HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-16 - MinutesAdvertising and Promotion Commission
Regular Meeting
March 16, 2015
Commissioners Present: Ching Mong, Matt Behrend, Tim Freeman, Bobby
Ferrell, Adella Gray, Matthew Petty, and Hannah Withers
Staff Present: Kym Hughes, Sally, Fisher, Sandra Bennett, Kate Johnson
Call To Order
Ching Mong called the regular monthly meeting of the Fayetteville
Advertising and Promotion Commission to order on March 16 at 2:04 p.m.
Commission Vacancy
The tourism industry appointee term has expired for Matt Behrend. First
interview conducted with Jim Huson, owner of Doe's Eat Place. Second
interview conducted with Matt Behrend, general manager of Holiday Inn
Express. Bobby Ferrell moved to cease nominations and moved to approve
Behrend, second by Adella Gray, vote carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
January 2015 minutes reflect a correction from the November 2014
meeting minutes that is grammatically incorrect. The January minutes will
be amended regarding the correction of the November 2014 minutes,
regarding the Chamber vote. The correction will take out "that is not to
say" and will be corrected to read "down the road a contract with the
Chamber might be considered."
Moved by Mong, second by Ferrell to approve the January 2015 minutes
with that correction. Motion carried.
Financial Reports
Kym Hughes reported that the HMR tax for February was 217,038, a
increase of more than 8% from February 2014.
Sally Fisher reviewed the financials for the Commission. Fisher announced
that the audit would begin tomorrow. Ferrell had questions about the
investment fund and requested Hughes get more information on the
account and update the Commission at the April meeting.
Delinquent Tax Collections
Blake Pennington, Assistant City Attorney stated that the City Prosecutor
reported 25 active Hotel, Motel and Restaurant overdue tax collection cases
for February 2015, collected $250 in overdue HMR taxes in February. Two
cases were closed.
Department Reports
1. Town Center
Sandra Bennett informed the Commission that she has updated to
QuickBooks Online. She will continue to enter the current contracts which
should be updated in the April report. There was discussion about the
repairs and quotes for the Town Center front steps. Different repair
options were presented and vary in cost from $25,000 to $39,000.
The 2015 Town Center Budget was presented for approval.
Hannah Withers moved to approve, motion was seconded by Matt
Behrend, the motion carried to approve the 2015 Town Center Budget.
2. CVB
Hughes reviewed the sports and group tour bookings and announced the
meetings and conventions position opening vacated by Jeff Jeffus in
February. Sports and tour completions and Booked events were reviewed
as were inquiries for Insiders Guides.
3. Clinton House Museum
The Museum hosted 111 visitors in February. Kate Johnson reviewed the
changes under review by the University for making updates to the house to
establish their ADA Compliance.
4. Agency Report
The Sells Agency Rep Drew Finkbeiner introduced the new Fayetteville
associate, Chantel Mosby. Mike Sells reviewed the new report that Sells
provides for the A&P packet and presented a summary of the inquiries and
the source of those requests. Texas and Oklahoma web traffic switched
places since 2014 and can be traced to the changes in ad placement and the
paid SEO.
Old Business
No business to report.
New Business
1. Delta Dental
The federal regulations have changed and it is necessary to change
the new hire waiting period from the current go days to 6o days to be
compliant with the federal mandate. Motion by Matthew Petty,
second by Withers, motion carried.
2. Bike Month Funding Request
A presentation and discussion of the benefits of biking and the
advocacy of Bike month coming up in May was made to the
Commission. Some events to assist in the promotion will be a bike
booth all 5 Saturdays in May at the Farmers Market, a bike to the
game event is planned for Sunday May 12th to the baseball stadium
and the second week of May will be bike to work week. Funding for
promotion of Bike month was requested.
Matthew Petty made a motion to award $2,230 of A&P funds in a one
to one match toward the half page ad in the Bike Arkansas magazine,
banners (which are to be put up by Parks and Rec) and the Ozark
regional bus ad design. Seconded by Withers, the motion carried
Discussion
Events on the trails were discussed on the for profit and non-profit
use of events and fund raisers.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:01pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kym Hughes
Executive Director, Fayetteville A & P Commission