HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-09 - Minutes• ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
January 9, 2012
Commissioners Present: Bob Davis, Lioneld Jordan, Brandon Karn, Bill Lyle, and Maudie
Schmitt.
Commissioners Absent: Justin Tennant and Hannah Mills
Staff Present: Marilyn Heifner, Shelly Walters, Sandra Bennett
CALL TO ORDER
Maudie Schmitt called the regular monthly meeting of the Fayetteville Advertising and
Promotion Commission to order on January 9, 2012, at 2:00 p.m.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN FOR 2012
Moved by Davis, second by Jordan to elect Maudie Schmitt chairman for 2012. Motion
carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Old Post Office
Marilyn presented a Business Plan for the Old Post Office. A copy is available in the
• Fayetteville CVB office.
Davis complimented the business plan. He asked who was responsible for utility problems
that might be discovered since the land surrounding the building is a city park? Kit
Williams indicated that the current owners have an easement across the property and the
building owner/lessee would be responsible for maintenance and repair. The mayor
agreed. Davis liked the portion in the lease giving the A & P Commission 12-14 months to
exercise the option to purchase.
He indicated that though the budget allowed for 10 artist studios that more could possibly
be accommodated. He liked the synergy between First Thursday, Fayetteville Underground
and local businesses. He didn't see too many negatives and thanked Brandon Karn and
Marilyn Heifner for pursuing the opportunity.
The Mayor asked what kind of roof was on the building. Marilyn said a copper roof had
been installed in 2005. The mayor said we needed to make sure the roof was sealed
properly to prevent future problems. He said this was a tremendous opportunity for the A
& P Commission and the City and a great opportunity to invest in downtown and in the
arts.
Karn said the Old Post Office was the heart of the city for so many years and many people
want to see the building regenerated.
Frank Sharp, 2062 Smokehouse Trail, said he was a part of the 1974 group that started
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the petition drive to save the Old Post Office and presented it to the Housing Authority.
• People cared about the building then and care about it now. He said, "Of course, there will
be problems, there always are."
Leilani Law, artist, said she had been a part of the underground for 18 months and served
on the arts committee. She said 1) that the Board of Directors make sure the artists were
represented the artists and their vision, 2) that the woodwork by Steve Moore be
dismantled, not demolished, and 3) that she was willing to help and be a part.
Hank Kaminsky, artist, said he had been in Fayetteville since the early 80's. He is glad to
see that the artists are a significant part of Fayetteville and that we are planting the seeds
of cultural arts. He reiterated Leilani's concern for artist representation on the Board. The
reorganization will contribute to resurgence of the Underground.
Martin Miller, managing director of TheatreSquared and on the Fayetteville Arts Council
said that this move will raise Fayetteville's profile nationally. Kudos for having the Old Post
Office be a cultural arts anchor.
Davis moved, Jordan second, that the A & P Commission move forward with the intent to
execute a lease with the option to purchase the Old Post Office. After Ron Bumpass
reviews the lease, it will be resubmitted for final approval by the Commission. Motion
carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Jordan moved to approve the minutes of the December 2011 meeting, second by Lyle.
Motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT
HMR Report - Marilyn reported that the HMR tax was outstanding for December, a
17.79% increase. Year end increase was 5.38%.
Financial Statements - Marilyn also reviewed November financials in lieu of the absence
of Keith Glass. There were no outstanding issues or unusual expenses or income in any
account.
Update from City Attorney - Kit Williams reported that the City prosecutor collected
$12,322.50 in November. Year to date $47,080.19 has been collected. Davis inquired
about 13 places without a balance, some because of improper forms. Discussion ensued
regarding enforcement of those not filling out forms.
A & P YEAR IN REVIEW
Marilyn presented a multimedia report of activities of the Clinton House, the CVB, and the
Town Center.
ADVERTISING AGENCY REPORT
Mike Sells reported that the number of Fayetteville Guide downloads in 2011(17,500)
exceeded the number of Visitor Guides printed in the first year. The Old Post Office will be
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• a marketing focus in 2012. Fayetteville HMR numbers (+5.4%) were compared to the
state (+3.2%).
Drew Finkbeiner explained the rational for the media plan. In 2011, we owned the sports
market. In 2012, we will capitalize on Crystal Bridges. We will continue what worked last
year and do what we can to improve on it. Niche marketing will subsidize the overall
marketing goals promoting Fayetteville as the premier city in Northwest Arkansas. We will
position Fayetteville as a "must return" city.
Greg Harrison reviewed the media plan and highlighted key differences in the plan from
last year.
Moved by Karn to approve media plan for 2012, second by Davis. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Parking Deck Tokens - Because of the increase in the daily parking entry charge (which
was approved by the Commission in December), charge for individual tokens should be
increased. Moved by Karn, second by Davis to increase the parking tokens from $3 to $4
each and tokens purchased in bulk will increase for 100 tokens from $100 to $133 on a
escalated rate scale. Motion carried. -
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
• Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Heifner
Executive Director
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