HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.13.2003COUNCIL WORK SESSION
October 13, 2003
4:35 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Hurley that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
Mayor Pro Tem Getty reviewed the requests for discretionary hotel/motel funds. Michelle
Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, reported that requests have been received from two city
departments for the council's discretionary hotel/motel funds. The Airport Director is requesting
that the council commit $6,000.00 toward the advertising campaign that is currently underway.
The Building Official/Maintenance Administrator, is requesting that the council commit
$3,400.00 to be used for the grand re -opening celebration for the Five Sullivan Brothers
Convention Center. Ms. Weidner reported that with the announcement on Friday from the State
regarding reduced revenues, the city could have additional cuts in revenues. Ms. Weidner
distributed copies of the request from Cammie Scully, Director of Cultural & Arts Commission,
for discretionary hotel/motel tax funds in the amount of $10,000.00 for marketing of the 2004
Midwest Folkfest to be held in Waterloo on August 6-7, 2004.
Brad Hagen, Airport Director, stated that his request for $6,000.00 of discretionary hotel/motel
tax funds is to fund a portion of marketing efforts for the new jet service at the Waterloo
Regional Airport. The Task Force believes it is critical to market the new jet service at the
Waterloo Regional Airport because of its importance to economic development and the growth
of the airport. The marketing efforts have been underway since September and will continue
through November. The total budget for marketing efforts is $25,000.00, with funding from the
Iowa DOT, City of Cedar Falls, John Deere, City of Waterloo and Waterloo Airport. The Task
Force felt it was better to have the private sector involved with the promotion of the airport, and
the private sector was already using ME&V. Mr. Hagen reported that $5,000.00 is the cost for
designing the ads and logo, and $20,000.00 is the costs for commercials, etc.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Hurley that the request from the Airport Director for $6,000.00
of council discretionary hotel/motel funds for marketing efforts for the new jet service at the
Waterloo Regional Airport be approved and be placed on the council agenda of October 20,
2003. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Councilperson Getty stated he has a problem with piecemealing the council's $82,000.00
discretionary hotel/motel funds, and he would like to look at all the requests. Ms. Weidner stated
that a council work session can be scheduled to review all the requests, but that the timing of the
request from the Airport and Building Maintenance is critical. The grand re -opening of the Five
Sullivan Brothers Convention Center is scheduled for November.
Councilperson Greenwood asked if someone tracks how the tickets are purchased. Mr. Hagen
responded that the airport does not have the means to track, but sometimes the airlines and travel
agents share this information. Mr. Hagen stated that the airport is not privy to how corporations
buy their airlines tickets and a lot of tickets are purchased through the Internet.
Moved by Clark, seconded by Welper that the request from the Building Official/Maintenance
Administrator for $3,400.00 of council's discretionary hotel/motel funds be tabled until
additional information is available. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Moved by Clark, seconded by Welper that the request from the Director of Cultural & Arts
Commission for $10,000.00 council discretionary hotel/motel funds be tabled until additional
information is available. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Hurley, seconded by Clark that the
meeting be adjourned at 4:56 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk