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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.15.1999COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 15, 1999 5:00 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Getty, Murphy, Jordan, Krizek, Gronen, Collier, Anders. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Murphy that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. The Waterloo Convention & Visitor's Bureau's recommendation on allocation of hotel/motel taxes was reviewed. John DeLorbe, 171 Hampshire and representing the Metropolitan Tennis Association, stated that they were one of the organizations turned down by the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Mr. DeLorbe stated that he wanted to look at the process to understand how the determination is made on how the funds are spent. Mr. DeLorbe stated that the first year the Metropolitan Tennis Association applied they were turned down on the basis that they did not create overnight stays. Mr. Delorbe reported that part of their function is to upgrade Byrnes Park to hold tournaments which will bring folks from other states. Mr. DeLorbe stated that when they looked at the organizations that received funding they had to question how many overnight stays they generated. Mr. DeLorbe stated that last year the Metropolitan Tennis Association received funding in the amount of $2,700 from the hotel/motel tax to build a tournament building in Byrnes Park. The total cost for the project is $35,000. Mr. DeLorbe stated that last year they were led to believe that if they showed they spent the funds for what they said they would, that they would receive funding again. Mr. DeLorbe stated that they have torn down the building and have laid the foundation. Mr. DeLorbe reported that the Metropolitan Tennis Association was surprised to hear that they will turned down for funding this year. Mr. DeLorbe stated that the Metropolitan Tennis Association is doing their best to get to the point where they are able to bid on the adult tournament. Mayor Rooff asked if the Metropolitan Tennis Association needs the funds to finish the project or do they think they should receive money each year to promote tennis. Mr. DeLorbe stated that first they have to build the facility because they cannot have a tournament without the building. Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, stated that they have started the masonry work, and that the Leisure Services Department did the demolition in-house. Mr. Huting stated that the building is a city facility that is used for internal programs. Mr. Huting estimates that it will cost approximately $8,000 to finish the tournament building. The Metropolitan Tennis Association has 220 members, and they have donated funds for bleachers at Byrnes Park. Terry Poe Buschkamp, Executive Director for the Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau, stated that they have $250,000 to work with and there were 18 programs that applied for funding. The Five Sullivan Brothers received $150,000 leaving $100,000 for the other 17 programs. Fifteen of the seventeen programs received funding. Ms. Buschkamp reported that sports marketing is very important to the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Councilperson Anders stated that he was concerned that two of the seventeen were not funded. Ms. Buschkamp stated that the Convention and Visitors Bureau felt that city taxes were already used at Byrnes Park. Councilperson Anders stated that he would like to allocate 3 percent to each program not funded. Mr. DeLorbe stated that it seemed to him that there is a conflict of interest because some of the members of the requesting organizations serve on the Advisory Board. Ms. Buschkamp reported that they abstain from voting when their organization is reviewed. Bruce Strom, Advisory Board Member, stated that there are 17 members on the Advisory Board and that at the last meeting there was one potential conflict of interest. Mr. Strom stated that we Council Work Session February 15, 1999 Page 2 need to keep in mind the magnitude of requests versus the amount of money. Mr. Strom reported that of the number of members present, 50 percent must support the program. Mr. Strom stated that he opposed the Tennis Association's request because it involved building a facility versus a program designed to encourage tourism. Mr. Strom reported that several members of the board do not`feel they can support brick and mortar. A member of the Metropolitan Tennis Association stated that one of the criteria is that the program impact overnight stays, there isn't anything about a building being a bad thing. Mr. Strom stated that all the Advisory Board supports funding the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center because it is the cornerstone of bringing visitors. Ms. Buschkamp stated that she is the first to say that the process is not perfect, but the Advisory Board has to work with funds that are available, and that $31,450 went to sport programs_ Ms. Buschkamp stated that over the years the number of organizations requesting funding has increased but the amount of dollars has remained the same. Craig Stibal, Chairperson of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, stated that the Advisory Board takes their job very seriously. The Board receives a packet containing the requests, then worksheets are filled out, $150,000 is allocated to the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. The Advisory Board discusses every organization that has submitted an application, then takes a roll call vote. Mr. Stibal reported that they always look at the core attractions, such as Museum of Arts, Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony. The problem is there just is not enough money. Mayor Rooff stated that we need a better accountability of who is helping whom, and that personally he feels tennis needs to be funded. Carolyn Linden, Executive Director of Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony, stated she wanted to say how grateful she is to receive these funds. Ms. Linden stated that the Symphony has been funded for seven years for a total of $77,000. Ms. Linden reported that the Symphony has a budget of $475,000, and that only 30 to 50 percent of funds comes from ticket sales. Mayor Rooff stated that he would like to discuss funding the Tennis Association when the council discusses the discretionary funds. Councilperson Getty stated that he serves on the National Cattle Congress Board, and they submitted an application for funding and were denied any funds. Councilperson Getty stated that what bothered him is that $10,550 was awarded to the Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Association to build a soccer complex, and that Silos & Smokestacks received $9,200, and he feels that is brick and mortar. Councilperson Getty stated that he knows the Advisory Board worked long and hard, but he is concerned with the way the ordinance states that the Convention and Visitors Bureau receives $250,000, and he feels we need to look at rewriting the ordinance. Councilperson Getty stated that over the years he has asked for a copy of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and My Waterloo Days budget and has yet to receive a copy of their budgets. Councilperson Anders stated that he is concerned with the $9,200 that has been allocated to Silos & Smokestacks. Bruce Meisinger, Finance Manager, reported that when an organization that the city has provided a loan is not current on their loan the city holds their hotel/motel funds until they become current. Mayor Roof stated that the council might want to meet with the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Metropolitan Tennis Association. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Murphy that the meeting be adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 15, 1999 4:30 p.m. Council Work Session Members present: Mayor Rooff, Getty, Krizek, Gronen, Anders, Jordan, Collier, Murphy. Moved by Anders, seconded by Krizek that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Four. Absent: Murphy, Jordan, Collier. Motion carried. Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, reviewed the proposed ordinance for the Leisure Services Commission. The Leisure Services Commission will consist of nine members. The term of office will be staggered with three appointed for three years, three appointed for two years, three appointed for one year, and all subsequent appointments will be for three years. The duties of the commission are: To evaluate the needs and prepare plans for future leisureactivities, programs, and facilities; To advise and recommend to the Mayor and Council on rate schedules, leases, contracts, major purchases, and rules and regulations; To review and recommend on the annual budget. Mr. Huting stated that under the Rules, Regulations and Penaltiessection, the words "and designated swimming areas" have been added. Jordan now present at 4:35 p.m. Cammie Scully, Director of Cultural and Arts Commission, reviewed the proposed ordinance for the Cultural and Arts Commission. The Cultural and Arts Commission will consist of seven members. The term of office will be staggered with three members appointed for one year, two members appointed for two years, and two members appointed for three years, and all subsequent appointments will be for three years. The duties of the Commission are: To assist with the evaluation of community needs and review plans presented by the Director of the Cultural and Arts Commission for future cultural and arts activities, programs, and facilities to address those needs; To advise and recommend to the Mayor and Council on all matters relating to the Cultural and Arts Commission; To review and recommend on the annual budget; To raise or assist with raising funds for the purpose and benefit of the mission of the commission. Collier now present at 4:39 p.m. Mr. Huting reported that most of the maintenance for the Leisure Services Commission will be performed by Building Maintenance, although Young Arena will maintain . maintenance for the Zamboni. Ms. Scully reported that Building Maintenance will perform most of the maintenance for the Cultural and Arts Commission. Murphy now present at 4:40 p.m. Mayor Rooff stated that the programs for Leisure Services and the Cultural and Arts Commissions have not changed, but the emphasis will be on arts and we will focus on sports. Moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the proposed ordinances for the Leisure Services and Cultural and Arts Commissions be placed on the council agenda of Monday, February 22, 1999. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. With no further business before the council, it was moved bX ?etty, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 4:43 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carrd. Nancy Eckert City Clerk