HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 June Meeting Minutes-DraftLodging Tax Advisory Committee
June 9, 2023
Draft Meeting Minutes
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9:04 am by Patricia Byers.
Roll Call
Members Present: Patricia Byers, Lisa Vallejo, John Cooper, Charlie Robin, Kathy Kramer, Angie Girard, Sarah Davila
City Staff Present: Jennifer Ferrer-Santa Ines, Andrea Flores and Jennifer Tippett
Others Present: Connie Upton
Approve minutes of previous meeting
Motion: Charlie moved and Angie seconded to approve the previous meeting minutes. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
Guest Speaker
City Manager Bob Harrison informed the committee that the City of Yakima was working with Alaska Airlines to reinstate the morning flight at Yakima Air Terminal (YKM). In order to guarantee
revenue to Alaska Air, a pledge of $500,000 is requested to fill in any potential revenue loss to the airline. The city is asking for pledges of $25,000 from the community. To date
the City of Yakima has pledged $125,000 and Yakima County has pledged $100,000. Along with other businesses, the current amount pledged is $345,000. Rosylen Oglesby, Assistant City
Manager, explained that any excess funds will go towards any potential future flights or returned to the entities that pledged.
A request for a pledge was not made but the committee determined that a request would have to come in the form of an application. However, the committee has voted no new grantees in
the years 2024 and 2025.
Staff Report
Jennifer Ferrer-Santa Ines informed the committee that the lodging tax is up 7% over this time last year. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) reports were turned
in and all recipients completed the reports efficiently and timely in the JLARC expenditure reporting system.
Kathy Kramer was welcomed to the board as a replacement for Anne Moneymaker and Luis Gutierrez will be taking Kristie Holstein’s place on the board.
Continued Business
It was explained that the LTAC end of the year synopsis was lacking a breakdown of expenditures. Committee members voiced an opinion that city owned facilities should not have to fill
out the same report as other recipients. The discussion was tabled since there will not be any new recipients in the next few years.
Kathy Kramer reminded staff that although the RCWs favor city owned facilities the Sun Dome is owned by the county but does not receive any funding from the county.
New Business
No new business
Public Comment
Motion: Lisa made a motion to adjourn and Charlie seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 10:33