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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Community Development Committee 1995-08-03BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS y Community Development Committee August 3, 1995 Committee: Attending: Also Attending: Absent: Chairman Doylen, Trustees Dekker and Marshall Chairman Doylen, Trustee Marshall Town Administrator Klaphake, Directors Stamey, Kilsdonk, Hinze, and Pickering, Clerk O'Connor Trustee Dekker, Advertising Manager Marsh Chairman Doylen called the meeting to order at 8:00 A.M. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. 1995 Advertising Report. Director Stamey reported that as of June 30, requests for information were down 18.5% from the same period in 1994. Removing USA Weekend from prior years for comparison, places 1995 counts 2.8% off the pace set in 1994. As of July 23, after 10% weeks of exposure, incoming 800 calls total 38,498, a minute decrease of .4% as compared to the same period last year. Internet responses indicate the web site has been visited by 4,867 individuals, and, from that level of visitation, generated 120 requests for information. Staff is tracking requests via the Internet and will be able to evaluate the responses with the Conversion Study. Copies of two Fall ads listing the web address were presented. The value of print clippings for the first half of 1995 is $22,268.97 which is a 9% gain over the first half of 1994. Special coverage articles about Estes Park were in the Denver Business Journal, Ladies Home Journal, Miami herald. First Magazine, and the Boston Globe,, for a combined value of $101,411.79. Sally Anderson/Market Reach, reported her firm is now receiving clippings; the Arts in the Parks publicity relates to an ad value of $3,500; Market Reach is very active in providing weather advisories. Chairman Doylen reported on a meeting held July 28th with merchants and other interested parties relative to the status of the remaining suitmer tourist season/sales tax collections. Additional information will be forthcoming. Conference Center Report, following:Director Pickering reported on the Pour-Year Performance Check Total conference attendees ................................. 56,135 1990 Accommodation Sales Tax Collected .. $428,035 (Ranked 4th behind groceries, restaurants, gift shops). 1994 Accommodations Sales Tax Collected . $722,535 (Ranked #1 among sales tax contributors). BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development Committee - August 3, 1995 - Page 2 Seasonal Tax Growth Accommodation Sales Tax contributions for January through December (excludes June, July, August and September): 1990 - $112,778 1994 - $228,717 Hotel Re-Investment Surges With increased revenues to the hotels, refurbishing is in full swing: the Holiday Inn will begin a $4 Million plan beginning in August; the Stanley Hotel begins a $3 Million plan in October which includes adding 20 suites to the Manor House; the Best Western Lake Estes, Silver Saddle, Comfort Inn, and the Inn at Estes have all completed major remodels. The goal is to have 600 newly remodeled rooms by 1997. Staff will capitalize on this substantial renovation effort. Forecast for the Future The forecast for the Conference Center indicates a continued path of filling existing hotel rooms in the value season. The potential up-side of these hotel room rates resulting from the remodeling of the hotels and the expansion of the season from conference bookings, should continue to produce major contributions in sales tax for the Town. Conference Marketing Fund Under the direction of the Community Development Committee, the Conference Marketing Fund has been implemented to reduce the contribution of tax dollars in marketing and servicing conferences. With dollars coming from the hotels housing the conference attendees, functions such as conference transportation are now paid with the user's monies. This fund is administered by the Chamber of Commerce. Miscellaneous The Conference Center will hosting the John Fielder Photo Exhibit from September through December, 1995 aimed at promoting RMNP. A multi-media show will be held September 21st, during the Western Wildlife conference. Mr. Fielder was granted permission by RMNP to photograph areas never before travelled by the public. Director Pickering commended Carolyn Jones as she played an integral role in the coordination of this show. Approximately 600 photo-journalists will attend the conference. Staff reviewed upcoming conferences, reporting Estes Park is hosting the Society of Government Meeting Planners. This group includes ninety of the top meeting planners for the State. MUSEUM. Director Kilsdonk reported that the Eagle Plume Collection opened July 21 with approximately 130 people attending. A BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development Committee - August 3, 1995 - Page 3 related program held July 20, "The Eagle Plume Collection; A Closer Look" by Nico Strange Owl, attracted over 100 people. The exhibit is on display until October 23. On August 17, Hank Pedersen will present "Joy, The Life of Charles Eagle Plume." On August 27, the Museum will host the Johnny Dillon Day display of vintage automobiles. Director Kilsdonk commended the Museum Friends for their success on the Riverside Remembered Dance fundraiser held July 29. The Committee conveyed their support to Chairman Lennie Bemiss on her illness. Year-to-date attendance through June is: 436 Museum Friends members. 2,056 visitors and Terri Schindel, a conservator at the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, WY is offering a one-week course on the care of collections through Central Wyoming College in Lander. Ms. Schindel taught a similar course in 1992, using the Estes Park Museum as a lab site. Ms. Schindel has requested the use of the Estes Park Museum as a Colorado location for her class. This is an exciting opportunity for the Museum. Staff will gain increased knowledge about caring for particular objects in the Museum's collection, at no cost. SPECIAL EVENTS. Rooftop, Rodeo Report. Gary O'Connor, President expressed his appreciation to the Town Board, Director Hinze and her staff for their support of Rooftop Rodeo. Terry Don West, the third-ranked bull rider participated in this year's rodeo— evidence that the improved event is drawing distinguished participants. Approximately 1,000 volunteer hours were expended by 30 members. The event was very successful with nearly the same attendance levels as in 1994. Approximately 1,690 people attended the Western Heritage Days celebration. Gate fees were not collected for children four and under and the Rooftop Committee believes attendance counts exceeded 2,000. The Committee expressed their appreciation Committee members for their positive efforts.to Rooftop Top Hands Report.Jo Adams, President, reported the organization contributed over $4,000 to Rooftop for 1995, plus they sponsored the pony rides and Mountain Men contest prizes in Western Heritage. The new sheriff's badge fundraiser was very successful, as well as the Baxter Black and Cowboy Poet's Events. The Committee expressed their admiration to the Top Hands members for their support of Rooftop Rodeo. Fairgrounds—and—Tent Rental Policies. Director Hinze presented a rental policy outlining guidelines for the fairground operation/rental, and rules for usage of the tents as prepared by staff. Fencing ProTec_b Bids. The 1995 Budget contains $8,000 for perimeter fencing along a portion of Manford Avenue (400'±), and a bid was received from Rocky Mountain Deck & Fence/Longmont for $3,091. The installation bid was submitted by Chief's Landscaping for $1,580. The Committee recommends accepting both bids as identified above, for a total expenditure of $4,6711. BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development Committee - August 3, 1995 - Page 4 special Event Evaluations. 1995 Wool Market. This fifth-year event is held the second week of June. Commercial vendors and alpacas are at a maximum without additional facilities. However, staff believes this situation is acceptable as the quality can be controlled. There is a vast need for fiber education and a place for breeders to promote their animals in our area. With favorable weather, the spectator numbers should continue to increase. Workshops bring attendees to Estes Park for four days providing good revenue, both for the Town and the event. The llama and alpaca numbers increased in 1995; Estes Park is now the largest llama and alpaca show in the world. Sheep were down as a sheep specialty show was not included in 1995; such a show will be planned for 1996. The Estes Park Wool Market, in just five years, is one of the top three fiber festivals in the United States. The Alpaca Association will be relocating its convention to Denver in 1996. Alpaca exhibitors may decrease; however, staff believes the major breeders will participate due to the large audience in Estes Park. Horse Shows. The Colorado Quarter Horse Show was held in Estes Park for its tenth year. This show has grown from a 2-day show to a 4-day show since 1990 by adding Buckskin and Palomino horses. The Rocky Mountain Miniature Horse Show is a manageable show to have on the grounds for staff and they have voted to return for their 12th year (1996). Staff anticipates that future participants for the Arabian Horse Show should remain at approximately 220-240 horses. S^j^d'j'naV:^an club* This second year event is a good addition to the June events schedule. Town employee involvement and advertising were minimal. This could become a substantial large audience event. Rooftop Rodeo Events. The 1995 Rodeo was successful. Western Heritage Days was initiated this year and the Rooftop Rodeo Committee had good ideas and organization, fnciement weather during the afternoons had a negative effect on attendance. Western Heritage garnered local support. The Hunter-Jumper Show is currently at the fairgrounds and this group has the most economic value to the Town as they are in Estes Park fourteen days. The next horse show IS the Westernaires scheduled August ll and 12. A Bond Park Use Permit has been obtained by the Sunrise Rotary Club for "Autumn Gold" scheduled September 23 and 24, 1995. This event has been expanded and will include rood and bsveirago booths. Th© Club is cuirir©ntly applying for a Special Events Liquor Permit. The Committee commended Director Hinze. CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL. Lynda Vogel reported on the 1995/96 Re-gifting Grant Program. The Grants totaled $8,485 and were distributed to ten local arts organizations and individuals from money made available BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development Committee - August 3, 1995 - Page 5 by the Town ($11,115) . Six of the awards will either directly or indirectly benefit students of the Park School District by bringing the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Troupe in for performances. Funds to the Estes Park Music Festival will bring the Colorado Children's Chorale for outreach performances, and support to the Fine Arts Guild helped sponsor an artist residency by local puppeteer Bob Aiken with hands-on activities by elementary students. A grant to the Library for performance fees and arts materials will provide a literary/multi-arts program which incorporates fine literature and arts. An anonymous Grant Review Panel comprised of four individuals outside the Estes Park community administered the program. Funding was based upon community benefit, proposal merit, applicant competence, quality of work, feasibility, and appropriateness to the Re-gifting Program. Paul Saunders, President/CACEP reviewed the Arts for the Parks Exhibition held June 9 - 20 at the Estes Park Elementary School Gymnasium. Ms. Vogel reported on funding contributions, and reported approximately 1,000 hours+ were donated by 100 volunteers. CACEP is considering providing similar shows once/year. Mr. Saunders commended the Trail Gazette and KRKI for their publicity, freely given. There being no further business. Chairman Doylen adjourned the meeting at 9:28 A.M. Vickie O'Connor, CMC/AAE, Town Clerk APPR AUG 8 1995 Town QF eSTES PAR.K I DCfARD or TRUSTIES