Transient Lodging Tax Committee Minutes
July 25, 2019
Baker County Courthouse
Meeting called to order @ 9:00 am
Members Present: Kathy Reedy, Loran Joseph, Karen Owen, Lea Gettle, and Tori Brown
Guest Present: Timothy Bishop, Shelly Cutler, Fred Warner, Mike Rudi, Garrett Groth, Buell Gonzales, Jr. Shelly Christensen, and Bill Harvey
Approve Minutes:
Meeting minutes from June 20, 2019 were reviewed. Loran moved that the minutes be approved and Karen seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Approve Agenda:
Change to the agenda to eliminate by laws, this will be moved to the next meetings’ agenda. Loran moved that the agenda be approved with change. Karen seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Grant Request: East-West Shrine Football Game – Mike Rudi
This event will take place on Saturday, August 3rd in Bulldog Memorial Stadium. They are requesting $7,500 to be used for television advertising. Loran moved to grant the requested $7,500 and Tori seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Marketing Update: Timothy
Visitor numbers are good for the summer but a still a little down from prior year. Events going on this weekend are Chalk it up to Art, Elkhorn Archers, a concert at the Sumpter Dredge with train ride, and Jim Belushi will perform a concert to benefit Huntington business due to fire loss on Saturday. July was a busy month with lots of activities.
Explore Oregon was here, they were able to film throughout the entire county including Baker City, Haines, Anthony Lakes, Sumpter, Halfway, Cornucopia and Hells Canyon. Timothy listed links in his marketing report to view the footage.
AmericArt209 documentary will be filming in Baker City September 7 & 8. They are hoping to conduct 3-5 interviews with local artists Terri Azness, Whit Deschner, and Tyler Fouts.
Pink Bike Magazine is scheduled to be in our area August 18-24 the time will be split with 8/21 & 8/22 in Union Co then 8/23 & 8/24 in Baker County. Travel Oregon is also working on a mountain bike campaign which will utilize some of the video and photos from this project.
Visitors Services Update: Shelly Cutler
Registration for Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally was up 40% this year. Shelly will continue to work closely in organizing this event next year.
Jubilee was a big success with 75 vendors in the park. Next year they hope to have Grove and Madison streets available for vendors. The Chamber has already put out a pole on results of the Jubilee. Video footage focused the Jubilee as a family event. Parade entries were down but those asked felt it was long enough and happy it was kid focused. Shelly will work with Lynette Perry to make changes to music in the park next year. There was discussion about vendor fees commercial vendors vs artisan and crafts.
Visitor Center is seeing 25-30 visitors a day. People are calling for fall activities and relocate packages (6 per week).
Shelly Christensen reported that the requested extension of the Professional Services Agreement with BCU was approved and signed by the Commissioners. A copy of the extension is in Committee binders.
By Laws: Lea
Postponed to next month
Financial Reports:
Shelly Christensen indicated that the financial reports are updated but not all houses have reported/paid for second quarter.
Lea asked for an update on the audit. Bill indicated that requested information from a lodging establishment is not being provided to the auditor. Once more information is received then a plan of action can be considered.
Citizen’s Participation:
None
Strategic Planning Update:
Timothy shared two logos for Travel Baker County that he and Tori have been working to design with Kevin Bradford. The Committee chose the basic design with the elimination of the underline beneath Baker for a cleaner more centered look. This logo will serve as a “placeholder” at this time. They have been working on a creative brief; what are target is, what are background is, what our objective is, what our current problems are. The complete rebranding target date is January.
EDC Update:
Shelly Cutler indicated that the Chamber will be completing economic impact studies on events and will share that information with EDC.
Bill Harvey acting EDC Director indicated that they are struggling to get the EDC phone and email transferred. Once the phones are transferred we have a list of contacts to refer callers. Eventually Bill would like to see an individual hired to be “on the ground” on Main street. That person would gather information, collaborate and network with all entities.
The next EDC meeting will be August 13th @ 3 pm. in Commission Chambers.
Committee Membership:
Tori Thatcher’s term expires 8/1/19. She has expressed a desire to continue to serve another term. Loran moved that she be re-appointed to serve another term, Kathy seconded the motion, motion carried.
There were two applicants for the vacancy on the Committee, Buell Gonzales, Jr. and Garrett Groth. Both applicants were present and introduced themselves and gave the committee a brief background. Loran recommended Buel Gonzales, Jr. for the vacant position, Tori seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Tori and Buell will be recommended to the Commissioners to serve on the Committee.
Staff Comments:
Bill Harvey: Bill expressed his frustration with a lodging establishment that has changed their operating hours for the restaurant to serve dinner only and is no longer accepting reservations under a three-night stay. There was discussion of “headhunting” a hotel.
Committee Comments:
Loran announced Sweet Wife Bakery will be relocating to Main Street. Lea relayed that OTEC has nearly completed their summer session of virtual reality. Tori indicated that Barley’s has been busy and the 12 vacation rentals that she manages have been busier this year than in the past.
Next Meeting:
August 22, 2019 @ 9:00 am
Meeting adjourned at 10:15
Respectfully Submitted:
Shelly Christensen