HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCC Special Meeting Minutes 031125JEFFERSON COUNTY TOURISM COORDINATING COUNCIL (TCC)
SPECIAL MEETING – MINUTES
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 | 2:00 p.m.
First Floor Conference Room & Zoom Hybrid Meeting
1. Call to Order & Introductions
• Call to Order: Chair Diana called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
• Quorum: Confirmed.
• Attendees (in person or via Zoom):
o Greg Brotherton (County Commissioner & TCC/LTAC member)
o Diana Smeland (Chair)
o Amy Neil
o Dan Ventura
o Marsha Massey
o Aaron Terada
o Caitlin Friedman
o Andrew Schwartz
o Steve Shively
• Security Note: Due to an earlier “Zoom bombing” incident, new protocols prevented
attendees from unmuting themselves unless granted permission by the host.
2. Public Comment
• No in-person or online public comments were offered.
3. Old Business
• Approval of Past Meeting Minutes (December 10, 2024)
o Reference to prior meeting minutes; no detailed discussion of edits or objections.
o Motion to approve was not clearly documented in the transcript; any final
approval status may need clarification at the next meeting.
4. New Business
A. Individual TCC Interviews – Discussion, Potential Action (Greg Brotherton)
1. Overview
o Commissioner Brotherton conducted interviews with TCC and LTAC members,
including Diana, Marsha, Amy, Dan, Aaron, Tara (LTAC), and others.
o An interview-based report is nearly complete; finalization is pending review by
the Prosecutor’s Office.
2. Key Themes
o Destination Marketing vs. Destination Development
o Seasonality impacts on workforce and housing
o East vs. West Jefferson County tourism investment challenges
o The TCC should have a stronger advisory role with the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) regarding items such as short-term rental legislation.
B. Draft Resolution Re-establishing TCC – Discussion, Potential Action (Greg Brotherton)
1. Purpose
o A resolution to repeal and re-establish the TCC with a broader, more inclusive
structure.
o No strict geographic membership caps; chaired by a County Commissioner.
o Serves as a forum for the tourism industry and County government to share
insights and set priorities, which will inform lodging tax (LTAC) allocations.
2. Comments & Edits
o Members raised questions regarding future bylaws, including membership
parameters, staffing support, and procedural details.
o Recognition that TCC membership should reflect unincorporated Jefferson
County’s lodging tax base, while coordinating with other jurisdictions (e.g., City
of Port Townsend) via ex officio/liaison.
o Additional feedback is requested by mid/late March before submitting to the
BOCC.
C. Bylaws
• Discussion deferred until after the re-establishment resolution is finalized.
• Priority: Develop and/or update bylaws once the TCC structure is approved.
D. Future Agenda Items
1. Short-Term Rental (STR) Legislation
o BOCC hearing scheduled for March 17.
o Members interested in providing input should review the draft code.
o A future TCC letter of recommendation to BOCC may be considered.
2. Gateway Design
o Updates on the Gateway Visitor Center expansion and creation of a transit
hub/parking lot.
o Related water/septic infrastructure planning on adjacent County property.
3. Roundabout Artwork
o Possible art installation/landscaping at Highway 104 roundabout.
o Discussion about long-term funding and maintenance responsibilities.
4. Roundtable Discussion
o West End Access: Ongoing road closures and erosion near the Hoh Road and
South Shore/North Shore roads in Olympic National Park.
o Infrastructure and maintenance concerns regarding future LTAC or County
investments.
5. Adjournment
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 3:15 p.m.
• Next Steps:
1. Finalize the TCC re-establishment resolution.
2. Circulate/review draft bylaws.
3. Track STR legislation and consider TCC input to the BOCC.
Minutes Prepared By: Name/Title
Transcribed in part via Otter.ai and summarized for brevity.
End of Minutes