HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-5-13 Tourism Business Improvement District Board MinutesDRAFT Tourism Business Improvement District
Minutes of Meeting November 5, 2013
Chamber of Commerce Building, Bozeman, Montana
Present: Daryl Schliem (Executive Director)
TBID Board
Members: Larry Lambert, Tom Stenzel, Andrew Ash, Tim Kuhlman, Carl Solvie, Benno Garwood, Sandra Hodge
Advisory Members: Melanie Stocks (MSU)
Public: Matt Sease (Super 8), Cinnie
Schwartztrauber (Hampton Inn), Lisa Sabena (Lewis and Clark), Jarek Bukowski (Ranch House), Crissy Harding (Hampton Inn), Doris Fleming (Hampton Inn), Lynn Bendz (Royal 7), Paula Marquardt
(TLC Inn), Ronelle Gibson (Rainbow Motel), Kali Gillette (Flying Horse Communications), Vickie Wyant (My Place)
Meeting was called to order at 12:02
Introductions
Disclosures – Daryl
disclosed he had discussions with several hoteliers regarding the Convention Center. Larry disclosed he had discussions with several hoteliers regarding the Convention Center
Motion
to approve minutes from previous meeting was given by Andrew, seconded by Tom. Approved unanimously
Public Comment – Melanie discussed the upcoming All Class Volleyball Tournament.
They are still looking for volunteers for the event for all 3 days. Anyone interested in volunteering should call Kevin Black at 579-0560.
The Convention Center was discussed. Daryl
gave an update on his findings following discussions with many hoteliers over the past few weeks. He felt the findings of this were that most would like to see several steps taken along
the way, with opportunities to back out and end the process at any of these steps. The proposed steps were outlined in a handout to the board. Part of this would go hand in hand with
a possible increase in TBID assessment – any increase would not necessarily be ear marked for the Convention Center, but rather could possibly assist in pursuing future steps along the
way, such as investigating true costs, etc. There was a lengthy discussion among the board sharing pros and cons to the plan. This was followed by lengthy discussion from the public.
Sandra motioned to move forward with the plan of utilizing the proposed
steps for the Convention Center project. Seconded by Tom. Motion passed by a vote of 6 to 1.
There was a discussion of increasing the TBID assessment. Many felt it was necessary
to increase the current $1 per room night assessment in order to increase useable marketing dollars, as well as staying competitive with other Montana communities. Several communities
are in some stage of increasing their assessment. There was much discussion among the board regarding the pros and cons, as well as the amount of the increase. Larry suggested a plan
in which the TBID assessment be tiered so that higher ADR properties pay a higher assessment, while lower ADR properties would pay a lower assessment. There is also a possibility that
the assessment could be tiered on the basis of property size. Whatever the TBID decides would be a recommendation – any actual increase in TBID assessment would ultimately be decided
by the City Commission. There was discussion among the public. Larry made a motion to recommend changing the assessment to a tiered system in which properties with an ADR of $50 or
less in the previous year would pay $1 per room night for the current year, properties with an ADR of $50.01 - $75 in the previous year would pay $2 per room night for the current year,
and properties with an ADR of $75.01 and higher the previous year would pay $3 per room night for the current year. There was no second on the motion, so the motion died. Andrew made
a motion to recommend increasing the TBID assessment by $1 per room night effective January 1, 2014. Second by Carl. Motion passed by a vote of 66 – 1.
Daryl gave the financial report.
Motion to approve by Sandra, second by Andrew. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion to adjourn by Sandra, second by Andrew. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 1:47 pm