[0:03] Drew. Yeah, [0:04] >> it was good. We were coming started [0:07] showing me some more photos to [0:08] >> Oh, did they I'll have to send them some [0:10] more and it has the line app. But yeah, [0:16] they were [0:18] so homework. [0:22] Yeah, I recognize that handwriting. [0:25] We are thinking we're wrap up at one or [0:27] which we were so taken back to take [0:29] that. [0:30] >> We'll see how long the conversation goes [0:33] but we may be a little bit after one. [0:37] I would have never imagined [0:41] we don't have to finalize anything [0:42] today. It's just more of kind of giving [0:44] that initial brainstorming what we [0:46] really want to dive into the next. [0:52] » Yeah. [0:53] It's really hard to if you [0:54] haven't, you know, if you're not used to [0:55] hearing a non-native English speaker [0:58] trying to talk through and sometimes, [0:59] especially Morami, he can be like overly [1:02] confident in English sometimes. [1:03] >> Oh, no. He was teaching us Japanese. [1:05] Okay. [1:05] >> That was the lesson we had. [1:07] >> Well, good luck with that. Yeah, [1:08] >> I didn't teach you. I failed it in high [1:11] school. you know. [1:12] >> Yeah. [1:13] That was the funny thing in my [1:14] lesson is like I'm speaking you well [1:16] enough now they think I know more than I [1:17] know. And so they'll just start going [1:19] off and definitely like I know like [1:20] every third word you're saying like yeah [1:22] can we dial it back a little bit. So [1:25] >> but I appreciate [1:25] >> I did ask him three times what he did. [1:29] Oh, [1:30] >> he dodged the question third time. He [1:33] said, "I have erased my memory." I was [1:36] like, [1:39] "Oh, well sounds like a professional [1:42] landscaper. He's amazing." [1:43] >> Yes. Yeah. He was showing us. [1:45] >> Yeah. Trying to think, [1:48] but I can't remember. [1:54] It was [1:59] » Paul is an associate pler there right [2:02] now. [2:02] >> Oh, really? [2:03] >> Coordinating with them and getting him [2:05] connected. [2:05] >> Very nice. Yeah. Well, when they come [2:07] here, whoever comes, having to help us. [2:12] >> Yeah. I was like, "Oh, you came to [2:13] Vancouver, you saw our fort, right, for [2:16] our history compared to the large [2:18] Buddha, right? [2:21] >> The fort's pulled up." [2:22] >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Yes. [2:25] >> Haven't seen it before. Look like [2:27] everyone else had gone there kid. [2:29] >> Yes. Exactly. [2:30] >> New and exciting. [2:30] >> Well, what we had temple after temple [2:34] visit. So, [2:36] >> well, no, they were very he was very [2:38] complimentary about his time and how [2:40] generous you were with your time, too. [2:42] >> Yeah. That's the note takingaking. Oh. [2:55] back to Tokyo. [2:59] Ready to go? [3:00] >> All right, we're ready to go, guys. Um, [3:02] welcome to our tax advisory committee [3:05] meeting. And today, what are March 11th? [3:09] All right, let's get started with a roll [3:11] call. [3:13] Right. Uh, chair Fox here. Janick Nevki, [3:19] >> Mike Fo, [3:21] >> present. [3:22] >> Carrie Robinson [3:24] >> here virtually. [3:26] >> Uh, Kyle Bird [3:28] >> here virtually. [3:30] >> Temple Lens [3:33] >> here virtually [3:34] >> and Christy Russ [3:36] >> here. [3:40] Right. Do we need to excuse any [3:42] absences? [3:45] Janet. Do we She's not going to join us [3:48] for sure. Okay. [3:51] Would anyone like to make a motion? [3:54] to excuse. Janet. [3:57] >> Seconds. [3:58] >> Second. [3:58] >> All right. Got a motion and a second to [4:01] excuse Janet from the meeting. All in [4:04] favor? [4:05] >> I. [4:07] >> Any opposed? [4:10] » Okay. Uh Janet's excused. [4:14] All right, let's move on to approval of [4:17] the minutes. Did everyone get a chance [4:18] to read the minutes? [4:22] >> Yes, [4:25] » I did one small amendment that I sent to [4:27] Cali already. So, I don't know if we [4:29] need a formal amendment or anything, but [4:32] noting that. [4:33] >> Okay. What was the amendment? [4:34] >> Just a name change or name correction on [4:37] attendees. So, [4:39] >> never mind. Yeah. [4:40] >> Okay. [4:40] >> So, it's just a spell. [4:42] Did we get the uh the changed minutes [4:46] sent to us? [4:46] >> Um not yet. I just fixed them and then I [4:50] was like, "Okay, I'll right after." [4:52] >> Okay. Well, why don't you make a motion [4:53] then to amend the minutes? [4:54] >> Move to amend the minutes to correct the [4:57] board members present to Mike Bumar from [4:59] Matt Bart. [5:02] >> All right. I'll second that. Um any [5:06] discussion? [5:10] No, you can't change your name. [5:14] >> All right. All in favor of of [5:17] the amendments. [5:19] >> I [5:22] >> That's unanimous. All right. Now, a [5:24] motion to approve the amended minutes. [5:27] >> So moved. [5:28] >> All right. Second. [5:30] >> Second. [5:30] >> All right. Motion and a second. All in [5:32] favor? [5:33] >> I [5:36] >> That's unanimous again. All right, we'll [5:39] move on to community communications [5:43] >> and no one contacted. [5:45] >> No contact. All right, we don't have [5:47] anyone that wanted to join us or [5:49] communicate with us today other than [5:50] ourselves. So, we will move on to the [5:53] next item. All right, number four, [5:55] contract status. [5:58] >> Yes. Um, so this will be a pretty quick [6:01] update. um uh the community career [6:04] network opted not to move forward with [6:06] um submitting a an updated application [6:08] at times. So their money will be just [6:11] carried forward to future grant cycles. [6:14] Um, [6:16] and as far as the rest of the [6:18] contracting status, uh, we have all the [6:20] contracts out with the exception of one, [6:22] which is the October best. And it's just [6:24] a matter of getting the updated budget [6:26] from the applicant to reflect what their [6:28] actual award amount was and how they [6:30] want to use the ELAC funds with the [6:32] reduced dollar amount relative to what [6:34] their application stated. So, um, yeah, [6:38] pretty quick and easy on that one. Um, [6:40] >> do they have a deadline for when they [6:42] have to send amendments to just sure [6:44] that it's all final? [6:46] >> Um, I need to put a harder deadline on [6:49] them with this at this point in time. [6:51] Email communication has been a bit [6:52] spotty. That's been the biggest [6:54] obstacle. So, I think putting a hard [6:56] firm date hopefully would encourage [6:59] response. [7:00] >> Maybe the date can be related to the [7:03] date that we advertise for the next [7:05] round of grants. [7:06] >> Okay. Yeah. So we know how much funding [7:08] we have and [7:09] >> Yep. Yeah. And it's not something that [7:12] we leave that out there in perpetuity. [7:13] It's just since their event is later in [7:15] the year, it was not as high of a [7:17] priority to push it through with the [7:18] earlier in the year contracting events. [7:20] But yes, I do think that we would want [7:21] to have execute everything executed [7:23] before we even start talking about next [7:24] year's funding available to us. [7:29] » All right. [7:30] >> Any questions or thoughts? [7:36] » No. Okay. Uh, moving on to program [7:38] requirements, past guidance, and [7:40] context. [7:41] >> Yeah. So, today, um, I I know this feels [7:44] like a bit of a deep dive into some [7:46] pretty heavy content, especially for the [7:47] newer folks. Um, so we're going to be [7:50] providing some background and context on [7:51] this. Um, really what this is diving [7:54] into is what you all expressed as the [7:56] priority of creating more formalized or [7:59] at least updated, uh, program criteria [8:02] and those pieces. Um, [8:07] keep in mind, [8:10] um, so what we're going to do is we're [8:12] going to look at some of the past [8:14] guidance that we've had around what ELTC [8:16] requirements were. Um, then we're going [8:18] to touch base on why there would be a [8:20] need for an update, which is the the for [8:22] the new folks, we went through a whole [8:24] um grant revisioning process in 2024. [8:27] And so we've gone through two cycles of [8:29] grants at this point in time with the [8:31] new approach. Um, so I want to kind of [8:34] talk about what those approaches are. [8:36] Um, how scoring may have changed since [8:38] then. Um, and then how that would impact [8:42] what kind of um, requirements we would [8:45] want to put on grant applicants going [8:46] forward. So this, like I said, this is [8:48] kind of a deep dive into content, but [8:50] hopefully um, I will be able to provide [8:52] you enough background and context and [8:54] also ask any questions um, and I will do [8:57] my best to answer them so that we can [9:00] move move this forward. Um but and then [9:04] we have kind of an open-ended couple [9:05] slides at the end of this that are a [9:07] little bit more working slides yet [9:08] again. Um the intent of this meeting is [9:10] just to kind of have a rough outline of [9:13] the things that we really want to [9:14] address and then our next meeting how I have things planned out at this [9:18] point in time would be that more deep [9:20] dive workshop of actually finalizing [9:23] what we want to what we want to put on [9:26] um our grant recipients as far as [9:28] requirements. Um so yeah, we'll run [9:30] through just kind of some of this [9:31] background first. Um and I'll highlight [9:33] the things that we that have been [9:36] brought up by the committee um as far as [9:38] things that we may want to look at [9:39] evaluate uh changes from the past. So um [9:44] the eligible applicants um that's pretty [9:47] straightforward. [9:50] >> Yeah. Yeah. Um, so I know we've talked [9:52] about this quite often, but I didn't um [9:56] understand that we had definitively said [9:58] they must be a marketing organization, [10:01] municipality, or a nonprofit. Um, so did [10:06] we determine that they can't be a [10:08] corporation? [10:09] >> So, so this this slide right here, the [10:11] content is pulled from a document that [10:13] was created in 2019, okay, [10:14] >> as the program guidelines. And I should [10:16] have explained that context. [10:17] >> Okay. Um so [10:20] um [10:22] that is an RCW piece with a bit of [10:25] flexibility within it. Um [10:28] >> when we reviewed with legal in the past [10:29] year there um they they did mention that [10:33] it doesn't necessarily have to be a [10:35] nonprofit [10:36] >> as far as a grant recipient. That was [10:38] just a program specific requirement that [10:39] we put on folks. And that's that's part [10:41] of what this dialogue and conversation [10:43] about like how much of these do we want [10:44] to maintain? what areas need may need to [10:47] change and then we want to double check [10:48] that to make sure that it's allowable [10:50] within the RCW. [10:51] >> Sure. Sure. So for those that are newer [10:54] to the community, my concern is if [10:56] eliminating a corporation, you know, [10:59] each destination has very distinct [11:02] amenities that they can offer. So a [11:04] large corporation could come here and we [11:07] may not have something that another [11:08] destination has or a large sporting [11:11] event might be a corporation like a [11:14] triathlon. And so to use the word must [11:18] is what I feel like we might limit [11:20] ourselves some from something much [11:22] bigger that as a destination we may need [11:24] to help contribute to get it here. [11:29] >> That's a good point. [11:32] Thank you. [11:34] Um [11:36] the other piece is we've also talked [11:38] about what other kind of financial [11:40] commitment we want to see from our [11:41] applicants. How much would be supported [11:43] by ELTAC versus those things? Um in the [11:46] past it was encouraged but not required. [11:48] Do we want to build out a more formal [11:50] structure around mass requirements [11:52] um or [11:54] um kind of keep it more loose as it is [11:57] right now? Uh in the past they also [11:59] stated a grant minimum. We do not have [12:01] that at this point in time. Um, [12:04] obviously I think with the length of our [12:05] application and pieces like that, people [12:07] are probably not filling it out for [12:08] $500, but um, at the same time, again, [12:13] that was something that was put forward [12:15] in the past as a requirement. We do not [12:17] have that in place at this point in [12:18] time. I don't know if we need to or want [12:20] to do that. [12:21] >> Um, the next one is something that we've [12:24] talked about a lot. Um, would be the [12:26] idea of where the event is located. Um, [12:29] so this is one of the key pieces that we [12:31] talked about wanting to formalize this [12:33] year of if an event happens outside of [12:35] Vancouver. Um, what is our comfort level [12:38] funding something like that or what if [12:39] we are interested in funding events that [12:42] happen outside of the city limits of [12:43] Vancouver? Um, [12:46] what kind of requirements would we want [12:47] to put on the applicants? We do have a [12:49] current grant right now that happens [12:51] outside of the city limits of Vancouver. [12:54] um we put the requirement on them asking [12:57] them to uh have a block of rooms [13:00] reserved within the city limits of [13:01] Vancouver so that there is still the the [13:04] benefit within the tax collection area [13:06] but that was not a formalized use [13:11] » I don't know if you want me to ask [13:12] questions at the end so I don't want to [13:14] keep interrupting [13:15] >> um so one thing to keep in mind is that [13:18] we do have a very large facility within [13:20] the county the county's event center and [13:23] So, if we restrict to the city limits, [13:26] then we would be eliminating any [13:28] opportunities. I think there was a large [13:30] bodybuilding um uh event that didn't end [13:34] up applying but was looking at us for a [13:37] destination and there's not a lot of [13:40] hotel rooms in that area. So, we could [13:43] then require anything that was getting a [13:45] grant for the event center to have the [13:47] guest rooms in the city limits, which [13:49] would be kind of a natural selection for [13:52] them. [13:57] Um, also within the the previous old [14:00] requirements, it stated that the grant [14:02] funds had to be expended within the [14:04] calendar year uh of the award year. So, [14:07] um, if we if it was a 2026 grant, all [14:10] funds needed to be expended within that [14:12] year. Um, we we've had a little bit [14:15] different flexibility or approaches with [14:17] some of that. Um, again, we have a [14:19] current pending contract for a an event [14:24] that will be happening at January of [14:26] 2027. [14:27] So, the expenses will happen in 2026, [14:31] any of the marketing and those pieces, [14:33] but the event won't happen until 2027. [14:36] So, do we want to have kind of a [14:37] criteria around how to handle those [14:39] early in the year events to give them [14:41] more flexibility with what they need? [14:43] Um, another piece with that is obviously [14:46] when we're talking about more of the [14:47] capital projects and those pieces when [14:50] uh more of those proposals come through, [14:52] that's not going to get done within a [14:53] calendar year most likely. Um, an [14:55] example of that would be the civic plaza [14:57] that was approved um for Waterfront [15:01] Gateway two years ago. At this point in [15:04] time, those funds have not been [15:05] expended, but there is still the plans [15:08] to move forward with that project and [15:10] utilize th those funds to support that [15:12] process. [15:14] >> Do we have u going back to kind of the [15:17] reporting that we need to do from the [15:18] state side, is there a restriction on [15:20] how long we can hold funds and not spend [15:23] them? [15:26] » Is there a limit to how much of a kind [15:28] of bankroll we can have? Um from what I [15:31] have seen there is not we can do a [15:33] little bit of additional research on [15:35] that. Um [15:37] one of the the pieces of extra [15:39] consideration with that is um [15:43] the city is required to maintain a [15:45] reserve to support debt service for the [15:47] convention center center. Um, so it [15:50] doesn't state that it has to be from the [15:52] tourism fund, but if that is the the [15:54] decision that is made, then x amount of [15:56] dollars need to be held in reserve to [15:58] support future debt service obligations [16:00] for that. Um, [16:05] so we we are sitting on older funds at [16:08] this point in time. Um, there's not a [16:10] timeline of if it's collected within [16:12] this year, it needs to be extended. And [16:14] you're not sure if all of that reserve [16:16] is entirely funded by this fund. [16:21] >> I I know that there is a cash reserve [16:23] for the tourism fund which is what funds [16:26] the ELAC activities. Um [16:30] in the past information that was shared [16:31] with the committee in 2024 is 9.4 [16:34] million of that was being held in [16:35] reserve for debt service obligations for [16:37] the convention center. [16:41] So just for clarity on the funds must be [16:44] spent within the calendar year of award [16:45] year that is the current policy or [16:48] >> that is the 2019 policy. We've been a [16:52] bit more flexible with that and [16:54] >> Okay. [16:54] >> Yeah. [16:55] >> So there are we do anticipate what I [16:58] heard is that there's some that have [17:01] previously received it that we'll be [17:02] spending in either this year or future [17:04] years and that we're accounting for that [17:06] appropriately. [17:12] And and so with that piece too, that's [17:14] also how we would communicate with folks [17:17] through the grant process of if if they [17:20] have that flexibility, we probably [17:21] should share that. That way some of the [17:24] bigger events like the the one that's [17:25] looking at happening in January is um a [17:28] soccer tournament. And so obviously that [17:30] takes a pretty substantial amount of [17:31] planning, that takes a lot of time to [17:33] market. Um, so [17:38] if they know, they'll know in far enough [17:40] in advance that they could apply for a [17:42] grant at an earlier date just to make [17:45] sure that they have those secured funds [17:46] and can plan larger events like that. [17:50] Um, [17:52] another area that has come up for [17:53] discussion um is also the idea of credit [17:57] for lodging tax expenditures. Um, in our [18:01] contract we state that it is a required [18:03] thing that all written materials will [18:05] credit the city of Vancouver lodging tax [18:08] committee. Um, or lodging tax grant. Uh, [18:12] the amount of enforcement on that has [18:15] been variable. Um, so we would want to [18:17] talk about maintaining that requirement. [18:20] Um, how we would want to enforce it. Um, [18:23] those those kind of considerations [18:25] around that. [18:26] >> Yeah. Do we have a logo for our [18:28] committee? [18:29] >> They they use the city of Vancouver. [18:34] » Do we provide that proactively then when [18:36] somebody receives a grant? [18:38] >> Um that that would be a piece of the [18:40] process that be good for process [18:42] improvement. Yes. [18:48] Uh let's and then again looking at the [18:51] old requirements um the demonstrate [18:54] potential to result in economic benefit. [18:56] This is a part of our evaluation. This [18:58] is a piece of why I sent out like the [18:59] scoring rubrics of some of the [19:01] additional evaluation that we do for all [19:03] of this. Again, didn't expect you all to [19:05] read that. I wanted to kind of touch on [19:07] them at a high level here. But um I I [19:10] feel like that was helpful background [19:12] and context especially for for people [19:14] that are trying to catch up to [19:15] everything that we're trying to do here. [19:17] Um [19:18] so that's a high level just kind of the [19:21] past program requirements. Uh the next [19:24] step the next slide will be going into [19:26] just kind of why now is the good time to [19:29] re-evaluate this and change. Um and as I [19:32] mentioned we went through in 2024 we [19:34] went through kind of a reinvisioning of [19:36] grant process. through that we changed [19:38] the structure of our grants pretty [19:39] considerably. The amount of money that [19:41] we have available to us is quite a bit [19:43] more as well. Um I just recently did a [19:45] five-year um analysis of funds or [19:49] lodging tax and just the tourism fund in [19:51] general. Um and back in 2021 we were we [19:54] only awarded about $250,000. [19:58] And so this last year we awarded [20:01] uh for 2026 we awarded a little bit over [20:03] $1.7 million. So this this grant program [20:06] has grown a lot. So with that, I think [20:09] formalizing and updating our [20:10] requirements to kind of reflect that [20:12] increased financial capacity is really [20:13] important. Um [20:17] Andrew, was that a reflection of COVID [20:19] or pandemic impacts in terms of capacity [20:21] or are there other factors that you [20:24] would [20:24] >> um it it was I believe a big piece of [20:27] that was building the the fiscal reserve [20:29] for the debt service piece. So um the [20:32] amount that was made available to [20:34] committee was not necessarily equal to [20:37] um the amount of revenue that was coming [20:39] in. [20:41] >> Yeah. [20:41] >> And also occupancy in Vancouver grew [20:44] substant substantially with the [20:46] waterfront hotels from that time. [20:49] >> Thanks. [20:50] >> Probably new hotels have opened too [20:53] maybe. [20:54] >> Yes. [20:58] » All right. Um, so with this new vision, [21:01] uh, we divided things up into four [21:03] different categories. There's different [21:04] requirements for each category. Um, [21:08] again, all of this is on the the web [21:09] page, but I'll I'll dive into it just at [21:11] a high level just so we can get to kind [21:13] of the next step of talking about what [21:15] we want to do next. Um, what we really [21:17] want to address. But, um, with these [21:19] four different grant types, uh, the [21:21] cultural enrichment grant is meant to be [21:22] kind of more of an incubator grant. It's [21:24] smaller scale. This one is the only one [21:26] that we have a grant maximum. That is a [21:30] recommendation, not a firm amount. Um, [21:35] but there, like I said, there at this [21:37] time there's no minimums. In the past, [21:38] they stated a minimum of $5,000 for the [21:41] cultural enrichment grant. The cap is at [21:43] $5,000. [21:45] um unless there is a demonstrated [21:48] need and justification for additional [21:50] funds and there are funds available and [21:52] Eltech recognizes the significance [21:54] behind those [21:56] >> or we can encourage them to apply for [21:58] the large event. Right. [22:00] >> Right. Yeah. [22:00] >> Yeah. Yeah. The large event and festival [22:03] is a little bit more open-ended. Um [22:05] cultural enrichment grant also another [22:06] key element that we don't necessarily [22:08] need to formalize within our standards and criteria but we do [22:14] would want to finalized as we get closer [22:17] to the grant process. Um if the cultural [22:20] enrichment grant has three year we asked [22:23] that they received the grant no more [22:24] than three times. Um so there is term [22:28] limits in theory with that as well. Um [22:31] the large event we stated two years so [22:33] we have different or two times receiving [22:36] the award. So we have different numbers [22:39] of awards that based on the category. [22:41] Um, and now that we're in year two of [22:44] following these new standards and [22:45] criteria, we are actually coming up to [22:47] the deadline where we'll have to start [22:49] making some of those tougher decisions [22:50] about how we want to enforce that [22:53] two-year limit um or how we want to [22:56] evaluate um this because we do state [22:58] that if there's a 20% increase, if they [23:01] can demonstrate new programming that [23:03] result in a 20% increase in attendance [23:06] or reaching a a different um population [23:11] or dem demographic um that they would be [23:14] able they'll be able to continue [23:16] applying for the grant. So, we'll need [23:19] to formalize a little bit more of that [23:20] process as we get closer uh to the grant [23:24] timeline. Um if it if we have the time [23:26] and bandwidth to incorporate all of that [23:28] into our policies and procedures, we can [23:30] do that now. Um I feel like that's a [23:33] pretty nuanced question and it's going [23:34] to take a lot of um a lot of extra work [23:37] on our part. Um, really quick, I'll just [23:39] kind of run through uh the folks that [23:41] will be impacted by this going forward. [23:45] Um, [23:46] we have the four days of Aloha um that [23:49] has received the grant two times since [23:51] we implemented this policy. Um they have [23:54] been a year after year recipient [23:57] applicant recipient [23:59] delivering [24:01] um as one of the committee members last [24:02] time stated kind of a marquee event for [24:06] the the Vancouver area. So if we're [24:09] looking at no longer funding them, we [24:11] are funding them at $50,000 this year. [24:13] That would be just a consideration that [24:16] we would want to have of what kind of [24:18] impact taking away a funding source like [24:20] that may have on some of those events. [24:22] Um [24:23] >> with that one too, we they've been [24:25] longstanding in addition to our [24:27] requirements, but believe we um weighed [24:30] heavily that they were adding new [24:32] programming with the what was the drain [24:34] machine. [24:35] >> Um yeah. So, um I don't know if we'd [24:39] want to consider if they received it one [24:42] year, grew attendance by 20% one year, [24:45] then didn't grow again, would they be on [24:48] year two of whatever we're measuring [24:52] them on? [24:54] >> Yeah. And does the does the time the [24:57] count start over increase by 20%. And [25:00] then [25:01] >> Yeah. [25:01] So, just formalizing all those [25:03] elements of how we want to enforce those [25:05] limits. Um, Vancouver Go Fest will be at [25:08] year would be at year three for this [25:10] application. Um, Vancouver Holiday [25:13] Market as well. Um, [25:16] Vancouver Arts and Music Festival. Uh, [25:19] and there they receive [25:22] they received $95,000 this year. So [25:25] again, that's another um big piece of [25:29] funding, but also um the impact on the [25:32] event. uh Apple Tree Marathon has [25:34] received it two years since we've [25:36] implemented this. Same with the Columbia [25:38] River Triathlon. [25:41] So, u just thinking about that context [25:44] as we're looking at um those things and [25:47] I we can provide a little bit more [25:49] financial analysis as we dive into this [25:51] a little bit more um as far as how much [25:53] of the event funding is coming from [25:56] Eltac versus um what they're able to [25:59] generate through ticket sales or other [26:00] event revenue. [26:02] Um, so but again, I just wanted to give [26:06] you kind of a general overview of what [26:07] kind of events will we may be facing [26:10] some tougher decisions on this year. [26:14] Um, [26:16] the tourism program and facility pieces, [26:19] that's kind of two separate projects, [26:21] but they fall under the same [26:24] um grant category. The tourism program [26:26] is a short-term marketing program um to [26:29] boost tourism and there's no caps on [26:33] that as well. Um for facility that needs [26:35] to be either a city-owned [26:38] or public facilities districtowned [26:41] facility for capital improvements. Uh if [26:44] it's just operating then it can be a [26:47] tourism organization that's operating a [26:49] facility. But as far as capital [26:51] improvements to a facility, that needs [26:53] to be municipal or public facilities [26:55] district owned. [26:57] >> When you say tourism organization, I [27:00] know we just had the one tourism [27:02] organization, [27:03] >> but I remember the Aloha group, they had [27:07] also proposed a van and I was wondering [27:10] if they if that was could maybe in the [27:13] future be considered kind of a tourism [27:15] organization if they are just doing van [27:18] tours, right? I I think I mean we can [27:20] look a little more closely at the RC but [27:22] I think I mean it's it fulfills the [27:25] tourism promotion element which is the [27:27] primary requirement for Eltech. So I [27:29] mean tourism organization is really [27:30] whoever's delivering. [27:32] >> That's not a special designation by the [27:34] state or something. [27:35] >> No. um not like the um not like the [27:39] destination um marketing organization [27:44] that visit Vancouver does have a special [27:47] designation and that's what the tourism [27:49] organization operating [27:51] um grant program is for those with that. [27:55] >> Oh, so the ban would not fit that [27:58] tourism organization operating category. [28:01] >> No, it would be a tourism program. Yeah. [28:10] Sorry, I misunderstood that question. [28:14] Um, and then also, uh, just jumping into [28:17] the scoring criteria as well, which [28:19] would I feel like if we're scoring folks [28:21] on things, we probably should have some [28:22] policies or at least criteria about how [28:25] that is working. We do have that [28:27] outlined a little bit in the scoring [28:29] rubric, but um this is an opportunity [28:32] for us to improve the process of sharing [28:33] that with applicants so there's a little [28:35] bit more transparency of what they're [28:36] being measured on and make it a little [28:39] more formal as well. Um so just at a [28:42] high level, the alignment with the visit [28:44] Vancouver destination master plan. Um so [28:46] that's those elements um are outlined in [28:49] the application for folks. They have [28:51] access to that um process. Um, and then [28:55] we're talking about the alignment of the [28:56] city strategic plan. I did this to [28:58] shorten the number of bullets on here, [28:59] but that encompasses a large amount of [29:01] what our scoring criteria are. So, that [29:03] would be the equity piece. That would [29:05] be, um, the sustainability, [29:09] um, climate change initiatives, uh, [29:11] transportation, [29:13] all of those pieces are tied into the [29:15] city of Vancouver strategic plan. [29:21] See, [29:23] we also are evaluating the seasonality [29:26] and location part. Um, that's been [29:29] stated by the committee that that's a [29:30] huge priority of really driving more [29:34] non- peak season events and more events [29:37] outside of the city of Vancouver. So, [29:39] how can we communicate that more [29:40] effectively with grant recipients? How [29:42] can we create policies or criteria that [29:46] truly is moving that forward with growth [29:48] would be a part of the kind of the [29:50] dialogue around that. Um we do measure e [29:54] economic impact. Um this last year we [29:58] provided an opportunity for folks to [29:59] consult with visit Vancouver as part of [30:01] their application to go through just [30:03] kind of the a more um an algorithm [30:06] analysis of what the financial impact of [30:08] their events would be. Um, [30:11] so I I think we may want to look a [30:14] little bit more closely about what kind [30:17] of impact we're trying to make. Um, and [30:19] also [30:21] um [30:22] what level of confidence do we have in [30:24] some of those those measures? Um, [30:28] also how much do we really want to [30:30] emphasize and priority local vendors and [30:32] those kind of considerations and what [30:35] can how can we communicate again as part [30:37] of our criteria and standards? How can [30:39] we communicate that with grant [30:40] recipients? Make that clear from the [30:43] start. [30:43] >> Last year, we only had a few that [30:46] actually met with Visit Vancouver, [30:48] right? Out of all of the applications. [30:51] >> Yeah, I'm not sure the the actual [30:53] number. [30:53] >> I think it was only like three or four. [30:55] >> Okay. [30:56] >> Do you guys remember? I think more did [30:59] than what they represented. And it would [31:01] be great to see how they retained or was [31:04] executing that advice or guidance too in [31:08] a presentation. So I don't know if [31:09] there's more suggestions we can put into [31:12] I don't want to require more things if [31:14] they don't have that ability but uh [31:17] suggest for them to include that in the [31:20] presentation. [31:24] » And then um a couple other scoring [31:26] criteria would be just the uniqueness of [31:28] the event [31:30] and the marketing reach. a demonstrated [31:33] marking plan showing that they are [31:35] intentionally trying to draw folks from [31:36] outside of the area which are some of [31:38] the key measures for the state [31:39] reporting. Um [31:43] >> Andrew, can you help me understand [31:44] uniqueness a little bit and the value of [31:46] having a unique event? I mean I get it [31:48] from an injury standpoint but not [31:50] necessarily from an impact. [31:53] >> Yeah. So the idea is um [31:58] bringing in events that are not just the [32:01] same ones. Like if we're looking at a [32:04] lot of times we'll have four or five [32:06] applications for a marathon or a 10K or [32:09] something like that. Obviously that's [32:11] not an exceptionally unique um [32:13] application. So something that's [32:16] providing something new or the [32:18] opportunity to draw a different [32:19] population to be [32:22] >> there was a time where you could see a [32:24] lot of the events in Esther Shore Park [32:26] not related to Eltech funds but it was [32:29] like a brewfest after brew fest after [32:31] brewfest which they were all great but a [32:34] little bit of diversity in there would [32:35] be good. [32:36] >> Yeah I think what you said about [32:37] reaching different populations or [32:39] different interest groups has I can see [32:40] the value in that so that's helpful. [32:42] Thank you. [32:44] What just to put this out there um to [32:47] tie this back to the to the rate payers [32:52] um is is there an opportunity to um have [32:55] consideration for the overnight stays [32:57] that it would generate or is that in the [33:00] alignment with the strategic plan? [33:05] » Um yeah, so the paid lodging nights is a factor on the scoring criteria. Um, [33:11] >> okay. [33:12] >> It's probably [33:15] >> Yeah, that was a little bit more of a [33:17] straightforward cut and dry. I mean, we [33:19] could also look at how what kind of [33:21] requirements we do want to put on that. [33:24] Um, but the scoring rubric does break it [33:27] down. Uh, let's see. Um, [33:30] if it generates less than 25 rooms a [33:32] night, it would receive one point in the [33:34] scoring criteria. If it does 26 to 50 [33:37] night room nights, it would get two [33:39] points. Um and just kind of a scale from [33:41] there up to five points. Um [33:45] >> Oh, that's great. Thank you. [33:46] >> Yeah. Uh again, that can be evaluated a [33:50] little bit more. Um that is one of the [33:53] largest fiscal impacts of if people are [33:56] actually coming in town and staying [33:57] overnight, eating in our restaurant, [33:59] shopping and the shops. So definitely is [34:03] a big um element. So, it is captured in [34:05] a couple different areas because that [34:06] also does factor into the economic [34:08] impact measure as well when you're [34:10] looking at um the overnight stays. So, [34:17] let's see. [34:18] Uh yeah. So, are at this point I know [34:22] I've run through a lot of different [34:23] things and a lot of different [34:24] information. Is there any other [34:26] questions, concerns? Uh, do we feel [34:28] comfortable jumping into just kind of [34:30] seeing talking about what areas we want [34:33] to address or [34:39] » one question real quick? Do we distill [34:41] or break down the strategic plan at all [34:43] within the application or provide a link [34:45] or is there a summary or do they have to read the entire strategic [34:48] plan essentially to figure out? [34:50] Yeah, there there is a link um and I [34:54] think I believe there's a fact sheet [34:56] that at least identifies like the highle [34:58] pieces of what the elements are. I don't [35:04] I would be very surprised if anyone sat [35:06] down and read through the whole [35:07] document. Um but I I'll look a little [35:11] bit more closely than they should. was [35:12] actually [35:13] >> it was originally me. [35:15] Um [35:16] >> maybe I need to leave the room so you [35:18] guys can talk about me. [35:24] » Um but yeah, so a link is provided and I [35:30] do think there is that high level [35:31] summary of what at least the main areas [35:34] that we're trying to address right [35:36] within that. So [35:41] right um I think we are at the point [35:44] where we could just jump into doing some [35:47] work. Uh no other questions at this [35:49] point in time. [35:52] All right. Um I'll I'm going to take [35:54] over the sharing screen really quick and [35:57] hopefully it's really quick. [36:02] and team. I'm gonna have to excuse [36:04] myself for a a personal um situation. [36:07] So, uh but I'll look forward to the [36:10] recording in the in the minutes. Thank [36:12] you. [36:13] >> Thanks, Carrie. [36:13] >> Thanks, Gary. [36:16] >> All right. Um, so this is um a pretty [36:20] similar um [36:23] setup to what what what I did last time [36:25] is I have a couple ideas on here for [36:28] things that we [36:30] just kind of prompt to start the [36:32] conversation. Um, [36:35] but yeah, I I'd like to open it up. Like [36:38] I said, I know we just worked through a [36:40] whole bunch of background information. [36:42] Um, [36:43] just yeah, I' I'd like to hear your [36:46] thoughts about what we may want to keep, [36:48] what we want different, um, or things [36:52] that we may not have even talked about [36:53] at all that are important to add in. [36:58] Well, with your first the grants [37:00] minimum. Um, I think that based on just [37:04] the variations of the grants and where [37:06] our festivals are at, I don't know if we [37:09] need a minimum or maximum with the [37:12] exception of the festival or the the [37:15] cultural events since they we are more [37:17] generous with our flexibility of rating [37:19] them because they're just starting to to [37:22] um [37:24] get their feet under them. [37:29] Does um so if no minimum is needed as [37:34] far as the stated criteria um does [37:38] continuing to have a maximum or at least [37:40] a recommended maximum amount for the [37:43] cultural enrichment grant continue to [37:45] make sense to everyone? I think it helps [37:48] convey to the grantee what they can [37:52] expect is if they're coming in and [37:54] thinking they're going to get a $100,000 [37:57] grant. [37:59] >> Yeah. And we doubled it. It started out [38:01] at $2500. So increasing it to the 5,000. [38:09] » So I'm tracking appropriately. We [38:11] currently or previously had had 5,000 as [38:14] a minimum. Correct. And we're saying we [38:16] don't need that. Have we ever before the [38:18] recent history not had a minimum [38:22] um [38:25] the level of enforcement on some of [38:27] these program guidelines was always a [38:30] little bit um so I would say even going [38:32] back over the last four years we've had [38:33] grants under $5,000 the last four or [38:36] five years so even when we had that as a [38:40] stated requirement it didn't always be [38:42] enforced. Maybe instead of it being a [38:45] requirement, maybe it's just putting out [38:47] what the amount of the grants could be. [38:49] So again, [38:51] someone applies for a grant and we turn [38:53] around and say, "We'll give you a [38:54] thousand." Like now they felt like they [38:57] wasted their time, right? [38:59] >> Yeah. [39:03] I think similar to councelor B's [39:05] comments, I would just want to set the [39:06] right expectations and use whatever [39:08] guidelines we have. set the right [39:11] expectations and and for from [39:12] administrative side not getting a lot of [39:14] $100 grant requests or things like that [39:16] too. [39:18] To your point, there's kind of a [39:19] built-in with the application probably [39:20] the deterrence there, but want to see [39:24] 200 applications or something [39:27] that follow the spirit of the 10. [39:35] Um I uh I think that having a minimum [39:39] can be helpful uh again for expectation [39:42] setting. Also um for the most part [39:46] larger and more established [39:47] organizations aren't going to ask for [39:49] less than 5,000 anyway, but if it's a [39:51] smaller organization that does uh the [39:54] city also does have other grant [39:56] programs. They have the community I [39:58] don't remember the exact name for it, [40:00] but the community grants that can I [40:01] think could be 500 or 5,000. [40:04] um it's not a direct uh lodging tax uh overlap, but for a lot of these [40:12] smaller nonprofits, they probably that [40:14] intersection can probably work. So, if [40:17] we're looking to um improve tourism in [40:20] the community, I think it's reasonable [40:21] to think that an organization should be [40:23] looking for maybe more than more than [40:25] 5,000. Um so, as a as a guideline, at [40:29] minimum, uh a minimum could be good. Uh [40:33] and on the on the maximum, I'd also [40:35] suggest uh that helps with expectations. We do have [40:42] applicants who will ask for [40:45] uh as as much as possible. Um, and [40:49] that's fine, but it uh it [40:53] I think that conversations we've had in [40:56] the past, and I know we have different [40:57] folks on the committee, so it's worth um [40:59] discussing what our goals are, but uh [41:02] that these are supposed to kind of help [41:04] things get started. They're not supposed [41:05] to be full funding. Um that they're [41:09] supposed to be a part of bringing this [41:10] thing to to fruition. So, uh, some kind [41:15] of a cap or recommended cap. Maybe a lot [41:18] of these should be recommendations as [41:20] opposed to requirements. That was my [41:22] thinking on other parts of the list. Uh, [41:24] we probably do limit ourselves if we put [41:27] strict requirements on things, but I [41:30] think some of these guidelines exist for [41:31] a reason that we can talk about when we [41:33] get to the other specific ones. [41:40] I was I was thinking about the questions [41:42] around the alignment to the strategic [41:44] plans both to the cities and the um [41:47] destination master plan. It didn't feel [41:50] to me that most of the applicants had [41:54] reviewed them or they didn't respond to [41:56] them at all. And so as a reviewer I felt [41:59] like I was doing some you know research [42:02] to see if I could how much alignment I [42:04] saw with their proposal. So I am [42:07] wondering uh how valuable that is at the [42:10] end of the day. Uh it felt like a lot [42:12] more work on on me than than maybe I [42:15] needed to do but because I wanted to [42:17] give them some points. So versus I think [42:20] if I was like a teacher, which I've [42:22] never been a teacher, I would have just [42:24] failed them and given them no points [42:25] because they had not addressed it. [42:27] Right. That's that was my role. [42:29] >> Yeah. [42:34] What did anyone else have any thoughts [42:35] on that one? [42:37] >> I have thoughts on you. [42:39] >> Mine was going to be more on the [42:40] maximums. I don't know if we'd put [42:42] anything about typical grant ranges. Um [42:44] I think I agree with with Temple's [42:47] comments, but also just wonder if we [42:49] could retain some flexibility by just [42:52] like setting some expectations but not [42:54] setting requirements. And there might be a way to approach it on the [42:57] master plan. I agree. I think I my [43:01] preference would be they do the work and [43:03] articulate some way how that is tied to [43:06] both. But [43:08] >> and if they don't do the work, do we [43:10] just not give them points? That's the [43:14] >> I mean, I think that's fair. I haven't [43:15] subject [43:17] >> the wrath of a a upset applicant yet. [43:20] So, [43:20] >> well, [43:22] I'll give you I'll give you an example. [43:25] So let's say um the applicant didn't you [43:28] know it's a pretty good application [43:31] um you know they're scoring well on time [43:33] of year and and number of heads in beds [43:36] and so it's looking pretty good but they [43:38] didn't fill out anything at all for the [43:40] point value for strategic plan [43:43] alignment. So now they've just lost some [43:45] points and um and so now they might not [43:49] be in the top 10 that we're going to [43:50] fund. So, you're kind of like, well, but [43:53] then you can clearly see from reviewing [43:55] their application that they are in [43:57] alignment with some of these. Of course, [43:59] they are because they've scored well. [44:01] Um, so that that would be my leaning for [44:03] filling in where they didn't. But then [44:06] we've also had a couple applications and [44:08] these are perhaps some of those that [44:10] were angrier with us. But they in their [44:14] opinion thought that they met all of the [44:16] all they were in full alignment with the [44:18] entire strategic plans of both like they [44:22] came in they came in strong and they [44:24] said we meet every single one of these [44:28] points that you have in your tourism [44:30] destination master plan. Now whether or [44:32] not we agreed with that or not was where [44:34] again as a raider I was like well I [44:36] don't really agree right and so I would [44:37] I didn't give them full as full of [44:40] credit as they thought they should get. [44:42] So those are my two kind of not sure it [44:45] was super valuable again given how much [44:48] energy it was around that question. [44:51] >> We have uh the opportunity to send it [44:54] back to them for like reiteration. So, [44:59] for example, the example that you gave [45:01] where it was a good application, but [45:02] maybe they missed linking it to the the [45:05] plan, can you send it back and say, [45:08] "Hey, we're missing this whole section. [45:11] You know, you got 48 hours or something [45:13] like that. [45:21] Historically, we've not sent back [45:23] applications. Um the the area that we've [45:26] been able to get additional context on [45:28] some of those things would be during [45:29] presentations from the organizations and [45:31] we have sent targeted questions that [45:34] asking them to address those during [45:36] their presentation. [45:38] >> Um [45:39] >> and they're able to make up points [45:40] during that presentation then on [45:43] evaluations or is that separate? [45:48] >> It's more along the lines of how much [45:50] funding. [45:51] Usually the presentations are more about [45:53] the funding level at that point. Yeah. [45:58] >> Okay. [45:59] >> Christie, you [46:00] >> Yeah. Um the sustainability question um [46:04] being in alignment with our [46:05] sustainability goals sustainability is [46:07] very important but to acknowledge that [46:10] events it's very difficult to enforce [46:14] sustainability and it's also very costly [46:16] for an event and sometimes we're limited [46:19] to the the um structure and the um the [46:23] services that are around that event [46:27] location. So I found it very [46:29] challenging. Each one of them would say [46:31] I'm using, you know, waste connections [46:33] for example and we're going to have [46:34] recycling. So that's a requirement of [46:37] the event, but is that really focusing [46:40] on some sustainability efforts? So I [46:43] just by the nature of events, it's [46:45] really hard to score them knowing what [46:48] they're up against trying to be [46:49] sustainable. [46:52] there was [46:53] >> that's something that everybody is going [46:55] to have the same trouble with, right? So [46:59] if if we have somebody though so [47:01] everybody's going to get essentially the [47:02] same score, but then if you have [47:05] somebody that's able to do a better job [47:07] or has better tools, then they would get [47:10] more. So it's it doesn't really like [47:12] hurt anybody [47:14] abnormally, does it? [47:16] >> That would be if we're all scoring the [47:18] same. [47:19] >> Oh, okay. [47:20] >> Yeah. Yeah. And there are some events [47:23] like for example the arts and music [47:25] festival they heavily work with seat to [47:28] encourage the wrership there versus [47:31] parking and individual cars those types [47:34] of things. So there are some that do [47:36] extra effort to um reduce their um [47:41] carbon footprint but for the most of [47:44] them they just don't have necessarily [47:46] the resources. [47:49] Yeah, there was a a few proposals where [47:51] they hire they were planning to hire uh [47:54] this consultant group that had I [47:56] actually looked up that group. I can't [47:57] remember their name now, but they were [48:00] supposedly known for [48:03] adding that extra green sustainability [48:06] element to events. [48:09] But like I said, at what cost? I don't [48:11] know. Mhm. [48:12] >> Well, even just tickets, you know, there [48:14] are several of them that are still paper [48:16] tickets versus that's expensive to go on [48:19] to like a ticket master system or [48:21] whichever the electronic options. It's [48:24] just a lot of extra expenses that they [48:27] could be asking for funds for, but it [48:29] just it's really hard on the event side [48:31] to navigate through sustainability. [48:37] But when I was looking at that [48:39] particular one, I to your point, Kyle, I [48:41] think most of them, it wasn't um it [48:45] didn't hurt them if they just said waste [48:47] connections as far as whatever base [48:50] score I was giving them. All all of them [48:52] that said waste connections all got the [48:53] same score, but it was the ones that [48:56] showed that extra effort that got more [48:58] points. You know, they had hired that [48:59] other firm or they mentioned Sean or [49:02] they mentioned car pooling or something [49:04] that they got additional points. [49:08] I agree with that and um I think since [49:10] it's one of the city's priorities to [49:12] emphasize sustainability that that's [49:15] part of the reason this is in here is to [49:17] continue to make these um events align [49:19] as best as possible with those city [49:21] priorities. So part of it is having you [49:24] know is ensuring that they're thinking [49:26] about it uh and that they answer the [49:29] question seriously. So whether or not [49:32] they can I think I think it's true that [49:34] you know or rather I agree with uh with [49:38] uh councelor Fox I I the folks who [49:41] really just did the bare minimum kind of [49:43] got the same score. The folks who did a [49:44] little bit more got more for me. The [49:46] folks who didn't even acknowledge it did [49:48] get less because they should at least be [49:50] acknowledging it even if there isn't as [49:52] much that they could do to align with [49:54] those city priorities. [50:00] Do we know if like the parks and [50:02] recrecks department have any um [50:05] resources or guidance on how to make [50:08] your event more sustainable? So, we [50:10] could put some supplementary documents [50:13] on the site that encourages them to [50:16] think about different things. [50:18] >> I I can follow up with the events team. [50:26] » Um see, are there any other [50:36] The other piece we have is formalizing [50:38] the criteria about being inside or [50:40] outside the city limits. I've noted that [50:43] we should talk about [50:47] » yes. Um, [50:50] >> and I I just put out that I at least [50:53] from a lot of our discussions, it seems [50:54] like we're all pretty much in alignment [50:56] that uh if it's that we could we could [51:02] be in favor of an event outside the city [51:03] limits if and then the actual mitigation [51:08] measure would be the room blocks. That's [51:10] what I've been hearing from everyone. [51:13] If you guys don't agree, it's time to [51:15] talk. [51:17] >> Yeah, I would definitely support if it [51:18] didn't have a room if it's outside the [51:20] city limits didn't have a dedicated room [51:22] block that we wouldn't consider it. I [51:23] think that's fair and reasonable. [51:26] And my other question is just I don't [51:27] know does any other jurisdiction collect [51:30] besides Vancouver collect lodging tax [51:32] funds like CAS or any other of those [51:34] yet? [51:37] >> Cameas does. [51:38] Okay. [51:39] >> But that's just because I work for [51:40] Camas. [51:41] So, we may also want to, and I don't [51:43] want to get too far in the weeds, but we [51:44] may also want to say, you know, we can't [51:46] do it for anybody that collects, you [51:48] know, so within another jurisdiction [51:50] that also collects lodging tax or [51:51] something like that, right? [51:53] >> So, uninorporated is probably still in [51:55] play, but maybe not other [52:02] Sorry, I didn't articulate that great, [52:04] but I think you know what I meant. [52:11] Yeah. No, it makes sense. [52:15] So the event would not be within other [52:16] jurisdictions like Alic lodging tax. [52:19] That's the theory is the resources are [52:21] already there for them. Yeah. So yeah, [52:27] I know Battleground collects lodging tax [52:30] as well. [52:33] But again, so many of the areas here, [52:36] there's so few lodging options. What is [52:38] the actual revenue stream? But Camas [52:40] would have a revenue stream. [52:44] >> Um, all right. [52:45] >> I think generally that just kind of [52:46] encourages to be as close as possible to [52:48] I mean there's other economic benefits [52:50] besides the the root blocks too. So I [52:52] think that that is a fair limit. [52:54] >> I think another easy one for us to cover [52:57] would be that calendar year question. [53:00] Mhm. [53:01] >> So when you are advertising for these [53:04] grants, is it just a matter of you [53:06] saying that they need to utilize the [53:10] funds within that calendar year? And so [53:13] maybe we just need to say uh maybe [53:16] within [53:18] um I'd say, you know, because we're [53:21] trying to hit that that winter, right? [53:23] We want to have some winter events. So [53:25] the event has to be between, you know, [53:28] January 2026 and February 2027 or or [53:33] something like whatever that, you know, [53:36] 14 15 month time frame instead of a 12 [53:39] month time frame. Maybe that cover us or maybe we say it's between fe like if [53:48] we're doing 2026 like a February 2026 to [53:51] uh February 2027. [53:54] Maybe that makes more sense. We just [53:56] change our 12 month [53:59] period. [54:01] I don't know. Doesn't seem like it seems [54:03] to matter from a accounting standpoint. [54:11] And the only area that there there was a [54:13] little bit of a sticking point and at [54:15] this point it's a non-issue but it was [54:18] going to require additional research or [54:20] at least additional guidance from uh the [54:24] reporting the state reporting mechanism. [54:26] Um they the reports are what lodging [54:29] taxes were expended this year what were [54:31] the outcomes associated with those. So [54:33] obviously if a lodging tax is expended [54:34] in one year but the outcomes don't [54:35] happen until the next year what would [54:37] that reporting look like? But that being [54:39] said the state has suspended all um [54:42] reporting on launching tax dollars at [54:44] this point in time. So um I will be [54:46] giving additional guidance at least on [54:50] what we should be colle if we need to [54:53] continue collecting the same data and [54:55] are there going to be other reporting [54:56] requirements around that? Do we just [54:58] need to maintain that record? Um, and [55:01] then I can a little bit more to the [55:03] bottom of like if there are expenses [55:05] that happen one year, but outcomes [55:06] another, but I'm I'm sure that's not a [55:08] unique scenario. I'm sure they have a [55:10] best practice of app report for that. [55:13] So, [55:16] >> yeah. So, it might be nice to just [55:17] explore if we can change our 12 month [55:20] period to not be a calendar year. [55:24] Yeah, I'd certainly support any language [55:26] that helps basically give enough runway [55:28] for all seasons. That would make sense. [55:31] I wonder if [55:33] not making it too complicated, if you [55:34] would just say any kind of the extension [55:37] beyond that would require like Elac [55:39] coming back to LTAC with an explanation [55:41] of why you weren't able to so at least [55:43] incentivizes them but doesn't block if [55:46] there's some valid reason why they would [55:48] need to extend. [55:52] I think our last and new question which [55:54] I've left for exactly one o'clock almost [55:57] um was we were talking about what are [56:00] they going to do about the regular [56:02] events that are [56:05] coming up on their two second year [56:10] I wasn't I wasn't part of that original [56:13] conversation so I am not definitely have [56:16] no [56:18] loyalty to two years and why why two [56:22] years was picked. I guess maybe that [56:24] would be a good place to start. [56:26] >> Yeah. [56:26] Um [56:28] I think the for the history of these [56:30] funds that have been received even [56:32] before our committee, you know, even [56:34] though there's a few of these that have [56:37] um had the they're on the two-year mark, [56:39] they're on a, you know, five 10. It was [56:42] a significant year um of funding. But [56:46] the caveat to that to not um eliminate [56:50] them is to really show that growth that [56:53] 20% growth. So I don't think we have to [56:56] go into the mindset that these these um [56:59] five are a no. It's that do we somehow [57:03] communicate with them advance to say [57:05] this is where you're at and your you [57:08] know planning for the event really needs [57:10] to focus on that 20% attendance [57:13] increase. Um, what I recall a lot of the [57:17] conversations about that and Temple can [57:19] kind of chime in here too is that just [57:22] trying to make sure that we were not [57:24] just refunding the same events over and [57:27] over again and giving other events that [57:30] exposure, but we also aren't seeing an [57:33] overwhelming amount of applications um [57:36] for new large equivalent events, too. [57:40] So, I don't know if you have any [57:43] thoughts that [57:44] >> Yeah, I um I I agree that that's that's [57:47] where a lot of this came from is that um [57:50] uh well, it came from seeing a lot of [57:54] recurring applicants and [57:57] being concerned both that continuing to [57:59] fund the same organizations over and [58:00] over limits opportunity for others to [58:02] get in there. Um, and also I well coming [58:06] from a nonprofit perspective, well of [58:08] course one of the best things you can [58:10] get is ongoing funding. Uh, if the [58:13] nonprofits start to rely on that as [58:17] recurring funding and begin to kind of [58:19] think of that as always going to get it, [58:21] then that creates a lot of instability [58:23] actually. And so if it doesn't go and [58:24] since this is a volatile funding source [58:26] theoretically um where the amount we [58:29] have available can change yeartoyear uh [58:31] I don't think that it's responsible [58:33] necessarily for us to create the [58:36] appearance that this can become a [58:38] sustainable recurring funding source um [58:42] at risk of you know at risk of these [58:44] nonprofits and their stability. But uh [58:46] also though at the same time that that [58:48] conversation was occurring as I recall [58:50] the amount of funds that we were talking [58:52] about dispersing was a lot lower. Uh [58:54] some of the reason that fund was lower [58:56] was because there weren't the new hotels [58:58] those sorts of things coming out of [58:59] COVID but also the amount that the city [59:01] gave us access to was lower. So we were [59:04] in that much smaller range. So when you [59:07] have this more competitive pool of [59:08] funds, um wanting to open it up to allow [59:12] other opportunity was I think a part of [59:14] it. Uh from from my perspective, I think [59:18] that the adding some kind of a change, [59:20] whether it's growth of event or adding a [59:23] new component or program to show that [59:25] it's continually changing is a is an [59:27] interesting way to get about it. We're [59:29] not saying this organization can't [59:30] apply. were saying, "Show us how the [59:33] event is changing from the benefit of [59:36] these funds to allow that to happen." [59:40] >> I did appreciate that as a challenge [59:43] question to some of those uh events when they because it felt like they rose [59:47] to the challenge and said, "Yes, because [59:49] we we want to get continue getting this [59:51] grant fund. Here's the new thing that [59:53] we've proposed." And I thought that was [59:55] actually pretty interesting. [59:56] >> I don't know how many times we expect [59:58] them to innovate, though. you know, I'm [1:00:00] not an event person, so I don't know how [1:00:03] difficult of a lift that is. It felt [1:00:05] like felt like it might have been a [1:00:07] pretty big lift. [1:00:09] >> Uh, I agree with that. And coming again [1:00:12] from the perspective of an agency that [1:00:13] could could apply for some of these [1:00:15] funds, that expectation of continue to [1:00:17] innovate, continue to grow is pretty [1:00:18] burdensome. But, uh, [1:00:23] that's also from the perspective of I [1:00:25] want to go back to this well over and over again and now they're [1:00:28] telling me I can't, I'm upset about [1:00:31] that. I mean, like, you know, we've had [1:00:32] that conversation here. Um, but [1:00:37] if part of our goal is to increase [1:00:40] access and opportunity, we should cons [1:00:43] we should consider that. I I can argue [1:00:46] both ways. [1:00:49] the the the part of growing the event um [1:00:52] by the 20% too is that there are very [1:00:55] few applicants that truly do hit the [1:00:58] mark on the overnight guest rooms. And [1:01:01] for them to attract that individual to [1:01:05] actually stay the night, there does need [1:01:07] to be some significant change to events [1:01:10] because when we go through that [1:01:13] evaluation process, you will see that's [1:01:15] why we have started from 0 to 25, right? [1:01:18] If you looked at the ratio of the funds [1:01:20] that we're um distributing to the tax [1:01:24] dollars that they're generating, it's [1:01:26] very out of sync. So to challenge them [1:01:29] to really get past that, to innovate I [1:01:31] think is very important. [1:01:36] » Yeah, I agree with what's been said. I [1:01:38] would say perhaps we just note that [1:01:40] either 20% growth or new audience like [1:01:43] so something that's going to attract a [1:01:45] new or out of area audience something [1:01:47] like that [1:01:48] >> would be consideration. Yeah. How are we [1:01:51] comfortable with their estimation that [1:01:54] they're going to bring in 20% more? [1:01:57] >> That part to me, I wasn't really [1:02:00] sure how [1:02:02] >> again [1:02:03] how what what's the basis? How are we [1:02:05] saying we feeling confident that they [1:02:07] truly are going to bring in 20% more? [1:02:10] >> Yeah. Um that's a great question. I [1:02:12] think for the example I would use that [1:02:15] four days of aloha was one of them to [1:02:17] reference that in where they said that [1:02:20] they were targeting they haven't [1:02:22] contracted yet but that new performer [1:02:25] would then make me feel confident that [1:02:27] they are um doing the efforts to [1:02:30] increase that attendance. So I think [1:02:32] we're looking for something very [1:02:33] significantly changing that um structure [1:02:38] that encourages it but of course it's [1:02:41] hard to measure too. Right? So, if it's [1:02:44] someone that has received it based on [1:02:47] that, let's say um they said they were [1:02:50] going to grow by 20%. Then if they were [1:02:53] applying again, I would want to see some [1:02:55] sort of proof and ticket sales um the [1:02:58] measurements that Viz Vancouver is [1:03:00] allowing them to have access to of that [1:03:02] point in time data, those types of [1:03:04] things. [1:03:09] Do we have [1:03:12] um any thoughts around the what is it [1:03:15] called the cultural um kind of going [1:03:18] back to that one why I was thinking we [1:03:22] should go back to that is someone had [1:03:24] said um I think it was temple but it's [1:03:27] you know we don't want to be a fund that [1:03:29] um folks totally rely on but then I was [1:03:32] thinking if you are one of the the uh [1:03:36] organizations that's proposing a new [1:03:38] event. Um, you actually could use some [1:03:42] stability. And so I'm wondering how [1:03:44] comfortable we feel with and if we even [1:03:47] can do this, but actually give them [1:03:50] assurance that they've just won a [1:03:51] two-year award instead of a one-year [1:03:53] award. So, they're still getting a [1:03:56] $5,000 award for one year, but they also [1:03:59] now can count on that $5,000 award for [1:04:01] next year. Just throwing it out there. [1:04:04] like a stability for a new [1:04:07] event to get going. [1:04:11] >> I definitely can see that and um work [1:04:14] often with groups that have a need for [1:04:16] that. I would say we would really want [1:04:19] to look at the contracting process of [1:04:21] their venues. I think we've seen a lot [1:04:24] of variation from application to [1:04:26] actualization [1:04:28] and I I'm not even sure if venues are [1:04:31] contracting that far out. Um, so the [1:04:34] commitments that they would need to make [1:04:36] to say that they were going to actually [1:04:38] do it under the that scope of work too, [1:04:40] I think would need to be um part of our [1:04:44] consideration. [1:04:51] » Yeah, I think that's a lot of good [1:04:52] things for us to discuss. Um, and just [1:04:54] kind of [1:04:56] hopefully the next meeting will get us [1:04:57] to the point where we're closer to a [1:04:59] final list. Um, [1:05:01] I I just want to look really quick on [1:05:03] the process improvement. I know we're [1:05:04] past 1:00. Uh, I know we're technically [1:05:06] booked until 1:30, but we'll I just want [1:05:09] to do just kind of quick run through on [1:05:12] some of the other process improvement [1:05:13] items that we could talk about. Um, part [1:05:17] of that is the credit clause obviously [1:05:18] in our contract. Um, [1:05:21] do are there any initial um, thoughts, [1:05:24] feelings about how we would want to [1:05:26] enforce that? Um, [1:05:29] like I said, historically it's been a [1:05:31] little hit or miss. Um, at this point in [1:05:34] time, the idea is that we require them [1:05:37] to submit any written materials that [1:05:39] they've developed with our with their uh [1:05:43] final report. Um, [1:05:46] again, sometimes that might be a little [1:05:48] late in the game to truly evaluate like [1:05:50] we may have already reimbured them at [1:05:51] that point in time. Um the other side of [1:05:54] it too is it is a contracting clause but [1:05:57] so how can we enforce that? Um or what [1:06:01] is our level of interest in doing it as [1:06:04] a punishment or would it be something [1:06:06] that would potentially impact future [1:06:08] applications like we saw that you [1:06:09] received this award. We didn't see any [1:06:12] credit on any of your marketing [1:06:13] materials. This would result in this [1:06:16] kind of impact on your scoring for your [1:06:18] next round. Uh so just kind of multiple [1:06:22] different ways that we can look at it. [1:06:24] Again, we don't need to dive into it in [1:06:25] incredible depth right now. Um [1:06:29] next meeting, like like I said, it's [1:06:31] going to be more of a final workshop to [1:06:33] work through. Try to get as much final [1:06:34] detail on these things as possible. Um [1:06:37] and then from there we would um well [1:06:40] I'll I'll do that on the final um on the [1:06:42] next [1:06:43] >> quick recommendation [1:06:45] right now would be just kind of a [1:06:47] percentage perhaps penalty if if it is [1:06:50] caught before you fully paid the grant. [1:06:54] And then if you have already paid the [1:06:57] grant, then to your point, maybe it's [1:06:58] the future application [1:07:01] that where they get a a deduction. [1:07:05] And yeah, if we have to want to fully [1:07:08] discuss this next time, maybe that's [1:07:09] something we can think about. [1:07:12] >> Um, another piece that came up this year [1:07:15] of just identifying the kind of things [1:07:17] that would constitute a scope change. [1:07:18] Um, obviously like when what we ran into [1:07:21] with the Queer Community Network, um, [1:07:24] them needing to scramble and find a [1:07:26] completely different location or date or [1:07:28] the combination of the two. Um, that was [1:07:30] a pretty substantial scope of change. [1:07:32] So, we wanted to have a little bit more [1:07:33] of a formal process with it. Um, but it [1:07:37] would be good for us to kind of build [1:07:38] out how we want to approach those things [1:07:40] in the future. [1:07:42] Um, any other items that [1:07:48] we feel like we would want to formalize [1:07:51] a little bit more. [1:07:55] I'm not sure if it falls under this [1:07:56] category or not, but we've talked about [1:07:58] a outside of the debt obligation, a [1:08:01] reserve fund. [1:08:02] And so I don't think it needs to be in [1:08:04] an application or anything like that or [1:08:06] for the process for the applicants, but [1:08:08] >> or just our ability to have that [1:08:11] flexibility, but not necessarily. We [1:08:13] could talk more in depth about whether [1:08:15] or not we want that, but [1:08:17] >> that's interesting. particularly for [1:08:18] like a catalyst type, you know, holding [1:08:20] some type of non-restricted reserve fund [1:08:23] for some larger catalyst, you know, [1:08:24] where there's a sporting event, a FIFA [1:08:26] type, you know, thing. [1:08:27] >> Yes. [1:08:31] » We know it's coming. [1:08:34] >> Some of those have very long runways too [1:08:35] on them. [1:08:41] » Okay. Absolutely. Um or even for just [1:08:45] years, right? So you think you know [1:08:46] pandemic or some other outside force [1:08:48] causes a lower number of hotels for for [1:08:51] a single year just to create some [1:08:52] stability to be able to generate not be [1:08:55] lagging in terms of our ability to [1:08:57] create some impact for future years. [1:08:59] >> And that was one consideration with the [1:09:01] awards this last year is um with the [1:09:03] industry projecting 3% decrease in [1:09:05] overnight stays, we held in reserve. We [1:09:08] didn't fully fund all of the amount of [1:09:10] dollars that we had available to us. And [1:09:11] so, yeah, having a more strategic [1:09:13] reserve like that makes a lot of sense. [1:09:16] Um, okay. Uh, like I said, I know we're [1:09:19] getting closer to time, so we don't need [1:09:20] to spend a lot of time on this. We'll devote the majority of next [1:09:24] meeting to talking about all of these [1:09:26] topics again, but hopefully get it a [1:09:27] little more clarity and true guidance of [1:09:30] what we want to enforce. Um, so just a [1:09:33] quick upstep overview. Next one's going [1:09:35] to be that workshop style meeting where [1:09:37] we're sitting down and hopefully having [1:09:40] a final list and final decision on what [1:09:43] each one of those items are. Um, we've [1:09:46] kind of done that initial brainstorming. [1:09:48] We presented some different ideas. Um, [1:09:50] so we would want to get as close to [1:09:51] final as that as possible. Um, from [1:09:54] there the next step would be finalizing [1:09:55] the standards and criteria. And we can [1:09:57] talk about whether we want to do that as [1:09:59] if we get it far enough in the next [1:10:00] meeting. Is it just a matter of staff [1:10:01] compiling the document and then sharing [1:10:03] it out for approval or is it something [1:10:05] that might require additional work still [1:10:07] and then we might want to look at having [1:10:08] a subcommittee work group to just kind [1:10:10] of get things across the finish line [1:10:12] take all the feedback from all of the [1:10:14] different members. Um that would be a [1:10:16] again staffled idea but we can talk [1:10:18] about that next meeting what our comfort [1:10:20] level with that is. Um, and then, uh, [1:10:24] depending on that piece, um, if it is [1:10:26] just something that staff can quickly [1:10:27] compile, we'll be approving kind of the [1:10:30] guideline document at the May 13th [1:10:32] meeting. If it takes additional work, we probably be pushing that back to June [1:10:36] 10th. That way, it's all ready and [1:10:37] available for us for the next grant cycle that starts in August. Um, [1:10:43] really quick, I'm gonna I just want to [1:10:46] give you all a [1:10:48] more thorough overview of kind of what [1:10:50] the next steps are. [1:10:53] add the contract [1:10:54] >> and I I'll add to you um next meeting [1:10:57] too is kind of what I had asked last my [1:11:00] first meeting with you guys was um if we [1:11:03] do have this scoring system and we feel [1:11:05] confident with it would we actually have [1:11:07] some applicants that are they've met the [1:11:10] scoring um and they just immediately are [1:11:12] awarded and they don't have to come in [1:11:14] for the interview [1:11:17] >> just throw that out there [1:11:20] >> threshold the rest of you still [1:11:22] >> we'll dive into the the grant process a [1:11:23] little bit more in June as well. Okay. [1:11:25] Um [1:11:26] >> so some of those pieces might fall under [1:11:28] a little bit more into the grant [1:11:29] process, but um this is just kind of a [1:11:31] highle overview of taking what you all [1:11:33] shared with us last meeting. I wanted to [1:11:35] give you a little bit of a quick [1:11:37] picture. Um this is still not final. It [1:11:39] can be adjusted. Um and this is very [1:11:42] tiny. So see if I can get this big [1:11:46] enough. Um anyways, so uh for the April [1:11:50] meeting, we're looking at a standards [1:11:52] and criteria workshop. Um then [1:11:55] determining the next steps. May 13th at [1:11:58] this point in time um visit Vancouver's [1:12:01] going to come in and they'll do a [1:12:02] presentation on just the state of [1:12:05] tourism um and destination master plan [1:12:08] progress for you all. Um also what I [1:12:11] would like to do is I want to do kind of [1:12:13] more of a partner recipient panel. Um, [1:12:15] Visit Vancouver's already committed to [1:12:17] being a part of that. I was thinking we [1:12:18] could invite someone um like four days [1:12:21] of Aloha to come in and um talk about [1:12:24] what they're doing. Um maybe VDA to talk [1:12:27] about um what I want to use this panel [1:12:30] for is kind of an opportunity for us to [1:12:31] pick people's brains about what has made [1:12:34] the event successful or what is working [1:12:36] in different areas of town that could be [1:12:38] implemented to increase events outside [1:12:41] of downtown or offseason events. Um, and [1:12:44] also I was considering um, inviting Sean [1:12:48] from Permit, the special events team, [1:12:50] just to talk about maybe what facilities [1:12:52] are available outside of the downtown [1:12:53] area. Um, other barriers or obstacles [1:12:56] that you may have run into working with [1:12:58] people that are applying for permits um, [1:13:00] for offseason or out of downtown events [1:13:03] as well. Um, so if you all have any [1:13:05] other ideas for folks that you might [1:13:07] want to hear from, that's just kind of a [1:13:09] rough outline of what I was thinking for [1:13:10] the May meeting. Um, [1:13:13] but yeah. [1:13:14] >> Okay. [1:13:14] >> And then for June, like I said, that's [1:13:18] when we're going to really dive into a [1:13:19] little bit more of the grant application [1:13:21] process. Um, and just the budget [1:13:24] picture. Um, all budget uh requests are [1:13:27] due by June 21st. So, this meeting is a [1:13:30] good is good time for that so that we [1:13:31] can kind of formulate what kind of um [1:13:33] requests we want to submit for the [1:13:36] committee funds. At that point in time, [1:13:38] I'll provide um a lot of the information [1:13:41] that I that I've found from the [1:13:43] five-year analysis and just kind of give [1:13:44] you a current snapshot of what the [1:13:46] fiscal picture is for the funds. Um what [1:13:49] may be happening going forward and then [1:13:51] we're going to do the goal strategies, [1:13:52] those pieces uh for application. Um so [1:13:56] this calendar that I built out, it's [1:13:57] combination of meeting schedule, but [1:13:58] then all the orange events are specific [1:14:00] to the grant process. Um, at this point [1:14:04] in time, this is they c they can be open [1:14:07] to change, but we're looking at [1:14:08] cancelling the July and August meeting. [1:14:10] That way, you all have kind of the [1:14:11] summer months to do your thing. We'll [1:14:13] post and get the applications out very [1:14:16] beginning of August because we're [1:14:18] looking at getting them to council the [1:14:19] first week of or um yes, the first [1:14:22] meeting of December. [1:14:25] So, second week, but first meeting of [1:14:27] December. [1:14:29] Um [1:14:30] and then [1:14:33] uh right before we start the scoring [1:14:35] process uh we'll do um [1:14:40] again we'll talk about just the grant um [1:14:43] we'll look at what okay sorry um so in [1:14:46] June um we'll kind of start that initial [1:14:48] conversation of putting holds on [1:14:49] calendars for the review process for [1:14:51] presentations those kind of things [1:14:54] understanding that things will change so [1:14:55] we'll review we'll revisit that again in [1:14:57] September just make sure there aren't [1:14:58] any major conflicts that we need to [1:15:00] change those dates or move things [1:15:02] around. Um, [1:15:05] I'm looking to get some guidance from [1:15:06] the city manager's office at this point [1:15:08] in time on just kind of funding [1:15:10] priorities of the city. That way we can [1:15:12] kind of get a a more general snapshot of [1:15:14] really what areas they're trying to [1:15:16] emphasize and what they envision these [1:15:18] funds supporting. Um, [1:15:21] >> city council. [1:15:23] >> Yes. Okay. Yeah. Um, and then [1:15:28] from there, uh, we'll probably do kind [1:15:30] of an update of some of the city [1:15:32] projects and priorities. Um, and then [1:15:35] may may bring in, uh, parks again to [1:15:38] talk about the permitting process. Um, [1:15:40] we we'll see about time constraints or [1:15:43] whether that fits or not. Um, and then [1:15:47] October is going to be October, November [1:15:49] is a heavy heavy two months for us. Um, [1:15:51] at this point in time, I already I I [1:15:55] noticed going through this process, we [1:15:56] have a meeting scheduled for Veterans [1:15:58] Day. That's we're going to have to [1:15:59] cancel that. Um, but that is right in [1:16:02] the middle of our whole application [1:16:03] process reviewing time. So, I feel like [1:16:05] we can fill that in when we're talking [1:16:06] about the June event, um, the June [1:16:09] scheduling just to make sure that we [1:16:10] have enough days and holds put on the [1:16:12] calendar. So, um, there there will there [1:16:16] will be three LTE meetings most likely [1:16:18] coming off of your calendar. uh the [1:16:20] July, August, and November ones. Uh [1:16:23] November will be replaced by multiple [1:16:24] ones. Um and yeah, [1:16:28] >> were you planning to be in front of city [1:16:30] council like in May or June time frame? [1:16:32] Is that how you're going to get [1:16:34] feedback? [1:16:36] >> Um or it would be more of a memo [1:16:39] process. Um [1:16:42] and yeah, if you want to help facilitate [1:16:45] or give me ideas about how we can best [1:16:47] do that, that would be [1:16:48] >> all right. that would be helpful. Um [1:16:51] that that way I mean we're making [1:16:52] recommendations to city council. We want [1:16:54] to make sure that that what we're [1:16:55] recommending aligns with what forward. [1:16:58] So [1:17:00] that's just kind of a high level of [1:17:01] where the year is going. Um if this it I [1:17:04] can share this with you all if it [1:17:05] doesn't meet what what you're thinking [1:17:06] or what you're looking for. Um it's [1:17:08] flexible and we move things around. Try [1:17:10] to be somewhat intentional with how we [1:17:12] built out the timeline and the process [1:17:14] with it so it actually applies to what [1:17:15] we're most focused on during that time. [1:17:18] But yeah, [1:17:19] >> that's where we're going. Um, and then [1:17:22] just the last um just reminder for you [1:17:25] all, we are still um recruiting for two [1:17:28] new board members. Uh the very last [1:17:30] slide of the presentation that I sent [1:17:32] out to you all has a link to the boards [1:17:34] and commissions web page. If you know [1:17:36] anyone that you want to send that link [1:17:37] to, great. Um I will also I'll be at an [1:17:42] event next Wednesday or um just an open [1:17:45] boards and commissions general [1:17:46] openhouse. Um, so if you have anyone [1:17:49] that's near the Cascade Park Library and [1:17:51] you want to send them, I I can talk to [1:17:54] them. So, [1:17:57] >> well, I think that's all our business [1:17:59] then, right? [1:17:59] >> Yeah. Okay. [1:18:00] >> All right. Let's uh adjourn. Thank you [1:18:02] everybody. [1:18:03] >> Thank you. [1:18:07] » So, are you familiar with the [1:18:10] circulatory? [1:18:14] » I've heard of it. that. So I would