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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.09.2004• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 9, 2004 3:40 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Cole, Greenwood, Cole, Schmitt, Gunderson, Welper. Moved by Welper, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes Seven. Motion carried. The purpose of the work session is to discuss the request from National Cattle Congress for discretionary hotel/motel tax funds. Mayor Hurley updated the council on the meeting he attended with representatives of the Reichert Pleasure Celebration event, Main Street Waterloo and members of the hotel/motel industry. The Reichert event has been held at the National Cattle Congress since 1999, and they are being wooed by other cities to hold the event in their town. Mayor Hurley explained that the council has also received a request from the National Cattle Congress to receive funds from the discretionary hotel/motel funds. Harold Getty, President of the National Cattle Congress, reported that the Reichert Pleasure Celebration event has been held at the National Cattle Congress for the past four or five years. The event brings a big contingent of people, horses and dollars to Waterloo. Mr. Getty stated that some of the facilities at the Cattle Congress are in need of repair and that is why they are requesting funding from the city. Wally Mogle, representing the National Cattle Congress, stated that holding equine events at the National Cattle Congress provides a variety of opportunity in the Cedar Valley. Over 200,000 attended events at the National Cattle Congress, with about 50,000 peopled attending the annual fair. Mr. Mogle stated the Cattle Congress is in the process of developing strategic equine opportunities. The Cattle Congress has a lot of horse barns and has held 12 to 14 major two to three day events in the past three years. J.R. Reichert is the largest equine event held at the Cattle Congress over the past five years. It is a six -day event starting on Tuesday through Sunday, with over 600 riders competing. The Reichert event is the largest event held by the Cattle Congress in total number of staff and number of people attending or involved in the show, with people from 19 states attending. Mr. Mogle stated that in the past four to five years, the National Cattle Congress has had a positive cash flow, and they are trying to put money back into the buildings and grounds. In the past five years, $400,000 has been invested in the buildings, horse barns and Estelle Hall. Mr. Mogle stated that the National Cattle Congress has requested $30,000 from the discretionary hotel/motel funds, but they hope the council does not look at this request for funding for the Reichert event as competing for those $30,000. Mr. Mogle stated that he believes the Reicherts are going to use the funds for cash prizes. Mr. Mogle stated this event is very important for the National Cattle Congress and Waterloo with significant roll-over dollars into Cedar Falls and the Cedar Valley. Mr. Mogle stated that the National Cattle Congress supports the Reichert event and has made improvements as requested by them, which in turn are used by other animal events. Mr. Mogle stated that the Cattle Congress is requesting that any funds approved for the Reichert event be given to the National Cattle Congress. Mr. Mogle stated that the Cattle Congress has done a number of things in support of the Reichert event that they might not have done for other shows. Last year, they asked for a warm-up area, and the Cattle Congress created two special sand lots north of the barns, using about $5,000 worth of sand. The horse show offers a reining competition which requires a special floor combination, and the Cattle Congress completely rebuilt McElroy Auditorium sand floor for the event. Mr. Mogle explained that the National Cattle Congress has been concentrating on becoming an equestrian event center. Mr. Mogle explained the facilities in Cedar Rapids and St. Charles and the number of horse stalls available at those facilities. Mr. Mogle stated Waterloo has an advantage over other cities due to the nearness of motels and restaurants to the Cattle Congress ground, and it is very accessible to people using the facility. Council Work Session February 9, 2004 Page 2 Councilperson Clark stated that we can assume that some of the visitors stay in Cedar Falls hotels and eat in their restaurants. Mr. Mogle stated that Cedar Falls has not contributed in the past, but the National Cattle Congress is requesting funding from them. The maximum amount that Cedar Falls will award is $1,000.00. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by Cole that the meeting be adjourned at 4:00 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •