Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-01 Finance - Bed TaxDublin City Council Finance Committee Wednesday, October 24, 2001 6:30 p.m. — Council Conference Room Attending: Mr. McCash, Chair Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher Mr. Reiner Ms. Gibson, Director of Taxation Ms. Puskarcik, Director Community Relations Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher called the meeting to order. She stated that the purpose of this meeting is to review bed tax applications and noted that Committee Chair, Mr. McCash, will arrive shortly. DUBLIN YOUTH ATHLETICS: Request: $142,000: $7,000 — CABA Event; $135,000 — Lighting of Darree Fields Event: 2001 CABA World Series Representatives: Jim Link, DYA Athletic Director Mr. Link presented Council with an award of recognition for the City's support of the 2001 CABA Tournament. He stated that the 2001 Tournament was one of the best tournaments they have held. Participation, ticket sales, and merchandise sales were at or near record highs. He stated that they are requesting a grant for the actual cost of City services up to $7,000 for the 2002 Series, which is scheduled for July 25 — August 5, 2002. Last year, the actual cost of City services was $4,800.00. Their application also includes a request for the remaining 50% of the total cost of the lighting for fields #14 and #15 at Darree Fields ($135,000). Last year, Council approved funds to light one of the fields, with the intention of approving lighting for the other field this year. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Hahn, DYA did not proceed with the project, preferring to minimize disruption of the fields by waiting until the remaining funding was available this year so that the entire project could be completed at one time. When the funding is approved, the project will be scheduled for completion February -March 2002 to be in place for the 2002 softball/baseball season. The plan is to swap fields -- the fields at Darree Fields to be used by the adult and co-ed teams and the Avery fields to be used by the youth teams. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher inquired when the Tournament is expected to become self- sufficient. Mr. Link responded that, aside from the cost of City services, the Tournament has been self-supporting five of the last six years. In 1996, the City began to bill them for the cost Finance Committee October 24, 2001 Page 2 of City services, but in 1998, Mr. Campbell suggested that the cost of City services be included in the grant application, as the event is beneficial to the City. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher suggested that clarification of the Tournament's self-sufficiency be made in the application. Mr. Link will add the explanation that the Tournament is self-sufficient exclusive of City services. A PLACE TO GROW, L.L.C.: Request: $15,000 Representative: Beth Amirault, President This application was disqualified. Due to the fact that this organization is no longer not- for-profit, it does not meet the grant criteria for the bed tax funds. HISTORIC DUBLIN ASSOCIATION: Request: Up to $3,900 for banners for Old Dublin Presenter: Sandra Puskarcik, Community Relations Director Ms. Puskarcik stated that she met with Joan Eggspuehler recently regarding the issue of banners for Historic Dublin, which was also the subject of the Historic Dublin Association's bed tax application last year for $2,600. The application was turned down at that time because clarification was needed. In 1999, their application for $6,500 for a permanent sign in Old Dublin was approved; however, no action has been taken to purchase/install a sign -- the purpose of the signage would be to better identify Old Dublin's boundaries. The festive banners would inspire spirit and pride among the shop owners. She noted that several options were identified: 1. Place Historic Dublin street banners on North and South High Street lampposts on the sidewalk side only. Ms. Puskarcik reminded Council that several years ago when the City's banner program was initiated, the original intent was to put the banners on High Street. However, they did not fit in the limited space, and were placed on Bridge Street instead. She explained that standard -size banners couldn't be used due to a clearance issue. Ms. Puskarcik suggested that test banners be placed on the sidewalk side of the lampposts only, using a smaller size banner. If the banners work there, the program would be handled in the same manner in which the City's present banner program on Bridge Street is handled. 2. Place Historic Dublin street banners only on the four street corners of Bridge and High on the lampposts. Finance Committee October 24, 2001 Page 3 3. Increase the number of Historic Dublin banner placements in the regular rotation schedule on Bridge Street. Banners cost $75.00/each. If they were placed on all the lampposts on Bridge Street, the maximum cost would be $3,900. 4. Add the words "Historic Dublin" to the crossbars of the traffic lights. In this case, Mr. Kindra would have to be consulted to determine if that is an option. 5. Continue studying the permanent signage option. There is a question as to why this has not occurred yet, as it was approved in 1999. She noted that Ms. Eggspuehler had requested her assistance with the design or at least ideas for the signage. She noted that this would not be a community board. It would be Historic Dublin -specific. 6. If the banners do not work, consider streamers, which could be placed on lampposts. She noted that once hardware is attached to a lamppost, something must always be attached to the hardware, to prevent the hardware protruding, which could cause potential injury. Ms. Puskarcik noted that another consideration is whether the cost should be covered by bed tax funds or be included in the Community Relations budget, which budgets banners on an annual basis. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher stated that the Historic District is part of the City. Since the City has a vested interest, it would make sense for this to be included in the City's budget. Mr. McCash stated that he has observed signs for other organizations on the lampposts. How was that accomplished? Ms. Puskarcik stated that the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau placed those during DCVB Week, working in partnership with the other organizations. They paid for the banners, although the City of Dublin maintains all of the banners. Ms. Puskarcik noted that the request for funding for the banners was made before a request for space. So, it does not necessarily mean that the space will be available as soon as the banners are purchased. Ms. Puskarcik noted the scheduling would be affected by the availability of space in conjunction with the design. If the design focuses on an event or season during which the space is already claimed, there is a problem. However, if the banner design just says "Historic Dublin" and the banners can be placed during an off -month, there wouldn't be a difficulty in scheduling. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher stated that the primary interest is in identification of Old Dublin. All cities identify their historic area. It is in the City's self-interest to pursue that through permanent signage. Mr. McCash stated that if it is determined that signage can be attached to the lampposts in Historic Dublin, then Old Dublin can identify itself 365 days of the year. Should Old Finance Committee October 24, 2001 Page 4 Dublin desire to advertise an event in the Historic Area, they could submit a bed tax application for assistance in funding. Ms. Puskarcik stated the identification could be accomplished adequately by the permanent signage, crossbar identification or the smaller streamers — no need to purchase banners. Ms. Puskarcik stated there is also the question of who will oversee the banner/sign program for Old Dublin. Mr. Reiner stated that it should be the City's responsibility. Ms. Gibson inquired if the Committee would prefer to extend the allocation of $6,500 for the permanent signage for Historic Dublin, or handle it otherwise. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher responded that the cost of the permanent signage should come out of the City's general funds. Ms. Gibson stated that she would then unencumber the funds. Ms. Puskarcik inquired if the permanent signage is perceived as having movable parts also. Mr. McCash stated that the Association had discussed the signage having the capability of listing all the businesses in Old Dublin, which would mean that part of the signage would be movable. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher stated the businesses in Old Dublin change too frequently. That would be a lot of work to ensure that the changes are made promptly. She added that if, two years after the grant award, the work still has not been completed, then the money should be rescinded. When they are ready to proceed with the project, they can apply again. Mr. McCash stated that the whole signage package should be put together first, then they could submit a new, all-inclusive, application. Ms. Puskarcik stated that all the options wouldn't be necessary —the permanent sign, the crossbar identification, banners on Bridge Street and flags on High Street—that would be too much. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher stated that a remaining concern for her is the sign, which must be tended and immediately updated if any businesses change. Such a sign would be an ongoing problem; on the other hand, banners have more visibility. Finance Committee October 24, 2001 Page 5 Ms. Puskarcik stated that Historic Dublin also has the kiosk, where information can be left for public view. Mr. Reiner stated that if the Historic Dublin Association wants a more active area, advertising businesses or events isn't the key. Getting a couple of popular restaurants will draw the public to that part of town. Ms. Puskarcik stated that if it were Council's intent to include this in the City's 2001 budget, it would be necessary for her to move rapidly to get it included. The Committee advised her to proceed with that intent. She will evaluate the options, work with Engineering and Streets and Utilities to see what will work, and report back to the Committee before the budget meetings in November. OHIO YOUTH SUMMIT: Request: $10,000 Event: Ohio Youth Summit Representative: Natalie Witwer, Miss Ohio Ms. Witwer distributed an update on her application for bed tax funds, noting that in order to meet the grant application deadline the week before the Miss America pageant, she had submitted an application for monies to help fund her projects and platform in general. She had listed the projects, but not focused on any particular event in conjunction with those projects. Following the pageant, she has now had time to define her focus on collaborating many of her ideas in one culminating event—the Ohio Youth Summit. This event will promote her platform and support character education and character building in Dublin youth, as well as the rest of the state. The Summit will be a high school convention to be held in Spring 2002 in Dublin, Ohio with attendance of youth from all over Ohio. There will be entertainment and several popular speakers will participate including, possibly, Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell. The purpose of the Summit is to encourage the high school youth of Ohio to take a leap into a character - building movement to make good choices by forming solid values. To do this she will be working with the high school team of students called, "Interact." With an estimated 5,000 high school students and 100 adults attending, the total economic impact on Dublin's hotels and shops is estimated at $328,275. $10,000 is requested as seed money for what is hoped to be an annual event funded independently. The total cost has not yet been determined. She recently spoke at the Ohio House of Representatives on her platform, character education. Her platform aligns with a similar focus of Ohio Secretary of State, J. Kenneth Blackwell. Ms. Witwer shared copies of "The Uncommon Sense Declaration," as distributed by Mr. Blackwell. She stated that she had testified for State Representative Finance Committee October 24, 2001 Page 6 Roman before the House of Representatives for a proposed bill presently before the Education Committee focusing on character and the nation's youth. Ms. Witwer stated that the receiver of the funds could be the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program, Inc., a 501C-3 agency, with the funds forwarded to Ms. Witwer. Mr. McCash inquired how much of this event would be religion focused. Ms. Witwer responded that this event would follow what the State legislature is putting into effect at this time. The program will focus on character traits, but not religion. Public schools will be a major participant. She is cognizant of that concern and need to assure those entities. Ms. Chinnici-Zuercher suggested that Ms. Witwer contact Jack Chaisson of the Dublin Rotary to request his assistance in approaching the Rotary Foundation for money for this Summit. She also suggested that she consider partnering with another kind of non-profit organization that could be more attractive to funders than the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program. This type of youth summit would appeal to a number of funders and foundations, some of which have funds set up for youth education and character building. She suggested that Ms. Witwer also make very clear in future proposals that the money would be designated solely for the youth summit and not the operational costs of the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program. Mr. McCash inquired what date the Summit will be held. Ms. Witwer stated that she is looking at April 19-20, 2002, although that is still tentative. Mr. McCash suggested that Ms. Witwer contact him, and he would provide her with information on another non-profit organization and contact who may be interested in assisting her with funds. Mr. McCash stated that the Committee would notify Ms. Witwer of the recommendation that they will make to Council regarding her request. Council will vote on that recommendation at their November 5t' Council meeting. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: • OHIO YOUTH SUMMIT: Discussion ensued regarding: - the need to restrict the grant dollars for purpose of organizing and executing the Youth Summit - Special events are eligible for money from the bed tax fund. The City could become the local sponsor of the Youth Summit. Finance Committee October 24, 2001 Page 7 -There are community youth organizations/programs from which Ms. Witwer can draw people to sit on a planning committee. A representative from the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau would be very helpful. - Intent to hold event in Dublin, and draw students from the Central Ohio area. - A detailed plan to be submitted when developed. Recommendation: A grant of up to $10,000 of bed tax funds be designated as part of the City's sponsorship of the Youth Summit, with the stipulation that a detailed plan be submitted when available. • DUBLIN YOUTH ATHLETICS: Recommendation: A grant of up to $7,000 for the actual cost of City services for the CABA Event and $135,000 for the lighting of Darree Fields. Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Submitted by: Assistant Clerk of Council