HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/30/2004 Special Meeting 18.5
SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 30, 2004 — 2:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
1. Roll Call
Present:
Council: Mayor Paul George, presiding, Council Members, Neil McClure,
Mary Place, Bernard Sims, and Susan Whitman (after 2:04 p.m.)
Staff: City Manager Zais, Assistant City Attorney Harvey and City Clerk
Roberts
Absent: Council Members Ron Bonlender, and Dave Edler, absent and
excused
2. Consideration of Resolution of intention to establish a Tourism Promotion
Area and setting date of public hearing on legislation to establish a
Tourism Promotion Area for April 13, 2004 at 2:00 p.m.
Kathy Coffey, Executive Director of the Convention Center, explained the
reason for the necessity of a special meeting. If everything is signed and filed
by April 15, 2004, they could begin collecting the assessments beginning July 1,
2004. The establishment of a Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) allows for the
opportunity to have the lodging industry assess and collect a tax from
themselves. These funds would then be used to promote the Yakima area for
tourist activities. The boundaries are Selah, Yakima, Union Gap, and the
County unincorporated areas. They were required to obtain signatures from
over 60% of the hotels that would be collecting the tax in order to initiate this
TPA. They were able to get 68 %. Those signatures are on file with LeMaster
and Daniels. Lodging businesses with 40 or more lodging units will be assessed
and those with less than 40 lodging units will not. Ms. Coffey then defined the
zones and the varying rates per zone. She commented that many of the
businesses felt that the existing room tax has been utilized in a manner that has
not met their purpose and a self- assessment will give them more direct
involvement in its use.
.• Following are responses to questions regarding the TPA
Does this need County approval? They will sign an interlocal agreement as will
Selah and Union Gap.
Who has control over the dollars? Yakima is the lead agency and will have the
final say on the funding. A commission, a recommending body, will be set up.
The board will be created from the lodging association.
Will there be any elected officials on this board? Elected officials will have ex-
officio positions
- 18 6
SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 30, 2004
Who will make the decision on where the money is to be spent? The final
decision will come before the City Council. The commission will make
recommendations to the Council.
How much money do you anticipating raising? The petition that was filed
estimated revenue between $250,000 and $400,000 will be generated annually.
When will you begin collecting? If it is all signed and filed by April 15, 2004, we
will be able to begin collecting July 1, 2004.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only; PLACE MOVED AND SIMS
SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION SETTING THE DATE OF
PUBLIC HEARING FOR APRIL 13, 2004. The motion carried by unanimous
roll call vote; Bonlender and Edler absent.
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2004 -53, A RESOLUTION of intention by the City Council
of the City of Yakima to establish a Tourism Promotion Area, as authorized
under RCW Chapter 35.101, and to impose Tourism Promotion Charges on the
furnishing of lodging by lodging businesses located in the Tourism Promotion
Area, the proceeds of which would be used for the sole purpose of tourism
promotion, and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into
negotiations with Yakima County, the City of Selah, and the City of Union Gap
for the establishment of a Tourism Promotion Area that includes not only areas
within the City's jurisdiction but also specifically including areas within the
jurisdictions of the City of Selah, the City of Union Gap and unincorporated
areas of Yakima County, and to negotiate and enter into an Interlocal
Agreement with Yakima County, the City of Selah and the City of Union Gap to
establish said Tourism Promotion Area.
3. Adjournment
McCLURE MOVED AND PLACE SECONDED TO ADJOURN. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote; Bonlender and Edler absent. The meeting was adjourned at
2:12 p.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
R. 7)(6 (- 1
COUNC EMBER DATE
AIL 1/1
d e
0 Ul MBE- " DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK PAUL GEORG ', MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's
Office
2