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HomeMy Public PortalAboutLOT Commission Minutes 05-02-05City of McCall Local Option Tax Commission Meeting Minutes May 2, 2005 Call to Order The Local Option Tax Commission meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. Those present were Steve Gleason, Sherryl Graham, Don Bailey, Roger Snodgrass, Rob DeMore, and Lance Daniels. Review and Approval of Minutes Mr. Snodgrass moved to approve the March 14, 2005 minutes of the LOT Commission. Mr. Gleason seconded the motion. All members voted aye. The motion carried. March Remittance Report Dan Irwin, City Clerk, reported that $11491.26 in revenue had been received for the month. He said that he was still waiting on some additional remittances. Mr. Irwin stated that it appears that the LOT revenue will be approximately $150,000 for the fiscal year. Requests for Funding Arts and Humanities Council - $3,000.00 - (Kaleidoscope Kids Festival & Summer Education Program) Mr. Irwin announced that Ms. Ruemmele had called informed him that she had an ill child and wouldn’t be able to attend the event. He explained that the group was requesting the funding for the Kids Festival and Summer Education Program. City of McCall Parks and Recreation Department - $4,500.00 - (Picnic Table Replacement) Brock Heasley, Parks and Recreation Director, said that he is seeking to replace the deteriorated picnic tables at Brown Park and Legacy Park. He explained that the tables are made out of recycled plastic and would be able to better withstand the winters in McCall. City of McCall Parks and Recreation Department - $1,494.00 - (Replacement of Trash Cans in Brown Park) Mr. Heasley explained that the request was to establish the deteriorated trash cans located in Brown Park. He said that the cans are also constructed of recycled plastic and are more durable to withstand the winters in McCall. City of McCall Parks and Recreation Department - $10,000.00 - (Riverfront Park) Mr. Heasley stated that he is attempting to establish a new line item in his budget to save for the future development of Riverfront Park. He explained where the park was located and said that he is hoping to build a reserve fund for the costs that will be involved when development begins. City of McCall Parks and Recreation Department - $14,500.00 - (Legacy Park Pathway) Mr. Heasley stated that the pathway in Legacy Park had become damaged because of snow. He said that the park should be ascetically pleasing to the thousands of visitors that come to the park each year. Property Owners of Eastside Subdivision - $15,000.00 - (Paving of Lawrence Drive) Mr. Irwin explained that a property owner in Eastside Subdivision submitted a letter to the City requesting that Lawrence Drive be paved. He said that the owner was referred to the LOT Commission for possible consideration of the project. Mr. Daniels explained the location of the subdivision to the Commission members. Payette Lakes Writers Group - $2,075.00 - (Enhancement of Writers Conference & Scholarships) Christie Gorsline stated that many artists congregate to McCall because of the natural beauty. She said that the Writers Group sponsors an annual conference that was dropped by Boise State University. She explained that 50-60 people attend the event each year. She stated that the funding request would allow the group to obtain additional speakers for the event and would also increase the amount of funds given in scholarships. She explained that the majority of people who attend the conferences stay at the very hotels which generate the LOT revenue. McCall Skate Board Park Association - $48,500.00 - (Skate Board Park) Cindy Crawford stated that the Skateboard Park Association is a nonprofit organization that was formed to build a skateboard park. She explained that the project will be turned over to the City of McCall after it is complete. Ms. Crawford said that the project will be located next to Heartland High School. She said that the scope of the project is $148,000 and fundraising has been conducted by the members of the association and local youth. She stated that the group has been able to collect $99,500 to date. Ms. Crawford explained that the association has spent four years researching the park and have decided to have it built by professionals to avoid any problems. She said that the park will be professional designed to last forever if it is properly maintained. Ms. Crawford said that the park will only used in the daytime and will accommodate approximately 200 skaters per day. She said that many public entities have volunteered to donate in-kind services for the completion of the project. Ms. Crawford said that the association has involved the public throughout the project and the park will serve as another recreational amenity to the community. She said that the association would like to provide something to keep the local youth off the streets and out of trouble. She said that the park will serve as a nice amenity to all kids regardless of socio-economic status. Ms. Crawford stated that the park will be an in-ground design that will not be covered. She explained that a covered skateboard park would require supervision which the association can’t commit to. She said that the association has been around for four years and will be able to accomplish their goal if they are granted the LOT request. Nate Thrash stated that he hopes the LOT Commission can solve the need that exists in the community for the skateboard park. City of McCall Public Works Department - $40,000.00 - (Public Parking Paving) Bill Keating, Public Works Director, explained that the request was for the paving of the public parking area that is located behind City Hall. He said that the project would benefit both the tourists and citizens of the community. He stated that the request is only for the material and that the Public Works Department would be contributing all of the labor that is required. 2008 McCall World Masters - $7,000.00 The applicant wasn’t present. Mary Naylor, President of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, explained that the organizers of the event must produce several items in order to secure the event. She explained that the funds would be used to complete the bid packet and provide an on-line media kit among other things. McCall Area Chamber of Commerce - $7,500.00 - (Holiday Lights) Ms. Naylor stated that there is an initiative in the community to place 1 million holiday lights around the City from Thanksgiving until March to make the City feel more festive. She stated that the lights would provide a nice amenity to the visitor’s of the City. Ms. Naylor clarified that she didn’t submit the application and asked why the original request for the fireworks funding wasn’t on the agenda. Mr. Gleason explained that volunteered to collect private donations for the fireworks display. He said that the application for the lights was submitted to replace the fireworks request. McCall Area Chamber of Commerce - $45,000.00 - (ITC Travel Grant Matching Funds) Ms. Naylor explained that the Chamber of Commerce is required to have matching funds in order to supplement their Travel Grant from the State of Idaho. She said that the request was submitted under the original thought of it being managed by volunteers. She said that she now thinks the organization needs a professional Executive Director who would be able to raise the matching funds through fundraising. Mr. Gleason asked what purpose the ITC grant serves. Ms. Naylor explained that the grant is awarded to Chamber’s throughout the State by the Department of Commerce through the collection of the 2% travel and convention tax. She said that the funds are used to promote tourism in the City. Mr. Gleason asked if the Chamber always has to have $45,000 in matching funds. Ms. Naylor confirmed that they did. Mr. Gleason asked how the funds would be used. Ms. Naylor stated that the funds would have to be used for the specific uses listed in the grant. She explained that the State is very involved in the use of the grant funds. Mr. Bailey asked when the money would be spent. He asked if the request should be considered ongoing or a one time request. Ms. Naylor said that the Chamber only needs the funding for this year. She said that she is confident in the ability of the organization to reestablish themselves. Ms. Graham added that the travel grant is very important to the community and the City doesn’t assist with advertising. She said that hiring a professional that knows how to advertise is the utmost important thing for the Chamber to do. Friends of the Payette Avalanche Center - $5,000.00 - (Avalanche Condition Forecasting Program) Marty Rood explained that the Friends of the Payette Avalanche Center are seeking funds that would enable them to add an additional day of avalanche forecasting. Mr. Gleason asked about the Forest Service’s relationship to the Avalanche Center. Mr. Rood explained that the Avalanche Center is funded by the Forest Service. Heartland Gymnastics and Learning Center - $7,500.00 - (Program Equipment) Nobody was present on behalf of the applicant. The Shepherd’s Home - $7,140.00 - (Matching Funds for replacing beds) George Prentice said that the Shepherd’s home is currently providing housing to three times more residents than the last year. He explained that the home provides group foster care and was built by volunteers 10 years ago. He said that the facility is in dire need of new beds as they still have the original 12 that were in the building when it was built. McCall Golf Course Advisory Committee - $20,000.00 - (Seasonal Staff) Allan Morrison, McCall Golf Professional, explained that the McCall Golf Course is in need of additional staffing and equipment in order to maintain the golf course. He explained that the golf course is funded by fees and loans from the City. He said that the staff at the golf course is currently mowing with a 20 year old mower. He explained that the department is also strapped for staff and need to have a minimum of three new seasonal workers. Mr. Morrison said that the golf course has also requested funding for the purchase of new equipment. He said that they have provided three alternatives for acquiring the needed equipment through various lease-purchase options. Mr. Bailey asked if staffing or equipment was the biggest need at the golf course. Mr. Morrison said that both items are needed in order to properly maintain the course. He said that they must purchase a new rough mower but staffing is equally as important in order to maintain the 27 holes. Mr. Morrison explained that the golf course is obligated to pay $200,000 in debt reduction each year on the note that was used to acquire the additional nine holes. He said that the obligation will end in 6 years and the golf course should be able to begin showing a profit. Mr. DeMore asked if the equipment was new or used. Mr. Morrison explained that they will be seeking to acquire used equipment that has been returned from a lease program. City of McCall Planning and Zoning Commission - $30,000.00 - (Boydstun Lane to Spring Forest Subdivision Paving) Mr. Bailey explained that a developer has agreed to pave ½ of the road to a new subdivision that has been approved and he submitted an application to pave to the remaining road. He stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission is going to request that the City Council place a bond measure on the next election ballot for the paving of all of the roads in the City. He said that he doesn’t think the LOT Commission should fund any of the paving projects and request that the City Council consider placing the bond measure on the ballot. McCall Transit - $400.00 - (McCall Memorial Hospital Home Tour) Richard Coonts explained that the first request is to establish a park and ride system for the McCall Memorial Hospital Home Tour. He said that the annual tour is expected to have between 800 and 1000 people of which 20-30% will be from out of the area. McCall Transit - $289.38 - (Advertising Bracket) Mr. Coonts explained that McCall Transit needs to come up with an alternative for funding since the matching amount of their grant has changed. He said that he has been approached by the business community to provide advertising on the bus. Mr. Coonts explained that the bus was designed to allow advertising and the request would allow the required brackets to be installed. Mr. Gleason said that he is not supportive of the advertising on the bus. He said that the bus has a beautiful design and doesn’t want it ruined with a large advertising billboard. Mr. Coonts said that McCall Transit must come up with alternatives in order to sustain the program. He said that charges fares wouldn’t provide significant financial help but advertising would contribute approximately $5,000 – $10,000. McCall Transit - $1,250.00 - (Additional Fuel Costs) Mr. Coonts said that the last request is to pay for the increased operation costs as a result of increasing gas prices. He said that the price of has diesel has dramatically increased since the budget for the operations was established. City of McCall Library - $9,000.00 - (Audio Video Collection) Anne Kantola, Library Director, explained that the Library has a special collection of audio and video materials that have been donated. She stated that the collection needs to have protective cases in order to keep them from becoming damaged. She explained that the Library would use the LOT funding to expand the collection and purchase protective cases. Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni Association - $19,000.00 - (Commemorative Statue) Manchester Ice and Event Centre - $21,778.95 - (Equipment) McCall Pathway Committee - $73,500.00 - (Floyde Street to Samson Trail Path Construction) City of McCall Golf Course - $23,500.00 - (Equipment) McCall Judo Club Inc. - $1,000.00 - (Travel Expenses) Jennifer Church - $8,598.92 - (Outdoor Mural) McCall Nordic Ski Team - $12,000.00 - (Ski Trail Equipment) MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter - $10,000.00 - (Program Funding) McCall Area Chamber of Commerce - $45,000.00 - (Executive Director Position) McCall Gallery - $6,500.00 - (Promotional DVD) Other Mr. Gleason moved to schedule the next LOT Commission meeting for May 10, 2005. Mr. Snodgrass seconded the motion. All members voted aye. The motion carried. Adjournment As there was no further discussion, Chairman Gleason adjourned the meeting at 10:13 p.m. ___________________________________ Steve Gleason LOT Commission Chairman ATTEST: _______________________________________ Dan Irwin City Clerk