Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/12/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session „� St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA DECEMBER 6, 2010 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein, Anne Mavity, Paul Omodt, Julia Ross, Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Gohman), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes) 1. Update on Convention and Visitors Bureau Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and indicated that the first reading of the Ordinance to create a convention and visitors bureau (CVB) was approved on November 151, at which time a representative of the Doubletree Hotel expressed opposition to the implementation of a lodging tax. He stated that since that time, staff has been visiting with some of the local hoteliers to further understand any concerns. He presented information regarding 26 metro area communities that have adopted a lodging tax of at least 3% and indicated that staff and Bruce Nustad of the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce continue to believe that opportunities exist in the creation of a CVB Councilmember Ross stated that she raised earlier concerns regarding the impact of a lodging tax on families. She suggested that the Council establish a period of time for trying the CVB, perhaps three years, and to revisit the model at the end of that time to see if it is effective. She added that this should be proposed to the local hoteliers. Councilmember Omodt agreed that a look-back provision should be put in place, but felt the time penod should be five years in order to allow the CVB to put its programs in place. Councilmember Finkelstein stated that Council has been discussing the creation of a CVB for two years. He indicated that there has been no opposition by the hoteliers to the proposed lodging tax until the November 1St public heanng. He expressed frustration that the hoteliers have not voiced any opposition to the lodging tax at any of the meetings hosted by staff. Mr. Harmening advised that staff does not feel there is tremendous opposition among the hoteliers to the creation of a CVB. He stated that at a recent meeting, the hoteliers indicated they were not convinced there would be a return on the investment, but all the hoteliers indicated if the City chooses to do this, they were "all in” and expressed to staff that it would be to their advantage to make sure the CVB is successful. Councilmember Sanger requested further information about the manner in which the CVB will be evaluated to measure success. She pointed out that there are other non-hotel businesses in the City that stand to benefit from the CVB as well. Mr. Harmening stated that the Council will ultimately retain control over the CVB pursuant to the Operating Agreement and this agreement contains a termination provision such that the City can terminate its relationship with the CVB and cease funding the CVB with the lodging tax. Special Study Session Minutes -2- December 6,2010 Councilmember Mavity stated that the previous CVB materials outlined several goals of the CVB including a goal that establishes a matrix for quantifying the success of the CVB. She added it should be Council's responsibility every year to review this to determine if the CVB is successful. Mayor Jacobs stated that it appears it would be prudent to continue to work with the hoteliers over the next month or so to address their questions or concerns, and to discuss with the hoteliers the five year look-back provision being proposed by Council; following that, the ordinance should be placed on the Council's agenda for second reading It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to continue to work with the local hoteliers to further understand and address their questions and concerns, as well as to discuss the five year look-back provision. It was also the consensus of the City Council to proceed with adoption of the 2nd Reading of the ordinance. Councilmember Omodt agreed that staff should continue to work with the local hoteliers, but preferred to see the 2nd Reading take place sooner rather than later. Mr Harmening stated that staff will put the second reading of the ordinance on the Council's December 20th agenda. He noted that the January 1, 2011 effective date for the lodging tax may need to be pushed back to give the hoteliers time to implement the new lodging tax. Fiber Network Councilmember Mavity suggested that the League of Women Voters be asked to suggest names of people who could participate on the fiber optic study task force, specifically names of women who are grossly under-represented on the task force. She stated there appears to be unreasonably low participation by women on the task force. The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 2. Fiber Network and Policy Study Update 3. Demolition of 3764 Wooddale Avenue, 57 8 Go'dric • venue and 5724 Goodrich Avenue—Fire Station Project _ _4 JP ../ Nancy Strot , City Clerk Jeff Jacob,Ma or