Transient Lodging Tax Committee Minutes
November 21, 2023
Baker County Commission Chambers
Tyler called the meeting to order at 9:03 am.
Members Present: Tyler Brown, Brian Vegter, Mandy Clark, Alysia Bowers, and Matthew Koppenhaver
Guests Present: Bryan Tweit, Jessica Hobson, Sara Artley, Doni Bruland, Ariel Reker, and Shelly Christensen
Approve Agenda: Mandy moved to approve the agenda. Matthew seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Approve Minutes: Meeting minutes from October 19th were reviewed. Mandy moved to approve the minutes. Matthew seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Grant Presentations
Chautauqua Music Festival – Sara Artley
Sara reported the event had a 50% increase in attendance over last years’ event. Demographics of the event were 85% of attendees being local and 15% from the Tri-Cities and Treasure Valley Areas. Because most attendees are locals there was not a huge impact on lodging, but they see numbers increasing every year. The net profit from the event was $8,000. Next year the event will be held May 17th and 18th and the organizers have decided to reduce ticket costs. To improve next years’ event, they are working to increase camping availability and to solicit larger sponsors/donors.
Music Marketing Baker Art Guild – Brian Vegter
Brian reported he was disappointed with the results of the radio marketing package purchased from KRBX in Boise. There was no change in attendance and ticket sales were mostly to Baker County residents. He reported that hiring Eventbrite to boost events on social media was a positive change from direct social media marketing. Jessica suggested print advertising in Boise Weekly and posters displayed in the Boise area.
Blue Mountain Bigfoot Festival – Hannah Violette
Hannah provided the Committee with a written report. Net profit from the event was $81. Jessica indicated she has met with event planners for next year. Next years’ event will be a two-day event, June 22nd & 23rd, which is in conjunction with the Baker City Cycling Classic.
Taste of Baker – Ariel Reker
Ariel reported there were 500 more attendees to this years’ event, making an estimated 2,500 attendees. This information was based on 29,000 token sales. Demographics show the majority of attendees came from Baker, Union and Grant Counties. Impact on lodging results were approximately 50 stays. Net profit from the event was $8,123.06 which is attributed to the twenty-five-cent surcharge. Next year they plan to offer online token sales, add more token sale locations, more tables & chairs, work with alcohol vendors and provide additional entertainment.
Grant Request
Twinkle in Time – Ariel Reker
This event will be held December 1st – 3rd. The event will include the 4H Holiday Bazaar, Shop Hop, Cookie Crawl, Twilight Parade, the Festival of Trees Gala and Family Fun Day. Twenty-five thousand dollars raised from the Festival of Trees event will fund BCD’s grant program. Each grant recipient will be required to provide some type of activity during Family Fun Day. Baker City Downtown is requesting $4,999 to purchase cookie boxes & stickers, a marketing package from Elkhorn Media Group, advertising in the Hells Canyon Journal, artificial and live trees and printing materials for advertising and guiding event participants. Matthew expressed his concern that the Festival of Trees history has been a local event and has not attracted visitors. Ariel indicated at this time 20 tickets to the event have been sold to people from out of town and the event is not just for Festival of Trees but for a full weekend of events. Brian moved to award Baker City Downtown the requested $4,999. Mandy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Abatement of Penalty Request – Doni Bruland
Doni Bruland requested an abatement of penalty in the amount of $446.32 for the late filing of the second quarter lodging tax report (April-June) which was paid on September 19th. Doni was busy relocating her office from Richland to Baker City during that time as well as completing a water report for the State of Oregon. Mandy moved to abate the penalty in the amount of $446.32. Matthew seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Tourism Marketing Update – Jessica Hobson
Jessica presented her November report, which included Facebook likes, social media posts, upcoming events and meetings that she has attended. There was some discussion around how to deal with inappropriate Facebook comments on the Travel Baker County Facebook page. Jessica has been working with Crossroads’ Gary Ernest Smith show and NHOTIC to develop itineraries for the reopening. She recently attended a Travel Oregon Tourism Learning Lab that provided great networking and taught a Three/Three/Sleep travel planning guideline. Jessica submitted her application to OTLA (Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy). She will be notified in January if her application is approved. There was some discussion about the Eastern Oregon Visitors Guide and the Baker County Visitors Guide. Tyler suggested this item be added to the December agenda.
Visitor Services Update – Devon Colton
Devon provided her October 2023 report and financial reports to Committee members, which included visitor data, visitor demographics and the top three visitor staff projects for the month. Number of residents visiting the Center was up while all other visitor traffic was down for the month of October. The Chamber/Visitor Center was awarded an $85,000 grant for ADA improvements.
The Visitor Services Contract expires 12/31/23. Shelly has made date changes to the last Request for Proposal and passed it on to Heidi Martin and Baker County Counsel, Kim Mosier for review. Shelly recommended a contract term change from two years to five years. Once the RFP has been reviewed Shelly will schedule a Special Meeting of the TLTC to review the RFP and recommend the Baker County Board of Commissioners approve the RFP.
Community Partners Update
Baker County Economic Development – Bryan Tweit
Bryan reported progress on contracts for Baker City to host the Oregon Mayor’s Association in 2025. Dates have not been finalized. Downtown carriage rides are available to the public, money is collected by the Geiser. The Geiser is working to offer more tours to the public. The EDC grant structuring guidelines are waiting for the Board of Commissioners approval. Bryan again encouraged the Committee to direct grant requests that don’t fit TLTC’s guidelines to EDC.
Baker City Downtown – Ariel Reker reported on the completion of the Orpheum Theatre temporary mural, September & November’s wine walk results, preliminary plans for the Court Street Plaza and Taste of Baker. BCD is working on restructuring Boards and Committees. Ariel shared on December 12th BCD will make an announcement of good news, on a national scale. She updated the Committee on the status of permitting approval for the Pythian Castle.
Crossroads Art Center – Ginger Savage submitted her November Towards Home update.
Financial Reports: Shelly Christensen
Shelly provided the Committee with financial reports for the current fiscal year to date.
Citizen Participation:
None
Staff Comments:
Shelly will have the Commissioners Office reach out to the City Manager to have the City Council appoint a representative to the TLTC.
Committee Comments:
Matthew reported fuel prices are starting to come down.
Brian shared that although the Haunted Studio was open fewer days with fewer hours, they saw an increase in revenue. He reviewed results of concerts held at Churchill and fundraisers for KBZR.
Tyler shared that while on their vacation to Mexico they saw several ag tourism opportunities that could work for our area.
Mandy has been working with organizers to put together a buckaroo trade show/fall festival in Haines.
Next Meeting:
December 21st, 2023 @ 9:00 am
Meeting adjourned at 11:12 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted: Shelly Christensen