Notes from the December 15, 2009 City Council meeting. Â Not a complete report as I wasn’t able to devote time to cover the entire meeting.
Please note that I am watching this on Verizon FiOS 28 tonight – I’m not live in the audience.  It is also available on Comcast 58.
I am also getting a late start.
Paul Musson has been reappointed to the Citilink Board. Â Casey Cox and Thom Obergfell have been reappointed to the Redevelopment Commission.
S-09-12-14
Passed out of committee unanimously. Â I wasn’t able to follow much, I did hear Councilwoman Liz Brown ask how much in legal fees have been spent on the latest Aqua purchase. Â The response was they are not sure.
R-09-12-01
Councilman John Shoaff is asking what the estimated room tax generated is because of the Grand Wayne Center. Â Bob Lister, General Manager of the Grand Wayne Center, is responding 25 to 30%.
Councilwoman Karen Goldner is  asking about collection problems from last year.  If the County begins to do it, they will need to add an employee.
Councilman Mitch Harper  is asking if there are entities that aren’t paying.  Lister is responding that they are not allowed to look at the information, by the state, so he is not sure.  If the County begins collecting the tax, it has been proposed that they audit all hotels at the beginning.
Councilwoman Liz Brown is commenting the GWC gave no raise for the year. Â Liz is now asking about competition of other meeting facilities, like Parkview Field and hotels. Â Lister is commenting that they are not trying to break into the 100 or 200 person conventions and trying not to step on other facilities. Â They don’t advertise locally, but go for the bigger conventions.
Convention Visitors Bureau Budget
Jim Anderson, President of the CVB Board is before the Council. Â Dan O’Connell is before the Council talking about their use of social media to draw attendance to our area. Â Their budget is static, except for increases in health care costs. Â A new strategic plan is being looked at for 2010. Â Surplus of $90,000 currently.
Councilwoman Karen Goldner: Asking about the role the CVB will have in the new ice rink facility. Â NCAA is interested in putting some of their tournaments here.
Councilman Tom Didier: asking if Three Sheets feel they will have enough hotel rooms. Â The answer is yes – about 1,000 in the proximity of the rink. Â Talking about traffic concerns, especially at Coliseum Boulevard and Lima Road.
Passed unanimously.
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