Town of Blowing Rock
Tourism
Development Authority
Minutes – May
12, 2008
Call to Order
Chairperson Keele called the meeting to order and welcomed the members.
Approval of Minutes – April 1, 2008
Chairperson Keele
entertained the approval of the April 1, 2008 meeting minutes. Motion by Member
Tester and seconded by Member Pickett to approve the April 1, 2008 meeting
minutes. The motion was approved unanimously.
Economic Development - Retail Market Study Consultant Selection
Chairperson
Keele stated that last month the TDA authorized a Request for Qualifications
(RFQ) from firms to evaluate the retail market and retail
development conditions in downtown and develop specific recommendations for
programs and policies that will maintain and strengthen the
Mr. Hildebran stated that he and Executive Director Brown had developed a Request for Qualifications for the study and forwarded the solicitation to eight qualified firms. He advised that the TDA received 7 responses to the request and that the Board had received copies of the proposals from the top four firms for their review.
Chairperson Keele asked for comments from the Authority regarding their preference. All agreed that each firm had strong credentials. After some discussion on the merits of the proposals, motion by Member Drury and seconded by Member Pickett to approve the HyettPalma Professional Services Proposal to conduct a retail market study of Downtown Blowing Rock based on their national presence/perspective and experience. Unanimously approved. Attachment #1
Member Pickett left the meeting due to an
out of town obligation.
Chairperson
Keele introduced Finance Officer
Finance
Officer
Member Tester expressed some concern about the downward trend in overall occupancy tax, as three of the past four months have been down. The Board briefly discussed the nature of the current economy and the impact on travel. Member Tester also asked for more information on several line items that were over budget. He stated that if the expenses were of a recurring nature to make sure that was factored into the proposed budget.
Ms. Norman informed the Authority of an insurance expense that was a double entry and that she would forward the Authority an amended financial report. Ex-officio Member Hildebran reminded the Board that the salary line-item exceeded budget due to a one-time bonus payment authorized by the Authority late last year.
Executive Director Brown advised he would provide a more detailed explanation of expenses during the upcoming budget worksession.
FY 2008-09 TDA Budget
Ex-Officio Member Hildebran and Executive Director Brown reviewed a draft copy of the proposed FY 2008-09 TDA Budget for Authority review. (Attachment #2) The proposed budget totals $801,940, with $762,200 from occupancy tax proceeds.
Ex-officio member Hildebran provided an overview on the town portion of the proposed budget with the Authority – i.e. sidewalk, paving, utilities, parking in the downtown area, an ambassador program of utilizing town park staff to police the downtown for litter and provide information, proposed recreation special events, etc. Executive Director Brown briefly reviewed the TDA portion of the budget.
Member Drury encouraged Mr. Brown to look into any possible grants available. Mr. Brown concurred.
Mr. Hildebran reminded the Authority that the public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for the June 3, 2008 TDA meeting.
The Authority requested that updated current year budget figures be provided at the upcoming worksession.
Budget Worksession Meeting Date
By consensus, the Authority agreed to schedule a FY 2008-09 Budget worksession for Wednesday, May 28th at 3:00 p.m.
Operations Activity Report
Executive Director Brown advised
that he provided an Operations Activity Report to the Authority during his last
bi-weekly report and that the report summarized most of the current
Executive Director Brown
discussed –
·
The new Visitor Guide should be ready by the end of the month.
·
The Website redesign is underway.
·
The marketing focus, due to fuel prices and economic conditions, will
be more regional (4-6 hour drive time).
Chairperson Keele asked for
feedback about the current economy as he stated that the restaurant business
was down. Vice Chair Tarbutton responded that general tourism was down but that
group business was up for his lodging establishment.
Mr. Brown stated that based
on recent comments received during a sustainable tourism meeting that most travel
professionals expect a soft year – with gas/energy prices and the upcoming
elections.
Vice-Chair Tarbutton
discussed more regional marketing and that the High Country Host had hired a
new executive director. Mr. Brown stated that Blowing Rock, Boone and
Mr. Keele asked if the local
hotel rates were competitive for the small group and/or government market. Mr.
Tarbutton responded that most establishments provided flexibility on room rates
and made up the difference on meeting space rates.
Member Tester briefly discussed
the recent marketing focus group meeting held and the importance of working
regionally to attract visitors. He suggested that once a visitor comes to the
High Country, we should work to become their preferred destination for
shopping, dining, lodging and entertainment.
Executive Director Brown
stated that based on comments received at a recent conference in
Chairperson Keele suggested
the Authority continue to pursue the transition of branding from “where the
wind takes you” to the “crown of the blue ridge”. Mr. Brown stated that would
occur not very far into the future.
Resolution of Support of
The Authority then considered a resolution which
supports
Ex-officio Member Hildebran reviewed the proposed
incentive package -
In return for the incentives, Tweetsie agrees to
remain at the current location for a period of time to sufficiently fulfill the
commitment of the county. Tweetsie also agrees to invest $13,000,000 in
improvements to the park within a defined period of time. In addition, Tweetsie
will provide the Middle Fork Greenway Association with an easement for a future
greenway to be located along the
It is estimated that Tweetsie Railroad provides a
$27,000,000 a year in overall economic impact to the area, providing jobs and
tourism to the area’s hotels, retail, and restaurants.
After a
brief discussion, motion by Vice-Chair Tarbutton and seconded by Member Drury
to approve a resolution in support of Watauga County Economic Incentives to
insure that Tweetsie Railroad remains in
Newspaper Racks/Master Signage Plan
Ex-Officio Member Hildebran
advised that two of the new modular newspapers racks have been installed (
Mr. Hildebran then informed
the Authority that the new information directory kiosks have been installed at
both Memorial Park and the Maple Street Parking Lot. He mentioned that roof
components would be installed in the next few weeks. Two additional kiosks are
planned in the FY 2008-09 Budget for placement at the new American Legion
Parking Facility and the new Blowing Rock Art & History Museum.
The Authority expressed their appreciation.
Chairperson Selection Process
Chairperson Keele suggested that the Authority may want to revisit the succession of the chairperson issue. He advised that the recommendation arrived at last month by the TDA - to recommend to the Town Council that the Vice-Chair succeed the Chairperson for a recommended 2-year term - might essentially prevent the Town Council role of appointment because the TDA selects the vice-chair. Though the Authority agreed with the comments shared by Mr. Keele, they decided to take no additional action. The Board did express a desire that Council consider that potential concern prior to taking final action.
Adjournment
With no further business, Chairperson Keele adjourned the meeting at 9:45 a.m.
______________________________
Scott E. Hildebran, Secretary
Attachments
#1 – Hyett Palma Professional Services
Proposal - Retail Market Study
#2 – FY 2008-08 Draft
Budget
#3 – Resolution of Support of