Transient Lodging Tax Committee Minutes
January 19, 2023
Baker County Chamber of Commerce
Tyler called the meeting to order at 9:04 am.
Members Present: Tyler Brown, Buell Gonzales, Sheryl Brandt, Alysia Bowers and Brian Vegter.
Guests Present: Matthew Koppenhaver, Bryan Tweit, Jessica Hobson, Devon Colton, Becky Kaaen, Bill Shields, Kathy Taylor, Jerry Peacock Kelly Martin, and Shelly Christensen
Approve Agenda: Brian moved to approve the agenda as presented. Buell seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Approve Minutes: Meeting minutes from December 15, 2022 were reviewed. Buell moved to approve the minutes as presented. Brian seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Grant Requests:
District and State 1A Basketball Tournaments – Jerry Peacock
Baker County Tournaments are requesting a $5,000 grant to offset the cost of tournament expenses not covered by the OSAA and $5,000 to cover the cost of the hospitality room for both tournaments. This is the 49th year Baker City has hosted the District Tournaments and the 50th year Baker City has hosted the State 1A Tournament. This event brings guests for 3 – 4 night stays and is an important boost to our shoulder season. Jerry reported a new four-year contract has been signed with OSAA for Baker City to host this annual event. Buell moved to approve the requested $5,000 each for tournament expenses and the hospitality room. Brian seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Halfway Lions Annual Crab Feed – Bill Shields
The Halfway Lions Club is requesting $5,000 to be used in printing and distribution of tickets, posters, newspaper publicity, social media boosting, radio ads and training and licensing of food and beer handlers and servers. This is the 55th anniversary of the Halfway Crab Feed. The event is recovering from the Covid pandemic. The event was cancelled in 2020 and had only 600 tickets sold in 2021. Attendees normally stay in the area one to two nights. Bill indicated they will be marketing the event on their Facebook page and their website along with newspaper and radio ads in the Boise and Baker County areas. The event is traditionally held on the second weekend of March, which, this year is March 11th. Buell moved to approve the requested $5,000. Brian seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Music Marketing Baker Art Guild – Brian Vegter
Brian Vegter recused himself from voting on this request as he is representing the request.
The Baker Art Guild along with the organizers of the Chautauqua Music Festival, Churchill School Concerts, Ison House Summer Concerts, and Pine Fest/Cornucopia Arts Council are requesting $3,000 to be used to market multiple music events in Baker County. Grant funding will be used exclusively to purchase “underwriting” spots on Radio Boise KRBX. Advertising cost is $580 per month for 50 messages, $3,000 will provide marketing for seven months. Baker County Marketing Director, Jessica Hobson will be utilized to advertise the events in Baker County. Brian suggested steering event organizers to Event Bright for online ticket sales. Unfortunately Brown Paper Tickets has experience some financial problems. Jessica agreed to learn and teach organizers how to use Event Bright. Buell moved to approve the requested $3,000. Sheryl seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Grant Presentation:
Oregon Junior High Rodeo – Kelly Martin
Kelly reported the rodeo event held on October 8th and 9th brought 91 contestants. They held a Jackpot Team Roping where students paired up with adults. They had 157 teams for this competition. Kelly said the Haines rodeo grounds was a great place for the even. They also had a food truck on site.
Baker County Fair & Rodeo – Melody Huff
Melody reported they saw 3,000 attendees to the event, which was held September 3rd – 5th. She shared a copy of the event program with committee members. Programs were published by Aspen Digital. The event resulted in a net profit of approximately $600. Becky Kaaen questioned the use of out-of-the-area publishing companies.
Visitor Services Update – Devon Colton
Devon presented the December Visitors Center report; 46 travelers passing through, 0 seeking lodging, 42 County residents visited the Center, 34 requesting County information, 125 Vehicle at the charging center, 5 visitor packets were mailed, one relocation packets was mailed, and the Center received 9 visitor phone calls. Devon provided the Committee with a copy of a profit & loss detail report. She is seeking more local merchandise for the gift shop. Tyler verified Center staff is making contact with restroom users to gather data and offer information. Devon is meeting with hotel managers and gathering information. There was discussion around visitors at the charging station and offering downtown transportation and possibly bike rentals. Devon is planning updates to the kiosk. Plans for the Chamber Banquet were discussed. So far 162 tickets have been sold.
EDC Update: Bryan Tweit
Bryan updated the committee on the status of the two new gas stations/truck stops near the freeway. There was discussion about a NEODD grant-funding program for businesses. Funding will be available in April. One requirement for the grant is applicants must attend classes with Launch Pad. Bryan indicated the timeline for the Event Center is approximately three to five years.
Hells Canyon Update: Becky Kaaen
Becky provided a copy of the Hells Canyon Journal for Committee members. She relayed that Halfway is hosting a free emergency management meeting. Melody Huff explained this is to get Halfway area residents to be self-prepared. Becky shared there is work being done to repair the interpretive sign at Hole in the Wall. She also suggested Devon check with Cycle Oregon for grant funding to purchase bikes for the charging station
.
Tourism Marketing: Jessica Hobson
Jessica provided her Travel Baker County January report which lists events she has boosted on social media including; Anthony Lakes 60th Anniversary, Copperbelt Winery, and Winter in Baker County. Buell indicated he is including the QR code that Jessica provided in all the information he sends out. There was discussion on what line items in the budget to reallocate in order to pay for the Baker County Visitors Guide. Jessica suggested moving $5,000 from Wayfinding. She shared with the Committee cost details of producing and distributing the guide. Brian moved to approve the reallocation of $5,000 from Wayfinding to Visitors Guide.
There was discussion around specifying who is eligible to receive ad buy downs for the Visitors Guide. This will be discussed in depth at the work session.
Financial Reports: Shelly Christensen
Shelly reported she is receiving fourth quarter reports, which are due January 31, 2023.
Citizen Participation:
None
Staff Comments:
Shelly will correspond via email with Committee members to schedule a work session date and time.
Committee Comments:
None
Next Meeting:
February 16, 2023 @ 9:00 am
Meeting adjourned at 12:00
Respectfully Submitted: Shelly Christensen