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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Community Development Committee 1997-02-06BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development Committee February 6, 1997 Committee: Attending: Also Attending; Absent; Chairman Doylen, Trustees Barker and Marshall Chairman Doylen, Trustee Marshall Town Administrator Klaphake, Directors Hinze, Kilsdonk and Stamey, Advertising Manager Marsh, Conference Center Director Pickering, Clerk O'Connor Trustee Barker Chairman Doylen called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. Advertising Report. follows: 1996 Year-end statistics are as 1995 1996 Variation Request for Information 72,376 69,610 Telephone Inquires 74,675 74,528 4% decrease 0.2% " In 1996, 227,120 Visitor's Guides and 188,588 Adventure Brochures were distributed. Excellent return on investment is being realized with the Media Relations Program produced by Sally Anderson/Market Reach. In 1996, over $12 in known publicity for every dollar spent was generated. Highlights include special coverage in the Times-Picayune, Tampa Tribune, AAA Rocky Mountain Motorist, and significant gains in the Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, and Gazette-Telegraph in Colorado Springs. Total value generated, $144,000. Copies of a full page article on The Stanley Hotel in Travel Weekly published January 9, along with several other articles featuring the Wool Market, Western Heritage Days, Winter Wonderland, Scottish Festival, etc. were reviewed. In addition, copies of the latest Insert featuring February/March events was presented. Discussion followed on the positive effect of annual special events and how they contribute to the Advertising Program. New Special Projects for 1997 are: increased infiltration of national travel markets; increased presence along the Northern Colorado Front Range, and a "Quick Tour" version of the Virtual Visitors Guide, plus additional internal "hot links" with the Guide. 1997 Conference Center Marketing Plan. Director Pickering reviewed the Market Analysis: major remodeling of the Holiday Inn ($2.5 Million) is nearing completion, and this project brings the Inn into compliance _ with core modernization commitments of Holiday International. The Stanley Hotel has begun an aggressive $4 Million refurbishing and plans a 1997 completion. ^ 1996 has shown early signs that the tourism economy is _ beginning to decline. Hotel occupancies have decreased in all of the BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development Committee - February 6, 1997 - Page 2 Front Range communities, and all of the convention bureaus have cited the demise of the state tourism entity as a major factor. The CTTA Marketing Association stumbled, and they may not have the resources to proceed. Continued decreases in occupancies have already begun to drive rates down, and hotels are selling at an all time high. Executives in the tourism market are exiting the state, looking for brighter opportunities outside Colorado. All of these factors, as warning signs, indicate 1997 will be a year that defines the state of Colorado's position in tourism for years to come. In 1996, the Estes Park Conference Center realized lower bookings than 1995. Based primarily on the remodeling, the Center hosted 13,203 conferees in 1996; though the total number of attendees was down, the number of groups was up with 92 groups using the Center. The smaller number of attendees coupled with more but smaller groups, is due to the 90 days of construction at the Holiday Inn, eliminating up to 50 rooms at a time from January through April. 1997 will continue to be sluggish as the industry watches the economy and family travel plans. The Longwood Study of Colorado Tourist Market Share completed in 1996, shows a 30% market loss since the demise of the Colorado Tourism Board/tourism tax. The Center begins 1997 with 22 large conferences confirmed; several late 1997 conferences are still tentative, however, staff believes 1997 should show very strong in the second and third quarters. The Estes Park Conference Center continues to receive excellent ratings on the facility, service, and the like. Director Pickering also reviewed a Competitive Analysis, 1997 Marketing Strategy and Goals, Marketing Action Plan by Quarters, Advertising Plan, and Public Relations Plan. Staff will provide copies of the Conference Center Packet information to all Trustees. Special Event Banners. Administrator Klaphake briefed the Committee on the Banner Project which was previously approved. Due to excessive cost with the previous concept, staff is proposing the use of standard poles, painted Streetscape green with guy wires that could be placed (1) in the island west of the former Coffee Bar, and (2) in the right-of-way area west of the Highway 34/36 Intersection, east of "Philly Billy's Restaurant" (between the restaurant and Quik Print). Placement would be "angled" for utmost visibility, and the span could be approximately 40' . If both sites are approved, staff believes both pedestrian and vehicular access would be accommodated. Staff suggested banners include an artistic expression to prevent standard lettering on a solid background. Installation could occur in-house, hopefully, by May, 1997. Administrator Klaphake reiterated that when the Town Board approved the Special Event Banner Project in 1996, they conditioned that approval with the elimination of the two existing banner sites (Chamber of Commerce and Municipal Parking Lot). The Committee recommends staff be authorized to proceed with the new concept as presented, therefore, the Clerk's Office will serve notice to interested organizations (previously- established list), and the Administrator will meet with the BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development Committee - February 6, 1997 - Page 3 local banner supplier to discuss sizing criteria. This item will be updated during the March 6 Committee Meeting. MUSEUM. Director Kilsdonk updated the Committee on the Exhibit Renovation Project which occurred the week of January 18-26. The next construction period will occur February 10-15 when the exhibit panels and pedestals will be completed, followed by artifact preparation in March. Significant community support, including various Town departments, ie: labor, materials, etc., has been offered for this project. The 1997 Program Series was also reviewed. In January, Susan Davis, Director/Stanley Museum in Kingfield, Maine, visited Estes Park for a series of meetings with the Stanley Hotel Museum Board. The Stanley Hotel Museum is a branch of the Stanley Museum (Maine), and will operate under that Museum's 501(c)3 corporation. A mission statement was established, made arrangements for displays, and discussed ways to cooperate with the EPAHM, ie: a window box at the Stanley Hotel Museum will alert visitors to the Museum's activities, and vice-versa. The Stanley Hotel Museum will have a grand opening April 27. Administrator Klaphake noted the Director's increased responsibilities (currently on an interim basis) as she is working on the Renovation Plan for the Senior Center which includes pursing funding, and the Interim Plan for the renovation of Stanley Hall. In reviewing statistics, the Museum had the best attendance (11,539) since 1992. SPECIAL EVENTS. Horse Show Agreements. The Committee reviewed standard Horse Show Agreements for: Colorado Hunter Jumper Association, July 21 - August 3, 1997, and for 1998 and 1999; Westernaires Show, August 8-9, 1997, August 14-15, 1998, and August 13-14, 1999; and Colorado Barrel Racers Association (COBRA), August 16-17, 1997. The COBRA event is new for 1997 and they have scheduled open races at night in which the public could participate. There has been no contact with the Quarter Horse Association relative to their not agreeing to a 3-year agreement. Committee recommends approval of the Agreements as presented, and commended Director Hinze in obtaining the new event. National Weather Station Facility Request - Continued from the January meeting. The Committee reviewed this request in January, continuing their recommendation to February. A 15- year agreement for access to their equipment on the Fairgrounds was presented. Administrator Klaphake reported that on June 20, 1995, the Town Board stopped all quiet title action on Stanley Park, particularly relative to the new fire station, and took the position that no leases, other than those existing with the EVRPD, Museum, and Senior Center be authorized whatsoever. As it was inappropriate to proceed with this request, the Committee recommends the BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development Committee - February 6, 1997 - Page 4 request for a National Weather Station Facility at Stanley Park be denied, directing staff to so advise the affected agency. Port-A-Stall Remodeling/Relocation - Review of Bids. Director Hinze reported that the purpose of the relocation is to increase the building's use and reduce the slope of the pedestrian way on the north side from 11% to 4% grade. A total of $38,000 was budgeted. Bids for the concrete, electrical and physical relocation were obtained, as well as excavation, insulation, heat, gutters, and asphalt. A cement floor is being included, and the type of heating system is yet to be determined. Including the contingency, the project is within budget, and staff requested approval to proceed. The Committee recommends the bids from Cornerstone Concrete for $15,441, Estes Valley Electric for $2,139.62, Rosedale Marketing (Port-A-Stall contractor) for $8,500, plus the miscellaneous expenses of $9,100, and the contingency of $2,819.38 be accepted. 1997 Parade Permits. The Committee reviewed the standard Parade Applications for the Hippy Dippy Doo-Wop Parade, May 31, Rooftop Rodeo Parade, July 12, and Christmas Parade, November 28, and recommends approval of all three Parade Applications, as presented. February Events. Staff reviewed the following events occurring in February: Valentine's Day Weekend, Valentine High Tea, Imagine This!, International Dog Pull, President's Weekend Celebration, and Diamond Studs Musical. There being no further business. Chairman Doylen adjourned the meeting at 9:40 a.m. Vickie O'Connor, CMC/AAE, Town Clerk ....... ■ -.-v,. - p i ■ ■■■ v' ■' ? FEB 1 1 t997 ( uc..... 1 < >