10/17/2016 - Minutes
City of Port Orchard
216 Prospect Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366
(360) 876-4407 • FAX (360) 895-9029
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
October 17, 2016; 5:00 p.m. at City Hall
Committee Members present: Chair Fred Chang; Jessie Turner, Fathoms O’ Fun; Chris
Stansbery, Sidney Museum; Bobbie Stewart, Port Orchard Bay Street Association; Kathy
Michaels, Cedar Cove Inn; Chan Park, Comfort Inn, Lorraine Olsen, Mrs. Howe’s B&B
and City Clerk Brandy Rinearson.
Applicants spoke to the Committee explaining their proposal, which are as follows:
Visit Kitsap Peninsula
Patty Graf-Hoke, Executive Director, asked the committee to consider an application for
funding regional marketing. The requested funds are for increasing the City’s presence
on the website, Facebook through ad “boosts”, and in other printed materials that are
part of a co-marketing group. Additional documents were presented showing the
Director’s marketing in 2016.
Saints Car Club-The Cruz
Terry Bontrager, President, asked the committee to consider an application for the
shortfall in the proposed budget. The funds would increase marketing efforts to increase
the exposure of the one day event outside the local area.
Fathoms O’ Fun Festival
Sharron King, President, asked the committee to consider an application to support
funding for their events and the 4th of July Fireworks. This will be Fathoms’ 50th
Anniversary and they really want to make it a big event. They have some great events
planned including bringing the Dingy Derby back and an event called Gold Fish Races
representing their Golden Anniversary. They have reached out to new possible sponsors
to help support festival expenses. The theme for Fathoms is Rock’n Around the Sound.
Arthritis Foundation-Jingle Bell Run
Sheila Cline, Development Manager, asked the committee to consider an application to
fund additional marketing for the event. They are considering adding a Snow machine
for the 2017 event, but waiting for cost and to see how successful the Seattle run is. She
is considering using some marketing funds for T-shirts promoting the Run and the City.
2016 funds were used to advertise in the Outdoors NW Magazine and the Peninsula
Newspaper; both have special codes to help track the marketing efforts. The goal is to
expand the marketing efforts to the Olympia area in 2017.
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Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce-Seagull Calling Contest and Wings
Cook-off
Matt Murphy, Executive Director, asked the committee to consider an application for
the Seagull Calling Festival’s 29th year and 8th year in the Wings Cook-off. He explained
how the event was created, specifics of the event, and what the funds went to in 2016.
Marketing materials were provided to the committee showing how it was marketed. In
2016, marketing dollars were stretched to focus on reaching people in the Gig Harbor,
Tacoma, Pierce County, and Mason County area; including online banner ads.
Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce-Tourism/Visitor Center
Matt Murphy, Executive Director, said the actual requested amount should be $10,000;
not the $11,432.61 as printed on the application. He asked the committee to consider an
application for the operations of the visitor center. They always have a variety of
brochures, including a walking map available for walk-ins or for mailing out. They do
promote all things happening in the South Kitsap area. This consists of website, staff,
postage, copier services, phone, internet all costs associated with providing information
for people visiting or relocating to the area. He provided the committee the website
statics.
Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce-Tourism Marketing Services
Matt Murphy, Executive Director, provided the committee a history of how Explore Port
Orchard came about. He announced the Chamber/Explore Port Orchard received funds
from the County that will go towards distribution of the brochures advertising on two
State ferry runs and the I-5 corridor of South of Seatac to Thurston County. The goal is
to get them to drive to Port Orchard. He asked the committee to consider an application
to continue printing and distributing the brochure. They currently advertise in the
Discover Kitsap and Destination Washington. They are continually working on updating
the Explore Port Orchard website. They will increase presence on Facebook, including
using “Boosts”. If funds allow, advertise in the Boater Guide and possibility some target
radio advertising.
Port Orchard Bay Street Association
Chris Stansbery, Treasurer, asked the committee to consider an application supporting
the number of events put on by the association. Events include the Taste of Port
Orchard, Flower Festival, Chimes and Lights, Ladies Night Out. In addition she is asking
for funds for website and print advertising. Print advertising includes Country Register
paper that goes into antique and fabric stores, Kitsap Sun, Port Orchard Independent,
and Art Access for the Art Walk. They are planning a new event, Antique Show and plan
to advertise on PBS. Facebook will be used for “Boosts”. In addition they will continue to
participate in other events put on by other local organizations.
Sidney Museum and Arts Association
Chris Stansbery, Treasurer, explained the Art Gallery and Museum building is the only
building in the City that is on the State’s National Historical Register and they get a lot
of out of town people specifically because of it. She is asking the committee to consider
their application to fund website; sign on the State Highway; and print publication done
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in Art Access. Art Access is distributed from Bellingham to Portland, at Hotels,
Chamber, and those alike. The increase in website cost is for an APP for Smart phones,
and webpage; that is designed specifically for museums to allow users to do virtual
tours. The tour consists of video and sound for telling historical stories and viewing of
artifacts.
City of Port Orchard-Festival of Chimes and Lights
Brandy Rinearson, City Clerk for the City of Port Orchard, provided the committee the
history of how the event started and what it is today; including an update on the
condition of the Garland and Wreaths and how staff is reaching out to an outside agency
to help sponsor the purchase of new Garland and Wreaths, as well as asking Council to
consider the purchase out of the General fund in 2017. She asked the committee to
consider an application to fund portions of Public Works and Police salary for setting
up, security, and teardown of the event. The thought is to relieve General fund costs
associated with PW and Police overtime and have it possibly go towards funding
Garland, Wreaths, and a small portion of outside marketing.
City of Port Orchard-Police and Public Works Overtime
Brandy Rinearson, City Clerk for the City of Port Orchard, asked the committee to
consider an application to fund 100% of the overtime cost for the City’s Public Works
and Police department’s overtime when assisting in events throughout the year that are
not currently paying for these services. The funds being asked is an estimate of events
that have happened in the past and any future events. During the presentation, it was
discovered the expense report provided needed to be adjusted to take out two other
events that currently pay for police support.
City of Port Orchard- Summer Event Foot Ferry Services
Brandy Rinearson, City Clerk for the City of Port Orchard, explained the amount being
requested is an estimate, as we don’t know the amount the agency will charge for the
service, we don’t have the total cost for the 2016 service, and it is unknown as to what
partners will participate in 2017. She provided a brief summary of the 2016 partners
and what may be expected from the partners going into 2017.
City of Port Orchard- Port Orchard Wayfinding Signs
Brandy Rinearson, City Clerk for the City of Port Orchard, said the Council has budgeted
and committed over $90,000 for 2016; and no additional funds are planned in the
2017/2018 budget for more signs. The City asking for half of the funds from Lodging
Tax Revenue in the hopes during the budget process the Council will fund the other
50%. She provided the Committee the overall Wayfinding proposal plan.
There being no further business, Chair Chang adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Next meeting: TBD
c: Council/Mayor/Department Directors