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HomeMy Public PortalAbout9-22-2021 Minutes TDA Regular Meeting 101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278 www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov www.visithillsboroughnc.com | @HillsboroughNC Tourism Development Authority Minutes | 1 of 3 Minutes Hillsborough Tourism Development Authority Remote regular meeting 5:30 p.m. Sept. 22, 2021 Virtual meeting via YouTube Live Town of Hillsborough YouTube channel Present: Chair Matt Hughes, Dani Black and Kim Tesoro Staff: Planning and Economic Development Manager Shannan Campbell 1. Call to order Chair Matt Hughes called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Planning and Economic Development Manager Shannan Campbell confirmed the presence of a quorum. 2. Agenda changes and approval Motion: Member Kim Tesoro moved to approve the agenda as presented. Member Dani Black seconded. Vote: 3-0. Ayes: Black, Hughes and Tesoro. Nays: None. 3. Minutes review and approval Minutes from May 20, 2021, Workshop/Retreat and June 9, 2021, Budget Public Hearing. Motion: Black moved to approve both sets of minutes as presented. Tesoro seconded. Vote: 3-0. Ayes: Black, Hughes and Tesoro. Nays: None. 4. Discussion items A. Performance venue feasibility Campbell welcomed Katie Murray, director of the Orange County Arts Commission. Murray said she was exploring the possibility of creating a performance venue in the Eno Cotton Mill that could seat an audience of 200 to 300. This venue would be for theatre, dance and live music. She had previously spoken with a group call Artspace based in Minneapolis that conducts feasibility studies, and Artspace had quoted $10,000 for a modified feasibility study in 2019. She was interested in hearing whether the Tourism Development Authority was supportive of such a feasibility study. Tesoro recollected that those interested in establishing a performance venue in Hillsborough had looked at the mill space previously but parking would be challenging because there is a wedding venue and a school on the site. There was discussion about what is needed in the community. Tesoro shared that performance groups like Orange Community Players typically can lease a school auditorium for two weeks only, so they need a different place to rehearse. She noted local dance companies lease space outside Hillsborough for recitals. Tourism Development Authority Minutes | 2 of 3 Also, she offered to share a copy of a 2011 feasibility study that focused on the possibility of using what is now the Whitted Human Services Center as a performance venue. She said they need to look at what has already been done because this is something that has been discussed for a long time. Black asked if someone could further research the need for performance space by contacting the dance studios and other potential users of such a space. Murray offered to do that. She indicated that she had good relationships within the arts community and could informally poll what the needs are. Tesoro offered to share with Murray other information she has regarding potential performance venues in Hillsborough, including drawings that Summit Design and Engineering created for South Nash St. when that was being considered as a possible location. The board and Murray discussed convening a stakeholders group when workload permits. B.Fiscal Year 2021-22 projects list The authority reviewed the list. Campbell said the short-term list can likely all be accomplished this year. Tesoro noted she did not see Hillsborough materials at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and Campbell said she would look into that. She said that they did have a contract at one time to have materials with Chapel Hill/Carrboro at RDU. She indicated that she thought that was still active. Hughes requested materials be added to North Carolina visitor centers that are relatively near Hillsborough. Black reminded Campbell to look into adding materials to the train station in Durham. 5.Monthly reports A.Staff report and occupancy tax revenues reports Campbell said summer occupancy tax revenue was better than she expected for FY21. March through June brought dramatic increases in revenue. Black requested a report that separates hotel revenue from home stays through Airbnb and VRBO. Campbell said she would try to get something more detailed from the Town’s finance department. Black asked if the authority should be participating in planning for the new arts festival taking place next year. Campbell invited Black, Hughes and Tesoro to join the work group that is already meeting. Campbell shared Visit Hillsborough advertisements recently being run. B.Board comments There was discussion about the ongoing challenge for businesses experiencing a shortage of workers. It was discussed that there may be some way for the authority to support connecting the state detention facility with local employers for work release. 6.Adjournment Motion:Tesoro moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 p.m. Black seconded. Vote:3-0. Ayes: Black, Hughes and Tesoro. Nays: None. Respectfully submitted, Tourism Development Authority Minutes | 3 of 3 Shannan Campbell Planning and Economic Development Manager Staff support to the Hillsborough Tourism Development Authority Approved: January 6, 2022