Jefferson County. Fort Worden generates $39,000 in lodging tax that goes to the City of Port Townsend. Jefferson County receives less than half that from all the other State Parks in the County combined. LTAC members agreed there would be no contribution from Jefferson County LTAC funds and that what funds may be available were better spent on promotions outside of Jefferson County to bring visitors into the County. Philip will report back on this issue at a future time. 2012 Supplemental Appropriations This matter was discussed in depth. It was agreed to fund the following: JCHS $2,673 Gateway VC 1,930 Jefferson Co Chamber 0 Mainstreet 0 North Hood Canal 8,392 TCC 0 West End 3,955. Quilcene Museum 1,050 Total: $18,000 Notes: JCHS, Gateway VC, North Hood Canal (reduced slightly from $8,510 to $8,392 to make the total amount funded an even $18,000), and West End/Forks were funded to the level of their original request. Jefferson County Chamber had already been fully funded for 2012 for the portions of their request that were eligible. Quilcene Museum was funded for the shortfalls in category 5 columns without the utilities. Mainstreet’s request was not eligible under LTAC RCW’s. Debbie made a motion to accept column J, represented by the figures above, distributing $18,000. Amanda seconded. Motion passed unanimously. VII. Preparation for 2013 Request for Proposals Philip stated he would take email suggestions for redesigning the Annual Report format. Is there something that would be valuable to include in the report to assess our programs, and what is the minimum that we need to do for State requirements. Members will give proposals for changes to the Request Packet and to the Annual Report via email. The question was asked, does WTA have any suggestions for LTAC Reporting? Philip will email requirements from the State of Washington so that we can make proposals for changes. Send proposals for change by June 22. Kitti will check with WTA to see if they have any suggestions or advice. Kitti will ask Leslie to send the RFP Packets and Annual Report Form to LTAC members. The next LTAC Meeting will be tentatively scheduled for June 27 or 28, after checking with Members, to finalize changes to the RFP Packet and the Annual Reporting document. Meeting ended at 12:30 pm.