HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-01-2021 Minutes Tourism Board Regular Meeting
101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov
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Minutes
Hillsborough Tourism Board
Remote regular meeting
5:30 p.m. March 1, 2021
Virtual meeting via YouTube Live
Town of Hillsborough YouTube channel
Present: Chair Matt Hughes, Vice Chair Kim Tesoro, Mark
Bateman, Barney Caton, Tommy Stann and Cathleen
Turner
Absent: Nic Beery
Staff: Economic Development Planner Shannan Campbell
1. Call to order
Chair and Commissioner Matt Hughes called the meeting to order at 5:39 p.m.
2. Agenda changes and approval
There were no changes. Hughes declared the agenda was approved by unanimous consent.
3. Minutes review and approval
Minutes from regular meeting on Feb. 1, 2021
There were no changes. Hughes declared the minutes were approved by unanimous consent.
4. Discussion/action items
A. FY21 audit budget amendment
Economic Development Planner Shannan Campbell explained that the Finance Director would like to start the
audit process for the fiscal year earlier and the auditors can charge for work completed in this fiscal year, so
she was requesting the board to move $5,150 from the fund balance to the audit fees account. Any unused
funds in FY21 will roll to FY22 to complete the audit.
Motion: Member Barney Caton moved to approve the budget amendment. Member Kim Tesoro
seconded.
Campbell called the roll for voting.
Vote: 5-0: Ayes: Caton, Hughes, Member Tommy Stann, Tesoro and Member Cathleen Turner. Nays:
None.
B. Draft FY22 budget and projections
Campbell said food and beverage tax revenues were stronger than predicted, considering the COVID-19
pandemic. The projected revenue for FY22 is $325,000. There are enough funds to issue one $10,000 grant, or
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the board could choose to leave the $10,000 in fund balance or put it towards something else that supports
the Tourism Plan goals.
Tesoro said it would be nice to keep the consistency of supporting a project by approving one $10,000 grant.
Caton agreed.
Campbell said there are two decisions that need to be made: whether or not to fund one $10,000 grant and
deciding whether or not to fund contract partners at the same rate as last year.
Tesoro clarified that she is in support of both the grant and funding the contract partners at the same rate as
for FY21.
The board discussed the importance of the grant contributing to a project or event that would attract people
to Hillsborough. Board members requested that the call for grant submissions really reinforce the desire for
projects or events that would directly bring people to town.
Member Mark Bateman joined the meeting.
Motion: Tesoro moved to approve soliciting ideas for one $10,000 grant. Caton seconded.
Campbell called the roll for voting.
Vote: 6-0. Ayes: Bateman, Caton, Hughes, Stann, Tesoro and Turner. Nays: None.
Motion: Turner moved to fund the contract partners at the same rate as FY21. Tesoro seconded.
Vote: 6-0. Ayes: Bateman, Caton, Hughes, Stann, Tesoro and Turner. Nays: None.
C. Draft annual tourism report
Campbell noted the draft report is in the agenda packet. She asked the board to provide edits or feedback by
March 8 as she was going to try to get the report mailed before the next meeting.
D. Reappointment of Tommy Stann
Motion: Bateman moved to recommend reappointment of Stann to the Tourism Board. Caton seconded.
Campbell called the roll for voting.
Vote: 6-0. Ayes: Bateman, Caton, Hughes, Stann, Tesoro and Turner. Nays: None.
E. Consideration of regular meeting time
Member Barry Hupp joined the meeting.
Campbell reviewed that Elise Tyler, general manager of The Colonial Inn, would like to serve on the Tourism
Board but could not make the current meeting time. She said she wanted to get an informal read from the
board on whether or not there was any interest in moving the meeting time.
The board decided to interview Tyler at its April meeting and to entertain a meeting time change at a future
meeting.
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5. Monthly reports and comments
A. Staff report and Orange County Visitors Bureau updates
Campbell reported that the town was beginning the process of creating a comprehensive sustainability plan
and the Hillsborough Historic District Commission was working on revising design guidelines. Also, the Visitors
Center has filled its communications position.
B. Board comments and updates
The board asked for the Tourism Development Authority vacancy on the agenda for the next meeting.
6. Adjournment
Motion: Caton moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 p.m. Stann seconded.
Vote: 7-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Shannan Campbell
Economic Development Planner
Staff support to the Hillsborough Tourism Board
Approved: 4/5/2021