HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-27 KCVB MinutesKenai Convention and Visitors Bureau
Board Meeting Minutes
January 27, 2003
Board Members Present: Ron Malston, Marty Ragan, Sharon Brower, Jacquie Steckel, Fred
Braun, Jim Bookey, Charlotte Legg, Rebecca Cronkhite
Members excused: Robin West, Marion Nelson, Robert Fulton
Staff Members Present: Ricky Gease, Diana McKenney
A. Call to Order Roll CaII: Called to order at 5:42 p.m.
B. Approval of Agenda: Mr. Malston moved Ms. Ragan seconded approval of the agenda. It
was approved unanimously.
C. Approval of Minutes: Mr. Malston moved Ms. Steckel seconded approval of the minutes.
It was approved unanimously.
D. Persons Scheduled to be Heard: Mr. Bookey
E. Correspondence:
Alaska Society of Convention and Visitors membership request Ricky recommended
against joining.
F. New Business:
1. Kenai CVB Board Officers for 2003: Mr. Braun has indicated that he is willing remain
president for one more year. Ms. Cronkite nominates Mr. Braun as president and Dan Van Zee
and Ron Malston as secretary /treasurer for 2003. Ms. Brower seconded the motion. The motion
was approved unanimously.
2. Proposed Kenai CVB Budget for 2003: The budget is presented in the cost center fund
accounting format. The Summer Art Show.... Would like a financial history for summer show.
Ms. Cronkite moves to accept the budget as presented and Mr. Malston seconded.
Ricky asked board members to speak to anyone they know in KRSA to help influence their
decision to grant us the money for the web site. Our educational goal with the site is to promote
education for We are looking to provide an information rich site and provide an
advertising avenue using banner ads for additional revenue.
Mr. Bookey indicated that the new fouuat will be very beneficial for presentation to the city
council in terms of explaining exactly what their investment pays for.
Mr. Braun asked about membership recruitment Alise has been directed to seek new members.
She has sent packets and has been talking to potential members. She has found that many are
unhappy with KPTMC and the fact that there are so many different organizations some with
very little yield. So part of her task has included market research to help determine how to
deliver the best product to our members.
The motion to accept the budget was approved unanimously.
Motion from Ms. Cronkite, seconded by Mr. Malston to base the ATIA contribution on our
advertising budget instead of our total CVB budget. Mr. Bookey spoke in favor of the motion.
It was approved unanimously.
3. City of Kenai Budget request for management contract of KVCC: We are requesting
a status quo management contract from the City of Kenai. Ms. Cronkite recommended that we
present a 5 -year plan for building maintenance like building upgrades and small tool purchases.
For example we will need to replace carpeting (there is a bunch stored at the airport).
Mr. Bookey indicated that we may have a reduction of budget here due to the radical change in
the business climate. It isn't definite, but it would be wise to plan for the worst.
4. New Member Benefit discount insurance rates through Mutual of Omaha: Our
member businesses will be receiving letters from Mutual of Omaha about discounted group
insurance rates for medical, long term care, etc., for the business owners, spouses and parents.
The representative will be coming for a presentation. It will be a competitive option for our
members.
5. Kenai CVB seeks grant from KRSA for www.sportfisningkenai.lcom: Mr. Gease
requested $30,000 from KRSA for developing the web site. The grant is in the packet.
6. VISTA application for two year -round volunteers: We would like to apply for 2
VISTA volunteers to work on the sportfishingkenai.com website and to look at developing the
501(c)3 foundation for grant applications.
G. Old Business:
1. Arctic Winter Games Site Visit January 17, 2003, recap: The packet contains
information about the presentation. Mr. Gcase has received feedback that the committee was
impressed with our presentation and our site. He feels that we have a good chance to get the
games. Mr. Gease said that Mayor Bagley indicated that this would be a good time to seek a bed
tax. Four percent bed tax brings in about a million dollars. Our portion would be about
$120,000. So we need to seek about 6% rate. He feels that we will benefit from our participation
in this effort in that we will be well positioned to be involved at a level that will bring benefit to
us in terms of revenue for managing the games and promoting them. Mr. Bookey pointed out
that this is not money making proposition up front, but that it will develop some long -term
benefit.
We will know by mid- February whether we will get the games. The board will need to decide if
we want to commit the resources to provide this service for the games.
2. Update on Kenai CVB strategic planning for Tuesday, February 4, 2003: There is a
lot of information in the packet to help the board prepare for the meeting.
3. Update on formation of 501(c)3 for museum services: The quote from Kristine Schmidt
is the best option. Mr. Gease is directed to go forward and work with her.
4. Update on AK 2003 summer art show and the need to get corporate sponsors: Still
looking to re- confirm former corporate sponsors. Mr. Braun recommends co- sponsors in the bed
and breakfast or lodges areas to participate in that way. Mr. Gease plans to approach some of
our members to help with housing or tours for some of the artists when they come for the show.
Ms. Cronkite will ask AK Air if they will comp some tickets. We got S1500 for the
artskenai.com site and $800 from So we have control of the site and we will be trying to get
the show on it. The reception is Saturday May 3 from 5 to 9. We have 45 seats on a Premier
Alaska Tour bus from Anchorage.
5. Peninsula CVB Chamber strategic meeting -4' week in February: The packet
contains information about previous meetings. Another opportunity to push for the bed tax. Mr.
Bookey feels that the city doesn't have a problem with the bed tax as long as it is Borough wide.
It is sunset on the books with a motion, it can be put back on the books. The same is true for
Seward. Soldotna and Homer don't and will have to have a vote to get it approved. Mr. Gease
hopes to develop a plan to take to the Borough prior to approval of the bed -tax to avoid the
political run.
EDD has asked each community to have a local meeting to prepare for the Borough -wide
meeting. Sometime in Feb, we will be meeting for our local meeting.
6. Kenai Chamber of Commerce relationship? Will discuss further at the strategic
planning session
H. Executive Director's Report: Covered in the meeting
1. Board Comments:
Ms. Cronkite thanked Ricky for all his effort on the budget and other areas
Ms. Brower thanked the board for accepting her on the board and although we are likely facing
tough times, that compared to 40 years ago, there will still be those here who will be
participating.
Ms. Ragan also thanks Mr. Gease for the work on the bid and the work on the budget much
preferred over last years
Ms. Steckel thanks for inviting me on the board and thanks for the work on the budget. My
desire is the same as the objective as the visitor's center the well being of the visitor. Feel the
connection we make with past present and future visitors is beneficial.
Mr. Bookey Despite the tough times, still believes Kenai will be better 20 years from now than
we are today.
Mr. Braun last year Mr. Gease presented his first budget. Congratulations to him for his first
year on the job an excellent, excellent job. Thanks Ricky.
J. Schedule of Next Board Meeting: March 10, 2003, 5:30 p.m.
K. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.