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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.11.07 LTAC Minutes MINUTES Lodging Tax Advisory Committee 1:30 PM - Monday, November 7, 2022 Conference Room 5 & Microsoft Teams CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 1:40 pm, by Mayor Barajas, Chairperson ROLL CALL Committee Members: Mayor Blanche Barajas, Monica Hammerberg, Taran Patel, Colin Hastings, Hector Cruz. Staff: Laurel McQuade & Angela Pashon. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Colin Hastings moved to approve the minutes of the September 21, 2021 meeting. Taran Patel seconded. Motion carried unanimously. REVIEW OF HISTORY & NEW OPTION Staff reviewed 2021-2022 Lodging Tax & GESA Fund Summary Staff introduced the Special Project Fund Option with the goal of a nimble funding for smaller or new special events and projects that come up outside of the normal funding process. Recommended $15k be awarded directly to LTAC, a formal application is required but application would be accepted year-round, LTAC would approve applications, and applicant must report to JLARC. Unused funds will roll back into the general Lodging Tax Fund. ADDITIONAL 2022 LODGING REQUESTS Page 1 of 3 Staff provided the application by the Arc of Tri-Cities for $10,000 received outside of the application window as an example of what the Special Project Fund could be used for. 2023 LODGING TAX REQUESTS A total of 13 applications were received for 2023:  Support/Ops Tourism Facility: HAPO Center, Baseball Stadium Improvements Bond Debt  Event/Festival: Arc of Tri-Cities, Water Follies, Franklin County Historic Society, Latin Business Association, Columbia Basin College  Tourism Marketing: Pasco Branding Project, Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau, Pasco Chamber, Special Project Fund, NorthAmerica Talk, Fund Administration 2023 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION Requests received totaled $745,518 while projected revenue is $660k. Staff recommended to fund the Gesa Stadium Bond Debt from the Stadium Fund Balance which remains healthy. This recommendation brings requests to be funded by projected revenue in balance. Staff recommended denying NorthAmerica Talk's application and requesting they consider applying in future years after the Pasco Branding Project is completed. Staff recommended equalizing the Franklin County Historic Societies request with other applicants. All other applications were recommended by LTAC for funding. Support/Ops Tourism Facility TRAC/HAPO Center* $270,000 Gesa Stadium Bond Debt **paid from Stadium Fund** $124,515 Event/Festival Organizer Arc of Tri-Cities $10,000 Water Follies $10,000 Franklin County Historic Society $10,000 Tamale Festival $8,500 NWAC Basketball Champ $10,000 Tourism Marketing Fund Administration $14,503 Pasco Branding Project $30,000 Tri-Cities VCB*** $200,000 NorthAmerica Talk Denied Pasco Chamber $30,000 Page 2 of 3 Special Project Fund $15,000 Total $732,518 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:05 pm. PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 5th DAY OF September, 2023 Page 3 of 3