HomeMy Public PortalAbout12-15-2020 Minutes Tourism Board Regular Meeting
Hillsborough Economic Development Planner Shannan Campbell
101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-296-9477 | shannan.campbell@hillsboroughnc.gov
www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov
www.visithillsboroughnc.com | @HillsboroughNC
Tourism Board Minutes | 1 of 3
Minutes
Tourism Board (Remote)
5:30 p.m. Dec. 15, 2020
Town of Hillsborough YouTube channel
Present: Chair Matt Hughes, Mark Bateman, Barney Caton, Kim Tesoro and Cathleen Turner
Staff: Economic Development Planner Shannan Campbell
Guests: None
1. Call to order
Chair Matt Hughes called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m.
2. Agenda changes and approval
There were no changes.
Motion: Member Kim Tesoro moved to approve the agenda as presented. Member Cathleen Turner
seconded.
Vote: 4-0
3. Minutes review and approval
A. October 5, 2020, and November 2, 2020, meetings
Motion: Member Tommy Stann moved to approve both sets of minutes. Tesoro seconded.
Vote: 4-0
4. Presentations
A. Draft FY20 Tourism Data Report
Campbell briefly reviewed the draft report with the board.
Member Mark Bateman joined the meeting at 5:44 p.m.
5. Discussion/Action items
A. Bateman reappointment to Tourism Board
Motion: Stann moved to recommend that the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners reappoint Bateman to
the Tourism Board. Caton seconded.
Vote: 5-0
B. 2021 Regular Tourism Board Meeting Schedule
Motion: Tesoro moved to approve the schedule. Bateman seconded.
Tourism Board Minutes | 2 of 3
Vote: 5-0
C. Efland Station (Buc-ee’s) tourism considerations
Campbell said the Buc-ee’s was expected to generate many new trips per day nearby. She shared an updated
map of its proposed location in Efland.
Tesoro said Caton is signed up to address the Orange County Board of Commissioners to share the
Hillsborough Tourism Board’s thoughts.
Hughes said the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners sent a letter with traffic and environmental concerns.
Tesoro and Bateman said they took issue with the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners suggesting that it
doesn’t want additional traffic in Hillsborough because traffic leads to visitation to Hillsborough’s shops and
restaurants. Tesoro asked for specifics about the environmental concerns.
Hughes said the concern is the placement of underground gas storage tanks in a protected water shed that
serves Hillsborough’s water supply.
Turner said she has reservations about the Hillsborough Tourism Board weighing in on another community’s
project. She added that the Buc-ee’s is designed to fulfill the traveler’s retail needs on site and she thinks it’s
unlikely to bring Hillsborough a lot of tourism.
Bateman said even if only 2% come into Hillsborough, that’s an extra 25 customers daily in Hillsborough.
Tesoro said the Buc-ee’s operators joined the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce and plan to
sell crafts from local artisans in the store.
Stann said he personally will be negatively impacted by the traffic at the Buc-ee’s location because it’s near
his home, but he wants to support businesses.
Motion: Tesoro moved to approve the draft letter that Campbell wrote and placed in the agenda packet.
Caton seconded.
Vote: 3- 2. Ayes: Caton, Stann and Tesoro. Nays: Hughes and Turner.
D. Recommendation of Tourism Board member to Tourism Development Authority for 2021
Bateman agreed to serve again.
Motion: Caton moved to recommend appointment of Bateman to the Town Board of Commissioners to
serve on the Tourism Development Authority. Stann seconded.
Vote: 5-0
6. Monthly reports and comments
A. Alliance for Historic Hillsborough Director and Alliance Programs reports; Visitors Center Communications
Report; Tourism Staff Report and Orange County Visitors Bureau Updates
Campbell shared upcoming events including the Hillsborough Safe Holiday Celebrations bucket list.
B. Tourism Board member comments and updates
Tourism Board Minutes | 3 of 3
There was none.
7. Adjournment
Motion: Turner moved adjourn the meeting at 6:19 p.m. Caton seconded.
Vote: Unanimous