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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-09 Tourism Commission MinutesMINUTES TOURISM COMMISSION RIVERSIDE, MISSOURI Monday, February 9, 2009 6:00 p.m. The Tourism Commission for the City of Riverside, Missouri, met in the Board of Aldermen Conference Room at City Hall, 2950 NW Vivion Road, Riverside, Missouri, on February 9, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. Chair Jason Rule called the meeting to order. Answering roll call were Jerry Pietsch, Dirk van der Linde and Jason Rule. Randy Rose and Deana Winter were absent. Also present were Meredith Hauck, Communications and External Affairs Coordinator, and Jane Henry, Executive Administration Assistant. Motion to approve Minutes oflanuary 12, Jerry Pietsch made a motion to approve the minutes of January 12, 2009 2009, and Jason Rule seconded. Rule and Pietsch voted in favor. Dirk van der Linde abstained. Motion carried. Tourism Fund Update Hauck reported that she had updated the tourism fund since the previous commission report by adding projects requesting money that have not been approved by the commission, in order for the commission to see the effect that funding these projects would have on the fund balance. The projects are on their agenda for approval. If all the projects were funded, available funds in the short term budget would be $48,400; in long term $53,963.90; in grants $70,800. Hauck said that long term funding might be recommended for corporation or ongoing funding requests. Short term requests could be handled with grant funds. Rule asked how much money would come in each year and Hauck responded $150,000 to $200,000 and what is not used rolls over. She said it is advisable to spend the money so that there is not a large cushion. Rule countered saying that it is important to leave some capacity for future project funding. Rule asked, "What is the purpose of this group? What are the criteria for selection?" Hauck said that she agreed that it is time to set criteria as the word is getting out about the available funding. Pietsch said that an overnight stay at Argosy should be one element. Hauck said that the events need to benefit the city on the bigger picture and that the fund is not in place to benefit the residents directly. One of the main goals is to increase awareness. Pietsch asked if it was important for an ongoing event to demonstrate growth. Rule said criteria would be helpful when deciding between competing projects. Hauck will provide the commission with the park board standards for events in the parks and the grant committee criteria. Pietsch said that one thing he feels strongly about is that applicants need to be committed to their project before they come to the commission. Hauck added that they need to have made a deposit and reserved the park before seeking tourism funds. Tourism Commission Minutes 2!9/2009 Page 1 Tartan Day Scottish Highland Games is requesting $900 to hold an event in the park in April. It is a cultural celebration, a precursor to the Games in June, and it draws about 200 people. Of the $900 request, $300 is for park rental and $600 for security officers. Van der Linde asked if the commission could sponsor 2 events for the same group in one year and Hauck replied that it is possible. Rule questioned whether the group's purpose is to be the city's collector. Pietsch made a motion to approve the funding request based on the information provided by Hauck and Rule seconded. The motion failed with all members present voting against it. VW Club Car Show Hauck explained that this car show is basically the same as the HPAC Car Show, but with no alcohol, little security and no overnight. Most of the funding will be spent for trophies and for marketing. Rule asked for their budget and Hauck replied that their total funding would come from their request for $4,100. Pietsch made a motion to approve VW Club Car Shows request for funding and Rule seconded. The motion failed with all members present voting against it. Biking Event Riverside Cyclocross Festival has requested $300 to help them with their November event. It is an annual event held in EH Young Park for all ages to help promote the sport of cycling, fitness and competition. The event draws 500 to 700 people and has been held in the park for a number of years. They have a good relationship with the city and a good following. The $300 would be used to pay for the rent for the park. Rule said it is not expensive, draws people from outside the city and has Riverside in its name. Van der Linde made a motion to approve and Rule seconded. All voted to approve. Police Awards of Valor Hauck presented the proposal to the commission saying that Public Safety Chief Mills and City Administrator David Blackburn were recommending this program to the tourism commission. Mills is the 2009 President of the Metropolitan Police Chiefs and Sheriffs Association whose membership is comprised of the leadership of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the metro area. They want to hold their Annual Awards of Valor event at Argosy Casino and Hotel. The Police Credit Union will pay for the awards ($6,000) and KMBC TV-9 will make an in-kind donation for advertising and news coverage. The group is requesting $14,000 for lunches for each award recipient and one guest, lunches for the agency head or Mayor for each award recipient, paying for the Lifesaving Awards, a weekend stay for the Officer of the Year and a guest at Argosy Hotel, and incidentals not yet anticipated. It will be done on a reimbursement basis so all the money Tourism Commission Minutes 2/9/2009 Page 2 may not be expended. The event is open to the public but they will have to pay for their own lunches. Hauck said that the tourism appeal of the event is that it is high profile and will showcase Riverside and Argosy Casino and Hotel. It promotes safety, which is a quality of life issue identified by citizens in the ETC Survey. There will be a return on investment from the guests who go on the casino floor. Van der Linde made a motion to approve and Pietsch seconded. Rule then asked, "Does who it is influence the decision?" He added that it is a large request for funding for a brief stay and questioned whether it would give the city "a bang for its buck." Van der Linde pointed to the positive news coverage for Riverside and Pietsch said that it benefits Argosy. The vote was Jerry Pietsch-yes, Dirk van der Linde-yes, and Jason Rule-no. Motion carried. Riverside BBO/ Fireworks Event The first annual Backyard BBQ contest will take place on June 20, 2009 in EH Young Park and will serve as a kickoff event for the two week period during which fireworks can be sold in Riverside. The event will center on a backyard BBQ contest that will be primarily marketed to Northland businesses and metro public safety departments, although the contest will be open to anyone. Other components of the event include: - Fireworks display over the river co-sponsored by local fireworks vendors - A fireworks safety presentation coordinated by the Riverside Fire Marshal - Inflatables - Three bands playing from mid-afternoon until the fireworks display - A BBgvendorand Chamber-sponsored beer tent - Sports-related event with the YMCA (i.e. sand volleyball tournament, softball game, etc.) Hauck speculated that the $60,000 requested might not be spent. The request is high because there will be no donations for the first year other than the $7,500 for fireworks from the vendors. She emphasized that this event is compatible with the larger marketing strategies for Riverside, which include community character, economic development, safety and quality of life. Pietsch made a motion to approve the $60,000 funding request for a BBQ/Fireworks event. Rule seconded and all approved. Motion carried. Tourism Commission Minutes 2/9/2009 Page 3 Adjournment Jerry Pietsch made a motion to adjourn until the next meeting and Dirk van der Linde seconded. All voted in favor. Motion carried. There will be no meeting in March. The next meeting will be April 13. -, Ja Hen xecutive Administration Assistant Tourism Commission Minutes 2/9/2009 Page 4