HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_CVB_01.11.2007Present:
Absent:
City Staff:
TEX
ST.t848
GEORGEASTOWN
Convention & Visitors Bureau Board
Meeting Minutes — uary 11, 2007
Williamson County Historical Museum
Ben Grimes, Holly Tissier, Chris Dyer, Betty Ann Sensabaugh, Florence
Gould, Nancy Benold, RC Lumpkin
Rob Hardy, Randy Lesseps, Taunya Vessels
Shelly Hargrove, Tourism Director; Micki Rundell, Finance Director; Leticia
Zavala, Accounting Manager
1. Call to Order
Holly Tissier called the meeting to order at 6:33 prn.
2. Minutes & Board Action
Minutes from the December 7, 2006 meeting reviewed. A MOTION was made and
seconded (Gould/Grimes) to approve the minutes. All in favor, none opposed.
3. Request for 2007/2008 Budget Input & Boards & Commissions Feedback
Mrs. Micki Rundell and Mrs. Leticia Zavala presented survey form, requesting that it be
returned within two weeks. The information will be shared with City Council,
verbatim. Members of the board asked for explanation about the budget process and
procedure. Mrs. Rundell explained that the recommended budget is determined by the
City Manager based on his interpretation of how items fit the priorities defined by City
Council. Ms. Rundell confirmed that City Council does not see red -lined items, only
those that are finally presented to Council by Mr. Brandenburg. The budget includes
certain "base or hard core items (salaries, operating expenses, etc.), programs and
services. Members of the board informed Mrs. Rundell that we did not understand
how or why several of our items/requests were red -lined and we want to have the
opportunity soon to meet with Mrs. Rundell and Mr. Brandenburg so we can better
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explain our priorities and also hear reasons for red -lined items. Mrs. Rundell indicated
that this future meeting is possible.
Shelly Hargrove agreed to provide the City Council priorities so that we can attempt to
better fit our activities and needs with the Council's.
Mrs. Rundell also reported that CVB has excess money due to the increase in HOT
collections. She indicated that the excess could possibly be carried forward or perhaps
allocated based on a mid -year review, if we determined that we had a significant need
that was in line with City priorities.
Shelly asked for the survey forms to be submitted to her within two weeks. Also the
board agreed to summarize the top three "issues' that directly impact the CVB and that
we believe the City Council needs to be aware of. Shelly will redistribute to the CVB
members the priorities that were established in the 2006 retreat/planning session.
4. Discussion of Idea of Possible Merger of CVB and Main Street Boards
Chris reviewed results of recent, joint meeting of representatives of both boards for
discussion of pros/cons of the merger idea. Outcome was that both boards need to
remain separate AND that additional staff is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of
both boards. Members agreed to return to their respective boards to recommend a joint
presentation be made to City Council regarding the need for additional staff.
A CVB motion to make a recommendation to City Council in support of hiring an
additional staff member in order to have a staff member that focuses just on CVB, while
a different staff member focuses just on Main. Street, and to jointly work with the Main
Street Advisory Board in a presentation to City Council. (Tissier/Lumpkin) Motion
passed with Grimes dissenting.
5. Update from Board Task Forces
a) Marketing — Chris reports that the task force is approximately 80% complete on
the draft marketing plan and hopes to have a version available for CVB review
soon. Task force is working on the Community/Public Awareness and Economic
Impact portions of the plan. Cari and Shelley continue to add substance to the
plan content. Next meeting TBA after additional wording is concluded.
b) Local Awareness Campaign — No report presented.
c) Local Retail Shopping Mecca — The Shopping Alliance's shopping guide and
website contract has finally been approved by Round Rock and Salado, and
Georgetown is next. The distribution of letters to local merchants will be
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distributed soon, so that the guide and website should be printed and ready by
April or May.
d) Visitors Information Centers — No recent meeting, but the December door counts
for the VIC at Wolf Ranch is 116.
6. Staff Report
a) Shelly Hargrove asked members to review possible dates for next
retreat/planning session and provide input by January 15
b) Reminded members to be thinking about CVB officer nominations
c) Next Arts/Culture co-op ad in February issue of Texas Monthly
d) Reviewed Wolf Ranch Store Openings
e) Reviewed Calendar. Emphasis on attendance at Jan 22 City Council Workshop
to support joint presentation on staff addition request.
7. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Approved and attested to by:
Holly Tissier / Board Vice -Chair
IV 1
Date
R.C. Lumpkin/ Board Secretary Date
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