HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-14 - Minutes•ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
April 14, 2008
Commissioners Present: Dan Coody, Bob Davis, Pat Gazzola, David McGeady, Robert Rhoads, and
Maudie Schmitt.
Commissioners Absent: Neal Crawford
Staff Present: Sandra Bennett, Jennifer Law, Allyson Twiggs and Marilyn Heifner
Chairman Pat Gazzola called the regular monthly meeting of the Fayetteville Advertising and
Promotion Commission to order on April 14 at the Fayetteville Town Center at 2:00 p.m.
ELECTION OF COMMISSIONER
In a split vote with Chairman McGeady breaking the tie, Tim Freeman was elected to A & P
Commission to fill a term expiring April 1, 2012. Correction to the Minutes on May 12, 2008 — should
be "Chairman Gazzola breaking the tie."
MINUTES
• Moved by Davis, second by Schmitt to approve the minutes of the March 10 regular meeting. Motion
carried.
HMR COLLECTIONS
Total collections of HMR tax in March (February sales) were $172,804, an increase of 9.84% for the
month. Year to date collections are $505,502, a 6.64% increase. Hotel collections are up 21.85% for
the month and 13.64% for the year. Restaurant collections are up 19.56% for the month and 8.76%
year to date.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Keith Glass brought financial statements for January and February to the meeting. Davis moved,
Schmitt seconded that the Commission delay accepting until May so that Commissioners would have
time to review them. Motion carried. Davis said he liked the new format.
CITY ATTORNEY
Marilyn presented report of City Attorney Kit Williams. City Prosecutor's office collected $9,904.92
in March. Year to date collections are $31,150.80. New format from the Prosecutors office gives
beginning balance and current balance of those at the Prosecutors office.
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CLINTON HOUSE MUSEUM REPORT
•Jennifer Law was introduced as the new Director at the Clinton House Museum. She reported on the
Guest Lecture series. She has been concentrating on the condition of the house and grounds in her first
month. The College Avenue Church of Christ group has offered to come on weekends and do projects
around the house at no expense to the Commission.
Rhoads asked that she bring Goals and Objectives for the Clinton House Museum to the next meeting.
VISITOR BUREAU
February was a busy month at the Visitors Bureau. They had 100 visitors in the store on the first
Saturday of Farmer's Market and 50 this past Saturday. Mindy James has been hired for part time help
in the Visitor Center.
The Hampton Inn received its third Lighthouse Award. A celebration party will be held for them.
Four new hotels and up and going. The extended Stay broke ground.
Two hundred and seventy teams have registered for Real Deal on the Hill. Concrete canoe
competition is getting ready to start. Dickson Street Music Festival and Springfest are coming up.
Julie has been involved in the Troop Train for veterans on Memorial Day.
• TOWN CENTER
Town Center collected $46,165.75 in March. This reflects a 28% increase compared to 2007. A
system has been activated to help with returned contracts and deposits which are down slightly from
last year.
Recycling for caterers is being investigated
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Inquiries are up 38% year to date. Marilyn and several staff members attended the Governor's
Conference on Tourism. She met with Ter -Erik Peterson, a Swedish dignitary who is looking to bring
adventure tours to Northwest Arkansas.
All new employees have completed their orientations.
AGENCY REPORT
Jade reported that they are working with the new visitor guide. She showed the '08 profiles. She
asked the Commissioners to consider buying an ad. Commissioner Rhoads asked that the Walton Arts
Center be highlighted. Jade reported that 6 pages of ads had been sold (about 70%). Approximately
. 15% of the book is ads.
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Leigh presented the web stats and said that Fayetteville was on the front cover of AAA Magazine.
OLD BUSINESS
The ARTery project
Marilyn outlined steps she had given to Charlotte Buchanan and asked that the Commission approve
those. Moved by Coody, second by Davis. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Funding Requests for Springs
Commissioners agreed to deny consideration of funding any special projects for the spring.
Mayor Coody presented a proposal from Dennis Hunt at Stephens regarding the bonding capacity of
the HMR tax and debt load. Coody asked that such funding could help Walton Arts Center expand and
help with projected Children's Museum.
Respectfully submitted,
Vr, a ,
Marilyn Heifner
Executive Director