HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 2024 TCC Meeting Minutes
Tourism Coordinating Council – Jefferson County
Minutes of Meeting of the Coordinating Council
July 9, 2024 (DRAFT)
The July 9, 2024 meeting of the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) for Jefferson County,
convening as a hybrid meeting - was called to order at 2:02 PM by TCC Chair Diana Smeland.
A quorum was in attendance.
Council members present: Diana Smeland (chair), Bethany Smith, Marsha Masey, Cleone Telling,
Amy Neil
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 June 11,
2024 Meeting 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 provided an update on several
community matters. The road work, including the Beaver Valley roundabout, is progressing
smoothly. The 4th of July was successful with no major health or safety issues. The sheriff's
proactive measures at Gardner boat ramp mitigated potential problems from out-of-town visitors.
The region is experiencing dry and hot conditions, leading to a county-wide burn ban.
Brotherton is also involved in the pool task force, which is exploring options for a new aquatic
facility in the tri-area. The task force has identified viable locations and is considering the high cost
of repairing the Mountain View pool. They emphasize the importance of cost recovery, with
Snohomish as a model, achieving 96% cost recovery compared to the local target of 60%. A two-
pool solution is deemed unrealistic due to political and financial challenges. The success of the
South Whidbey Island facility, which passed a property tax levy after extensive planning and initial
failed levy attempts, serves as a case study. The main decision now is whether the new pool should
be located in Port Townsend or the Tri-Area, considering funding mechanisms like the Public
Facilities District (PFD) or a Metropolitan Park District, each with its own political and logistical
hurdles.
Commissioner Brotherton also provided an update on the short-term rental moratorium and
planning commission activities. An emergency moratorium on short-term rentals was enacted after
a failed initial hearing. During the recent hearing, no public comments were received. The planning
commission is actively considering options based on community input from three charrettes led by
Brent Butler from the Department of Community Development.
Jefferson County has 75-76 licensed short-term rentals, but a Granicus report identified over 500
operating outside city limits. The moratorium does not make these rentals illegal but pauses new
permits to avoid changes affecting good-faith applicants. Upcoming regulations likely include
yearly health and safety inspections and requiring license numbers on rental websites, similar to
Seattle. The aim is not to reduce accommodations but to ensure safety and proper regulation,
acknowledging the importance of rental income for many rural residents. No significant concerns
about neighborhood degradation were noted in the three public meetings.
OPTC Report – Due to the July 4th holiday, OPTC didn’t meet at their regular interval. The monthly
meeting will of OPTC will take place July 11. No report.
CALL TO ORDER
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
CONSENT
AGENDA
COMISSIONER
REPORT
OPTC REPORT
TCC Marketing Report - Marketing Report – Steve Shively provided TCC with updates of ongoing
projects, report highlighted successful promotional activities. Key mentions including:
• Current North America @TALK content creators FAM tour in south county. Heading tonight
to Port Ludlow. With emphasis on content and article for Bleisure market travel
opportunities.
• Reviewed a report regarding the value of Family Travel segment, contracted by the near
state-leading decline in Jefferson County youth.
• News regarding the 30th anniversary celebration for the Olympic Coast National Marine
Sanctuary, July 26 and 27 at the Field Hall event space in Port Angeles. This celebration
honors the marine sanctuary, an important part of the Olympic Peninsula's coastline.
New Business –TCC agreed to review last years TCC LTAC application in anticipation of 2025 RFP
process.
Area Reports –
Tri-Area’s Bethany Smith - provided updates on local weather, a recent meeting with Old Alcohol
Plant Inn wedding clients, and upcoming events. Key points included:
• The 4th of July celebration at the inn was successful, with two bands, barbecue, and perfect
weather.
• The summer season has started well, with numerous events planned, especially donor events
by Bayside.
• Susan's current art show is receiving positive feedback.
• The inn's patios are open for dining, gardens are in great condition, and many weddings are
scheduled.
• There's a noticeable decline in the number of children in Jefferson County, the military
presence, especially the Navy, significantly impacts the economies of nearby towns like Oak
Harbor and Bremerton. The arrival of the USS Ford will bring ~5,000 sailors and their families,
affecting local barracks and communities.
Chimacum – Crystie Kisler reported:
• Upcoming events include a drum workshop and the second annual Jamaican Independence
Day goat dinner in early August.
• There's a focus on pacing activities throughout the year for effective planning.
• Chimacum is bustling, with notable activity at the Farms Reach Cafe, though details are
currently unclear.
• Local farms are thriving, and the Chimacum farmers' market is doing well.
• There's a need for better organization and strategy within the Tri-Area business community,
potentially reviving the previously disbanded Tri-Area chamber.
• Glendale Farm, now led by Seth Sexton, is undergoing renewal and will participate in the Farm
Tour. The farm is exploring camping and glamping opportunities and has launched a new
website.
Quilcene – Cleone Telling shared:
• The recent hot weather has caused the Worthington Park poppies to fade, leading to the
replacement with Cosmos flowers.
• The 4th of July celebration was a successful community event organized by the Lions Club,
Masons, and Worthington Park. It featured hot dogs, sodas, fresh-squeezed lemonade, potluck
dishes, and traditional kids' games. The event was well-received and may continue next year.
• Upcoming Worthington Park events include:
o An acrobatic circus on July 27th.
o The Tasting Gala fundraiser at Worthington Park.
o Several weddings in August and September.
TCC MARKETING
COORDINATORS
REPORT
NEW BUSINESS
AREA UPDATES
o The Oyster Races in September.
• Recent events included the Gravel Unravel cycle race (now called Bon Jon Pass Out), which was
well-attended despite rainy weather.
• The community has seen a lot of hiking activity in the mountain trails, though this has slowed
down recently.
Kalaloch – West End – Amy Neil provided an update on the Kalaloch area, focusing on the impact
of highway construction and the busy summer season. Key points included:
• Highway Construction:
o Extensive WSDOT construction is underway along the coast, with multiple traffic stops
between Forks and Kalaloch, and north all the way to Port Angeles.
o The construction causes significant delays and slow commutes, exacerbated by the
presence of log trucks and slow-moving tourists, especially due to idle traffic lights.
• Amy, an avid hiker, noticed a significant increase in the number of – fair weather - hikers
recently, making her hiking experience less enjoyable.
• Amy suggested that the ONP (Olympic National Park ) consider solutions like those
implemented at Hurricane Ridge, which includes parking and transportation management.
• She mentioned that ONP is monitoring Mount Rainier's timed entry pilot program as a possible
solution for managing visitor numbers.
• Amy emphasized the need to promote less crowded, yet equally beautiful, alternative hiking
destinations on the peninsula to help reduce congestion at popular spots.
Gateway Visitor Information Center (VIC) – Steve reported:
• The Gateway was temporarily closed during WSDOT’s SR19-104 roundabout construction,
leading to VIC staff furloughs, but it has since reopened and was very busy over the 4th of July.
• The historic Thresher artifact was moved to the Jefferson County Research Lab, facilitated by
the Jefferson County Historic Society.
• The area where the Thresher was located has been graded, and plans are in place to install
picnic tables in its place.
• The visitor information signs from the Port Townsend Chamber's Information Center are being
mounted at the new location.
• Overall, operations are going well.
State of Washington Tourism - Marsha reported on the State of Washington Tourism doing a lot of
really good communication around responsible travel, getting out and seeing various aspects of
the state. They are also gearing up to start their own advertising in the fall, as well opening
registration for the State Tourism Conference, October 7-9 in Vancouver, WA.
Port Ludlow - Diana Smeland provided updates on the Port Ludlow area, focusing on occupancy
rates and upcoming events. Key points included:
• Occupancy & Performance:
o Room occupancy is generally available Sunday through Thursday.
o Weekends are mostly booked.
o Year-to-date room nights and average daily rate (ADR) are slightly behind
expectations.
• Events:
o Land Fest: Will be held in the marina tent on July 11th.
o Cruising Event: On July 24-25, featuring 100 boats traveling 100 nautical miles from
Olympia to Port Townsend, with many stopping at Port Ludlow.
AREA UPDATES
(Cont.)
o Pacific Northwest Small Boat Festival: Scheduled for July 26th, showcasing 75 small
boats in the water and 25-30 on land.
o Weddings: A 130-person wedding this weekend and another at the end of the month.
o Concerts: Free concerts on July 27th at the Village Center and August 4th on the lawn
near the Conference Center.
• Community Activities:
o Planning pre-events for October’s Apple Cider Festival, including apple dessert and
cocktail exhibitions.
• Traffic & Tourism:
o Positive and negative feedback on temporary Burma-shave style signs related to
ongoing road work; signs will be removed after project completion.
o Increased traffic due to roadwork is expected to boost visitor numbers.
o Efforts to promote the community and its amenities to travelers.
Dining:
o Four operating restaurants: The Fireside, a Mexican restaurant, a new Pizza Place
(opened 60 days ago), and J.R.'s Sand Trap at the golf course.
o A fifth restaurant (hamburger place) is coming soon.
Additional Opportunity for Public Comment - no public comments received.
Adjournment – Diana adjourned TCC meeting at 3:16 PM
Next called meeting of TCC is Tuesday August 13, 2024 – 2:00 PM scheduled as a hybrid – in-
person from Port Ludlow and/or via Zoom access.
Respectively Submitted – Steve Shively
AREA UPDATES
(Cont.)
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
ADJORN
NEXT MEETING