LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION MINUTES
Monday, August 10, 2009
City of Lakewood
City Council Chambers
6000 Main Street SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Richardson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: 6 ? Mayor Douglas Richardson; Councilmembers Ron Cronk, Pad Finnigan, Helen McGovern, Walter Neary and Claudia Thomas.
Councilmember Excused: 1 ? Deputy Mayor Don Anderson.
Lodging Advisory Committee Members Present: - Tasha Bishop; Rebecca Huber; Deanna Robinson; Linda K. Smith and Marcus Walker.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
Joint meeting with the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.
Mayor Richardson, Chair of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), introduced members of the LTAC present.
Discussion ensued on the types of applications the LTAC has received and that some members of LTAC are also recipients of the funds; what the lodging tax revenue projection is for 2010; what cost-benefit analysis and rating criteria are used in determining the investment made and the basis on the return on the dollar; the Tacoma Convention and Visitor Bureau?s application appearing to provide the best return; the difficulty with determining the cost benefit; balancing how much should be invested at the local level versus the regional investment for tourism; how many hoteliers do not participate in the process and that there is no reliable metric to evaluate applications; ensuring a return on investment; focusing on applications that will attract visitors to the community; asking those who are funded to report on their achievements; evaluating the benefits of funding the Daffodil float being a regional event representing the second largest city in the County; how important is the visibility (location) of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and the need for the Chamber to build a facility that is more centralized; capitalizing on the upcoming Olympics in British Columbia and the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay are significant events coming to the area that the City should be taking advantage of in tourism and visitors; saving some funds for a facility (i.e. cultural center) for gatherings and conventions which is something lacking in Lakewood and possibly utilizing and help renovate the Lakewood Playhouse.
City Council Study Session Minutes -2- August 10, 2009
Ms. Amy Tyler, President of Pierce County Lodging Association, spoke about the hoteliers? effort to levy local hoteliers to promote visitors into the community and provide additional funding to establish tourism promotion areas (TPA) and its regional effect. She added that it is not intended to replace lodging tax funds. She reported that the Pierce County Council has agreed to be the Association?s legislative authority for the TPA and an interlocal agreement will be presented to each jurisdiction who wants to participate to establish a levy or an assessment for lodging establishments with 40-plus rooms.
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Speaking before the Council was:
Dennis Haugen, Lakewood resident, spoke about the importance of numbers, the amount of time it has taken to build La Quinta and the concerns regarding the reputation of the Building Department.
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Discussion ensued on the Council?s priorities for the LTAC to consider and the work of the Committee to find a balance between local and regional funding.
BRIEFING BY THE CITY MANAGER
City Manager Neiditz reminded the Council that the August 24, 2009 Study Session will be a Joint study session with the Port of Tacoma Commissioners, at 6:00 p.m., at the Clover Park Technical College Rotunda.
City Manager Neiditz reported that the City departments? budget prioritization program is currently underway and will be provided to the Council shortly.
City Manager Neiditz commented that a memorial service for Steve Bisson will be held at the Lakewood First Baptist Church on August 13, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. He noted that Steve Bisson was the Chair of the Lakewood Civil Service Commission.
City Manager Neiditz reported that former Police Chief Larry Saunders is arriving tonight after completing his assignment at the Baghdad Police Academy.
ITEMS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR THE AUGUST 17, 2009 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING:
1. Proclamation declaring September 4-11, 2009 as National Payroll Week. ? Ms.Kristy Basinger, Payroll Accounting Technician; Ms. Janelle Sorrell and Mr. Eric Lowell, Finance Analysts, City of Lakewood
2. Gang Unit Update and Crime Statistics Report. ? Assistant Police Chief Mike Zaro, Lakewood Police Department
City Council Study Session Minutes -3- August 10, 2009
3. Abatement Update. ? Mr. David Bugher, Assistant City Manager for Development
4. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology, in the amount of $100,000, relative to the Comprehensive Shoreline Master Program. ? (Motion ? Regular Agenda)
5. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), in the amount of $784,504, relative to the COPS Hiring Recovery Program grant. ? (Motion ? Regular Agenda)
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Thomas commented on the Pierce Transit Board?s work on project innovation to look at cost-saving measures on its transportation systems. She reported that the first community outreach will be held in Lakewood. She distributed copies of the outreach program to Councilmembers.
Councilmember McGovern commented on the Clover Park School District (CPSD) Board meeting she attended and announced that the U.S. Department of Defense will be awarding the CPSD with a $2,000,000 three-year grant. She then spoke about CPSD Board?s comments on the need for human services.
Mayor Richardson recognized City staff who participated in the Courage Classic event.
Mayor Richardson indicated that the Council is invited to the Brigade Ball at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center on August 27, 2009.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
_____________________________________
DOUGLAS G. RICHARDSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
____________________________
ALICE M. BUSH, MMC
CITY CLERK
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