Transient Lodging Tax Committee Minutes
November 17, 2022
Baker County Courthouse – Commission Chambers
Tyler called the meeting to order at 9:06 am.
Members Present: Tyler Brown, Mandy Clark, Buell Gonzales, Alysia Bowers and Sheryl Brandt.
Guests Present: Ginger Savage, Matthew Koppenhaver, Bryan Tweit, Jessica Hobson, Becky Kaaen, Jeff Higgins and Shelly Christensen
Approve Agenda: Twila Lawery from the Ison House was not able to make her grant presentation, this agenda items was moved to December. Mandy moved to approve the agenda with changes. Buell seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Approve Minutes: Meeting minutes from October 20th were reviewed. Mandy moved to approve the minutes as presented. Buell seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Grant Requests: None
Grant Presentation:
East-West Shrine Football Game – Jeff Higgins
Jeff reported there were approximately 1,175 attendees to the game based on ticket sales. Net revenue from the game totaled $40,158.64. $40,000 will be donated to the Shrine Hospital for Children. The TLT grant funds received were used to help pay for the livestream of the game. The game is available to view for a full year and they have received positive feedback. The livestream featured the Baker County promotional material provided by TLT. As of November 9th views totaled 6,399. Impact on lodging by Shriners & their families along with Cheerleaders and other participants was 260 hotel/motel nights and 150 nights at RV sites. Families & friends along with participants were estimated at an additional 200 motel/RV site nights. Future plans for the event include extending the event to four days and improve presale of content for livestreaming. The 2023 game will be held a week earlier than prior games. July 29, 2023, in order to work around college practice schedules. There is an anticipated 10% increase in the livestreaming costs. Jeff indicated the Shrine Club may request additional funding in their grant request for next year. He also encouraged community members to get involved with hosting this event. The Shrine Club doesn’t have many members and this is an overwhelming event for the few members they have. Specifically they need a parade coordinator/announcer. Buell indicated he would be interested in taking on the role of game management. Jeff will be reaching out to community members and businesses in January to gather for a meeting to plan next years’ event. Bryan Tweit indicated this event brings more than 2 million dollars to our community and is part of Baker County’s identity. This event is too valuable to lose. He asked Jeff for membership materials so he could post and boost. Committee members shared with Jeff suggestions of organizations to reach out to for next years’ event.
Visitor Services Update
There was no visitors’ services update. Tyler indicated he and Jessica were on the interview panel and an offer has been made to an applicant for Chamber/Visitor Services Director.
EDC Update: Bryan Tweit
Bryan reported that Baker County businesses are doing well. The new thrift store on Main Street is doing great. The event center land sale is getting ready to finalize. The feasibility study is nearly complete and they are working on road access. Layout and design will be the next step. Baker County is still experiencing housing issues. Housing prices have dropped and are more close to reasonable. The new Marverik station will make access to sewer and water services more accessible to other businesses looking at that location. Bryan provided history of the Hughes Lane project/Event Center to the new TLTC members, Alysia and Sheryl.
Hells Canyon Update: Becky Kaaen
Becky provided members with a copy of the last three issues of the Hells Canyon Journal. She pointed out the Veteran’s Day event pictures, the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is hiring of a new curator, and a documentary on Cornucopia. Nora Aspy was elected Mayor of Halfway as a result of the recent election. Becky shared Pine Eagle School District has purchased several houses in order to provide housing for teachers. As Becky was traveling, she noticed how desperately a westbound freeway sign coming into Baker City needs to be replaced. She commended Alysia on her improvements made to Bridge Street Inn.
Tourism Marketing: Jessica Hobson
Jessica reported results from boosting Churchill Haunted Studios and the Ison House Escape last month. Travel Baker County’s Facebook page has received 14,026 likes to date. Upcoming events that Jessica will boost for the month of November include shopping local and lots of holiday events happening in Baker County. She is boosting to the Boise and Tri Cities areas.
Jessica met with Lisa at Baker City Herald to share her ideas for the 2023 Baker City Visitor Guide, which include a thicker front cover and adding more pages to the guide. Jessica also met with Susan Crow at Oregon Media to discuss the EOVA Visitors Guide. The Committee will need to decide what kind of buy-downs they want to offer for the 2023 guide.
Jessica is working with Brian Cimmiyotti of Baker City Cycling Classic, and Scott the Union County Chamber Director about developing the Gravel Roads Guide. She is hoping to add a cycling insert to the Baker City Visitors Guide and possibly doing a separate guide with Union and Wallowa Counties. Sheryl suggested Jessica contact the transatlantic bicycle organization and share the guide with them. Jessica will work with Brian Cimmiyotti to make contact with that organization.
Mandy shared their witches weekend went good but was smaller than in the past. There were approximately 1,500 trick or treaters downtown.
Financial Reports: Shelly Christensen
Shelly presented financial reports to the Committee. The third quarter reports were due the end of October and third quarter revenue for August and September is higher than any other year in comparison. Shelly met via Zoom with Granicus Host, which is a company that sells computer software to aid in lodging tax collection. The software can be purchased in levels, the basic level subscription for address location cost is $6,903 per year and the complete system cost would be $17,321 per year. The Company indicated 94% of Baker County’s vacation rentals were hosted by Airbnb and VRBO. These two intermediaries currently collect, report and pay lodging taxes to Baker County. Shelly suggested Committee members and staff work together to locate any vacation rentals that are not currently registered with the County. There was also discussion around requiring a permit or license to operate a vacation rental in Baker County and whether or not Baker County is in need of a moratorium on vacation rentals. Tyler said the TLT Committee could support an order to be brought before the Commissioners but that this is not an issue that the Committee should spearhead.
Citizen Participation:
Ginger Savage shared a press release on an exhibit coming to Crossroads May – July of 2024. The featured artist is Gary Ernest Smith who is a Baker City native and this will be his final exhibit. This is a once in a lifetime exhibit for Crossroads to host and she will need a lot of help from the TLTC in order to market this event.
2023 also marks the 60th anniversary for Crossroads as the oldest continuously operating Art Center east of the Cascades in Oregon.
In August of 2024, the Center will be hosting a National Geographic exhibit titled “The Unchosen”. This exhibit consists of pictures taken of kids at County Fairs whose animals were not chosen to receive awards.
Ginger also indicated the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center’s grand reopening is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, 2024.
Matthew Koopenhaven shared they have seen a steady stream of travelers and gas prices in Baker City are cheaper than in La Grande. There was some discussion around freeway closures and the ODOT stage closures.
Bryan indicated that when gas tax revenue drops so does County road funding. We don’t want travelers to fuel up in Idaho rather than in Oregon because of cheaper fuel prices.
Staff Comments: None
Committee Comments:
Mandy indicating the Geiser is experiencing a typical November. They are considering bringing back pasta night and Pasta with a Purpose, which is a program that benefits non-profit organizations.
Tyler reported November and April are their slow months but has seen less consistency since the pandemic.
Buell reported winter sports are starting to pick up. The Sunridge has regained their Best Western affiliation. This will be a benefit for sporting activities because schools are particular about where students can stay. They had a really successful youth soccer season. Buell will be sending out email blasts to businesses when basketball teams will be staying in the area. There will be a 12 local team tournament after Christmas, which will bring an uptick in food services but not so much lodging. Tyler suggest Buell contact the Chamber for an email list of businesses.
Alysia shared that she has been operating Bridge Street Inn for the past seven years.
Sheryl shared that she operates a RV park in the Sumpter area and is a member of the Sumpter City Council.
Next Meeting:
December 15, 2022 @ 9:00
Meeting adjourned at 11:12
Respectfully Submitted: Shelly Christensen