HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.03.2003• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 3, 2003
4:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Kincaid, Welper, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Members absent: Greenwood.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Martha Place, Executive Director of Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau, reviewed the
recommendation for funding for 2003-2004 hotel/motel tax grant. The hotel/motel tax grant is a
grant program funded by a 7 percent lodging tax on hotel rooms in Waterloo. The council has
designated by ordinance that the revenues collected from the hotel tax be distributed as follows:
50 percent to the Convention & Visitors Bureau
20 percent or a minimum of $150,000 to the Convention Center
20 percent to the hotel/motel grant program
The remaining 10 percent to the council discretionary fund
Tax revenues through the end of the second quarter are down 8 percent. The Convention &
Visitors Bureau is estimating that there is approximately $101,000 available for the hotel/motel
tax grant program. Based on that estimation, the Board of Directors of the Convention &
Visitors Bureaus is making a recommendation of funding for various organizations in the amount
of $100,700.
Councilperson Jordan asked how the Board arrived at the dollar amount for each organization.
Ms. Place responded that all board members and Councilpersons Welper and Hurley received
copies of the applications and everyone made a recommendation using a raw average.
Ms. Place stated that the Ad Hoc Committee raised the maximum amount to $10,000 and also
decided to look at bricks and mortar and advertising in Black Hawk County as well as outside of
the county. Ms. Place stated the challenge was the board received $282,250 in grant applications
and had to pare them down. All applications are good, worthwhile projects.
Councilperson Hurley reported that he was a member of the Ad Hoc Committee that revised the
application form and massaged the rules. Councilperson Hurley stated he feels the Convention
& Visitors Bureau Board did an excellent job and this is better than last year. Councilperson
Hurley stated he feels the changes took a lot of the confusion out of the application process.
Ms. Place stated she hopes Mayor Rooff will have the Ad Hoc Committee get back together as
she believes this is a subjective process, not objective. Each board member has his/her own
perspective at what they are looking for, some heads on beds, others think about the quality of
life issue. Ms. Place stated that maybe we could put together an objective scoring process.
Ms. Place asked if we could wait until June to accept applications. Michelle Weidner, Chief
Financial Officer, responded that would complicate the budget process, but an estimate probably
could be made now and then a budget amendment later.
Mayor Rooff stated he is pleased the Ad Hoc Committee worked out and he encourages them to
continue to work on this process.
Councilperson Jordan stated the Convention & Visitors Bureau did a good job. Councilperson
Jordan stated that some organizations were awarded two grants. Ms. Place responded that the Ad
Hoc Committee decided that organizations could submit up to two applications.
Councilperson Welper asked if the revenues are greater than estimated will the Convention &
Visitors Bureau include more organizations or just increase the amount to each organization
already approved. Ms. Place responded all but three of the organizations received funding, but if
Council Work Session
February 3, 2003
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the revenues come in higher than projected the Board will probably want to look at all the
applications.
Ms. Place reported that the Iowa BCA Poolplayers Association is in the process of getting 501C
status, so technically they do not qualify for a grant, but they will receive money from CVB
budget. The Cedar Valley Figure Skating Club and Hartman Reserve will receive moneys from
CVB budget.
Councilperson Clark suggested that a work session be scheduled with Silos & Smokestacks. Ms.
Place reported that Silos & Smokestacks receives funding from the National Park Services.
Councilperson Hurley stated that he is interested in getting the process as objective as possible.
Councilperson Hurley stated that the Board's recommendation leaned to sports and one-time
events rather than those in place, although those are just as worthy as sports and events.
The recommendations will be placed on next week's council agenda.
With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Clark, seconded by Jordan that
the meeting be adjourned at 5:07 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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