HomeMy WebLinkAboutMar2024 TCC Minutes DRAFT v.03252024
Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County
Minutes of the Meeting of the Coordinating Council
March 12, 2024 (DRAFT)
The March 12, 2024 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County,
convening as a hybrid meeting - was called to order at 2:05 PM by TCC Chair Diana Smeland. A
quorum was in attendance.
Council members present: Diana Smeland (chair), Aaron Terada, Bethany Smith, Crystie Kisler,
Amy Neil, Marsha Masey, Dan Ventura
Excused: Cleone Telling
Valued Partners: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Jessie Short
TCC Marketing Coordinator: Steve Shively
No Public Comments received.
Approval of Agenda was approved with consensus.
Consent Agenda Consisting of TCC February 13, 2024 minutes, as well as the current TCC budget,
and JeffCo. Hotel Room Tax budget reports were all approved by consent without objections.
Approved.
Commissioner’s Report – Commissioner Greg Brotherton shared:
LTAC has met, recommending to BoCC that specific items, i.e. Parks, Visitor Centers, the Jefferson
Historical Museum, etc. be funded through lodging tax revenues so that the annual RFP for tourism
marketing allocations is more reasonable. No plans for supplemental 2024 RFP, rather
considerations for reallocations of upwards of 20% of actual lodging tax revenues earned going
back out to qualifying, but underfunded applicants.
BoCC exploring funding for roundabout at SR20 and Mill Road construction is seeking
congressional appropriations for this collaborative project.
The pool was an interactive conversation with TCC, as BoCC considers an alternative to the current
design concept located in Port Townsend. TCC had a broad conversation on both regional and
global case studies of outdoor community pools – many with natural geo-thermal features being
tourist amenities, albeit most operating seasonal. Commissioner Brotherton thanked TCC for
participating in the Thought Experiment, announcing that they are looking for two members from
each district for the “Healthier Together” task force to consider alternative community pool
locations and a designs.
OPTC Report – Marsha shared that current DOR lodging tax report for February, indicates good
health across the board, with February numbers reflecting what was realized in December, and to
keep in mind with Jefferson County has the loss of room inventory out at Kalaloch. Molly Pittman
with Olympic National Park reports that they are back up in the top 10 visited most visited national
parks. Hurricane Ridge has had a mild winter, the road will close on March 31st and will reopen in
May. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary reviewed several events coming up, including
April’s annual beach cleanup. WSDOT shared project updates, including Elwha River Bridge’s nine-
day closure after Memorial weekend to tie-in the new bridge deck with Hwy 101. State of
Washington Tourism introduced two new board members, one from Spokane and one from Long
Beach. SWT is currently in the midst of a very extensive grant program. Save the date for the State
Tourism Conference, October 7 to 9 in Vancouver, Washington. The Olympic Peninsula Tourism
Master Plan is done! The tourism summit is April 8 and 9. It is going to be held in Port Angeles at
Field Hall. Registration is now open.
CALL TO ORDER
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
CONSENT
AGENDA
COMISSIONER
REPORT
OPTC REPORT
Marketing Report - Steve – Steve discussed Kalaloch Lodge cabin loss, and Olympic National Park
attendance data. STR (Short Term Rental) policy being discussed in Port Angeles, and next week
through Jefferson County’s chief strategy officer with DCD, Brent Butler, who in conjunction with
granicus.com will be taking initial steps on understanding the estimated 580 STR’s operating in
JeffCo. TCC understands that inventory through STRs is vital for Jefferson County Lodging Tax.
On-going WSDOT fish barrier and roundabout construction projects highlighted for 2024 and 2025,
including yesterday’s launch of May Creek bridge on the West End, and a pending 21-day closure
of SR19 and SR104, surely impacting operations at the Gateway VIC sometime during May-June.
TCC reviewed an excellent ODT usage survey shared from Peninsula Trails Coalition, highlighting
exciting growth potential as additional segments of the ODT are completed. The successful the
“Coast is Clear” fall/winter campaign was reviewed, resulting in 16.9 million total impressions,
nearly 350,000 page views on the contest page. Marsha reported a record 12,688 entries that were
collected from it, converted into over 9,000 opt-ins for the newsletter. All in all, a very impressive
campaign. Additional TCC print and digital campaigns were reviewed, and all were encouraged to
sign up for the April 8-9 Olympic Peninsula Tourism Summit in Port Angeles. Thanks to a
sponsorship by TCC, Council members can attend for only $50. Steve Shively and Aljolynn Sperbe
of Visit Kitsap Co. collaborated on a SWT grant proposal for a joint Kitsap-Jefferson County project
to refresh our shared segment of the Cascade Marine Trails. TCC is currently waiting on SWT for
word if grant funding for this project will be awarded.
TCC MARKETING
COORDINATORS
REPORT
New Business – ACTION – Dan moved that TCC call a special meeting in April, 2024 on the third
Tuesday of the month instead of the second Tuesday of the month, so that there will not be any
conflict with attending the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Summit, April 9. Seconded by Amy.
Motioned carries.
Area Updates:
West End – Kalaloch – Amy updated TCC on current demolition of 7 bluff cabins due to coastal
bank erosion. “A big, sad, mess.” Plenty of media, combined with lots of ongoing rain and big tides
too. Park Service will soon share an indication of next steps. (Note: NPS Kalaloch Alternative A-D)
Forks – Marsha No further updates from Lissy and Forks.
Tri-Areas – Marrowstone – Aaron provided updates on increasing camping activity, ongoing
capital construction plans lots of chainsaw work and debris pickup due to winter windstorms.
Flagler SP had potential of losing seasonal kayak concession - Olympic Kayaking Tours - but he will
operate for one more summer.
Lower Hadlock – Bethany reported that Old Alcohol Plant Inn is currently lagging behind last years
record levels. Still looking good for spring and summer, with midweek Navy business, and a
number of weddings coming up.
Chimacum – Crystie shared that spring weather is good news for farm country. Finnriver will be
celebrating Pi Day this Thursday with a collaboration between the Chimacum Grainery and the
Chimacum Café. Finnriver is getting ready to celebrate a seed social on the 21st to celebrate spring
equinox. The Climate Action Committee of JeffCo. is starting a food system subgroup.
Crystie shared interest on the topic of Carbon Offsets and Eco-Tourism – especially in developing a
widget for Finnriver, where guests could use a carbon calculator to calculate their carbon
emissions for their trip to the peninsula - Cap and Trade – providing options for visitor to buy off
their carbon impact. Greg encouraged exploration into the existing Taming Bigfoot, www.taming-
bigfoot.org app and related resources, offered by Bob Schenlander of Quilcene. Crystie shared this
NEW BUSINESS
AREA UPDATES
DOE website on the topic https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/climate-commitment-act/cap-and-
invest/offsets
Quilcene – Cleone, while scouting for the Mariners reports that they have a new communication
chair, Caitlin Friedman. Brian Cullen had been filling that role and is stepping back from the
communications role. He will still be involved with the museum. Jeff Childs is their landscaping
chair and is asking the board to explore ideas for enhancing and expanding the Birkenfield Trail
that borders the pond and the Little Quill River. Christine Satterlee, who's been Worthington
Park’s lead on weddings, is stepping down as the longtime chair of the museum. She's been the
dedicated chair of Worthington Mansion for 11 years, helping finish it and opening it to the public.
It is going to be extremely difficult to fill her big shoes.
Brinnon – Dan bookings are going good. The Pleasant Harbor Resort - Statesman Group is hosting
public meetings. Preliminary plat designation for their project continues. The newly named Crows
Nest Pub, has Liz as manager, and she is doing a good job. Looking forward to CoveRV producing an
April - Chowder cook-off. Send Dan a note if interested. Mt. Walker has been packed. Would love
for all that traffic to stop – and spend – in Quilcene and/or Brinnon.
Port Ludlow – Diana shared just a few of Port Ludlow’s many happenings. Including: Easter brunch
– which will be return of their expanded and regular Brunch offerings.
• Marina swap, coming up April 4,
• NW School of Wood Boat - first Friday’s – each month.
• Cooking classes begin - April 6
• Looking to partner with festivals, especially to expand offerings.
• Successful Showing at Golf Show in March
Additional Opportunity for Public Comment - no public comments received.
Adjournment – Diana adjourned TCC meeting at 3:50 PM
Next called meeting of TCC is a - special meeting - Tuesday April 16, 2024 – 2:00 PM scheduled as a
hybrid – in-person from Port Ludlow or via Zoom access.
Respectively Submitted – Steve Shively
AREA UPDATES
(cont.)
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
ADJORN
NEXT MEETING