HomeMy WebLinkAboutApr2024 TCC Special Meeting Minutes DRAFT v.04232024
Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County
Minutes of Special Meeting of the Coordinating Council
April, 16, 2024 (DRAFT)
The special April 16, 2024 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County,
convening as a hybrid meeting - was called to order at 2:07 PM by TCC Chair Diana Smeland. A
quorum was in attendance.
Council members present: Diana Smeland (chair), Bethany Smith, Crystie Kisler, Amy Neil, Marsha
Masey, Dan Ventura
Excused: Commissioner Greg Brotherton, Aaron Terada
Valued Partners: Jessie Short
TCC Marketing Coordinator: Steve Shively
Public Comments received. Dan Ventura passed along public comment from Brinnon residents
expressing support of the PS2P Trail (Puget Sound to Pacific Collaborative), with hopes that future
– tourism supporting – trail spurs will look into Quilcene/Brinnon’s offerings of south county.
Approval of Agenda was approved with consensus. Consent Agenda Consisting of TCC March 12,
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 no report – excused
OPTC Report – Marsha shared thanks and summary highlights from last week’s successful Olympic
Peninsula Tourism Summit.
Ongoing work related to the Tourism 5-year Master Plan will involve summarizing the Summit’s 5-
Short-term initiatives, and getting the MMGY progress matrix to all stakeholders. A Tourism 5-year
Master Plan summary has already been presented to Clallam County Commissioners, and the same
is offered to JeffCo. BoCC.
Current DOR lodging tax report for March indicates good health across the board. OPTC skipped
their April scheduled meeting in advance of all gathering together at the Tourism Summit.
Initial review of impressions earned from Expedia co-op through State of WA Tourism (SWT) were
discussed. Ongoing events include: Upcoming April’s annual Washington coastal beach cleanup
and SWT continues in the midst of a very extensive grant program. Diana asked for WSDOT
construction update at the May OPTC meeting.
Marketing Report - Steve – Steve echoed Marsha’s enthusiasm for last success at weeks Olympic
Peninsula Tourism Summit. The 110 participants included a number of TCC members able to meet
outside of a Zoom-box for the first time since COVID. Steve is eager and excited to seek consensus
from TCC on which of the 5-Short-term initiatives to highlight and champion. Knowing we will need
to wait on JeffCo. LTAC for word about potential supplemental funding to enable any initiatives.
Short Term Rentals (mostly via platforms Airbnb and Vrbo) have been the subject of a series of
public meetings lead by County Planning Commission staff and recently summarized on an episode
of KPTZ County Connections. The BoCC recently enacted a one-year moratorium to pause land use
applications for short-term rentals while state building codes are updated. With an estimated 580
STR’s operating in JeffCo, TCC understands that inventory through STRs is vital for Jefferson County
Lodging Tax.
Attendance at Finnriver PS2P Trail (Puget Sound to Pacific Collaborative) meeting was discussed,
focusing on championing Hood Canal Bridge trail through Port Ludlow, connecting with ODT at
Anderson Lake State Park.
CALL TO ORDER
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
CONSENT
AGENDA
COMISSIONER
REPORT
OPTC REPORT
TCC MARKETING
COORDINATORS
REPORT
Kudos to Dan and Cove RV for successful proof of concept with Chowder Cook-off event. Culinary
(Shrimp) is being deemphasized at Fjord Fest (formerly ShrimpFest).
Ongoing TCC print and digital campaigns, plus hosted FAMS were reviewed, including upcoming
Jefferson County farm to table and accessibility via bike article
Steve asked TCC to be thinking of which of the 5-Short-term initiatives should be highlighted and
championed, pending LTAC restoring funding allocation
New Business – None
Area Updates:
Brinnon – Dan reported that nice spring weather has helped local bookings, crowds increasing at
Dosewallips State Park as well as visitors to Kayak Adventures and Dive/Dinner cruise outfitters.
John Holbert, project manager of the Pleasant Harbor Resort - Statesman Group – will be hosting
additional town halls in Brinnon. Preliminary plat designation for their project continues.
Fjord Fest will have shrimp! WDFW announced shrimping dates certainly drove advance bookings.
Elks, Orcas and Rocky Brook Falls are all recently entertained area tourist.
Diana noted that the Resort at Port Ludlow will be offering a Fjord Fest themed cooking class on
May 25 to coincide with event.
West End – Kalaloch – Amy shared with Kalaloch has onboarded the majority of their seasonal
staff. Glad to have a full team! Anticipating about 4-weeks out from season really ramping up.
Current events include Earth Day and Tsunami Hazard specialist with WA Geological Survey.
Waiting for beach stairs to get fixed. Looking forward to new design – visitors current access beach
through campground.
Gateway VIC - Steve updated TCC that VIC visitor numbers are picking up as the weather improves.
Sherry and our crew are getting good reviews on Google. Funding awarded for the EV charging
stations has been withdrawn, but they're looking at getting that restored through other sources.
JeffCo. Central Services is getting caught up on long deferred maintenance including not painting
for too long. Resulting in all bids coming back noting need to address dry rot on two of the four
exterior walls. JeffCo. is consulting with LTAC, looking for additional funding to enable repairs with
goal of painting to still be done by the end of June. WSDOT is still committed to the SR-19, SR-104
roundabout construction for the period of last week of May - first two weeks of June. At this point
the Gateway VIC will close during the 15-day construction closure of SR-19 at 104, stay tuned.
Forks –SWT Marsha shared updates from Lissy and Forks including good turn out for Quileute
Tribe’s Welcoming the Whales in La Push. Upcoming Fabric of the Forest Quilt Show, and
additional West End Coastal Cleanup locations. Olympic National Parks will be entry fee Free for
Earth Day. SWT continues with grant programs and recorded monthly webinar offers as well.
Port Ludlow – Diana shared just a few of Port Ludlow’s many happenings. Including: Upcoming
cellar master wine dinner on May 30th. A big Mother's Day brunch, using their expanded brunch
program, and featuring a number of drinks, i.e. a flight of mimosa or select craft of mimosas too.
Hosting the U.S. Kids Golf Tournament this weekend. With a new golf course café operator
opening just in time for the tournament.
Additional Opportunity for Public Comment - no public comments received.
Adjournment – Diana adjourned TCC meeting at 3:23 PM
Next called meeting of TCC is Tuesday May 14, 2024 – 2:00 PM scheduled as a hybrid – in-person
from Port Ludlow or via Zoom access. Respectively Submitted – Steve Shively
NEW BUSINESS
AREA UPDATES
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
ADJORN
NEXT MEETING