Transient Lodging Tax Committee Minutes
June 15, 2023
Baker County Commission Chambers
Brian began the meeting at 9:02 am.
Members Present: Brian Vegter, Mandy Clark, and Sheryl Brandt.
Guests Present: Twila Lavery, Devon Colton, Bryan Tweit, Jessica Hobson, Ariel Reker, Becky Kaaen, Bill Shields, Mike Raney, Jeff Higgins, Melody Huff, Matthew Koppenhaver and Shelly Christensen
Approve Agenda: due to lack of quorum, this item will be moved to the next meeting.
Approve Minutes: due to lack of quorum, this item will be moved to the next meeting.
Grant Requests:
Blue Mountain Bigfoot Festival/Squatch America – Twila Lavery
Blue Mountain Bigfoot Festival is requesting $4,000 for their event, to be held August 11th and 12th. Grant funds will be used to pay for talent, advertising and permits. Twila indicated this event was last held in 2019. This years’ event will include lots of vendors, three key speakers, dinner at Baker Elk Club, a 5k run, calling contest, beauty pageant, and music. Jessica indicated she met with Twila; the Baker County Marketing Budget will run 3-4 ads in Go Magazine, print flyers & posters and do a really good push on social media for the event. Brian referred to the budget and how grant funds are to be used. Twila indicated funds would be used to pay the guest speakers and music talent. Jessica pointed out the application form indicates funds can be used for permits which is listed on the budget as “park rental”. BHS class of 2024 will be contacted to help with set up and clean up. The market focus is to squatch specific community/followers. After some discussion, the Committee agreed to recommend awarding $2,500. Due to lack of quorum, this item will be moved to the next meeting.
Baker County Fair & Rodeo – Melody Huff
Baker County Fair & Rodeo is requesting $4,000 for their event, to be held September 2nd – 4th. Grant funds will be used for rodeo programs, premium books, entertainment, porta potties/hand washing stations, and banner advertising. Brian asked what other grant funds they have received, Melody indicated they have received a Leo Adler Grant and other private donations. Jessica shared she met with Melody and the Baker County Marketing Budget will provide funds for radio advertising, and a push in Go Magazine. Mandy explained to Melody the Committee’s goal in weaning events off of TLT grant funding and the event being self-sufficient. She also asked about the big jump in the grant request amount. Becky Kaaen indicated the jump was primarily due to the increased cost of printing the programs she also pointed out the grant request last year was $6,000. Melody indicated the programs will be sold at the rodeo and by the end of next week their website should be updated. Mandy recommended funding the full $4,000 request for this year but stated there would not likely be full funding in the future. After some discussion, the Committee agreed to recommend awarding $4,000. Due to lack of quorum, this item will be moved to the next meeting.
Grant Presentation:
Huntington Lions Catfish Derby – Mike Raney
Mike thanked the Committee for their support and reported 178 registrations for the Derby, which was down from the prior year, mainly due to weather. The revenue received this year was $12,272, less $6,144 in expenses for a net profit of $6,128. With additional merchandise and ad sales, the event raised $6,600 for the Lions Club. The winning catfish weighed in at 32 pounds. All in all, the event was successful, they are planning to hold the event next year and will be back to request a grant for $1,000.
City of Halfway Lions Club Crab Feed – Bill Shields
Bill provided the Committee with pictures of the event and the actual budget numbers. The event income totaled $55,635 less expenses of $30,634 for a net profit of $25,001. They sold 800 tickets, 150 of those tickets were sold online. Bill indicated the price of crab was less than what he anticipated. The net profit will be used for upkeep and insurance on the Lions Hall. Because of this successful fundraiser, proceeds from all the other fundraisers for the year will be donated to other organizations, such as, the fire department & EMT’s. Bill indicated they would be happy to return the unused portion ($853) of the TLT grant from their advertising budget or they can use those funds to develop a database on ticket sales and advertising for next years’ event. Mandy recommended they use those funds to create the database in order for the event to be self-sufficient. Next years’ ticket price will be $60. Bill thanked Jessica for her help with social media advertising and added this years’ event was the smoothest so far. Brian asked about capacity of the building, Bill responded they are able to serve 900 people.
Tourism Marketing Update – Jessica Hobson
Jessica briefly discussed her social media marketing efforts for the month of June 2023. She has boosted That Oregon Life (article), Baker City Cycling Classic, Huckleberry Mtn Invitational, Ski Chair reel installation, Sumpter Flea Market, Haines 4th of July/rodeo, Garden Tour, Churchill Concerts, PineFest, Motorcycle Rally, Miners Jubilee, Broncs & Bulls and the East West Shrine Game. June Go Magazine ads were for Oregon Trail Days and Huckleberry Mountain Invitational. Jessica attended Chautauqua Music Festival, Cheese Fairy Anniversary, Sumpter Flea Market, Barley Brown’s Anniversary and Oregon Trail Days. The Ski Chair has been installed at the Chamber/Visitor Center along with a banner to encourage photos. Jessica is working on clings with QR Codes for businesses. She attended a work session for Baker City’s 150th birthday and also met with Guy Glaeser, Director of Visit Walla Walla, they are working together on a project to create an itinerary for travelers flying into Boise to get them to travel to Baker and Walla Walla. The billboard is up on Highway 7, on the South side of town, and looks amazing.
Visitor Services Update – Devon Colton
Devon went over her May monthly report. Visitors using the car chargers were up over 100 from the past month. Ten visitor/relocation packets were mailed in May. Devon reported the Center had a busy month. Visitors requesting or accepting information was up to 201 from 60 in April. The Chamber has had an increase in traffic due to Miners Jubilee travelers, and selling Bronc & Bull gate tickets. Jubilee organizing included working on deals for button purchases & raffle and park vendors. Work continues on the design of three new t-shirts along with the t-shirt contest winner design and gift shop contracts with a 40% commission rate. They are collecting bids to update the information kiosk. Devon also attended a three-day Destination Bootcamp hosted by Travel Oregon where they collaborated on industry topics. Devon’s report listed collaborative partnerships she is working to foster. The Committee received a fiscal year-to-date Profit & Loss Budget Overview report.
Baker City Downtown: Ariel Reker
Ariel reported there is a lot going on downtown. The May wine walk sponsored by BCD had 95 participants. Taste of Baker will be seeking grant funding from the TLT Committee. Ariel shared she has not been able to publicly announce her office location at the Baker City Hall because a contract has not yet been signed. She announced BCD was awarded a $200,000 Oregon Main Street Revitalization grant and the demolition and construction project will start July 1st. The Court Street Plaza project plans will be finalized by June 30th. Once these plans are finalized, funding can be sought. This is a substantial project at $1.2 to $1.6 million. She offered to show Committee members the preliminary plans. Ariel met with Catie Boucher, who is the Cultural and Heritage Coordinator with EOVA and did a tour of downtown and the Ah Hee diggings. They discussed creating some tourism itineraries to connect the East and West sides of the State relating to Chinese experiences in Oregon. There has been a lot of discussion around the Odd Fellows Building demolition and construction of a convenience store on Main Street. The HDDRC has approved the demolition with two contingencies and two recommendations; the first contingency being a progress update within one year and the second, within two years they file the second phase of the design. At that time, public input will be sought. Jackson’s, the owners, stated are committed to match the convenience store to the aesthetics of downtown. The two recommendations made were, to hire a historic/salvage specialist to safely go through the structure and salvage or document items.
EDC Update: Bryan Tweit
Bryan reported his excitement in being part of all the positive things going on in Baker City. He suggested offering lift tickets as a prize for posting Ski Chair pictures and a directional mileage signpost at the Baker Chamber near the ski chair as an additional photo opportunity for travelers. Sheryl Brandt offered to help Devon if she is interested in installing a directional signpost. Bryan indicated things are moving forward on the event facility, the feasibility study is done and they are moving to design. There are two capital-funding requests for the project, the first went through the committee with 100% approval and two caveats The second went through with most approval but now are hung up waiting for them to get back together for a vote. They are both in place to move forward, which makes them a year and a half ahead of original plan. Baker County currently has an average of 125 people receiving unemployment benefits, which is the highest since the pandemic. Baker County has 263 jobs openings, a lot are higher skilled positions. Bryan updated the Committee on housing developments and Mayor Conference planning. During a meeting with ODOT, they were told that when businesses come in alongside the freeway it increases revenue to the whole town. Once off the freeway travelers will explore further, which is why wayfinding is so important.
Hells Canyon Update: Becky Kaaen
Becky thanked Brian for Churchill hosting the PineFest fundraiser and expressed her appreciation of Jessica, Devon and Ariel. Becky reported that Ariel recently attended a Halfway Main Street meeting. A copy of the Hells Canyon Journal was provided to the Committee and Becky pointed out the article on the Halfway State track stars. The 6th Annual Fly-In at Halfway and Eagle Valley Days are taking place this weekend. Becky reported there were at least 53 cars at the recent Pine Valley Fair Associations’ annual car & quilt show. Some proceeds from the Rocky Mountain Oyster feed, to be held July 22nd, will be used to develop a scholarship for training firefighters and EMTs in the Eagle Valley and Pine Valley ambulances.
Financial Reports: Shelly Christensen
Shelly reported second quarter lodging tax reports are due in July. Not much change in financials for the month of May.
Work Session Items
Update status on draft of Blockbuster Event Application and Criteria – Tyler & Beverly
Review recommended changes to draft Bylaws and Strategic Plan
Due to lack of quorum, these items will be moved to the next meeting.
Citizen Participation:
Matthew shared the coordination article in the Baker City Herald between Crossroads and NOTEC was posted by a CBS affiliate out of Boise and fuel prices are cheaper in Baker City than in La Grande. They saw a lot of travelers over the Memorial Day weekend. He visited Sumpter and reported there were 966 riders on the Sumpter Valley Railroad and more traffic than he has seen in Sumpter for a long time. He provided the Committee with the 2023 SVRR season schedule.
Staff Comments:
Shelly directed the Committee to the Dean Runyon report, which Tyler provided via email. By direction of the Committee, Shelly contacted two applicants who applied to fill the last TLTC vacancy. Both expressed interest in applying for the current vacancy. Shelly will add this as an agenda item to the next meeting. Eighty-seven event survey letters will be mailed to lodging establishments today. The amendment to the IGA with the City of Halfway has been drafted and will be sent to County Counsel for review, and then the Commissioners will be informed of a potential change. After that, the IGA will be brought back to the TLTC for approval to recommend changes to the Commissioners at regular session. Bryan shared Baker City Council’s discussion to create a business registration process of vacation rentals. Shelly will reach out to the City to educate City staff on current registration process.
Committee Comments:
Sheryl reported the Sumpter Volunteer Committee has been working on updating the Cracker Creek Museum. There are very old blacksmith tools that will be sorted, cleaned and some duplicates sold. There is a monigan that is going to be restored which is the only one in the United States. This project will be very expensive, grants are available and there is a Go Fund Me page set up for restoration. Ariel asked about ownership of the blacksmith tools and volunteered to meet with the Sumpter Volunteer Committee regarding ethics in the sale of museum collections.
Mandy shared that an editor from Ag Mag contacted her. They are doing articles on rural small towns, relating to changes made to bring themselves back up. A writer is going to call Mandy next week so if you have information relating to ag tourism to share, please contact Mandy. She reported on the excavation progress for the Geiser’s new parking lot and said there will be two or more public charging stations.
Brian shared upcoming concerts at Churchill. Broadcast Baker signed a grant agreement with Rural Organizing Projects for $30,000 to cover startup costs for KBZR. Equipment purchases will start next week and if all goes well with tower construction the station should be on the air this fall. A fundraising event will be held on November 11th with the band AM and there will be a Taylor Swift autographed item auctioned. Yvonne Pepin-Wakefield did an article in a golf trade magazine that heavily featured Quail Ridge Golf Course.
Brian indicated grant requests that were presented at this meeting would be voted on at the regular July meeting.
Next Meeting:
July 20, 2023 @ 9:00 am
Respectfully Submitted: Shelly Christensen