HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-14 - Minutes• GROUP: ADVERTISING & PROMOTION COMMISSION
DATE: April 14, 2003
PRESENT: Dan Coody, Neal Crawford, Bob Davis, Joe Fennel, David McGeady, Ching
Mong, Curtis Shipley and Manlyn Johnson.
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ABSENT: Pat Gazzola
The April meeting of the Advertising and Promotion Commission was called to order on April
14, 2003, at the Fayetteville Town Center conference room at 2:00 p.m. by Chairman Bob Davis.
Joe Fennel was recognized for service to the Advertising and Promotion Commission and
thanked for his many years of leadership as Chairman.
Neal Crawford was introduced as Commissioner replacing Joe Fennel.
MINUTES
Moved by Shipley, second by Mong to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2002 meeting.
Motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
HMR tax collections for March were $117,284.77, a decrease of .78% over one year ago. Year
to date collections are down 0.93%. Tom Lonon, Scarbrough and Murtishaw presented the
financial statements for March, 2003. Moved by Shipley, second by McGeady to approve the
financial statements. Motion carried.
City Attomey Kit Williams presented delinquent tax collection efforts. He alerted
Commissioners to SB 978, a bill to remove HMR collections reports from Freedom of
Information law. Though a sound idea, the bill makes it a cnme for anyone to release HMR
figures and could hurt enforcement efforts in Fayetteville. Moved by Shipley, second by
McGeady to accept Kit's report. Motion carried.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Marilyn Johnson reviewed her activities for the month of March. Inquiries are down from last
year based on later placement of state newspaper inserts. The agency is watching inquiries
closely and is following up on those which appear to be missing reporting. The response to the
AARP May/June article which listed Fayetteville in "15 Best Places for Baby Boomers to
Reinvent Themselves" and the press conference has been positive. Employees from the State
Tourist Information Centers will be in Fayetteville on Apnl 30 for a FAM tour. A Lights of the
Ozarks photo will be used on the front cover of the Hometown Directory. The auditors for the
city were here in March. Information regarding the burying of utility fines is still pending —
waiting on Hugh Earnest to contact cable company.
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CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU REPORT
Allyson Twiggs reviewed CVB activities. Top 100 Committee from Amencan Bus Association
have chosen Fayetteville. Phyllis Tucker has taken over all bus tour business. The break, which
we sponsored at the Governor's Conference on Tounsm, was a success. Future activities to
watch for include:
April 22 — Savor the Flavor
April 19 — Springfest
May 8-10 — Joe Martin Stage Race
April 30 — Arkansas Hospitality Association reception for Northwest Arkansas
June 25 — Great Race
Allyson has designed a BINGO card for the All Star Coaches to encourage them to experience
Fayetteville. She is working with DDEP merchants. Sally Goodsell, our intem has taken a job
with Embassy Suites in Rogers. Erin Hughes, our other intern will be working in Rochester,
New York this summer.
Motion to accept CVB Report by Coody, second by Shipley. Motion carried.
TOWN CENTER REPORT
Denise Bembenek presented the Town Center report. Completed events in March were up 11%
over last year. Sales are up 111% for the month and 40% year to date. Out of town caterers
have been contacted regarding HMR taxes due if events are catered in Fayetteville. Moved by
Mong, second by Shipley to approve the Town Center report. Motion carried.
AGENCY REPORT
Michael Clark showed Commissioners ads running in current publication. He addressed inquiry
responses. Moved by Coody to accept Agency report, second by McGeady. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Refinancing Town Center bonds
Moved by Shipley to approve a resolution authorizing the City Council to proceed with
refinancing of Town Center bonds if it is in the best interest of the Advertising and Promotion
Commission and the City of Fayetteville. Second by Coody. Motion carried.
Requests for Special Protect funding
After presentations, moved by Shipley, second by McGeady to approve the following
expenditures from unallocated revenues:
America in Bloom - $2,500
Bikes, Blues, and BBQ - $8,000
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Downtown Dickson Enhancement advertising — 0
DDEP Fine Arts Festival - $3,000
DDEP Merchant's Guide - $2,000
Fayetteville Farmer's Market - $3,000
First Night - $10,000
Ozark Blues Society - $5,000 and an additional $5,000 if Fnday night activities were
moved to the Walton Arts Center parking lot.
Ozark Valley Triathlon - $2,500
Motion carred.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Thafars) 934"499
Marilyn Johnson
Director, Convention and Visitor Development