HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-11 - Minutes0
ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
August 11, 2014
Commissioners Present: Ching Mong, Matt Behrend, Bobby Ferrell, Justin Tenant, and
Hannah Withers
Commissioner Absent: Tim Freeman and Matthew Petty
Staff Present: Marilyn Heifner, Kate Johnson, Mario Priest, and Sandra Bennett
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. at the Clinton House Museum by Chairman
Ching Mong.
MINUTES
Moved by Ferrell, second by Tennant to approve the minutes of the June 2014 meeting.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Marilyn reported that HMR collections for the month were up 1.20% ($230,624) over last
July. Year to date $1,560,141 has been collected, a 2.90% increase over last year.
• Marilyn also presented the financials. Jerri Kuburich has taken a position with Wal-Mart.
Candidates for the position are being interviewed. Total current assets are $2,057,719.60
with liabilities of $131,532.89. On the consolidated budget, collections are higher than last
year and expenditures are being kept under last year's actuals.
Kit Williams congratulated the Commission on engaging the services of the Bassett Law
Firm and Vince Chadick. The City Prosecutor closed 3 of the 36 active HMR tax collection
cases for July 2014. Six other cases show a delinquent balance of zero. The Prosecutor's
office collected $2,812.24.
REPORTS
CLINTON HOUSE MUSEUM
May visitors numbered 550. The Museum surpassed the 20,000 visitor mark. Four groups
toured the house. The large diseased oak tree in the front of the house was removed by
the University and will be replaced this fall. Boy Scout Troop 107 Eagle Scout Graham
Mynett has completed reworking the Clinton Trail that spurs off of the Oak Ridge Trail in
the Fayetteville Trail System.
CONVENTION VISITOR BUREAU
Seven groups were tracked in June. The economic impact was $4,198,785 with 2,669
rooms used.
Future events booked will be attended by approximately 2,749 people, 1,568 rooms and
• economic impact of $1,086,199. Inquiries were mailed to 1,231 individuals
TOWN CENTER
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Collections for the Town Center were up 32%. Sandra is working with SWEPCO on a
commercial and industrial energy program for LED lighting for the event rooms at the Town
Center. Tile installation will begin on August 91h.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Martin Tuller has been hired as Visitor Services Manager. Candidate will be chosen for
Accountant this week.
At the Town Center, work on retiling began Saturday. We had an unexpected expense of
cutting down the doors. Tile on the Kaminsky Fountain is falling off - estimate to repair
the tile is $10,000.
Special funding - We have received most the special project evaluations from events held
in the first half of 2014.
Mark your calendars - Bill's Birthday Celebration on August 18.
Fayetteville received Bronze status from IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association).
Bentonville received silver. Both communities are working together toward designation as
an IMBA Ride Destination - it will be the first in the nation.
• Golden Age Games had a $2.2 million impact with 800 veterans. They were most
impressed with the event and the hospitality of our people.
Hannah will
be able
to stay
on the Commission due to the details of her sale of Little Bread
Company -
she will
still be
a part owner for 3 1/2 years.
We are
in the process of
reprinting the Trails Guide and will begin work on
updating the
Historic
Walking Tour.
AGENCY REPORT
Mike Sells reported that the website is doing great and we are driving traffic to it through
the paid search ads. The #1 key word is NWA Regional Airport.
The agency and Jessica Leonard are working on the SEO's and optimizing the copy on the
website.
The organic google traffic in June 2013 was 4,613 and is now 10,532.
OLD BUSINESS
Contract with Attorney
Vince Chadick introduced himself. Commission was asked to approve the contract which
is the same as with John Burrow except for the duration paragraph (a shorter notice period
• to terminate the relationship) and a lower fee.
Motion to approve the contract as presented by Ferrell, second by Withers. Motion carried.
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NEW BUSINESS
A. Hiring of an additional event manager for the Town Center.
Moved by Tennant, second by Behrend to hire additional manager for the Town Center
because of additional business. Motion carried.
B. Request for funding of Bulldog Classic - Justin Tennant
Because of a change in athletic directors at Fayetteville High School, a funding request for
the Bulldog Classic fell through the cracks. Due to extenuating circumstances last year
and now looking at more teams and a bigger tournament, Justin Tennant brought forth a
request for $10,000. Multiple facilities are available to host this tournament.
In 2013, the Bulldog Classic received $6,250. Marilyn pointed out that $4,870 is left in the
unallocated funding for 2014.
Behrend pointed out that the timing for this tournament is great to hotels. Tennant said
having teams here during Lights of the Ozarks was a great incentive to have students look
at coming to the UA.
Moved by Ferrell, second by Behrend to approve $6,250 for the tournament (and up to
$10,000 if Marilyn can find it in the budget). Motion carried. Marilyn will work with the
• budget to find the additional funding and report back to the Commission in September.
OTHER BUSINESS
Flag Contest
Ferrell asked if the Commission would be interested in sponsoring a contest for a new
Fayetteville flag. If interested, the Commission could pass a resolution and send it to the
city council. It was agreed to have this as an item on the September agenda.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Heifner
Executive Director, Fayetteville A & P Commission
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