The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About09-13-06 Finance Com. MinutesDUBLIN CITY COUNCIL Finance Committee Wednesday, September 13, 2006 Council Chambers Minutes of Meeting Committee Members present were Mr. Keenan and Vice Mayor Lecklider. Mr. McCash was absent. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher and Ms. Salay were also present. Staff members present: Ms. Brautigam, Ms. Grigsby, and Ms. Gibson. Mr. Keenan, Finance Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. Mr. Keenan stated that the purpose of the meeting is to review the Arthritis Foundation hotel-motel tax grant application for their 25~h Annual Classic Auto Show & Cruise-In Event, which will be held July 6 and 7, 2007. The applicant is not in attendance. Per the Arthritis Foundation's request, City Council is reviewing the grant application ahead of the normal timeline so that the City's logo can be included in all of the event's advertising materials, if a grant is awarded. Ms. Grigsby stated that the application includes an executive summary that describes the contents of the grant application. Staff has also provided a history of Dublin's hotel-motel grant awards from 1988 through 2006. Mr. Keenan noted that the Arthritis Foundation's 2006 award was $4,000. Was that amount for the cost of City services provided? Ms. Gibson responded affirmatively. In addition, the City showmobile rental fee was waived - a cost of $750/day for 2 days, total value of $1,500. Mr. Keenan noted that the value of the 2006 award to the Arthritis Foundation was $5,500. He explained that last year the City's funds for hotel/motel tax grants were severely restricted. Ms. Grigsby responded that the available funds for 2006 awards were $40,000 -- $20,000 for events in the Historic District and $20,000 for other events within the City. The available funds for 2007 grant awards have not yet been determined. However, the City's hotel/motel tax revenues are recovering somewhat this year, so additional funds will likely be available for 2007. She has reviewed the history of grant awards made by the City the last few years. A fund of $50,000 - $75,000 would cover a similar level of grants as made in previous years, excluding the large grant to Dublin Youth Athletics for athletic field lighting and a significant grant made to the Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau in 1999. Mr. Keenan inquired if the amount of $50,000-75,000 was intended to cover the Historic Dublin grants. Ms. Grigsby responded affirmatively. Mr. Keenan noted that a fund of $50,000 would provide only $10,000 more than what was available in 2006. Finance Committee September 13, 2006 Page 2 Ms. Grigsby clarified that she was projecting availability of around of $75,000. The only grant made annually for the Historic District is the Dublin Arts Council's Art and Music Festival. Last year, aone-time grant of $10,000 was made for the Great Race event in Historic Dublin, but that money would be available for other grants for the District in 2007. In the past, annual bicycle events were held in the Historic District, but those have not occurred in recent years. Mr. Keenan noted the annual grant to the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau also will not be included this year. Ms. Grigsby responded that the City would utilize those funds next year to acquire the additional land in the Historic District that was not programmed in previous years. That land includes the Sonksen and the Duke and Duchess sites. Mr. Keenan noted that the money has then actually been spent. Ms. Grigsby affirmed that those funds have been expended. The only change that could occur is if the Duke and Duchess site were to be sold. Mr. Keenan inquired if the athletic field lighting award would expire this year. Ms. Grigsby responded that grant has already been finalized. Mr. Keenan inquired about item #18 in the Arthritis Foundation 2007 application, which states that the actual cost of City services in 2006 exceeded the $4,000 grant received for their 2006 event. Ms. Grigsby responded it appears to indicate that, but the City has not yet received the follow-up report from the Foundation. She assumes they have included the cost of special duty officers, but that cost is not billed through City services. Special duty officers are utilized for the event versus paying overtime to the officers. Vice Mayor Lecklider inquired the reason the Arthritis Foundation did not receive grants for years 1994 through 2002. Ms. Gibson responded that the Arthritis Foundation applied for grants in 1994 and 1995, but Council denied those applications. Council based those denials on the fact that the grants are awarded as seed money for local events. The Classic Auto Show had become an established, well attended event, and Council determined the money should be awarded to other organizations needing seed money. However, the Foundation did apply again in 2002, and Council has awarded them grants in years 2002 through 2006. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher stated that the previous director did not apply in years 1996 through 2001 due to Council's direction that grant funds would no longer be available for that event. That individual is no longer with the Foundation, however. The volunteers who are running the event resumed the grant applications in 2002. Finance Committee September 13, 2006 Page 3 Vice Mayor Lecklider inquired what the benefit of the event is for the City. He was surprised at the comparatively low number of room nights and bed tax derived from the event. Ms. Gibson responded that the number reflects 2002 data. She does not yet have a report for the 2006 event, although it is required within 30 days following the event. Ms. Grigsby noted that although the event participants generate some hotel room nights, the attendance draw is primarily local. Vice Mayor Lecklider stated that he has attended in recent years and noticed that many of the participants are also from the central Ohio area. It is a large event, but does not bring in a significant amount of bed tax. Ms. Gibson responded that some participants may be utilizing Columbus rather than Dublin hotels. Vice Mayor Lecklider noted that the Clarion Dublin was not listed in the 2007 event materials. Ms. Gibson responded that is because it is listed under its new name of the Crowne Plaza, which will be effective January 1, 2007. Ms. Grigsby stated that page 3 of their application estimates the event will bring in a total of 160 room nights. Vice Mayor Lecklider noted several considerations: (1) The fact that the City denied their applications in 1994 and 1995, because the purpose of the bed tax grants is to provide seed money for events. (2) Occasionally, additional consideration is given to events that will bring in significant bed tax revenue to the City. (3) Is the fact that the City would receive significant recognition in the event advertising sufficient justification for an award to be granted? Mr. Keenan stated the last fact is important. It is the reason the City Council had decided to have this review early. He inquired about the advertising piece. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher stated that this is one of the largest, national antique auto events in the country. The information indicates that 36 publications will carry mention of this event. A video has been created for purposes of advertising and sponsorship. She was interviewed for a video for the event which also promotes the City of Dublin. Ms. Gibson noted that the City logo also appears on the event shirts. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher stated that the initiator of the event in Dublin was Immke and the organizer today is Pacer Global Logistics, headed by Jeff Brashears. The Dublin Classic Auto Show is nationally recognized, largely due to Pacer and the Arthritis Foundation. Finance Committee September 13, 2006 Page 4 There are only a small number of arthritis foundations throughout the nation, and the Central Ohio chapter is one of the largest in terms of clients served. Mr. Keenan stated that while providing seed money is the purpose of the bed tax grant, there are a number of criteria that this application meets, including: special events, projects/events that appeal to Dublin visitors and tourists, generate hotel/motel room nights, encourage support of Dublin's businesses, restaurants and attractions, attract positive coverage in local, regional and national media, and reach a broad segment of the community. The Classic Auto Show & Cruise-In is a community event that is well attended. He believes the City should continue to support the event, but he is unsure at what level. Vice Mayor Lecklider stated that the questions he posed do not indicate he does not support it. While he would like to have a more accurate estimation of anticipated hotel/motel room nights, he also favors continuing support of the event. For him, the question is what level that support should be. Mr. Keenan inquired how the Committee can recommend funding for this application when the total grant fund is not yet determined. It seems, however, that staff believes that there will be twice the amount available as last year. Ms. Grigsby responded that at this point she is comfortable assuming that a total of $75,000 will be available for hotel/motel tax grants -- $20,000 for the Historic District and $55,000 for other events. In 2005, the total amount of grants awarded was $59,000. Vice Mayor Lecklider suggested an award of $5,000 for the 2007 Arthritis Foundation event. Last year, the award was $4,000. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher noted that the application was for $15,000. Is a grant of $5,000 sufficient reason for them to include the City in all their event publicity? Ms. Gibson noted that the Dublin Arts Council has indicated that they are considering not holding an Art and Music Festival in 2007. Vice Mayor Lecklider stated that in past years, the level of funding the Arthritis Foundation received from the City did not influence whether or not they recognized the City as a partner. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher responded that previously, the City was included in the last phases of their event marketing. For 2007, the expectation was to include the City in all phases of their marketing. Ms. Grigsby noted that this will be the 25~h anniversary of the event. If there is any one year the City would prefer to participate more fully in the marketing, it would be the anniversary year. If Council should decide to participate at a higher level, it would be advisable to clarify that the award is being made at that level one time only due to the anniversary event. Finance Committee September 13, 2006 Page 5 Vice Mayor Lecklider indicated he does not support their application for $15,000. The City will want to provide grants for other events from that $55,000. Mr. Keenan suggested an award of the same amount that was provided in 2005 -- $7,500; that amount is nearly twice what was awarded in 2006. A fee waiver of the City showmobile rental could also be granted. Vice Mayor Lecklider inquired if the applicant understood that their application was scheduled to be reviewed by the Council Finance Committee tonight. Were they invited to attend? Ms. Grigsby responded affirmatively. Vice Mayor Lecklider moved to recommend to Council a grant award of $7,500 to the Arthritis Foundation for their 2007 Classic Auto Show & Cruise-In plus a waiver of the showmobile rental fees. Mr. Keenan seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Vice Mayor Lecklider, yes; Mr. Keenan, yes; Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher, yes; Ms. Salay, yes. Mr. Keenan stated that the recommendation would be made at the Council meeting of September 18. He noted that at some point, it will be necessary to discuss the 2007 grant award process. He requested that Ms. Grigsby formulate suggestions for the ongoing process and share that with the Committee. For instance, would it be preferable to review and award grants at an earlier date so the City could be included more fully in event advertising? Ms. Grigsby responded that atone time, the City reviewed applications twice ayear - in the fall (September) and in the spring (March.) Due to the reduced level of available funding and the fact that a greater number of applications were received in March, the application timeframe was limited to March only. However, it would not be problematic to resume September applications. Mr. Keenan responded that would be addressed in a future discussion. The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Clerk of Council _ HOTEUMOTEL TAX GRANTS ___ ____ -__ ___ 1988 - 2.00.6 _ _ _ _ __-_- _ _ 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 J 1998 1997 1996 1995 T 1994 1993 1992 1991 1890 1989 1988 -- Arthritis Foundation ----- -- - -- Bands, Bikes 8 880 __ __,____ Baseball SupEort Group ` 4,000 ~ 7 500 000 2,000 - - 3,000 -- ~ 8 000 ~ - ---_. ----- - _ _.._.. --- - -- - - 000 -- 5000 - - - 6,500 --- - 5,000 -- ' - _ _. i _ __ BgAApple Circus ___ _____ Capital Amateur_Hockey Assn _ __ _ ___ __ _ _ -- _ _ --_ I 4,000 5,000 14,320 8,000 ___ Chamber Music Socie~of Dublin _ 3 250 ___ _ ___ - _ _ _ ~ Chiefs of Police Conference __ _ _____ _ _ __ _ 1 000 C of Dublin - Senso Garden __ - - _ - __10,500 4,400 31 100 20 000 76 250 4,500 28 484 _ Cols Chill Youth Hocke Assn -bleachers Y ------ _ -_ _ ~ __ 34 202 Cdumbus Feis - ---------- --- ' - t -- --- - - - - --- - --- 7,500 - __ 8,000 15 100 15,800 /5 500 - t Crush Hock~Showcase _. _- ..---- _ _ __ _ 3,500 Cystic Fibrosis Foundafron 5K Run _ ~ _ _ __ _ ~ppp _ __ Dublin AM Rotar~Golf Tournament Dublin Area Art League - - - - - - ~ _~ -- - -- --- -- -- _ _ _ _ ~ 750 T 650 2,200 650 _ _ 1 275 1 500 _- 5 000 Dublin Arts Council -- --- Dublin Baseball Team Florida Trip____ 10,000 ! 6,712 -- - ~ - - ~ - - - 242,044 113,8_50 - _1.74 43_0 1.13,062 I 83,050 ~ 99,000 110,000 - _ 145,560 - 93,750 2,000 _ I _5.2,975 _ Dublin Biathlon ----- Dublin Chamber of Commerce _ __ Dublm Coffman Teen InsMute - I - - 000 3 --- __ 7 000 - __ _ -- } I ~ _ _ _ ~ _ ~ _ --- 890 I _ 1,000 _ 748 _ _ 821 - - 844 ~ __ 500 -- - -- r - ~ ~ I - __ _ - _ Dublin Community Theatre _ ___ ___ t t , _-- , ___ + I _ _._. -_ I - - l t -- ~ _- l - ---_ - - t -- --- - -- Tl I * 8,750 ._ ~ -+ - - Dublin Convention 8 Visitors Bureau T 6 000 1 59 600 000 23 __ _ __ ~ - j - - t _ 000 21 _ ' 6a 000 _ ~ _ 432 8 Dublin Garden Ctub _ __ ___ n - _ -- l ti D bli I i h C b S~ ~ ~ _- __ _ ~ __ _ -__ 1.500 ~ _ f ~ + -- ~ -_ ~ t , - , _ _ - __ - _ ~ 2,300 _ 1 000 - ~- - r- - -- - j _ _ -- ~ ~ - 2 ~ -~ _ 32 225 __ , 65,860 ~~ - - -1 i 15 OOO ~ _ -- , . ~39,582 r n e ra u s e o Dublin Knvan s F Jum ---_-«3-~ __.------- Dublin Kiwams Landmark Tree_Program Dublin Kiwanis Riverway Park ._-__ _.._- Dublin Kiwanis Fire Engine - - Dublin Kiwanis Miss Colleen of Dublin- Dublin lions Club ~ .- 5,000 -.-- - ~ - ~ ~ 5 000 - - _ ~ - -- _ -- _ -- ~ ~ ~ - 4_000 __ ~ ' ~ - r i 1 -1 _ 4,000, ~_ } IT --- I ~ -: ~ 4 ~ __ 4,000 _ ~ Y ' ~ i --.. - I _+ + } L __ 4 000 _ __ - - _ 4_000 _ - -- f -- _ 3,000 - ~ _ - - 2210 _ - __ -- - 1 50p -- - _ 2 10y _ - r - - -- -- -- -_--- - - 1 ~ --20.0 0 _-- 30,921 ~ ~ _- -- -- - ~ I - 0 Y ,000 - -- 41,000 -- --- ~ t ___+ - _ 15,000 6,304. -- - 26,000 _ - - 25 000 - ---- , _ - 22.200 56 000 __ ,ppp - - - - -- Dublin Music Boosters Florda Trite -__ DublinS~rs - -g-Sg-)---- -~ Dublin Soccer League (bleachers) _______ - DublinWomensClub -- ~ _ - - ~ -~ ~ ~ i +- T ...__ 17 700 -.-__. ~ -- ~ _._- ~ .--- ~ ~ t ~ ~ - _ _~ 4,00011 ------+ ~ ~ r -r 7-,500 __-+ ---. i I + + r{ -- -- _..~ ~ . t ~ - ~ 25,050rt --- t I ~ -- _- - ---- -- ~ 5,1001 -_--~ i ~ - ~ _15 300 ~ ~ 340 -- ~ .. - - 5 000 j -1 - - ~ _ -- ~ 5_000 ~ _. 057 1 1 - -- - - _ - _ 3,000 -+ - _; -- - -- +--+ _ ' r- 10000 - -i +' `-I _ _l --- B 500 - _. ~-} I - _. _. I 12 2 _ ~ - -~ ' ~ ' _--$ _- _ 050 ~ 2 - _ 10 000 ___. --- __ -- Dublin Wrestling Club_ Dublin Youth Athletics } I - ' - -- ~ -- 52,894 ~ --- _ 42,250 ~ --- 6 7 5 00 ~ 1 - 67 500 _ } ~ 55 138 k _ _- f 4 8 000 ---- 49; 00 -' 46 000 - --- 30 0001 ., . - 20 p00 - P~500 - - - - --- - ~ ~ t , _- ~ ~. ___ __ - -- -- ces _ __ -it ~ -- ~ bl1 t ~ -- ~ -- ,SOO ---~ r _ ~ 0,000 _--- _ , _ ,000 - - 1 , ,000 ~ , ,000 ---- 1 _ _ --___ I _ , ,000 --. _~ ,000; ------ , ------ _ - ~ , - -1 -_ ~ _ .. 5,000 _.-- ---- - - --- 20,000 - 8,000 - } - I - - - - _ -- __. Grandview_Bic cle Race Com an Y ~ Y _ -- en Events ArboSDa Race Ha Yd Y ~ ~ __ h ~ _ ! - _ Ij _. -~ I ' -- - r - - ~ ~ - -- . - + 1 200 - - - -.. -- ~ ~ - --- ~ i ' -- ~ ~ 1 _ 1 I ---- t - 0 - r- ~ _- +- ~ - --- - --- HDBA -The Great Race -- _ Jason Project Edu_cator's Conference 1 - ~ 10,000 - r ~ - _ _ 1,000 ' ~ - -rt ~ __. ~ __.___._ * ~ I .. 1 1 .--_-.- - --- ~ -.- f _ , -- I I _ ---- ~ .- ~ --- -- _.-_ _f _ l + -._.__ - - ..._ ~ - 4 ~ ~ t __ _-.-- ----~ I -- { - - _ - -- --- I - _-+ I -_.. __ - 1 _ .__ __ - i -1 _ - 4,00 - - - t - - _ - - _ { - - ~ r I - + I - ~- I , --- -- Leadershi Dublin -- _ _..__ _._ j __ __ ~ _ _ _I + -... ~ x_10.000 i _ __ ~ __ II ~ } ~ March of Dimes Softball Tournament M~dwest Tandem Ralf _- _. _.. - --- Miss Ohro wrfield Village 3 Tour Challen e Y 1 --- I { 1 ~ -_ r ~ ~ - ~ --- ; ~ f l -- ' - 10,000 _ - I i - ~ ~ I ~ ~ -- t ~ -- ~ I _ - ---- 6,0101 _ I _ 1,080 - __ 700 + - I _ - . r --.. - __~ - __ _- - _ _____ i ~ - - ~ -- ~- I _-- _ --- -- _ --- g __ National Intercoll~ate F~ny_Assn ----- -_ 3,000 - - ~ ~ ___ ___ _ ---- __~ ~~ii - 7 500 i _ - -- -- ~ _ --- _ _ - -- 14,330 - ' _ - _ __ _ ~ . Ohro F C Soccer Ctub - Ohio Police Juvenile Officer's Assn - - - - Ohio Premier GiAs Soccer Club _____ _ _ Ohio Wine Producers -- - _ _ - -__ - ~ ~ ~ _ ~ _ -- ~ ~ 1 _ -- - - - _ _ - 1_,500 __ I 1 _.._.. ' _ 1 -1 10,00_0 -- _-I I -- 10,000 - 2.000 15,000 _ _ ___ _ _ ; _ _ _ ~ ~ -- _ ___ _ _ Ohio WineProducers • Rental Fee Waiver - ---- - Ohio Wildlife Center - - ~ ,000 ~ -- I ~ ~ ~ -- --- -- 25,000 - ~' rt 4 - 3,225 -- - _ -~ ~ r- ~ - -- ; -- , _~ ~ , -- Old Dublin Assn ---- -- - - Old Dublin Paint Out _ _ Rally Partners ~ -- -- ~ __ _ - -- _ _~ 5 000 ~ ~ --- ~ -- _ _~ _ -- ~ __ - C ~ _ _ -_ -_ __ - 10,700 _ -- _ --- _ - ~ - - - - - - - 80,000 - - - 75,000 I - ~ - , 200,000 ~ - 1 SO 000 3 538 - . - 1,913 - f- T 22,490 - Sharon Mennonite Church Softball Tournament SE Great Lakes Fi ure Skating Competition _ L __ ~ ---- --- -__.- .. __ ~ ~_ ! 4000 ~ __ __ _ ---- ~-~ 1,_ _ 1 000 1. 200 _ 1 500 . - .._~ - - _ 000 i 1, - __ - - - ~- --- -- _ Team Columbus __ ___ __ _ ~ _ _ 8,000 12,049 _33,_0_00 28 000 i 10,000 - 1 000 _ T , t _ ____ I _ ___ + Washin tg on Twp Professional Firefighters-_ _ _ 4 __ _ __ _ _ 3 000 _ __ _ 2 650 _ I _ _ _ 1 _ .. _ ' Total Awarded - _ _ -- ___ 40 000 59 412 56,39 80,750 136,500 92,500 114,688 132 827 90 790 362,764 200 367 265,504 169,063 336,741 000 327, 511,129 _ 435,658 249,19 7 216,679 I