HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.15.2002COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 15, 2002
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Berry, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
The council reviewed the F.Y. 2003 Budget for the Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Councilperson Getty stated that it is all right to review the budget, but he has a problem with how
the process works, and he would like the Ad Hoc Committee appointed to review the budget.
Martha Place, Executive Director for Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau, stated that the
council has approved the allocation of hotel/motel funds. Ms. Place stated it was her
understanding that the council would move forward with this year's allocation and budget, and
that an Ad Hoc Committee would be appointed to review next year's funding.
Councilperson Hurley stated that there was a lot of discussion before the council approved the
allocation of hotel/motel funds, and the decision was made to appoint the Ad Hoc Committee for
the following fiscal year. Councilperson Jordan stated he agrees with Councilperson Hurley.
Ms. Place reported that she spoke at the Downtown Rotary this noon on economic development.
Ms. Place stated when we think about economic development we think about businesses such as
John Deere, IBP, Waterloo Industries, etc., but asked the council to think about tourism.
Tourism brought in $4 billion in the state in 2000, with Black Hawk County contributing $157
million, including $9 million in taxes and $2 million in local taxes. Last year the city collected
$751,044 in hotel/motel tax revenues.
Ms. Place reported that John Deere is holding a convention today in Waterloo. Other groups
include: The Two Cylinder Expo, and UNI hosts two NCAA cross country meets which bring in
3,000 visitors to the city each year in November and December.
Ms. Place reported that the Convention & Visitors Bureau has a staff of four full-time
employees, which includes the Executive Director, Group Tour/Reunions Manager,
Convention/Sports Marketing Manager and the Administrative Assistant.
Councilperson Jordan applauded Ms. Place and the Convention & Visitors Bureau Board on the
detailed report submitted to the council.
Ms. Place reported that the hotel/motel tax revenues are down 8 percent as of the end of the
quarter. Ms. Place stated that business corporate travel decreased, but revenues from tours and
sports events have increased.
Councilperson Greenwood stated that the submitted budget shows that about 10 percent of the
program expenses is for the Strategic Reserve Fund. Ms. Place responded that the Convention &
Visitors Bureau currently has $83,000 in 13 months CD.
Councilperson Hurley stated that the report indicates that Convention & Visitors Bureau staff
attends the Minneapolis Golf Show promoting area golf courses and asked why not other larger
cities. Ms. Place responded the twin cities area is a good market for them. The Convention &
Visitors Bureau has also discussed attending Chicago golf shows as they have comparable green
fees. Mayor Rooff stated that Minnesota is a good market for us as we have an earlier season
than Minnesota while the Chicago area golf season is comparable or earlier than ours.
Councilperson Hurley asked how the Convention & Visitors Bureau arrived at the 4.5 percent
salary increases. Ms. Place responded that they feel the staff is underpaid when compared to
other bureaus in the stated comparable to our size. Ms. Place stated that she has great people
working at the Bureau and they want to keep them, and they deserve the raise.
Council Work Session
April 15, 2002
Page 2
Ms. Place reported that the Visitors Guide is distributed to all Iowa Welcome Centers, hotels,
motels, attractions, etc. Ms. Place stated that 55,000 copies of the Visitors Guide are printed
each year.
Councilperson Clark asked what percent of the business is attributed to events at the Five
Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Ms. Place responded that about 25 to 30 percent. Ms.
Place stated that the Convention & Visitors Bureau worked on 47 conventions with 7,000 room
nights. Ms. Place stated that the proposed improvements to the Five Sullivan Brothers
Convention Center are needed because it would make it easier to market the Center.
Dave Buck stated that the sound system at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center does
not work, and it has been five years since Mayor Rooff committed to improving the sound
system. Mr. Buck stated the sound system is embarrassing and asked the council approve a new
system, and the sooner the better.
Ms. Place asked the council if there is something they would like the Convention & Visitors
Bureau to do that the council feels they are not doing. Mayor Rooff stated that what the
Convention & Visitors Bureau does is so important to the image of the city. Mayor Rooff stated
he would like the Convention & Visitors Bureau to share all contacts, conventions, activities and
number of people coming to the community with the council. Mayor Rooff stated he felt it
would be good to have frequent updates from the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Councilperson
Clark asked that the staff reports be given to the City Clerk, and she will make copies for council
members. Mayor Rooff asked for quarterly reports from the Convention & Visitors Bureau.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Clark that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:24 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk