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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM111914 LTAC Budget Presentation Minutes, November 19, 2014 Jefferson County Commissioners Chambers - 9:00 a.m. Attendees: Debbie Wardrop, Bill Tennent, Joy Baisch, John Austin, Walter Kochansky Staff: County Administrator Philip Morley and Executive Assistant Leslie Locke Chairman Austin called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. Approval of Minutes: Member Wardrop moved to approve the November 7, 2013 minutes as presented. Member Baisch seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. Review of 2015 Funding Requests: Chairman Austin discussed the 2015 funding requests compared to 2014. Philip Morley stated that the projected 2015 funds available to allocate to recipients is $310,000. The total amount requested for 2015 is $317,533. Discussion ensued regarding the increase in LTAC revenue the County receives. The amount of travelers on the Olympic Peninsula have increased. The Sunset article highlighting the waterfalls on the Olympic Peninsula had a big success and has been reprinted 3 times. Member Wardrop suggested that each recipient provide LTAC members a monthly report of activities. Each funding recipient is different and the regularity of the report would depend on whether it is a one-time event or a monthly/quarterly statistics report. Philip Morley stated that reporting activities will be incorporated into the annual LTAC funding contracts. 2015 FUNDING REQUEST PRESENTATIONS Jefferson County Historical Society (JCHS): Bill Tennent stated that JCHS is requesting a 2% increase than what was requested in 2009. LTAC funding is a secure source of funding for the JCHS and funds are used to operate five facilities (Rothschild House Museum; Historical Research Center; Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor Center; Jefferson Museum of Art and History; and the Commanding Officer’s Quarters) as well as County programs. JCHS has one full time employee and the remaining are part time as well as 170 volunteers. It would be difficult to operate if the full amount of funding is not approved. He provided a brief history of the JCHS. They partner with the Genealogical group who share a space at the research center. He discussed 2015 scheduled activities: Retrospective on artist Thomas T. Wilson; Retrospective on Red Dog Foundry; and First Friday Lectures. He named several ways they promote the JCHS. The only paid advertisement is in the “Getaway Guide.” He is working with American Cruise Lines to offer shore excursions. Another cruise line stops in Brinnon and the JCHS has been asked to prepare information for them. Membership numbers are low for 2014 however, most members join in December. 1 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Minutes: November 19, 2014 Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor Center, Bill Roney: Bill Roney stated that they are requesting less than a 1% increase in funding. The top 3 ways to increase visitors to a certain area is: 1) Word of mouth/friends/family; 2) Social Media; and 3) Visitor’s centers. Currently the Visitor center has 10 dedicated volunteers who are very outgoing and enthusiastic. They have donated over 800 hours so far this year. He informed the Committee that marketing is 15% of the budget and is very important. They are actively involved in the production and distribution of the ‘Activities Map.’ The Visitor center is available on social media and the internet. LTAC funding is the only source of funding/income. The Visitor center also promotes all areas of the Olympic Peninsula, not just Jefferson County. Since Jefferson County allocates funding to the Forks Chamber of Commerce, Chairman Austin asked if Clallam County has been contacted to help fund the Gateway Visitor center? Bill Roney responded that in the past he has contacted Clallam County, City of Sequim and the City of Port Angeles and only received a $300 funding contribution from the City of Sequim. Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Teresa Verraes: Teresa Verraes, Director thanked all the tourism partners and appreciates all their hard work to promote the Olympic Peninsula. She is excited about th,e ‘Stay Play Eat’ promotional advertising campaign scheduled for 2015. She provided a breakdown of the dollars spent for media advertising. The Chamber would like to try something new for individual event advertising by advertising on KSER radio and web advertising focusing on Kitsap, Snohomish, King and Pierce Counties. LTAC funds would be used to contract for services such as visitor website maintenance and expansion, and year round distribution of the Travel Planner, Get-Away Guide and the Jefferson County Chamber revised map on the Port Townsend, Kingston and Bainbridge Island Ferries. Quilcene Dollars for Scholars, Tom Brotherton: Tom Brotherton is requesting funding for the annual Quilcene Oyster Half Marathon fundraiser. He stated that in 2013 there were 270 runners who participated in the half marathon. Due to the scheduling of three (3) other half marathons in Washington on the same date, only about 160 runners participated this year. The race was not marketed as much and a survey of past racers indicated that they were not aware that the race was happening and the ones that did participate heard about it from word of mouth and the internet. They will be doing more web promotional advertising in 2015. They are planning to add a shorter race such as a 1K or 2K for kids and non-marathon participants. This year most runners traveled from outside of Jefferson County and stayed in surrounding areas. Proceeds received will go to the Quilcene Dollars for Scholars non-profit organization. Member Wardrop suggested that the race start earlier so participants will use lodging accommodations prior to the event. Member Baisch suggested a list of accommodations be posted on the event website and be included in the registration packet. Member Wardrop stated that September is a very busy month with other activities such as the Labor Day Holiday; Port Townsend Film Festival; Wooden Boat Festival; and the Farm and Fiber Tour. She recommended that the race be scheduled in October. North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce, Joy Baisch: Joy Baisch stated that the 2015 funding request has increased. The Quilcene/Brinnon Visitor center has had an 11.5% increase in visitors this year. Social media has increased dramatically. Employees are paid a nominal fee and they help with maintaining the social media site. There are two locations: 1) Brinnon Community Center; and 2) US Forest Service Office in Quilcene. They are not allowed to use volunteers at the Forest Service site because the US Forest Service requires two employees be present at all 2 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Minutes: November 19, 2014 times for security reasons. Chairman Austin asked if Mason County has been contacted to help fund the North Hood Canal Visitor Center? She responded that Mason County has two casinos and a resort (Alderbrook) and doesn’t have the need to boost tourism. Member Tennent clarified that if the US Forest Service has a staff person then the Visitor center only staffs one person. Tourism Coordinating Council, Steve Shively: Steve Shively gave a brief history of the TCC. He stated they don’t just promote attractions in Jefferson County but all of the Olympic Peninsula. Getting tourists here is the priority. They changed the direction or brand in order to increase tourism. The ‘Visit the Dragon’ campaign was confusing and had only 87 likes/visitors in 3 years. Since August the new brand, ‘Enjoy Olympic Peninsula,’ has had over 390 likes/visitors. They have a new tag line to incorporate the sense of place, ‘from Canal to Coast and from Sea to Summit.’ TCC is the second largest participant in the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission (OPTC). New this year is the proposal to put money into leading Familiarization (FAM) Tours. Chairman Austin asked if the increase in State Park fees are going to have an impact on tourism? Steve Shively replied that he doesn’t see that happening and feels the consumer will handle it. TCC is requesting less than a 2% increase in funding. Forks Chamber of Commerce, Lissy Andros: The Forks Chamber of Commerce operates the visitor center which is open 7 days per week and only closed a few holidays per year. In the past Forks has been known for the Twilight trilogy but the new tourist attraction is the Legend of Mick Dodge, which is getting ready to film its third season. A popular attraction is the Logging and Mill tour with the majority of the logging sites and the mill located in Jefferson County. Funding a person at the Kalaloch Visitors center is very important and will continue in 2015. It had 17,734 visitors in 2014 compared to 16,283 in 2013. Quilcene Historical Museum, Larry McKeenan: Larry McKeenan updated the Committee on the Quilcene community. There has been a 182% increase in visitors/event attendees since 2012. The museum is the owner of the Worthington Park and Linger Longer Productions which are tourist attractions. There is a grand opening scheduled for the Worthington Park on April 23, 2016. This project was broken into 5 stages: 1) Purchase house and 10 acres; 2) New roof and siding; 3) Interior; 4) Furnishings; and 5) Exterior. They are on the list of Washington State Historic Places along with four (4) other locations in Quilcene. Member Wardrop asked how the Quilcene Historical Museum is promoting heads in beds? Larry McKeenan responded that promotional events for Linger Longer Productions attracted 1,812 through their concerts, tours and events, but is not sure where those people are staying. The Museum plans on budgeting money for cooperative partnerships such as FAM tours, culinary Loop, Breweries and other events. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION re: 2015 LTAC Funding Request Allocation: After deliberating, it was decided to reduce the Quilcene Dollars for Scholars funding request to $1,500 because their focus is on raising money for their event, not marketing to get people to stay overnight in Jefferson County. Some good suggestions were made to Tom Brotherton and the Committee would like to see those incorporated to increase lodging tax revenues. 3 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Minutes: November 19, 2014 Member Wardrop moved to approve the following recommendation: Final 2015 LTAC Funding Recommendation: Jefferson County Historical Society (JCHS): $55,664 Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor Center (JCHS): $58,500 Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce: $15,000 North Hood Canal Chamber: $56,164 Tourism Coordinating Council: $91,425 Forks Chamber of Commerce: $23,247 Quilcene Historical Museum: $8,500 Quilcene Dollars for Scholars: $1,500 Member Tennent seconded the motion. Discussion ensued regarding what happens with the additional funding balance for LTAC revenues. Philip Morley stated that the revenue stays in the fund as a reserve. A vote was called on the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. No other business. The meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Leslie Locke Executive Assistant Jefferson County Commissioners Office 4