Loading...
03/11/2019 - Minutes 1 City of Port Orchard Economic Development and Tourism Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, March 11, 2019 Committee Members Present: Council Members Bek Ashby (Chair), Scott Diener, Jay Rosapepe City Officials and Staff: Mayor Rob Putaansuu, City Clerk Brandy Rinearson, Community Development Director Nick Bond, Long Range Planner Keri Sallee Guests: Jack Edwards, Matt Murphy, Larry Stokes, Axel Strakeljahn, Kathleen Wilson Chair Ashby called the meeting to order at 9:36 am. 1. Discussion: Use of Port Facilities During Waterfront Events. Chair Ashby introduced Port of Bremerton Commissioners Larry Stokes and Axel Strakeljahn. Ashby said that the City received a letter from the Port dated January 2, 2019, which established a new policy for use of the Port’s public restroom facilities on the downtown waterfront. The letter required that any event lasting longer than four hours and with expected attendance of more than 500 have an adequate number of portable toilets provided to serve the event, instead of relying on the Port’s restrooms. A guide to the recommended number of portable toilets per number of attendees was also provided. After discussion between the City and Port staff, a revised letter was sent by the Port on January 22 which strongly recommended use of portable toilets instead of requiring them. Chamber of Commerce Director Matt Murphy noted that although waterfront events may have total attendance of 500 or more, it is unlikely that most events would have 500 people present at the same time, and therefore the guide’s recommendations could be excessive. Ashby asked the Port Commissioners whether downtown waterfront events were creating problems for the Port’s facilities and how those problems could be resolved. Commissioner Stokes said that the City should determine the number of portable toilets required for an event, not the Port, and the Port does not expect compensation for supplies or janitorial services related to waterfront events. Vandalism has generally not been a problem with waterfront events; most vandalism happens when few people are around. Commissioner Strakeljahn said that having more information about upcoming events would help the Port plan for extra facility staffing and extended restroom hours. Going forward, the Port will provide its event calendar to the City Clerk so that adequate parking enforcement and police services can be provided, the City Clerk will send waterfront event permit applications to the Port for their input, and the City’s application form will be revised to determine whether an applicant must provide portable toilets for an event. The City will continue to require that applicants who wish to use Port property must first obtain the Port’s permission before submitting their City event application. Additionally, City staff will provide Stokes with the EDT committee agenda prior to each meeting. 2. Business Community and Tourism Discussion. Stokes said that the Port has five cruise ship excursions scheduled for overnight stays in Bremerton this summer, each with 200-300 passengers. Port Orchard should take advantage of these large tourist groups by having someone greet the passengers at the dock, provide information on Port Orchard’s downtown shopping and dining, and direct them to the foot ferry. Councilmember Diener asked the Port to remove dumped items and old conduit from the offshore structure behind the 7-11 building on Bay Street, to provide a better appearance for arriving boaters and people walking along the waterfront. 3. Discussion: Tourism Promotion Strategic Plan Update. City Clerk Brandy Rinearson presented proposed revisions to the City’s Tourism Promotion Strategic Plan, to update revenue history and allocations for 2019-2020. 2 Rinearson said that the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) had previously expressed reservations about how much funding should be held in reserve for first-time lodging tax grant applicants, how those funds should be awarded, and how often the LTAC should meet to review grant applications. The LTAC will meet again within the next 4-6 weeks, and Rinearson anticipates that they may request some changes to existing policies. Ashby said that LTAC’s grant recommendation process should continue to prioritize events that will add to economic growth and tourism dollars in Port Orchard. POBSA President Kathleen Wilson said that it would be helpful for new downtown businesses that are planning their first events to be able to apply for LTAC funding outside of the regular cycle, to get them on their feet and increase their visibility. Ashby agreed that LTAC should consider adding a mid-year review for new grant applications. Rinearson said that applicants must remember that given procedural requirements, any funding application will be subject to a review and approval period of at least 60 days. Mayor Rob Putaansuu said that if the downtown community center plans move forward, the City may want to allocate LTAC funds for a marketing person to publicize the conference facilities and obtain bookings. Councilmember Rosapepe noted that because the pool of LTAC funding will likely remain small unless other lodging tax sources are eventually developed, applicants should not expect large grants and should be open to pursuing other sources of funding as well. The committee approved moving the revised plan forward to the next regular Council meeting. 4. Update: EVI Video Production. Rinearson said she had not yet received an update on the video status from EVI, and postponed this item to the next committee meeting. 5. Discussion: PSRC Vision 2050 Draft Planning Alternatives. Community Development Director Nick Bond said that the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is currently updating its long-term regional growth strategy plan, VISION 2040, to the 2050 planning horizon. Draft environment planning policies and a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the VISION 2050 update have been prepared. The draft SEIS evaluates three regional growth alternatives that are being considered by PSRC for VISION 2050: stay the course (no change), transit focused growth (growth more focused in large cities), and reset urban growth (allow more growth outside large cities and urban areas). Development will continue to be primarily focused in designated regional and local centers, which require walkability and transit options. The revised environment planning policies provide more emphasis on climate change mitigation and adaptation, Puget Sound recovery efforts, regional open space and conservation planning, and racial and social equity. PSRC has requested that local jurisdictions provide comments on the draft SEIS for integration into a final draft of VISION 2050 by April 29, 2019. Bond will prepare draft response letters for review at the March 19 City Council meeting. Wilson provided a letter from POBSA requesting that the EDT committee and City Council consider a request to change all 2-hour downtown parking to 4-hour parking. POBSA members have indicated that 2-hour parking provides insufficient time for visitors to shop and dine downtown without moving their vehicles, and is a deterrent to business success. The committee agreed to put the issue on the Council’s April work-study meeting agenda. Chair Ashby adjourned the meeting at 11:03 am. Next Meeting: April 8, 2019, at 9:30 am in the Council Chambers.