HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-0407 SS PacketCITY OF
:/ SHLAND
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
AGENDA
Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at 12:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street
1. Update regarding the Public Art Commission.
2. Proposecl Billings Ranch Golf Course - Effluent Reuse Options/Update on DEQ
WWTP Temperature Standards and Permit Renewal.
3. Discussion regarding the allocation of Transient Occupancy Tax Revenues for
Cultural and Economic Grants.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Ac,t, if you need special assistance to participate in
this meeting, please contact the City Administrator's office at (541) 488-6002 (TTY phone number
1-800-735-2900). Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable
arrangements to ,ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title I).
CITY OF
,-ASHLAND
Public Arts Commission
City Council Study Session
Wednesday, April 7, 2004
ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY
What Public Art can Contribute
CELEBRATING SUCCESS
Our Accomplishments / Our Vision for the Future
PROJECT ONE: CALLE GUANAJUATO STAIRWAY
A Work in Progress
PROJECT TWO: BOULEVARD GATEWAY
The City's Visual Identity
MAKING IT HAPPEN
Funding Opportunities
ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY
What Public Art can Contribute
PUBLIC ART...
Beautify
Memorialize ] Commemorate
Unify
Focus
Revitalize I Serve
Please[Challenge
CELEBRATING SUCCESS
Our Accomplishments / Our Vision for the Future
YEAR ONE
Identifying short term and long term goals
Begin Policies and Proceedures Manual draft
Developing working relations with City departments, community partnerships
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PRO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. PURPOSE / MISSION STATEMENT A. Purpose of AIPP
B. Intent
II. PROJECT IDENTIFICATION A. Sculpture Projects
B. Mural Projects
C. 2-D Installation
D. Multi-Media Installation
III. SITE CRITERIA
A. Site Considerations
1. Traffic Considerations:
2. Pedestrian Considerations:
3. Electrical and Mechanical Considerations
IV. ARTIST /ARTWORK CRITERIA
A. Aesthetics
1. Artist Selection Considerations
2. Design Team Projects Considerations
V. SELECTION PROCESS A. Selection Panel
B. Call for Entries
VI. FUNDING
VII. ARTIST CONTRACTS
VIII. ACCEPTING GIFTS
IX. MAINTENANCE
X. EDUCATION
XI. DEACCESSION
black = first draft complete blue = areas yet undeveloped
PROJECT ONE: CALLE GUANAJUATO STAIRWAY
A Work in Progress
Background:
Devastation, Restoration, Revitalize
The components:
Overlook, Sculpture Garden, Stairway, Gathering Area
The process:
Call for Entries, Selection, Funding
MAKING IT HAPPEN
Funding Opportunities
While funding for Public Art may seem arbitrary and uncertain,
there are many ways to fund different kinds of projects. We
look forward to colaborating with the city to bring future
projects to completion.
PUBLIC ART CHANCE CARDS:
Silent auction raises funds for a playground sculpture
to be installed in a local park.
Collect $2500
Involved citizen leaves estate funds for public art.
Collect $50,000
Citizens vote in a General Obligation Bond fund to jump-start
a public art campaign.
Collect $250,000
National Endowment for the Arts grants funding to the City
to support the development of a public art master plan for the city.
Collect $100,000
City approves an annual line item in the city budget for
a public arts fund.
Collect $25,000
Local foundation grants seed money to public arts campaign.
Collect $50,000
Private developers allocate 1% of project costs to install
public art on-site at private, but prominent location.
Collect $25,000
City adopts a Municipal Percent-for-Art Ordinance: 1% of the cost of new
construction or renovation of municipal buildings and public outdoor areas
will be dedicated to the acquisition and installation of public artworks.
Collect $100,000
Non-profit granting agency awards the City with Public Art
funding for a Gateway project.
Collect $125,000
City's State University builds new library: 1.5% of funding
is allocated to installing public artworks on-site.
Collect $250,000
CITY OF
-ASHLAND
Council Communication
Title:
Dept:
Date:
Submitted By:
Approved By:
Proposed Billings Ranch Golf Course - Effluent Reuse Options
Public Works Department
April 7, 2004-~S~y Session
Paula Brown/~]
Gino Grimaldi '
Synopsis:
Staff continues to pursue effluent reuse options and "the right water for the right use". With the
completion of the wastewater treatment plant modifications the effluent meets all current DEQ
requirements except for the new temperature standards. As the City faces permit renewal, staff
continues to look for innovative ways to overcome and comply with the new temperature standards.
The ability to potentially mitigate temperature concems to a water quality limited stream through
effluent reuse options is very attractive. Staff has been evaluating the potential use and benefits to
the City of "reusing" treated effluent to irrigate the proposed Billings Ranch Golf Course.
Recommendation:
This item is for Council discussion. Staff intends to continue to research effluent reuse and water
trading options with the proposed Billings golf course and with the Talent Irrigation District as a part
of resolving temperature concerns with the wastewater effluent.
Fiscal Impact:
The actual costs for effluent reuse have not been fully calculated. There will be cost impacts to the
City. However, the total cost of treated effluent verses the avoided costs of temperature reductions
must be evaluated.
Background- Benefits of Effluent Irrigation:
Since the mid 1960s, the use of treated effluent on golf courses has been thought of as a solution to
many developer's concerns with restrictive water use laws and the general concern for use of
expensive or unavailable municipal potable water. The idea of using "effluent for irrigation" along
with recycling, reusing and resource conservation, continues to be vary popular. The use of treated
effluent has varying degrees of impact to golf courses and has been relied upon as a primary source
of water in the west and southwest, particularly in arid regions. Golf courses have had considerable
public scrutiny with regard to their use of pesticides, fertilizers, ground water contamination,
wetlands degradation and a host of other water quality related issues. The use of reclaimed Water
must be monitored to ensure there are no additional concerns, and in some cases, the treated effluent
can mitigate the use of chemicals.
CC SS Billings Water Reuse 07Apr04
Page I of 3
The opportunity for the City to recoup some of the treatment costs or offset future temperature
related costs is potentially a significant benefit to the City. Our treated effluent is ideal for golf
course irrigation use. Our effluent is fully treated, has very low biological oxygen demands (BOD)
and low total suspended solids (TSS) and has been further filtered through the membrane facility
(May through November) to remove all remaining particulates. Ashland does not have high levels of
salts or other minerals, which can be damaging to golf course turf.
Other factors also make this option very attractive. The City's impending wastewater treatment plant
permit will include temperature parameters and limitations to continue discharging effluent to the
creek. Effluent is generally higher in temperature than the receiving creek and the new temperature
standards limit the amount of "heat" being discharged to the creek. Using the treated effluent as
irrigation for the golf course will eliminate some or all of the discharge to the creek and reduce the
added temperature element into the creek. The water trading options that are being evaluated will
offset all or a significant portion of that loss so that the net effect of water volume in the creek will be
negligible.
Staff has discussed several options with respect to using treated effluent for golf course irrigation:
1) Golf course volumes: It is understood that the golf course expects to use 1.0 - 1.25 million
gallons of water per day (mgd). This volume would need to be fully defined. Any amount of
evaporation from the ponds would need to be factored into the amount the City delivers to the
pond to ensure there is adequate water for the irrigation need. The City would deliver the treated
effluent at a constant rate through the day. Any heavy watering periods would have to be
factored into this need. The City could adjust the water delivery to meet the needs of the golf
course.
2) Creek recharge option: The City produces an average of 2.1 million gallons of treated effluent a
day. It is conceptually possible that the City could send all of the effluent to the Billings pond
and that the golf course could release the deeper cooler pond water back to the creek, but this is
something that would have to be evaluated further and permitted through DEQ.
3) Infrastructure costs: It is understood that the City would deliver treated effluent to the pond and
that the golf course would irrigate out of the pond. The infrastructure cost and who pays for the
costs to build the pump station and pipeline to the ponds has not been determined. It is expected
that the proposed Billings golf course would pay the costs to pump the water to the ponds.
4) Membrane process: Typically golf courses are not watered year-around, except in very arid
regions. Ashland can experience arid periods. It may be necessary to intermittently water the
golf course in the shoulder months of March and April as well as November. If this were the
case, the City would have to use the membrane treatment facility to treat water for reuse.
Currently, the City is required to use the membrane filters from May I st through November 30th.
Using the membranes for effluent reuse other than these specified times would add cost to the
treatment process. The cost to filter effluent through the membrane facility is an additional $0.29
per 1000 gallons.
5) Chemical use: There is potential to adjust the alum dosage to the membrane facility. The golf
course might be able to use more of the phosphorous that is naturally in our effluent and we
might not be required to precipitate out all of the phosphorous as we are doing for creek
discharges. This option would have to be explored with the golf course and approved through
DEQ.
CC SS Billings Water Reuse 07Apr04
Page 2 of 3
6) Water trading opportunities: At this point, the Billings property has water rights from three
locations; Wrights Creek, Ashland Creek and Talent Irrigation District. At a minimum, it is
expected that the water rights from Ashland Creek and TID would be leased to the City to be
used as in-stream rights. This might be facilitated through the Oregon Water Trust or other body
to ensure that this amount be held as an in-stream right. It is the City's understanding that the
proposed Billings golf course property has irrigation water rights totaling 64 acres/0.8 cfs offof
Ashland Creek and 38 acres / 0.485 cfs offof Wrights Creek. In addition, there is 13.5 acres of
land that has a seasonal TID irrigation right. There is a second TID right on a separate Billings
parcel totaling 19.9 acres, but that is not included in this discussion as there is question as to
which parcel that specifically pertains to.
7) Effluent Level IV designation: The City is currently negotiating a new permit for the treatment
plant and discharge limits with DEQ. The option remains open for a discharge for reclaimed
water (effluent reuse). There is one area that may need further clarification from DEQ with
regard to the effluent quality. The City's disinfection process changed from chlorine gas to uv
(ultraviolet) disinfection. As such there is no chlorine residual in the effluent. Also, the uv
disinfection system is ahead of the membrane filters, which is not typical as most disinfection
processes are the last piece of the treatment process. As such, the city is negotiating with DEQ
on the "level IV - unrestricted use" label for the treated effluent. DEQ has indicated that it may
require the City to install a low level sodium hypochlorite dose as the effluent is pumped to the
ponds. This detail will need to be worked out prior to final agreements with the Billings golf
course and DEQ for reuse.
8) Golf course compliance: The proposed Billings golf course will have to comply with DEQ's
requirements for all other reuse components including an irrigation reuse plan to ensure the
property is not overloaded with nutrients and that there is no impairment of existing or potential
ground water. Any point source discharge (ie: from the ponds) the golf course property will
require a separate permit.
9) Golf Course benefit: The benefit to the proposed Billing's ranch property is in the cost of water
and in consistent delivery. Billings would likely continue to pay for it's TID water (roughly
$600 per season) and "trade" these costs with the City's effluent. However for comparison, if
this property was irrigated with potable water at a cost of $1.00 per 1000 gallons, their cost
would be over $100 per day. The 13.5 acres of TID water translates to only 12 million gallons
total, which is not adequate for the golf course. The additional Wrights Creek and Ashland
Creek water would supply as much as 830,500 gallons per day, not enough for summer demands
for the golf course.
10) City benefits: The benefit of using treated effluent is two fold; one, the effluent is reused so that
the temperature impacts to a water quality limited stream are reduced, and two, there is a benefit
by retaining 0.8 cfs in Ashland Creek dedicated for in-stream benefit and another 0.485 cfs in
Bear Creek (at about Jackson Road) dedicated for in-steam benefit.
[For comparison, 1.285 cfs is 830,500 gallons per day. The total treatment plant effluent is 2.2
mgd or 3.4 cfs; 1.0 mgd is 1.55 cfs.]
Attachments:
none
CC SS Billings Water Reuse 07Apr04
Page 3 of 3
CiTY OF
:ASHLAND
Council Communication
Title:
Dept:
Date:
Submitted By:
Approved By:
Update on DEQ WWTP Temperature Standards and Permit Renewal
Public Works Department
April 7, 2004 -~l~dy Session
Paula Brown
Gino Grimaldi
Synopsis:
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) completed the Final Temperature Rule and
other Water Quality Standards (Div. 41) Revisions in December 2003. As a result of these changes,
the temperature requirements are more protective of salmonid species for spawning, rearing and
migration, and there are specific temperature limitations placed on streams with these activities.
Ashland has been aware of impending changes to the temperature criteria since 1998. The renewal
of the wastewater treatment plant's NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System)
permit is a first step toward compliance with the new temperature criteria. The next step for
determining specific requirements will be with DEQ's adoption of a Temperature TMDL (Total
Maximum Daily Load) for Bear Creek.
Recommendation:
This item is for Council discussion. Staff intends to continue moving forward with the DEQ NPDES
Permit renewal and to evaluate both the wastewater reuse options (see related item on the proposed
Billings Golf Course - April 7, 2004) and riparian corridor improvement plans for long term thermal
reductions to Ashland and Bear Creeks.
Fiscal Impact:
There will be costs, perhaps even significant costs, associated with meeting the temperature
standards. Those costs are not known at this time and would depend on the options selected. Staff
will continue to pursue options and update council with the cost implications.
Background:
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) completed the Final Temperature Rule and
other Water Quality Standards (Div. 4 I) Revisions in December 2003. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) approved those revisions on March 2, 2004. These rule changes were as a
result of the court case NWEA v EPA (March 2003) in which the federal district court of Oregon
overturned EPA's 1999 temperature criteria.
The impact to Oregon includes all point and non..point sources that discharge into Oregon waters. As
a result of these changes, the temperature requirements are more protective of salmonid species for
spawning, migration and rearing. The new rules have a more stringent antidegradation plan for
CC SS Temperature Standards 07Apr04
Page I of 3
Oregon streams and include numeric temperature criteria for specific stream reaches. The purpose of
the temperature criteria is to protect designated temperature sensitive beneficial uses, including
specific salmonid life cycle stages. The Environmental Quality Commission understands that there
are some natural occurring waters that will not meet the optimal thermal conditions, but recognizes
the importance to minimize additional warming due to human sources. It is expected that in some
cases the control technologies, management practices and other measures to reduce these negative
human effects will be an iterative process.
Implementation requirements are based on the following:
· The temperature criteria of a stream that has salmon or steelhead spawning wili be applied on a
7-day average maximum temperature such that il: may not exceed 13 degrees C (55.4 degrees F).
· Streams that have salmon and trout rearing or migration may not exceed 18 degrees C (64.4
degrees F) based on the 7-day average maximum temperature.
· Streams identified as migration corridors, the 7-day average maximum temperature may not
exceed 20 degrees C (68 degrees F).
· For point sources that discharge into or above salmon and steelhead spawning waters that are
cooler than the spawning criteria, the stream change in temperature may not be raised more than
0.5 or 1 degree C, depending on the 60 day average stream temperatures.
· For point sources, the discharge into temperature quality limited water is limited to no more than
0.3 degrees C (0.5 degree F) after mixing. The specific criterion that takes into account air
temperature exclusions and exceptions for very low flow periods.
So - what does this mean for Ashland? Since the completion of the wastewater treatment plant
improvements in 2003, the new plant meets all of DEQ's requirements for releasing effluent to
the creek with the exception of temperature. The temperature rules have been in flux, along with
the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) for temperature since 1999. Now that the new
temperature criterion is out, and Ashland is negotiating a permit renewal, we will have to meet
the new requirements. The WWTP effluent will have a daily thermal load limitation. It is
expected that this interim limit will be reviewed upon the DEQ's completion of a Temperature
TMDL (expected by the summer of 2004). The City is also looking at a basin approach to
reducing thermal loads along the upper reaches of Ashland and Bear Creek. As such, there will
be some time (3-5 years) to evaluate and report on thermal load reductions as a result of either a
wastewater reuse plan or a riparian corridor improvement plan. Both of these options were
included in the City's Temperature Management Plan that was submitted to DEQ in 2002.
Reuse: The City proposed to develop a market evaluation and water recycling plan. The
planning process will include a public education component about the water quality of Ashland's
effluent as a result of the membrane filtration. Staff would also evaluate opportunities to
increase stream flow by offsetting irrigation demand. As discussed in the evaluation of reuse
options for the proposed Billings Golf Course (April 7, 2004), there are some unique possibilities
for reuse and water trading to ensure an in-stream water right. The water trading will meet the
Council's intent of keeping water in the creek. Another option that has not been fully developed
is a water trade with the Talent Irrigation District. This is also something that staff will continue
to explore.
CC SS Temperature Standards 07Apr04
Page 2 of 3
Riparian Plan: Staff suggested that we also develop a riparian corridor improvement plan and a
schedule for implementation along Ashland Creek. The plan would include temperature
modeling to predict the benefits of modifying the riparian corridor, identification of stream
reaches that could benefit from improvements and develop implementation methods for these
improvements. In addition to temperature improvements, staff expects to see benefits to riparian
habitat, other water quality benefits, aesthetic improvements and potentially reduced flooding.
The city has been successful in requiring standards for new housing and commercial
developments, which include a component for water quality benefits.
Permit Renewal Timeframe: DEQ will schedule a public hearing for May 2004, arid if all goes well,
the permit conditions will go before the Environmental Quality Commission later this spring.
Several of the other parameters have changed slightly and staff does not see major issues as a result
of most of the other changes. We will continue to work through the process with DEQ.
Attachments:
none
CC SS Temperature Standards 07Apr04
Page 3 of 3
CiTY OF
-ASHLAND
Council Communication
Title:
Dept:
Date:
Submitted By:
Approved by:
Synopsis:
Recommendation:
Fiscal Impact:
Background:
Study Session Regarding the: Allocation of Transient Occupancy Tax Revenues
for Cultural and Economic Grants
Legal & Finance
April 7, 2004 /~
Mike Franell & L~rd/Tpneberg .
Gino Grimaldi
A study session is being conducted for the ad hoc committee to report back to
council the work that has been done regarding options in the amount of monies
allocated through the annual budget process for economic and cultural programs.
The committee will report on the meetings held and potential for changes in the
process for deciding what amount of money is granted to whom for what desired
outcomes.
No action needed as part of the study session.
No direct fiscal impact is being proposed at this time.
The ad hoc committee appointed by the Mayor has met many times over the last
three months to review the history of the City's allocation of Transient Occupancy
Tax revenues to support economic and cultural programs. The impact of recent
state legislation regarding the use of such revenue to promote tourism was
reviewed and an amount was established by majority vote to be the "base" for
future annual expenditures.
Applications for potential grantees to complete have not been finalized for
distribution awaiting acceptance of the committee's work and a decision on what,
if any, changes are approved for the FY 2004-05 budget allocation of these grants.
Attached are:
1. A report from the ad hoc committee chair,
2. A report from staff orr one possible method of calculating the minimum or
base amount to be expended annually on promoting tourism,
3. A draft resolution allocating Transient Occupancy Tax revenues,
4. Minutes and other material from the meetings.
Memo
In the current fiscal year, the major grant recipients are the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) and the
Ashland Chamber of Commerce. The committee has accepted that all the money that goes to OSF
($112,332) can be considered promoting tourism given the size of OSF's budget for promotions.
The Chamber presented information identifying hc, w they have, in this fiscal year, performed all of the
elements of economic and cultural development as defined in Resolution 2000-25. However, they assert
that all the money they received from the TOT was expended only for tourism promotion or support.
The Council TOT committee reviewed the material submitted by the Chamber and felt this assertion did
not comply with the City's intent in the distribution of the funds nor reasonably in the Chamber
expenditure of the funds.
The Committee recommends a determination that 30.7% of Chamber's total budget ($208,725 of
$680,900) was spent on activities meeting the state's definition. This figure is determined by
considering that Resolution 2000-25 identifies six :separate areas of appropriate expenditure for
economic and cultural development. Only one or two of the six areas directly relate to tourism
promotion. Since the Chamber identified they performed functions in all six elements of 2000-25 it is
valid to consider only a percentage of the granted TOT money was spent for the tourism functions. The
remainder was spent in the performance in the other areas of economic and cultural development.
The Chamber did not design its budgetary process in such a manner that easily allows tracking of the
expenditures in accordance with Chapter 818 definitions. Therefore, the Committee must make a
reasonable determination based upon the available information as to the TOT funds actually expended in
tourism promotion. To do this, the Committee looked at the total Chamber budget and took the
percentage of the total budget that is clearly identified as tourism promotion and applied that percentage
against the funds supplied by the City to determine the total amount of the TOT funds provided to the
Chamber that were expended on tourism promotion. (30.7% or $74,325)
Another assumption accepted by the committee was that most of the portion of the TOT revenue
allocated to other grant recipients (12% of 1/3 of budgeted receipts) were expended on projects to
enhance the quality of life for local and regional residents. The portion that may have been expended on
tourism promotion would be very difficult to track, is most likely very small and could be considered
deminimis and omitted from the calculation of the amount per the state's definition.
With the above definitions and interpretations and assumptions this translates into a total of $186,657
being spent to promote tourism per the state's definition for fiscal year 2003-04 since the effective date
is July 1, 2003. This amount is 14.23% of the budgeted TOT revenue of $1,312,000. This percent will
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
D.L. Tuneberg, Director Tel: 541 488-5300 F~'~
20 East Main Street Fax: 541-488-5311
Ashland, Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
www.ashhand.or.us
Memo
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
RE:
April 2, 2OO4
Mayor and City Council
Mike Franell, Assistant City Attorney
Lee Tuneberg, Finance Director
Calculation of Promoting Tourism per State Legislation
One of the difficult decisions the Council must make is to determine what percentage of Ashland's
transient occupancy tax (TOT) as of July 1, 2003, was actually being spent to fund "tourism promotion
or tourism-related facilities" pursuant to Section 11 (5'.) 2003 Oregon Laws Chapter 818. This decision
needs to be made in order to:
1. Facilitate compliance in the coming years;
2. Support the City Council Ad hoc committee in identifying possible revisions to Resolution 2000-
25 for distributing Transient Occupancy Tax revenues; and
3. Maintain flexibility for the city in allocating monies for promoting tourism and Economic and
Cultural development.
2003 Oregon Laws Chapter 818 defines tourist as someone who travels over 50 miles or stays overnight.
Tourism is defined as the economic activity resulting from tourists. Tourism promotion is activity
generally relating to the attraction of tourists or stimulation of future tourism.
Since the city has granted money to various entities identifying the source of those funds as proceeds
from the tax revenues it becomes important to calculate the amount meeting the state's definition. The
test is how much the city spends on tourism promotion or tourism related facilities. The difficulty arises
in that the express intent of the City in Resolution 2000-25 for the expense of its transient occupancy tax
revenue does not easily relate to the new state legislation in this area. Additionally, the accounting of
the funds received by Ashland Chamber of Commerce does not neatly consider the tracking required by
the new state legislation.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
D.L. Tuneberg, Director Tel: 541-488-5300 F,i~I
20 East Main Street Fax: 541-488-5311
Ashland, Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
www.ashland.or.us
Memo
need to be adhered to as the city budgets TOT revenue each year and calculates the "base" amount or
minimum amount that shall be spent on promoting tourism attracting people from 50 miles away or to
stay over night in Ashland. The actual dollar amount to be spent will rise or lower with the estimated
amount of revenue budgeted each year.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
D.L. TU neberg, Director Tel: 541 488-5300 F~I
20 East Main Street Fax: 541-488-5311
Ashland, Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
www.ashland.or.us
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ASHLAND REITERATING ITS POLICY OF RELATING
THE EXPENDITURE OF MONIES FOR ECONOMIC AND
CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT TO THE HOTEL/MOTEL
(Transient Occupancy) TAX AND REPEALING
RESOLUTION 2000-25
THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the city council recognizes that the source of monies for the
Economic and Cultural Development Grant program is the Hotel/Motel Tax.
SECTION 2. a,~ult
ural
The following are the goals which the Economic
is attempting to meet by granting money to appliot~rnt~
a) Tourism Promotion.
b) Economic Development by:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
c) Cultural
Responding to general'
Providing assistance to
Providing technical and fin;
businesses;
Providing technical anl
businesses; or
Providing such
deem beneficial..
Development.
Development Committee
~ness in the city;
;
istance for the expansion of existing
for the development of new
support to business as the city council may
SECTION 3.
Beginning in Fiscal Year 2004/2005, the city council will appropriate thirty-three and
one-third percent (33.3%) of the anticipated Hotel/Motel tax monies for Economic and
Cultural Development. Of these monies, the City of Ashland has determined that as of
July 1,2003, 45% were expended on tourism promotion, as defined in Chapter 81:8 of
the 2003 Oregon Laws, and will continue to be spent on tourism promotion. The
remainder of the moneys may be allocated to grants in any of the three categories set
forth in Section 2 of this Resolution. By January 31 of each year each recipient of
grants under this resolution shall submit a report to the city council setting forth how the
grant funds received were expended in furtherance of the goals set forth in Section 2.
SECTION 4. The following guidelines and criteria are established for the Economic and
Cultural Development Grants:
a) Grantee shall be a 501(c) non-profit agency.
b) Grantee shall be a non-governmental agency.
1- TOT Expenditure Reso 0404
TOT Subcommittee Chair's Report to Council
To: Mayor and City Council Members
Copies to: Gino Grimaldi, Lee Tuneberg, Mike Franell
From: Kate Jackson, TOT Subcommittee Chair
Date: April 7, 2004
RE: Subcommittee actions and recommendations
The TOT Council Subcommittee consisted oftlhree Councilors: myself, Chris Hearn and Cate
Hartzell. We met 10 times from December 5, 2003 to March 11,2004~. Eight of those meetings
were publicly noticed. One was an evening meeting to take public input from interested parties.
The Chamber and OSF attended all the noticed meetings and were included in discussion as
appropriate. In addition, a meeting was held on February 9 with Sandra Slattery, Lee Tuneberg and
myself to review their initial budget analysis. Minutes of all the noticed meetings are included in
this packet. Staff support included Bryn Morri son, Lee Tuneberg, Mike Franell, and Gino Grimaldi,
all very much appreciated.
The subcommittee was appointed at the Novernber 3, 2003 Council meeting to recommend options
regarding the allocation of the TOT. During the first meetings in December, it became obvious that
first we would have to determine how the City"s use of the TOT revenues relate to the new state
statute that establishes a 1% state lodging tax and limits future changes in local lodging taxes.
Among the attachments today is a page with the applicable definitions in state law (HB 2267, ORS
305.824).
We approached our task in two major steps: a determination of funds expended on tourism as
defined in the new state statute, and a recommendation on whether and how to change the current
resolution.
The minutes of Feb 3, 23, and 24 meetings, along with Attorney Mike Franell's memo of April 2
titled "Calculation of Promoting Tourism per State Legislation" illustrate the discussion and decision
that 14.23% of the budgeted TOT revenue (or 45% of the granted TOT funds) for fiscal year 2003-
2004, or $186,657, be the minimum amount to be spent in future years on "tourism promotion" from
the Economic and Cultural Development Gram Program. This value is unrelated to the amounts
presently designated in the resolution. This determination was unanimously approved by the three
subcommittee members at the February 24 meeting. Chris Hearn now disagrees with the decision
(see his e-mail dated March 11). Paul Nicholson of the OSF provided a table to staff showing a
range of possible conclusions on March 4, 2004.
The Council must now decide to accept the original conclusion of the subcommittee or arrive at its
own conclusion.
I urge my fellow councilors to consider the following:
TOT Subcommittee Chair's Report to Council 2
1) For reasons of flexibility in use of our local 'tax monies, the minimum amount constrained to
"tourism promotion" is preferable. Local control has always been an important tenet of Oregon city
governance.
2) This assumption does not limit the amount we actually spend on tourism. It does give us more
latitude to use funds for other economic development activity and to address the impacts of tourism
on the community.
3) The determination does not specify who receives the funds required to be spent on tourism. The
Council may choose to alter the existing focus on OSF and the Chamber or retain its current
commitment to those organizations.
4) I believe two of the long-term impacts of our successful tourism promotion include the extremely
high cost of housing and the skewing of our demographics toward retirement ages and dramatically
away from families with children. Both of these impacts effect the livability and desirability of the
community.
5) It is important to me that the City and Chamber put more effort into diversifying the economic
base and supporting expansion and creation of locally owned businesses. Chamber staff and board
members with whom I have spoken agree with this concern and are already taking steps in that
direction.
For these reasons, I believe the rationale and conclusion by the subcommittee on Feb 24 is the best
for the community.
The subcommittee realized that Resolution 2000-25 does not reflect the impact of the new state
lodging tax rules. City Attorney Mike Franell advised us that it should do so. A proposed revision
is presented in this packet of materials. The main change is to first reflect the purposes for which the
City intends to spend the funds, and then to acknowledge the minimum state "tourism promotion"
expenditure. Section 2 and 3 have been reversed in order and reworded. Sections 1 and 4 have not
changed. Section 5 repeals the existing resolution.
Separately, we can address the question of who receives the funds. The process for distribution of
grants can remain the same. Both large and small grantees would apply and later document their
expenditures, including the "tourism promotion" data needed to document City compliance with new
state law. The application process and review procedures can be changed without amending the
resolution. Staffhas revised the application form to reflect the need for specific information. The
applications have not been released yet, in order to assure that the forms accurately reflect the City's
intention for this fiscal year.
The Budget subcommittee meetings to review the applications are tentatively set for May 20 and 21.
Although we have traditionally made the distribution during the budget process, it is not essential
because staff determines the amount for distribution and simply includes that number as a
placeholder in the budget. As a courtesy to thc: grantees, a timely decision process helps them with
their own budgeting decisions.
At this point, the Chamber relies on the City funds for a significant percentage of its income (35%).
The OSF has also expected a specific amount each year because their allocation is specified as a
percentage of the TOT revenue. I suggest setting a specific dollar amount, for example $220,000 for
TOT Subcommittee Chair's Report to Council 3
the Chamber, with expectations that the Chamber apply for specific expenditures and projects, that
the use be accounted for in an annual report and that the City may identify specific tasks it wishes to
have performed (Section 2.b.5). In previous ye, ars, the contracts for grants lacked detail on the
City's intent. Staff is prepared to remedy that situation this year.
By setting a dollar amount, to increase with inflation or some other indicator, the City will, over
time, have more funds to distribute to other projects or groups, to be determined as needs change.
Keep in mind that none of these dollar amounts are affected by the amount the City must recognize
as committed to "tourism promotion".
I look forward to our discussion at Study Session next week. While the subcommittee has not
discussed the draft revised resolution, it was prepared by staff at our request and does reflect our
discussions of March 11. I would hope Counciil can agree to consider decisions regarding both steps
for action at the next Council meeting, April 20. We have a decision to make about "tourism
promotion" dollars. We have a decision to make about the resolution used to distribute the grant
funds.
Thank you for the opportunity to work on the TOT subcommittee.
~ Meetings were held in staff offices December 5, and 12, 2003 and
February 9, 2004. Noticed meetings were held in the Siskiyou Room,
Community Development Building on the following dates: Jan. 5 and 20,
Feb. 3, 10, 18, and 24, Mar. 11. On February 23, a noticed meeting was
held with Chamber staff in the Finance Conference Room. The February 18
meeting was held in the evening to take public input. The other meetings
were held from noon to 1:30 p.m.
c) Grantee shall promote livability for the citizens of Ashland.
d) The minimum grant proposal will be $1,000.
e) The grant will benefit Ashland in regards to enrichment and activities of an
economic nature.
f) Grantee shall serve the population in Ashland but may encompass other venues in
the Rogue Valley.
SECTION 5. Resolution 2000-25 is repealed upon passage of this resolution.
SECTION 6. This resolution takes effect upon signing by the mayor.
This resolution was read by title only in accordance with Ashland Municipal Code
§2.04.090 duly PASSED and ADOPTED this __ day of ,2004.
Barbara Christensen, City Recorder
SIGNED and APPROVED this
__dayof ~~ ,2004.
Reviewed as to form:
W. DeBoer, Mayor
Paul Nolte, City Attorney
2- TOT Expenditure Reso 0404
~ge 1
Dear TOT subcommittee and staff:
In our last meeting we continued the process of determining the appropriate
baseline for application of the new state law (HB 2267 - Hotel Motel Tax).
Having reviewed the matter in more detail and met with representatives of the
Chamber and OSF, I wanted to provide the following additional perspective.
Section 11(3) of HB2267 says:
"A unit of local government that imposed a local transient lodging tax on
July 1, 2003, may not decrease the percentage of total local transient lodging
tax revenues that are actually expended to fund tourism promotion or
tourism-related facilities [emphasis added] on or after July 2, 2003."
Under Section 1 (7), "tourism promotion" means "any of the following
activities:
"(a) Advertising, publicizing or distributing information for the
purpose of attracting and welcoming [emphasis added] tourists;
(b) Conducting strategic planning and research [emphasis added]
necessary to stimulate future tourism development;
(c) Operating tourism promotion agencies; and
(d) Marketing special events and festivals designs to attract
tourists."
Under Section 1(9), a "tourism-related facility"
"(a) means a conference center, convention center, or visitor
information center [emphasis added]; and,
(b) means other improved real property that has a useful life of
ten or more years and has a substantial purpose of supporting tourism or
accommodating tourism activities."
Under Section 1 (13), a visitor information center "means a building or a
portion of a building, the main purpose of which is to distribute or disseminate
information [emphasis added] to tourists."
HB 2267.
I reviewing the applicable law, especially the underlined portions, my view
is that all of the VCB's activities qualify as "tourism promotion." Further,
even if the Council found a way of disqualifying the "tourism welcoming"
elements for the purpose of determining the baseline percentage, it is likely that
at least $73,000 of Chamber expenditure would qualify as "tourism promotion."
It seems inconsistent for the Council to take the position for the last
twenty plus years that it is funding tourism promotion through the VCB; and then,
after a state law becomes effective, suddenly contend that it is funding the
entire operation of the Chamber. The Chamber and VCB budgets have been separate
for twenty years. The Chamber and VCB take advantage of economies of scale
by sharing staff, office space, and other resources. However, their budgets
are separate and the City funds, while perhaps not physically segregated, are
nevertheless earmarked for VCB funding. The Chamber Board confirms their
understanding has always been that the City funded the VCB budget.
Based on the above, I have come to the conclusion that the entire $242,000
was used by the Chamber for tourism promotion and welcoming of tourists under
...... p~ge 2:.
the terms of the law.
I have also come to believe that if we adopt an approach that is geared more
toward substantiating a baseline which promotes maximum City control over
future TOT funds, rather than openly complying with the letter and spirit of our
legislature's mandate, then we are being intellectually dishonest.
I just reviewed my oath of office. In it I solemnly swore in writing to
support the laws of the State of Oregon. I understand and appreciate the City's
understandable desire to retain power and flexibility over TOT funds. The
two-thirds of the TOT receipts which go into our general fund clearly retain that
flexibility.
Additionally, the money spent by the VCB and OSIF not only promotes our local
economy in a variety of ways, but also ensures that we retain and ensure the
important TOT revenue which supplements our general fund every year.
Given all of the above, it is my opinion that the only baseline percentage
that would withstand legal and moral scrutiny would be the 27.3% that results
from the Chamber's $242,800 and the Festival's $112,332 being expressed as a
percentage of the $1.3m Transient Occupancy Tax for 2003.
Chris Hearn
Attorney (Oregon Bar # 91182; California Bar # 13,4842)
Ashland City Council (Position # 6)
DAVIS, GILSTRAP, HEARN, SALADOFF & SMITH
A Professional Corporation
515 East Main Street
Ashland, Oregon 97520
(541) 482-3111; FAX (541) 488-4455
cehearnCb, aol.com
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This email may contain information which is confidential or subject to the
attorney-client privilege. It is intended only for use by the individual to whom
it was addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby
notified that the dissemination, distribution, forwarding or copying of this
communication, or the use of this information for any purpose, is strictly
prohibited by state and Federal privacy laws. If yo~u have received this communication
in error, please immediately telephone our law firm at (541) 482-3111 and
delete this message from your system.
CITY OF
-ASHLAND
Transient Occupancy Tax
Sub-Com mittee
Draft Minutes
December 5, 2003 12:00pm
Finance Conference Room, 20 E. Main St
Meeting began at 12:15PM.
Roll Call
Committee Members Present: Cate Hartzell, Chris Hearn, and Kate Jackson
Staff Present: Lee Tuneberg and Bryn Morrison.
Discussion of Transient Occupancy Tax Revenues and Distribution
Committee members and staff discussed that the City should provide guidelines for what they
expect from the grantees, that the City may need a new resolution designating the funds, and
there may need to better identification of services the City will receive for monies granted.
They expressed the need to ask the Legal Department what portion of the 1/3 of the granted
monies meets the States definition of tourism and how much flexibility there was in that, and if
any of the 2/3's qualifies as tourism. It was deterrnined that a representative from the Legal
Department would be included in the next meeting. The Committee and Staff agreed to hold
the next meeting on 12/12/03 in Finance Conference Room.
Adjournment 1:25 PM
Respectively Submitted,
Bryn Morrison
Administrative Secretary
Finance Department
In compfiance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to
participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator's office at (541) 488-6002
(TTY phone number 1-800-735-2900). Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the
City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-
35.104 ADA Title I).
Page 1
CiTY OF
, SHLAND
Transient Occupancy Tax
Sub-Committee
Draft Minutes
December 12, 2003 12:00 PM
Legal Department, Law Library, 20 E. Main St
Meeting began at 12:15 PM.
Roll Call
Committee Members Present: Cate Hartzeli, Chris Hearn, and Kate Jackson
Staff Present: Mike Franell, Gino Grimaldi, Paul Nolte, Lee Tuneberg and Bryn Morrison.
Discussion of Transient Occupancy Tax Revenues and Distribution
Committee and Staff determined that the next meeting would need to be advertised and held
in a public meeting area.
mis Jackson volunteered to be chair, Hearn second. Motion passed. All ayes
Committee and Staff recognized the need to identify goals. Goals are to diversify Economic
Development as a function, increase clarity about task and function, and accountability. They
reiterated from the previous meeting the need to identify how the grantees use the money they
are awarded and the possibility of creating a new resolution. Nolte explained the legislative
and legal aspects questioned in the previous meeting.
Adjournment 1:20 PM
Respectively Submitted,
Bryn Morrison
Administrative Secretary
Finance Department
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to
participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator's office at (541) 488-6002
(TTY phone number 1-800-735-2900). Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the
City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-
35.104 ADA Title I).
CITY OF
-ASHLAND
Transient Occupancy Tax
Subcommittee
Draft Minutes
February 10, 2004 12:00pm
Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:11 pm.
Roll Call
Council Present: Kate Jackson, Cate Harb:ell, and Chris Hearn
Staff Present: Mike Franell, Gino Grimaldi, Bryn Morrison, and Lee Tuneberg
Approval of Minutes
Approval of previous subcommittee minutes dated:
January 20, 2004
Hearn/Hartzell m/s to accept minutes as presented. All Ayes.
February 3, 2004
Hartzell/Hearn mis to accept minutes as presented. All Ayes.
A. OSF Financial Report Presentation
Paul Nicholson presented the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's financial report. He presented
the committee and staff with a document regardin~g their tourism promotion expenditures. He
explained that OSF's fiscal year is different than the City's as the City's is July 1 through June
30 and theirs is based on a calendar year. He stated that of the $108,600 that was granted to
them, 100% was used for tourism promotion to potential patrons outside a fifty-mile radius of
Ashland. Jackson added that she is confident that the money granted to OSF is used for
CITY OF
SHLAND
tourism promotion. Hartzell asked if any of the '100% is spe~ on local advertising. Nicholson
responded only approximately 3% is local. Hearn asked how the total economic impact of the
festival for 2003 of $129 million was calculated. Nicholson responded that they look at the total
attendance and remove local people and people that do not come specifically for the shows
and then that leaves approximately 80% of the total audience. They then multiply that by the
Oregon Multiplier to obtain the $129 million. Hartzell added that she would like to see this
report annually. Hearn asked if the Time article and the terrorism abroad helped the festival.
Nicholson responded that it did, but they did not have any survey numbers that would show
that. Nicholson added that the festival is not looking at growth or adding any performances.
84-86% of the patrons are returning customers and they spend the funds on the 14-16% that
are not. Hearn asked about the challenge of promoting to the younger clientele. Nicholson
responded that they are doing diversity marketing. Hearn asked if the high school curriculum
still included Shakespeare. Nicholson responded that with the funding resources failing, staff
from OSF is stepping in to instruct and help out in the classroom. Hartzell asked what the
change has been in the last two years regarding their total economic impact. Nicholson
responded that this year they have changed their marketing to market earlier in the year rather
than once the plays start because patrons are not willing to commit themselves as early as in
previous years. Hartzell asked if OSF monitors the patrons that come to the plays that also
attend other events. Nicholson responded that they do not.
Hartzell asked Franell about the contracts for OSF and the Chamber. Franell responded that
the contract refers to the application and the City does not require them to submit an
application. Hartzell asked if OSF's contract mentioned promoting tourism and Franell
answered that it did not. Tuneberg added that the cover letter that was attached did reference
tourism but did not refer to the states definition of tourism. Franell suggested that the City
should refer to Resolution 2000-25 rather than the contract, that it is more specific.
B. Compile list of outcomes for 2004 _clrants
The subcommittee discussed the need to make recommendations on how they want to see the
grant monies distributed this year other than it I~as been in previous years. One suggestion is
to choose to emphasize one or more of the six categories of the resolution.
Jackson believes that category F.'s emphasis is to bring people to the City in the off-season.
Hartzell added that F. is not correct on the application, that it should follow the resolution.
Jackson pointed to a chart from the previous meeting showing how the funds that were
granted to each grantee were spent following tlr~e resolution. She stated that some of the funds
are used to support a greater diversity of cultural opportunities for our citizens and support
existing cultural opportunities. Hartzell cautioned against making that assumption and that the
grantees might argue that some of them bring people in from more than 50 miles away.
CITY OF
,-ASHLAND
Hartzell clarified that she was looking at that in terms of the goals, that they cannot look at all
the small grants and put them in the category of greater cultural activities for our citizens.
Jackson proposed to discuss the question of supporting local cultural activities and is it
important to the City. Hartzell answered that it is important to the City. She proposed the need
to diversify an economic strategy for categories A, B, C, and E. Jackson agreed. Hartzell
added that she would like to add #7 to the agend~a list. She expressed the idea that people
want more money to allocate to smaller organizations. She sees #1 on the agenda as a
strategy and that it is the first place to start and that #2 is a tactic. She spoke to possibly
distributing the percentage between the categories.
Hartzell asked if the subcommittee decides locally how to calculate the percentages before the
state does, if it will stand. Franell answered that il: would if there was a rational basis for the
allocations and it would prevail until they were told otherwise. He added that the subcommittee
should not wait for the Chamber's report to be presented to allocate the funds according to the
new statute, that it is the council's responsibility. ,Jackson and Hartzell agreed. Hearn asked if
the state put together administrative rules to help implement the new statute. Franell did not
see at this point that there was that authority present.
The subcommittee and staff discussed the problems that the public sees with the allocation of
the funds as they are presently. Hearn added that if they doubled or tripled the money, there
would still be the problem of not having enough money to go around. Jackson responded that
they need to look at the resolution and the state's restriction and see if the resolution now
states the way they want the funds granted. Franell suggested possibly having a committee set
apart from the Budget Committee that reviews the applications after the allocation from the tax
is set. Hartzell added that they could have another category in the resolution for diversifying
economic development. The subcommittee discussed adding another element to the
resolution. It would have three categories: tourism, economic development, and cultural
development. Hartzell suggested that each category has a cap for fund amount that it cannot
go above.
The subcommittee discussed the next meeting and the public input. They asked for a display
advertisement and a news item on the web page.
Other Business
Jackson explained that Lee Tuneberg, Sandra Slattery and herself met to discuss the
Chamber and VCB's budget analysis. Slattery will present the City with a final set of numbers
CITY OF
kSHLAND
on their tourism budget shortly. Hartzell would prefer to be included in the meeting with
Tuneberg and Slattery in the future.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 1:32 PM.
Respectively submitted,
Bryn Morrison
Administrative Secretary Finance Department
CITY OF
-ASHLAND
Transient Occupancy Tax
Sub-Committee
Draft Minutes
February 3, 2004 12:00pm
Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:12 pm.
Roll Call
Council Present: Cate Hartzell and Kate Jackson
Council Absent: Chris Hearn
Staff Present: Mike Franell, Gino Grimaldi, Bryn Morrison, and Lee Tuneberg
Approval of Minutes
Jackson and Hartzell agreed to wait to review and approve the minutes of January 20, 2004
until Hearn was present.
Approval of c~rant process calendar
Tuneberg spoke to the grant process calendar. He is proposing to make the applications
available March 1, the applications returned from the applicants by March 19, and the Budget
Committee meeting to allocate the funds on March 30 and 31. Hartzell asked what was
needed to be able to send out the applications. Tuneberg responded that they were waiting for
any direction the councilors may have, and then they would prepare the paperwork and place
a public notice in the paper. Jackson added that the councilors should add any guidance to the
application before they are sent out. Hartzell suggested sending a cover letter to send with the
application notifying the applicants of the changes. Jackson and Hartzell approved the grant
process calendar as presented.
CITY OF
-ASHLAND
Jackson asked when the letter was mailed out 'to notify the applicants of the Transient
Occupancy Tax meetings and that public input would be taken on February 18. Morrison
responded that the letter was mailed January 30, 2004.
Ashland Chamber of Commerce Financial Report Presentation
Sandra Slattery and Mary Pat Parker presented the financial report for the Chamber. They
spoke to how the Chamber adheres to the categories in Resolution 2000-25. (Please see
attachment that follows)
Jackson asked about the Visitors Convention Bureau (VCB), if it is a separate entity from the
Chamber. Slattery responded that the VCB has its own program, budget and mission and the
City grant funds are used for the VCB. Hartzell asked if there is a position on the VCB held by
a person from the City. Slattery responded thai: there always has been and currently the mayor
selects a person to appoint to the board. Jackson added that the VCB has a separate board of
directors and asked if they have to be a member of the Chamber to participate. Slattery
responded that they could be anyone who is involved in attractions or tourism.
Hartzell asked what the $10,000 for the Tourism and Economic Development (research
studies) in Appendix I was spent on in 2003-04. budget. Parker responded that one example
was Destination Ashland, and that 100% of the people surveyed were tourists. Slattery added
that they were trying to continue a program that was cut at SOU called Southern Oregon
Regional Services Institute and they are also trying to create a standard visitor survey for
scientific data that is seasonal specific and they are trying to develop what they want to use
from the information gathered.
Hartzell asked about the links on their web site and if they could be free of charge or a nominal
charge. Parker responded that the fee is $10 per month and that is a nominal charge, and that
they charge this so they are able to continue to improve the web site. Hartzell asked how
some of the money that is granted to the Chamber for their web site could assist other smaller
organizations, and if it could go toward the smaller organizations being linked on the
Chamber's web site. Slattery added that the Chamber does not charge for the community's
events to be listed on the calendar.
Hartzell asked if the Chamber and OSF worked together for marketing. Slattery answered that
they respond to the community's needs that are brought to the attention of the committee and
market accordingly. Hartzell suggested that the City needs to give more attention to how it
works with the Chamber to promote the City. Slattery gave examples of how the Chamber
works to promote the City.
CiTY OF
-ASHLAND
Hartzell asked if the people on the event committees were required to be Chamber members.
Slattery responded that they didn't have to be Chamber members. Hartzell asked if the one on
one business help was free to members. Slatteql responded that it is free to anyone, non-
members included.
Hartzell asked for a budget specific for the Chamber, and if the grant was only used for the
VCB budget. Slattery responded that the grant is only for the VCB budget and the Living and
Doing Business is part of the Chamber budget, none of the TOT funds go towards it. Hartzell
asked what the difference in cost was between annual and biannual reports. Slattery
responded that it was roughly $18,000 for the program, and $25,000 for Living and Doing
Business, without staff time and photos included. Hartzell asked about one stop permitting
process. Slattery responded that they are looking to be able to give information to the public on
one stops.
Jackson asked at what point the Chamber decides the level of tourism is where they want it to
be and sustain it and then market that differently than developing it. Slattery responded that
35% of the Chambers budget is tourism, and their direction is to improve the overall economic
development of the community and that is the direction they want to encourage. If they had
more revenue, they would do more surveying, analyze the data, continue web site
development, and listen to what the customers wanted. Jackson voiced that she was uneasy
about the overlap of the categories and that some of the tourism dollars are used for economic
development also. She asked what the $18,000 for the Festival of Light represented. Slattery
responded that it was for media advertisement, event organization, and that those costs relate
to tourism. Grimaldi suggested separating the two budgets for Chamber and VCB. Slattery
added that the VCB has always had its own budget. Hartzell suggested looking at the 2002-03
financials as a full budget to see a baseline under the new State Statute.
Tuneberg asked Paul Nicholson what the budget for OSF was. He responded $20.9 Million.
Nicholson added that OSF's contract with the City specifies that the grant is to be used for
tourism.
Tuneberg added that it is difficult to distinguish the Chambers figures as tourism because of
the overlapping of resources and staff. He added that if the City identifies the funds as to be
used to promote tourism, it would restrict them on who and how it is used. An alternate
method to proportion the funds could be if 35% of the Chambers budget is the VCB, then 35%
of the funds granted could be considered for tourism with 65% considered toward other
economic activities.
CITY OF
,-ASHLAND
Hartzell added that they need to look at the Chamber's contract. Franell will review contracts
and Resolution 2000-25. Hartzell would like thE; wording changed on the meeting schedule for
the meeting on 2/18 and that there will be public input.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 PM.
Respectively submitted,
Bryn Morrison
Administrative Secretary Finance Department
CITY OF
-ASHLAND
Transient Occupancy Tax
Sub-Committee
Draft Minutes
January 5, 2004 12:00pm
Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:11 pm.
Roll Call
Council Present: Cate Hartzell, Chris Hearn, and Kate Jackson
Staff Present: Mike Franell, Gino Grimaldi, Bryn Morrison, and Lee Tuneberg
Others: Paul Nicholson, Sandra Slattery, and Mary Pat Parker
Approval of Minutes
Approval of previous sub-committee minutes dated:
December 5, 2003
December 12, 2003
Hartzell/Hearn m/s to accepted minutes as presented.
Transient Occupancy Tax
Tuneberg presented a chart of this year's grant recipients, showing additional
information on the proposed use of the funds in accordance with Resolution 98-23 and 2000-
25, and the demographics of visitors to Ashland. Slattery felt that all the money granted to the
Chamber was used for tourism. Slattery added that the grant is meant for people in business
or who want to start a business, specific to Ashland, and tourism. Tuneberg suggested that the
Chamber could identify what parts of D, E, and F of the resolution they meet. Slattery will
CITY OF
-ASHLAND
address all categories in resolution. Tuneberg asked for any numbers to use as a basis to help
with the demographics. Chamber representatives agreed to meet with staff in two weeks to
discuss their total budget and activities. Nicholson added that all of the money that is granted
to OSF is for tourism and that they spend approximately $1 million per year in marketing and
the grant is roughly 10% of budget. He will provide a financial statement.
Hartzell presented a suggested list of process steps and goals. Hartzell wasn't thinking of
changing resolution, she wants to figure out what the baseline is, are we achieving the goals
we have set. If they need to define more goals. She explained that the functions are what we
expect to accomplish by granting the money to the bigger grantees. Hearn agreed with
Hartzell. Jackson wanted to view how new statute would effect the grant process, and that we
need to determine a baseline for tourism.
Hearn asked what statute number the legislative material was and Jackson answered ORS
305.824. Staff provided a separate sheet on the definitions of ORS 305.824. Hearn added that
tourism is someone who comes from 50 miles .away or more. Tuneberg said that the City plans
to base it's estimate of the amount spent on tourism promotion on it's intent in awarding the
funds for this fiscal year because the state law specifies the date of July 1,2003. Nicholson
added that OSF and the Chamber's funding is 88% of the 33.3%, if all of the Chamber's
money was spent on tourism, then 88% of 33.3%=29.3 % becomes the baseline for tourism
expenditure. Hearn responded that according to the statute some of the 12% was for tourism.
Nicholson responded that it could be more than the 29.3%. Hartzell asked if what they are
talking about was the promotion or provision of tourism. Franell responded it is the promotion.
Hartzell responded that they might need to clarify that to the grantees. Jackson suggested
sending a letter to the grantees to ask them what is their use of the funds. The City prefers to
define tourism by using the information in the previous year's grant application and the
analysis coming from the Chamber.
Hartzell asked if we should look at 2002-03 grants. Franell said no due to the date specified in
the state law. Jackson asked if they request in writing from the grantees what the funds are
used for, if they are bound by what they say. Franell answered that they can assume that they
would be bound by it unless they have reason to believe it the numbers have been
manipulated.
Discussion continued regarding contacting grantees on the question of tourism promotion.
Jackson added that when they contact the grantees, that they would explain the changing in
the state law of what is tourism and how they think they have been spending the funds. Hearn
emphasized the need to be clear with the wording in the statute, that they followed the statute.
Grimaldi suggested looking at other sources first, to look at the application, and what was our
intent when we spent it. Tuneberg didn't think that the intent on the demographics page did not
CITY OF
-ASHLAND
reflect the tourism specifically well. Jackson added that some of the grants are so small that it
would take most of the money to write these reports for us, asked if we need to look more
closely at the information they provide. Tuneberg added he would like to have the discussion in
two weeks about changing the application and the minimums that they want the grantees to
report on. Tuneberg said that they would like to have the applications ready for distribution by
February 1 and back from the grantees by the end of February.
Disussion continued regarding the next meeting and it was decided to meet on 1/20/04 at
noon.
Hartzell suggested having the other grantees come to the meeting since OSF and the
Chamber were there. Jackson responded that she was not prepared to have the public at the
next meeting because the committee need to discuss it's own goals first. Hartzell suggested
sending a notice of the meetings to the grantees. Where OSF and the Chamber could talk to
the grantees and possibly help them with services. Slattery responded that they would be
willing to discuss this option. Parker added that by inviting these groups that some of their
goals would be diffused. Hartzell responded that she doesn't want to go further without
discussing this. Hearn added that it would be a violation of statute to lower the 12%. Tuneberg
responded that he does not want to lower percentage, just to change what it goes for.
The meeting concluded with discussion of the topics of the next meeting: when public input
would be invited, the application changes, and distribution of the grants. Grimaldi suggested
not changing the application until the goals are set.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 1:40 pm.
Respectively submitted,
Bryn Morrison
Administrative Secretary Finance Department
CITY OF
-ASHLAND
Transient Occupancy Tax
Subcommittee
Draft Minutes
February 23, 2004 1:00pm
Finance Conference Room, 20 E. Main St
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 pm.
Roll Call
Council Present: Kate Jackson and Cate Hartzell
Staff Present: Lee Tuneberg
Background:
At the Feb 3 TOT meeting, Chamber Director Sandra Slattery and staff Mary Pat Parker
presented a report illustrating how the Chamber provides for five of the six goals under Section
3 of the existing Resolution 2000-25. On February 9, Sandra met with Kate, Lee and Bryn
Morrison to review a budget summary prepared by the Chamber to address the state
distinction between "tourists" and all visitors, and Visitor and Convention Bureau and Chamber
budgets. Sandra then consulted with Chamber staff and Board members concerning the
charts she was preparing. At the Feb 23 meeting, a properly noticed public meeting,
Ms. Slattery presented revised budget charts to those present.
Meeting minutes
Sandra presented a three page table showing the "VCB" budget with the tourism costs split
20%/80% for local/outside of region visitors, the Chamber budget, and a summary page. We
observed that many expenses are split between Chamber and VCB: postage, printing,
telephone, etc. The more we looked, the harder it became to be sure expenses were in the
appropriate column. Further, resources such as the photo files, are used by both sides of the
organization. On the advice of staff, we proposed applying the same percentage of the City
funds to total Chamber budget to estimate the proportion of city funds spent on
CiTY OF
:ASHLAND
tourism. This assumption seemed plausible in light of the fact that the City expects, and the
Chamber claims to provide to the City, economic development assistance as well as tourism
promotion services.
Councilors Hartzell and Jackson both expressed their desire to have the Chamber show how
their actions will help market Ashland as an affordable and family-friendly place to live and
work(, as opposed to attracting more residents in retirement).
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 1:20 PM.
From: Lee tuneberg
To: Mike Franell
Date: 2/23/04 3:25PM
Subject: TOT legal discussion
Mike-
Thanks for alerting me to the change in your schedule and the need to attend tdals tomorrow...thus
requiring you to miss our scheduled TOT meeting.
Today I met with Kate, Cate and Sandra in an open meeting about TOT and the Chamber's budget. After
much dialogue we seemed to land on the acceptance of a proration of the total amount budgeted for
Chamber this year divided by Chamber's TOTAL budget to come up with a percentage.
This still needs some clarification. We budgeted $$262,100, they gave back $20,000 (the lower amount is
being paid to them in 1/12fths) and their VCB budget shows $208,725 spent on promoting outside the 50
mile mark. Chamber's total budget is $680,900.
SinceChamber has shown the $242,100 as going to VCB, not the original budget of $262,100 and the
vagueness of what visitor benefitted by what dollar, I would propose the following proration formula:
242,1001680,900 = 35.6% x 242,100 = $86,188 per the state definition in addition to the "net" $112,332
that went to OSF for a total of $198,520.
Does this make sense to you?
Gi~,en all that has been discussed, do you still think we are OK to consider the amounts given to the
"small" grantees as diminimis when calculating the state's definition of amount spent on promoting
tourism?
Thanks for your input
lee
CC: Bryn Mordson; Cate Hartzell; Chris Hearn; Kate Jackson
;Bryn Morrison -_R_e_; ~oT legal discuss,! ,o~ ........................................ ~ ..... ~,~--~ ............ ~.'~1-'~
From: Mike Franell
To: Lee tuneberg
Date: 2/23/04 4:17PM
Subject: Re: TOT legal discussion
A couple of other observations in that formula. In a previous meeting that you had with the chamber, you
indicated that of the $242,100 that they budgeted for visitor functions, they identified approximately
$51,000 that was used for local promotion, not promotion to attract people meeting the state definition of
toudst. I believe that you could recalculate the percentage of their total budget by dividing 242,100 -
51,000 (The budget actually spent on attracting outside visitors) by 680,900. This number is
approximately 28.1%. However, I believe either number would be aldght.
Michael Franell
Assistant City Attomey
City of Ashland, OR
(541)488-5350 - PHONE
(541)552-2092 - FAX
TTY 1 (800)735-2900
franellm@ashland.or, us
>>> Lee tuneberg 02/23/04 03:25PM >>>
Mike-
Thanks for alerting me to the change in your schedule and the need to attend trials tomorrow...thus
requiring you to miss our scheduled TOT meeting.
Today I met with Kate, Cate and Sandra in an open meeting about TOT and the Chamber's budget. After
much dialogue we seemed to land on the acceptance of a proration of the total amount budgeted for
Chamber this year divided by Chamber's TOTAL budget to come up with a percentage.
This still needs some clarification. We budgeted $$262,100, they gave back $20,000 (the lower amount is
being paid to them in 1/12fths) and their VCB budget shows $208,725 spent on promoting outside the 50
mile mark. Chamber's total budget is $680,900.
Since Chamber has shown the $242,100 as going to VCB, not the original budget of $262,100 and the
vagueness of what visitor benefitted by what dollar, I would propose the following proration formula:
242,100/680,900 = 35.6% x 242,100: $86,188 per the state definition in addition to the "net" $112,332
that went to OSF for a total of $198,520.
Does this make sense to you?
Given all that has been discussed, do you still think we are OK to consider the amounts given to the
"small" grantees as diminimis when calculating the state's definition of amount spent on promoting
tourism?
Thanks for your input
lee
CC: Bryn Morrison; Cate Hartzell; Chris Hearn; Kate Jackson .
February 10,2004
Transient Occupancy Tax Committee
Ashland City Council
City of Ashland
Ashland, OR 97520
Oregon
Shakespeare
Festival
~5 South Pioneer Street
Ashland, OR 9752o
541 482 2111
54~ 48~ o446~ox
54~ 482 433~ box o. ffice
www. osfashla nd.org
Dear Committee Members:
Following recent conversations I'm pleased to provide information to assist you in your
deliberations regarding the distribution of hotel/motel tax monies. I confirm that in our last fiscal
year the Oregon Shakespeare Festival received a grant of $108,600 from the Transient
Occupancy Tax. It spent 100% of this grant on tourism promotion to potential patrons outside a
fifty-mile radius of Ashland. As a result of our tourism promotion activities, attendance in 2003
was 381.340. the second best in the Festival's history.
To put the City grant into perspective, I provide the following information regarding our tourism
promotion expenditures for 2003:
Season brochure (printing and mailing) $ 239,000
Advertising $ 129,000
Travel shows $ 8,000
Promotional material $ 8,000
Diversity marketing $ 32,000
Web site $ 4,000
Salaries $ 288,000
Total $ 708,000
"~o
The $108,600 grant represented 15._~ Yo of our marketing expenditure and 0.54% of the Festival's
total 2003 expenditure of $19,960,000. We calculate that the total economic impact of the
Festival for 2003 was $129M.
Should you require further information I would be happy to respond to your request.
Sincerely,
OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Paul E. Nicholson
Executive Director
To~
From:
Date:
Re:
The Transportation Occupancy Tax Subcommittee
Wendy Siporen, Southern Oregon Economic D, evelopment Coalition
33 N. Central #303
Medford, OR 97501
(541) 772-4029
j ustsolutions~hotmail.com
18 February, 2004
Economic Development
Thank you for the opportunity to talk about my passion and the work of my organization,
the Southern Oregon Economic Development Coalition. It is our mission to bring
together workers, business owners and community members to cultivate a vital economy
that is socially, financially and environmentally sustainable. We want individuals,
businesses and governments to realize the power they have to shape our regional
economy. Toward that end we:
1) Advocate sustainable development policies
2) Educate the community, businesses, and students about sustainable business
practices
3) Cultivate new businesses through:
a. Shared-use kitchen (value-added agricultural products)
b Waste to work or waste to wealth, (using materials headed to the
landfill to create value and jobs).
c. Community investment fl.,nd
4) We support locally owned independent businesses through:
a Business education ..
b. Linking local farmers to local restaurants
c Shared purchasing
d. Shared marketing
e. Buy local campaign
When it comes to economic development, we tend to spend a lot of time figuring out how
to attrict money into an area. In Ashland case this means tourism dollars. Statewide,
there is a lot of interest in the export market. But this is only half of the equation when it
comes to creating a vital local and regional economy
The other half requires us to build linkages in our community to keep the money that we
do have from leaking out of the area straight away. The solutions here require the
community to come together to link up the enterprises in the area, taking advantage of the
community's resources and making more strategic decisions about how to spend money
entering the local economy
I love the analogy that the New Economics Foundation uses: the leaky bucket. Money
comes into an area through export sales, tourism, investments and subsidies. Money
leaks out of an economy through non-local purchases of raw materials, services and
goods and through the profits of corporate chains.
One approach to sustainable economic development is to perform a community economic
leakage analysis. Inventory community strengths - what are the local resources available
in the way of food, clothing, energy, housing, transportation,,finance, communications,
culture, design, education and waste disposal? Which local businesses supply these
basics in a sustainable way and how can they be supported, promoted and connected?
Where are the gaps that currently drain community capital and what opportunities does
this provide for new local businesses?
A similar approach is to perform the same analysis on a business or organizational level.
Where are your suppliers located? Where do your suppliers spend their money? The
purpose of tracking and measuring this spending is to identify opportunities to strengthen
linkages in the local economy so that efforts can be made to keep money circulating
locally.
Local purchasing is important because of the multiplier effect. If a business spends 80
percent of its budget in other locally owned businesses who in turn spend 80 percent,
every dollar spent is multiplied five times. Many cities have chosen to recognize the
potential of their spending by enacting locally preferable purchasing policies (see
attached).
Addressing the needs for increasing local self-reliance and sustainability, many new
business opportunities can be found within the building blocks of living economies.
These building blocks include the local food system, sustainable energy, alternative
transportation and fuels, locally designed and made clothing, recycling and reuse, green
building, independent retailers, local arts & culture, neighborhood tourism, crafts
production, holistic health care, eco-friendly cleaning products, and independent media.
We want to do this by facilitating biz-to-biz sourcing and a "think local first" advertising
campaign. This doesn't mean we want Ashland to become isolated from its neighbors or
the world. Our goal is to build capacity of local businesses to meet our community's
needs so that our economy becomes more stable and less vulnerable to outside crashes
and d0wnturns in tourism. By emphasizing businesses outside of the service and retail
sector, we can increase the number of jobs that pay a living wage.
There are many other benefits to local spending and diversifying the economy: · Transport costs minimised
· Cleaner environment
· Excellent understanding of local needs and local issues
Business has a bad reputation lately based on the unethical and unsustainable practices of
multinational corporations. But small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities
and our lives. They deserve our support.
THE MULTIPLIER
iocolly
Total: 500 Total: 125
The starting point in each situation is that $100 enters the local economy. If 80%of
each $1 stays in the local economy, the total amount of spending that $100 will
generate is about $500- a multiplier of 5 (500 divided by 100). If only 25% of each
$1 spent stays in the local economy, the total spending is only $125. This gives a
multiplier of 1.25 (125 divided by 100).
Locally Preferable Purchasing
When making procurement decisions, many cities and states give preference to local
businesses as a means to nurture small businesses and local economies. Some of
these jurisdictions give a local preference only in the case of tie bids, but.others give
preference if a bid from a local business is within a certain percentage of the lowest
non-local bid. Washington D.C., for example, by administrative practice gives a five
percent preference to local firms. More than two dozen cities and a handful of states
have such laws. Internationally, the Government of Western Australia has a Buy
Local policy.
LOCAL
· Albuquerque, New Mexico
The city provides a preference to local manufacturers, local businesses, resident
manufacturers, and resident businesses. A local business is given up to a five percent
credit in evaluating bids for goods and services. More...
· Columbus, Ohio
Columbus gives a five percent preference if the govemment's purchase is under
$10,000, and a one percent preference if the purchase is over $10,000. The buy local
preference credit is limited to $10,000. More...
· Ketchikan~ Alaska
Unless contrary to federal or state law or regulation, a contract or purchase for
supplies, materials, equipment or contractual services the amount of which is less than
$200,000 shall be awarded to a local bidder where the bid by such local bidder does
not exceed the lowest responsible non-local bid by more than 10% for $100,000 or
less, and 7% of the non-local bidder between $100,000 to $200,000. More...
STATE
Montana
· A public contract for construction, repair, or public works to the lowest responsible
bidder without regard to residency. However, a resident bidder must be allowed a
preference on a contract against the bid of any nonresident bidder from any state or
country that enforces a preference for resident bidders. The preference given to
resident bidders of this state must be equal to the preference given in-the other state
or country. For most cases the local bid cannot be higher than 3 percent of the non-
local bid. More...
New Mexico
When bids are received only from nonresident businesses and resident businesses and
the lowest responsible bid Is from a nonresident business, the contract shall be
awarded to the resident business whose bid is nearest to the bid price of the otherwise
Iow nonresident business bidder if the bid price of the resident bidder is made lower
than the bid price of the nonresident business when multiplied by a factor of .95. New
Hexico also defines New York businesses as resident businesses· More...
West Virginia
Bids from an individual resident vendor who has resided in West Virginia continuously
for four years from the bid date or from a corporation nonresident vendor which has
an affiliate or subsidiary which employs a minimum of one hundred state residents and
which has maintained Its headquarters or principal place of business within West
Virginia continuously for four years is given a two and one-half percent preference
compared to non resident bids. I~ore...
Wyoming
Every board, commission or other governing body of any state institution shall prefer
in all purchases for supplies, material, agricultural products, equipment, machinery
and provisions to be used in the maintenance and upkeep of their respective
institutions, supplies, materials, agricultural products, equipment, machinery and
provisions produced, manufactured or grown in this state, and supplies, materials,
agricultural products, equipment, machinery and provisions supplied by a resident of
the state. A differential of not to exceed five percent (5%) may be allowed in cost on
the Wyoming materials, supplies, agricultural products, equipment, machinery and
provisions of quality equal to those of any other state or country. I~lore...
~rNTERNATTONAL
· Western Australia
The Government of Western Australia's State Supply Commission Act of 1991 (see
part 4) set up a State Supply Commission with the authority to draft and implement
supply policies for the region. The Commission set about creating a Buying Wisely
program. Two of the Buy Wisely policies are "Supporting Local industry" and "Value
for Money": the principle that when goods and services are purchased, public
authorities achieve the best possible outcome for every dollar spent by assessing the
costs and benefits to government and the community, rather than selecting the lowest
purchase price. I~ore...
The New Rules Project
http://www, newrules.org/
SHIFTING to GOOD JOBS:
Rethinking Economic Development in
Jackson County
A Report by Oregon Action
December 1999
3009NE Emerson · Portland. OR 9'~211 · 503 282 6588
33 ,No,lh ,Central ~"303 · Medford, OR. 9750~ · 541 772 4029
SHIFTING to GOOD JOBS:
Rethinking Economic Development in
Jackson County
A Report for Oregon Action by Kathleen Ackley,
The Northwest Federation of Community Organizations
December 1999
Oregon Action is a statewide, non-partisan network of people and
organizations dedicated to economic justice for all through individual
and group empowerment. Oregon Action was founded in 1997 to
build on the history and values of Oregon Faire Share, which for
twenty years organized low and moderate income people to win con-
sumer and community reforms.
The Northwest Federation of Community Organizations is a re-
gional federation of four statewide, community based social and-eco-
nomic justice organizations located in the states of Idaho, Montana,
Oregon and Washington--the Idaho Community Action Network,
Montana People's Action, Oregon Action and Washington Citizen
Action. Collectively, these organizations engage in community orga-
nizing and coalition building in fourteen rural and major metropolitan
areas. Each of the organizations represents a broad-based, grassroots
constituency including disenfranchised and low to moderate income
residents of the Northwest.
Cover art by Jorge Luis Somarriba.. Reprinted with permission by
the Center for Community Change.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report examines the results of ten years of strategic economic development in Jackson
County. The report looks at economic development strategies employed since the late 1980s and
gauges their effectiveness in providing living wage jobs, increasing the standard of living, and
bringing down poverty and unemployment rates in the County. A close examination of several
social and economic indicators demonstrates that economic development strategies in Jackson
County have largely failed.
Despite media messages proclaiming a boorning Oregon economy, the majority of Jackson
County residents are not much better off than they were ten years ago. Millions of development
dollars have flowed into Jackson County with the purpose of creating family wage jobs, increas-
ing the standard of living, and lowering the rate of unemployment and poverty. However, the
intended results have not surfaced. Instead, there is a proliferation of poverty wage jobs, stag-
nant and declining wages, an increase in poverty levels, and a stationary unemployment rate.
In Jackson County'
· The poverty rate has increased over the past decade from 12.9 percent in 1990 to 14.9 percent
today. The poverty rate has been consistently higher than the state average.
· The unemployment rate has remained essentially unchanged since 1987 and is consistently
higher than the state average.
· Between 1980 and 1999, the median family income fell eight percent.
· 60 percent of people in lhe top ten occupations make less that 100 percent of the federal
poverty level for a family of three.
· 77 percent of people in the top occupalions do not earn a living wage for a family of three or
even two.
Clearly, the economic development strategies of the lasl decade have failed. It's time to
rethink economic development in Jackson County. The following alternative development
initiatives have found success in other parts of the counlry and have the potential to significantly
improve the economic well being of residents lin Jackson County:
Career Ladder Programs
Career ladder programs create opportunities for people to move from low-wage, Iow-skill
work to high-wage, high-skill work by creating job ladders. Such programs may be company
specific; within a company, Iow-wage, Iow-skilled workers are given the opportunity to learn
new skills and are encouraged to move up within the company. A career ladder program can also
involve a network of businesses, connecting employees doing Iow-wage, Iow-skill work with
jobs in other companies that are a step up the career ladder.
SHIFTING lo GOOD JOBS: Relhinkmg Economic Development in Jackson County
Oregon Aclion ·
Lowering the Cost of Living
An alternative approach to raising wages is lowering the cost of living. In Jackson County,
the availability of affordable housing has shrunk considerably'and Oregon has one of the fastest
rising housing prices anywhere in the nation. One way to help low-income families become
homeowners, and keep housing affordable when the property is resold, is through community
land trusts. Community land trusts preserve land in perpetuity for low-income housing by
retaining ownership of the property in a non-profit organization and leasing out the property to
homeowners.
Micro-Enterprise Development
One approach to promoting the growth of new businesses and living wage jobs is to nurture
micro-enterprise development. Micro-enterprise development utilizes business incubators to
provide assistance and support to people who have been left out of traditional business develop-
ment and loan/access-to-credit programs. Programs work by providing industry contacts, struc-
tured classroom learning and mentoring programs, and by connecting entrepreneurs with vital
resources such as access to credit.
Corporate Accountability Legislation
Corporate accountability legislation ensures that public funds are spent responsibly by hold-
ing corporations receiving public subsidies accountable. The goal of passing such }egislation is
to guarantee that corporations that receive public funds are good community neighbors and that
the public gets a reasonable return on its investment, such as high quality living wage jobs or
community reinvestment of profits.
Living Wage Ordinances
Living wage ordinances compel private companies that receive public contracts to pay em-
ployees a living wage. Such laws may also apply to businesses that receive tax assistance,
economic development funds, or other state aid.
After ten years of strategic economic development in Jackson County, attempts to provide
living wage jobs, increase the standard of living, and bring down poverty and unemployment
rates have not succeeded. In short, the traditional economic development model in Jackson
County has largely failed. It's time to rethink economic development strategies for the County
and to pursue initiatives that promise real change.
SHIFTING to GOOD JOBS: Rethinking Economic Development in Jackson County Oregon Action · 2
(~ BUSINESS TRAINING
& LENDING CENTER
33 N. Central #209
Medford, OR 97501
To:
From:
Re:
Date:
Ashland Budget Committee
Helen J. Wallace
Executive Director
Suggestions/ideas re. dispensing the city's hotel/motel tax revenues
Ashland Economic Development Policy
February 24, 2004
Your attention to considering changes in the guidelines for dispensing Ashland's
hotel/motel revenues is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Some suggestions for your consideration are as follows:
*Encourage or require partnerships between the Chamber of Commerce with
economic development agencies such as SOWAC Business Training & Lending
Center and the Southern Oregon Economic Development Coalition. We could
work together to provide direct services to small business owners on their
customer service skills, cash flow projections and analysis, financial management
and collaborative marketing. Clients could include Chamber of Commerce
members AND micro business owners who are not members of the Chamber.
*Locate business development seminars in Ashland planned around specific
needs identified through the Chamber assisting with promotion and surveying
needs of local entrepreneurs.
*OSF could support local businesses through their promotional marketing
strategies by reducing rates for smaller businesses who wish to advertise via OSF
publications.
*Both the Chamber and OSF could contribute to a loan fund administered by
SOWAC to provide small loans to businesses affected by the seasonal ebb and
flow of tourists. SOWAC is experienced and well qualified to provide this
service which includes 1-1 counseling and technical assistance throughout the life
of the loans.
(541) 779-3992 · FAX (541) 779-5195 · sowac@sowac.org · www.sowac.org
Appendix I
C it.,,' of Ash la'tut
,.M i xe t'i M (.', tlia ,,Att x' e i'fi si ng'
, Sc}ulhcrn (.)r( gmz,,~ m~tors .Asso(,tat.tott (SOYA)
f'
-, :,!42,800
13,000
5OO
2,500
4,000
2,500
2,000
18,000
3,500
2,300
17,000
15,000
4,000
4,500
6,000
700
2,500
3,600
2,500
10,000
3,000
6,500
92,500
26,000
700
$242,800
Appendix II
LEFT: Duck Pond in Lithia Park
FACING PAGE: Ashland Plaza.
always come away with our spirits
buoyed.
If you like the outdoors, hiking
trails and winter sports abound.
Within an hour's drive of town, cross-
country skiers can glide over 80 miles
of trails at Mt. Ashland, Lake of the
Woods, Fish Lake, and Howard
Prairie Lake. Ice fishing also is popular
at the mountain lakes. Crater Lake
National Park is only two hours away.
With four chair lifts, 23 runs
accommodating beginners to experts,
plus night skiing Thursdays through
Saturdays, Mt. Ashland offers enough
action to keep any "downhiller" or
"snowboarder" exhilarated for hours.
A trip to the mountain is worth the
drive for the views. To the south, Mt.
Shasta rises an awe-inspiring 14,000
feet and, in clear weather, the 9000-
foo~ --ne of Mt. McLaughlin looks
ne~ ough to touch.
After a day on the slopes, you
can spend a romantic evening at the
Mt. Ashland Inn watching the moon
come up over Mt. McLaughlin while
soaking in a jetted hot tub.
Hungry? Travel down the moun-
rain to Callahan's Siskiyou Lodge
for a home-cooked Italian dinner.
As teenagers, Dan and I had our
first taste of pizza there. Warm your-
self by the huge stone fireplace and
dance to live music. You may want
to snuggle into one of their pillow-
top king-sized beds for the night.
Ashland offers accommodations
to fit everyone's needs--four-star
luxury resorts, enchanting bed-and-
breakfast inns, and modest motels.
A downtown landmark is the newly
restored Ashland Springs Hotel
where you can dine in its elegant
ballroom, enjoy afternoon tea, or
listen to a variety of music in the
Bull'~ Eye Bistro.
m inexpensive to elegant,
Ashmnd has wonderful restaurants to
suit every palate and budget. Our
favorite hamburger joint is Big Al's.
The Standing Stone Brewing
Company has excellent homemade:
breads and pastries, plus live enter-
tainment. The Monet and Chateaulin
restaurants serve award-winning
French cuisine, and you will find
Thai, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese,
and Italian restaurants doWntown.
Hankering for a bit of the Old
West? A scenic trip to the
Greensprings Box R Ranch in the
high Cascades is fun for everyone.
The Rowlett family will happily
show you around the historic 1906
ranch house that was originally a
stagecoach stop, and you can climb
into a sleigh or wagon pulled by
Waylon and Willie, two caramel-
colored Belgian draft horses, for a
ride along the Applegate Trail. For a
restful night, rent a log cabin over-
looking the 100-acre meadow where
pioneers camped on their way to the
Oregon Territory.
If poking around boutiques in
historic buildings is your idea of the
perfect diversion, check out such
places as The Golden Unicom and
Paddington Station along Main
Street. Spend time in Bloomsbury
Books and Cripple Creek Music.
;l'he Ashland Rock Shop stocks
Northwest gems and exotic fossils
from all over the world.
Need a break from shopping?
Watching a movie at the downtown
Varsity Theatre,
housed in a 1937
art-deco building,
is a good way to
spend a winter
afternoon or
evening.
The Plaza, lined with buildings
from the mid-1800s, is the heart of
Ashland. Stop in American Trails
~th ~ts fine collection of Native
Ameri~ b~ke~, ~=ew, ~d jeWl
elw. ~e m~tic w~en cr=tiom
the ~hlmd Ha~w~ Oallew will
amaze you. Brow~ through
Remi~ance R~, Rare ~rth, and
m~y other intri~g sho~ along
the PI~. ~en your f~t n~d relief,
slip into one of the several bis=os or
cafes for lunch or reffeshmenm. ~ter,
indulge yourself wi~ home,de ice
cream or melt-in-your-mou~ ~dge at
one of ~e sweet shops.
Before leaving the Plaza, have
a drink of effervescent Lithia
water. ~e sign on the fountain
says it contains healthful minerals.
On hot summer nighu, we used to
fill a thermos with Lithia water to
make lemonade.
Acro~ from the Pl~a is the
entrance to Lithia Park. Strolling
along trails that wind ~nea~ oa~,
~nderosa pin~, inceme cedan, and
~ugl~ fin while listening to the
IF YOU GO
Ashland is located on I-5, 15 miles north
of the California border and 11 miles south
of Medford, Oregon.
The Rogue Valley Intemational-
Medford Airport is 15 miles north of
Ashland. Greyhound/l-railways offers trans-
portation in and out of the Rogue Valley.
Amtrak has a station east in Klamath Falls
and south in Dunsmuir, California.
More Information:
Ashland Chamber of Commerce, 10 E Main
St., PO Box 1360, Ashland, OR 97520 (541-
482-3486; www. ashlandchamber, com).
Southern Oregon Reservation Center,
PO Box 477, Ashland, OR 97520 (541-
488-1011; www. sorc.com).
Ashland I~B ClearingHouse, 765 Siskiyou
Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520 (800-588~3338).
Mt. Ashland Ski Resort, 1745 Hwy 66, is
18 miles southwest of Ashland off I-5. The
sk~ season starts Thanksgiwng weekend,
weather permilting, and continues into April.
Jacksonville is located on Hwy 238. about
a 25-minute drive from Ashland along an
old stagecoach road through pear ~nd apple
orchards and vineyards.
Eagle Point, home of Butte Creek Mill, is
about 21 miles north of Ashland, on the
Crater Lake Highway, Hvvy 62. Down the
street from Butl',e Creek Mill is the Eagle
Point Historic Museum and the Old Antelope
Creek covered [)ridge.
The Greensprings Box R Ranch, 16799
Hwy 66, Ashland, OR 97520, between mile-
post markers 22 and 23, is approximately
23 miles east of Ashland (541-482-1873;
ww~.boxrranch.com).
The ScienceWorks Mbseum. 1500 E Main St.,
PO Box 1177, Ashland, OR 97520 (541-482-
6767; wwwscienceworksmuseumorg). []
Open to the sky, the outdoor Elizabethan Stage seats 1,200 people. For the 2003
season the Festival presented Shakespeare's Richard II and A Midsummer Night's
Dream, and John O'Keeffe's Wild Oats on the outdoor stage. Featured in the photo
below is the 2002 set and cast of Titus Andronicus.
sounds of Ashland Creek, it is diffi-
cult to believe you are still in a city.
In early spring hundreds of rhodo-
dendrons, dogwoods, and azaleas
punctuate the evergreens with color.
Our grandchildren delight in pic-
nics, playing tennis, wading in the
creek, and feeding the ducks in
Lithia Park just as much as we did as
youngsters, plus they enjoy a year-
round playground and an ice skating
rink from November to March.
Exploring the side streets of
Ashland, you will discover ginger-
bread Victorian mansions, many
restored to their former glory and
some converted to bed-and-breakfast
inns. Don't miss the newly renovated
historic Railroad District with inter-
esting stores, art galleries, and good
places to dine. Families will especially
like the new ScienceWorks Museum,
which has more than 80 interactive
exhibits, live performances, and
numerous hands-on activities.
From folk music to opera, blue-
TH EATER
MUSIC
DANCE
Act III. Seniors of Southern Oregon
(541488O188)
Actors' Theatre
(541-535-5250)
Artattack Ensemble
(541-282-9815)
Arts Council of Southern Oregon
(541-779-2820)
Artwork Enterprises
(54 ~-482-4357)
Ashland Community Theatre
(541-482-7532)
Ashland Independent Film Festival
(541-488-3823)
Ballet Rogue
(541 635-4112)
Chamber Music Concerts
(541-552-6154)
Historic Ashland Armory
(541-482-1271)
Oak Street Dance Studio
(541-482-5021 )
Oregon Cabaret Theatre
(541-488-2902)
Oregon Shakespeare Festival
(541-482-2111)
Rogue Valley Symphony
(541-552-6354)
Song & Dance Studio
(541-482-3650)
Southern Oregon Repertory Singers
(541-488-2307)
Southern Oregon University
Theatre Arts Department
{541-552J~346)
St. Clair Productions
(541-535-3562) ~
grass to chamber music, Ashland has
it. Besides live music in many of the
night spots around town, the
,~uthern Oregon Repertory Singers,
the Rogue Valley Symphony, and the
Rogue Valley Symphony Chamber
Players present perfon~nances in thc
Southern Oregon University Music
Recital Hall, and a Blues Festiva[ is
held each January in Historic
Ashland Armory.
With the Schneider Art Museum
and the Gallery at Stevenson Union,
24 January/February 2004 NORTHWEST TRAVEL
Appendix !11
MP VCB Jan '04
Visitor's Convention & Bureau Center for Ashland, Oregon
for VCB Ashland Chamber of Commerce
Organizations
OACVB
Oregon Publications Task Force
OTTTF Oregon Tour & Task Force
Siskiyou Welcome Center Task Force
SOVA
Location
Statewide
Statewide
Statewide
Regional
Regional
Travel Writers
Travel and Leisure
Northwest Travel
Seattle Spokane Newspapers
Sunset Magazine
USA
Pacific Northwest
Seattle, WA
Pacific Northwest
Radio, TV & Local Media
Daily Tidings & Medford Mail Tribune
KOBI, KTVL, KDRV
Kyxy Radio, Seattle, WA
Oregonian
Prime Time Thursday/ABC National
Sacramento Bee
San Francisco Chronicle
Seattle, WA
Los Angeles, Ca
Conventions
Bravo
Governor's Conference on Tourism
NTA National Tour Association
Meeting Planners/Conferences
Flemming Tours
Meetings Northwest
Small Market Meetings
Western Field Odnthologists
Utah
California
Lexington, KY
Califomia
Contact
Emily
Bill
Susan
see attached list
see attached list
Genevieve
Mimi
Vicky
Catherine
Page 1
BRAVO 2003 TRADESHOW
This once a year trade show is designed to bring meeting/conference and convention
planners together in one place to gather infortnation about meeting destinations for their
organizations. Group and travel business is very lucrative finite business that may also
contribute to incremental individual travel at a later date.
Some of the attendees at this year show that visited our booth were:
Boise cascade
Pacific University
Infinity Broadcasting
National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
Care Oregon
Tetronix
Washington Mutual Bank
PJ Food
Farmers Insurance
Oregon Health care Assoc.
State commission on Children
Oregon State Pharmacists
Associated oregon Industries
Horizon Air
Portland Community College
Nike
Closson Communications
OSHU
Hewlett Packard
US Fish & Wildlife
MediAmerica
Northwest pipe
Professional Association Management
American Council of Engineering companies
Providence Health System
City of Lake Oswego
Federal Reserve Bank
Federal Express
American Council of Engineering
Intel
Ticor
Chambers Communications
Oregon Medical Association
Kaiser Permanente and on and on .......
NTA CONTACTS 2003/CHARLOTTE, NC
A once a year convention that brings three thousand travel industry professionals
together to encourage group tour travel in North America. It is a chance for DMO's
( Destination Marketing Organizations) like ourselves to meet with Tour Suppliers from
all over North America, to make seven minute presentations in a one day format. We then
share with attractions and properties from our area to help secure the business prior to
them meeting with the tour suppliers: This is measurable business for lodging and
attractions to our City each year.
Fly Away Holidays/Hawaii
Gadabout Tours/California
Holiday Travel/Wisconsin
Alamo World/California
Globus/Cosmos/Colorado
Flemming Tours/Utah
Go West Tours/California
Golden West Travel/California
Gold Road Tours/California
Cajun Tours/Louisiana
Maverick Vacations/british Columbia
Western Discovery/Nevada
OregonWest Excursions/Oregon
MaupinTours/Nevada
raz transportation/Portland
Sports Leisure/California
Talbot Tours/California
Main Street Tours/California
Tauck Tours/Connecticut
Western Leisure/Utah
Breunan/Washington
$( uthern
re§on
¥1SITORS ASSOCIATION
soya I t ttt)l ' RE
Dear SOVA Partner!
It has been a very busy year for the Southern Oregon Visitors
Association! Let me take a moment to update you on some exciting
developments and great additions to the SOVA team.
If you haven't met her by now, please make an effort to get to know
Carolyn S. Hill, our new SOVA Manager. Carolyn has done an excellent
job of taking SOVA to the next level in the organization of the member-
ship, providing hospitality training, strengthening the management of the budget and...
she is a true joy to work with!
Another highlight reflects the creativity of the marketing committee and Webmaster,
"SOVA Joe" Hunkins. The main SOVA web site, www. sova.org, has undergone a major
design renovation. Thank you sponsors for your participation in this important market-
ing tool!
Covering seven counties, the SOVA marketing region
stretches from the south coast to Oregon's Outback.
As a marketing organization, SOVA wouldn't be a leader in positioning our region as a vacation destination without the ongoing
dedication and creative work that Mark Denne~t brings to the team! Be sure to check out the many available cooperative ad
opportunities at www. sova.org/member/.
The future holds some exciting opportunities. As the state begins to collect the new I% statewide lodging tax, they will be
looking at ways to provide their regional partners additional marketing dollars. We'll be sure to keep you up on the latest via our
e-newsletter.
Thank you for your support! It is a privilege to be your President.
Warm Regards,
Kerrie Walters
2003 YEAR IN REVIEW
New SOVA I~lanager Hired
In March, the SOVA Board was pleased
to hire Carolyn S. Hill as the new SOVA
Manager. Carolyn brings more than I $
years of communications and marketing
experience to the SOVA team.
For the past three years she has run
her own successful communications
company serving clients with writing,
marketing, and strategic planning. ~
SOVAWeb Site Redesigned
A native of Portland, Carolyn holds a BA
SOVA has been a statewide leader
in English from I_infield College and a
. ~-- in inte~net marJcefingsince 1995,
masters in FineArts from SOU.
Prior to s~ng her own fi~,
spent more ~an five yea~ in cha
management wi~ The Chamber of ~: '¥'~ '~~~
~s in need of a major redesign due
Medford/Jackson County. She was also
part of the original marketing team for
the Pacific NW Museum in Ashland when
it opened in 1994.
"Carolyn's experience and entrepreneur-
ial skills make her an ideal person to man-
age SOVA's virtual association structure;'
to the expanding number of member
listings and record visitations (400,000
unique visitors annually).
continued on page 2
explains President Kerrie Walters.
WHAT'S INSIDE
Page I - President's Message, 2003 Year In Review
Page 2, 3 - 2003 Year In Review, SOVA~USFS Partnership
Page 4, 5 - SOYA Marketing Programs, A Salute to Leadership, SOVA on theWeb
Page 6 o SOVA By the Numbers
Page 7, 8 - SOVA Membership Info and Application
1983-1987 - In 1983. a two county ad co-op
is started by Brian O'Nell (Grants Pass). Patti
Bills (Medfoh:l) and Sam:Ira Slattery (Ashland).
The Group publishes its first regional vaca-
tion planner in 1987 and names itself SOVA
Oregon Tourism Industry Publications Task Force
Proofing Spring/Summer 2004 Travel Oregon magazine
Dec. 8, 2003
Dear Publications Task Force members:
Attached is the black and white proof book for the Spring/Summer 2004 Travel Oregon
magazine for your review. Your job as a task force member is to proofi-ead and edit the text for
accuracy rather than commenting on story ideas or overall content.
Please make sure all text, dates and contact information for your destination, region, or area of
expertise, is accurate and appropriate. Note that we are still finalizing some of the photos -you
will see a "photo to come" note in the blank space for now.
As you read through this draft copy, remember that Travel Oregon offers a taste of what Oregon
has to offer, an introduction to Oregon's unique destinations and treasures, and ideas and
information to'encourage new and repeat visitors to vacation in our state. It's also meant to plant
a seed - to make the reader want to come here, providing referrals for further information and
exploration.
Please return your comments to Megan Kirkpatrick at Mediamerica at megan~. (~_~mediamerica.net
or at (503) 223-0304 by December 15th , SO we have t/me to consider your feedback as we
finalize the Spring/Summer 2004 issue before going to press.
Thanks in advance for you assistance.
Natalie S. Barnes
Communications Manager, Oregon Tourism Commission
Commissioners
Mary Amstad
Laurie Van Zante
Coast
Roger Rocka, Astoria Chamber of Commerce
Fran & Don Matthews, Discovery Tours, Newport
Rebecah Morris, OCVA
Central
Alana Audette - COVA
Jackic French, Bend CVB
Mt. Hood/Gorge
Linda Bell - Oregon's Mount Hood Territory
Genevieve Scroll, Hood River Valley/Gorge
Willamette Valley
Irene Bernards - Willamette Valley Visitors Assoc.
JoAnne Holland-Bak - CVALCO
Portland
Deborah Wakefield, POVA
Eastern
Janet Dodson - La Grande/Union County VCB
[North Eastern]
Caro Johnson - Lake County Chamber of Commerce
[South Eastern]
Southern
Julie Petretto, Medford VCB, SOVA
Mary Pat Parker, Ashland CofC
Statewide Associations
Jean Thompson - Oregon State Parks
Derails Oliphant - Oregon Guides & Packers Assoc.
Todd Iseri - Oregon Attractions Group
Dave Tragethon - Oregon Snowsport Industry Assoc.
Scott West - Oregon Lodging Association
OTC Representatives
Todd Davidson, Director
Natalie S. Barnes, Communications Manager
Lisa Richardson, Commumcations Assistant
Ingredients:
·
·
·
OREGON
APPETIZER
NTA Spring Meet Delegates
A unique tour btend with Victoria
2 Title Sponsors from NEWPORT, Oregon:
Marine Discovery Tours and
Elizabeth Street Inn
1 Oregon Unique Recipe Book
For interesting spice and exciting flavor
add as many NTA Member Co-sponsors
as possible:
Ashland Chamber of Commerce · Chinook Winds
Casino, Lincoln City · Clackamas County Tourism
Development, Oregon City · Convention Et VLsitors
Assn. of Lane County Oregon, Eugene · Convention Et
Visitors Assn. of Washington County, BeaYerton ·
Grant~ Pass Visitor and Convention Bureau ·
Hospitality Associates/La (~uinta Inn Et Suites of Oregon
· Kensington Hotels Oregon · Lewis Et Clark Cruise
Tours, Portland · Lincoln City Visitor Et Convention
Bureau · Monarch Hotel Group, Clackamas · Newport
Chamber of Commerce · Or. on Shakespeare Festival,
Ashland · Oregon 1-our and Travel Task Force · Portland
Rose Festival · Portland Oregon Visitors Association ·
RAZ 1.ransportation Company · Red Lion, Medford ·
Roseburg Visitors ~t Convention Bureau · Shilo Inns Et
Suites · Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge, Cascade Locks
· WestCoast/Red Lion Hotel
Blend all ingredients thoroughly. Allow
2-5 days for development of complete
tour menu.
Delicious!
www. OregonPackagcdTravcl.com
Appendix IV
Leveraged Projects & Collateral Material
Living and Doing
Business Guide
25,000 Guides
In & About Ashland
Visitor Guide
80,000 Guides
Web Site
City Directory
Calendar of Events
Rack Cards & Posters
Four Seasons Brochure
Hiking Brochure
Bicycling Brochure
4t~ of July Event
Festival of Light Event /
Winter Promotions
75% Usage
*Self Supported through
Advedising
*Self Supported through
Advertising
50% Usage
*Advertising Support
10% Usage
*Self Suppo.rted
10% Usage
10% Usage
10% Usage
10% Usage
50% Usage
*Self Supported through
Sponsors & Donations
20% Usage
*Suppodedthrough
Donations & Budgeted
Expense
25% Visitor Usage
100% Visitor Usage
50% Visitor Usage
*$3,000 of Budget
90% Visitor Usage
90% Visitor Usage
*Portion of Printing
Category on Budget
90% Visitor Usage
*Portion of Printing
Category on Budget
90% Visitor Usage
*Portion of Printing
Category on Budget
90% Visitor Usage
*Portion of Printing
Category on Budget
50% Visitor Usage
80% Visitor Usage
*$18,000 of Budget
*In addition to the expenditure by the VCB, the Chamber funds an
additional $120,000 for these projects, thus further leveraging the City
dollars. This total does not include any staff support from the Chamber.
Appendix V
January30,2004
ALLYSON'S
ASHLAND
Mayor Alan DeBoer
City Council Members
Ashland City Council
20 East Main Street
Ashland, OR 97520
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
I am writing to you today to express our support and gratitude for the Ashland Chamber
of Connnerce. Our first experience with Ashland's Chamber occurred almost nine years
ago. My husband Steve and I traveled to Southern Oregon as part of our fall vacation.
When we arrived in the city of Ashland, we were simply charmed.
We visited the information booth on the plaza, and visited the Chamber's offices. When
we first arrived, we began by seeking information on lodging and entertainment options.
As our visit progressed, we returned to the Chamber's office to seek information on
housing options and realtors. Within the span of our three-day visit, we actually made
the decision to return to the area for good.
Over the course of the next five years, we continued to utilize the Chamber for additional
information. We subscribed to the local pa_per and began the. process of developing our
business plan. The Chamber's resources helped us identify our target audiences, identify
the right retail location, determine costs associated with our business plan, including cost
of retail square footage, utihties and other statistics.
In securing financing for our business plan, we included the Chamber's brochure to
demonstrate the opportunities that existed in the area. We also kept in contact with the
local realtors to continue our search for the right location for both our business and our
home.
The resources provided by the Ashland Chamber of Commerce helped solidify our plans
and helped us achieve our dreams. Today, the Ashland Chamber of Commerce continues
to offer resources and support to our business.
We are grateful for business resources provided by our exceptional Chamber in this
small, and still so charming, town.
Sin~rely,
Cc: Ashland Chamber of Commerce
115 East Main Street, Ashland, OR 97520 ,,~,~ 541o482-2884/~ 541o482.2885 www. allysonsofashland.com
ASHLAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
novation... Technology... Compassion
Experience the Difference
January 28, 2004
Our Chamber of Commerce provides infinitely greater services and roles than most chambers,
regardless of the size of their city. In addition to the traditional role of providing information to
people seeking community knowledge as they consider visiting here, moving their Families here,
or relocating their businesses to our community, our chamber functions at a level far in excess of
what we see from other chambers.
Our Chamber of Commerce provides and facilitates a dynamic network of community problem
solving and major education efforts for not only our city, but our surrounding area as well. From
educational community forums on time-sensitive and critical issues with hundreds of residents
attending, to bringing community factions together to deal with very challenging issues from
panhandling in our highly sensitive tourist areas, to working toward concerns on reducing forest
fire threats to our watershed.
Our chamber plays a major role in enhancing the overall fabric of quality living for our
community. Legislative networking with lawmakers and community leaders, initiating a major
employer coalition for addressing community issues of concern, and being the "Switzerland" for
the many strong-willed community groups to meet and to work toward mutually acceptable
solutions to potentially divisive issues are examples of what makes our Chamber of Commerce
so unique and so appreciated.
Sincerely,
Watson
Administrator
280 Maple Street - PO Box 98, Ashland, Oregon 97520 · (54 I) 482-2441 · www.ashlandhospital.org
A hland
87 W. Nevada St.
Ashland, Oregon 97520
FOOflhOU C
541-482-2566
FAX 541-482-2699
January 26, 2004
Ashland Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 1360
Ashland, OR 97520
Dear Business Development colnmittee,
I want to thank you and your sponsors for bringing Jon Schallert to Ashland again. I was
unable to see him the first time he was hear but I heard lots of wonderful things about his
presentation. This program exceeded my expiations. Because it was local & affordable I
was able to bring my Retail Sales manager also. It is programs like this that help our
local business, like mine, stay competitive and open so we are better able to contribute
back to the community.
Thanks again,
Valri Williams
Owner
COMMUNITY
WORKS
900 East Main
Medford, Oregon 97504-7136
(54 I) 779-2393
Fax (541) 779-3317
Ashland City Council
20 East Main St.
Ashland, OR 97520
Dear Council Members,
This letter is being written to commend the council on its long standing support of the
Ashland Chamber of Commerce. I am now serving my second stint on its board and have
previously served as Secretary/Treasurer. As the Director of a non-profit agency, I am
occasionally asked why I would be a member of the Chamber, and further, why I would commit
volunteer time by serving on its board.
There is no one simple single answer, but I think it can be broken down into two general
categories. First: Many people tend to overlook that fact that non-profits are businesses too. We
struggle with many of the same issues that for profit businesses do: Health care, regulations,
liability insurance, job retention, facilities maintenance, energy costs, etc. The Ashland Chamber
is a key player in those issues as they relate to local, state and federal government. As in all
advocacy it is better to have one organization represent the many voices and interests of the
business community. Second: Two of the many stressors felt by the people we serve are under-
employment and unemployment. The Chamber's efforts marketing our community are critical to
improving the stock of jobs in the area. The Chamber's recent activities helping existing business
grow and bringing new businesses to the area is another example of the critical role the Chamber
plays improving the economic well being of the community.
It would be easy to characterize non-profit administrators as only concerned with
government support of social services. In fact, we all realize that a sound economy is a critical
piece of maintaining a healthy and productive community. I would encourage you to continue
your support of the Chamber. It is a forward thinking approach that needs to be maintained.
900 East Main St
Medford, OR 97504
agr. een(~_,community-works.org
(541) 779-2393 X227
fax (541) 779-3317
I~:~)eparmental Folders~cecutive Management[EM Director..ldrnin~4rnie CrreenlLetters~l-26-04 Ashland City Council. doc
A UNITI:D WAY AGENCY
SOUTHERN
OREGON
UNIVERSITY
January 27, 2004
The City Council
City of Ashland
20 East Main Street
Ashland, OR 97520
JAN
RE: Letter of support for the Ashland Chamber of Commerce City Grant
This letter is to thank the Ashland Ci.ty Council for their past financial suppOrt of the Ashland Chamber of
Commerce with Grant funding, and to req%.st that.this support be continued and strengthened. We are so
b'.essed to have such a unique aild' Via! Ch~m~e.~ of C~r~-merc. e. The Cb~mber not ep~y assists, local
businesses t0.network and thrive, but enriches our ~orranunity in so many ways fy als0'being a Visitor's
Convention &Bureau Center. Years of statistics reveal that our beloved City has flourished as a whole, and
with all due respect, the Chamber has, without reservation, played a major role in that process. The track
record of past quality events and the support that the Chamber has given to promote our community speaks
for itself; not to mention the importance of the positive, creative public relations bridges that have been built
along the way. We are one of those solid bridges. SOU and the Chamber continuously work together to
increase educational and business opportunities for small businesses especially, as well as the well
established business community. The most recent example is the October, Jon Schallert Workshop, which
was sponsored by the Chamber with the assistance: of funding from the City Grant, The SOU students, who
participated as Mini-Interns, were enriched by the ka~owledge that they learned, and they will no doubt reap
the many benefits by applying those practical lessons as they become future business professionals.
SOU and the Chamber work together on various committees to offer mutual assistance and address
community issues. We collaborate regularly str/ving to make decisions that encompass and abide with City
regulations, environmental issues and human concerns. SOU assists the Chamber by supplying current
statistics for public inquiries and publications, as well as our facilities to host events. It is our intention to
continue working together harmoniously to accomplish these many goals. Without the City Grant funding,
promoting positive, meaningful events and daily efforts to build and maintain the community would be
greatly be restricted, or in some cases, not at all possible. Sandra Slattery and her dedicated staffwork very
hard to successfully provide a multitude of services to our town. Please know how much we appreciate and
value them, and continue to support them with your Grant Funding.
With Respect and Appreci~,¢on,
· x. ,>' //
Dea¢ School of Bus,ess
Do~a ~ne
Assistant Professor, School of Business
3chool of Business
1250 Siskiyou Boulevard
Ashland, Oregon 97520-5045
Tel 541-552-64134
Fax 541-552-6715
Rob Werfei Photography
210 Otis Street, Ashland, OR 97520
(541) 821-8767 fax: (541) 552-1233
photoguy@~nind, net
January 29, 2004
Ashland City Council
Ashland, Oregon
Dear Ashland City Council:
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the Ashland
Chamber of Commerce. As both a company representative and a business owner, I
have benefitted from my involvement with the Chamber on many levels, the most
prominent of which is the weekly Greeter ~neetings.
Greeters allows business people to cormnunicate among themselves in a relaxed yet
professional atmosphere. Regular attendees are able to learn more about a
particular business or organization than any amount of advertising could provide
because they can network directly with each other. As a Greeter attendee for over
eight years, I have witnessed this personal interaction create innumerable trusting
relationships that have benefitted countless people in our city as well as the rest of
the Rogue Valley.
In addition to hearing about the latest updates regarding Chamber members'
businesses, Greeters is a forum which provides important Community Service
Announcements that those who don't read the newspaper or peruse every single
bulletin board in the city might not otherwise hear about.
The Ashland Chamber of Commerce has given its members an invaluable service
by hosting a state of the art website that is publicized around the world. This means
that someone across the country can search the Chamber's site for a particular
service that is needed in the Rogue Valley, such as photography, and then be
directed to potential variety of sites where he or she could see examples and obtain
references.
THE WINCHESTER
COUNTRY INN
26 January, 2004
Sandra Slattery
Ashland Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1360
Ashland, Oregon 97520
Dear Sandra:
Our relationship with the Chamber began twenty-one years ago when we renovated and
opened the Winchester hm. We have watched through the years as the Chamber has
grown to meet the needs of its membership. As a business serving both visitors and
locals we see all sides of the Climbers efforts to serve our conmmnity.
The seminars and workshops sponsored by the Chamber have given us continuing
education opportunities that have enhanced our knowledge on operating a productive
business. As a resident of the community we are very fortunate to have the public forums
offered to the residents on current issues, business 'to business networking, business to
community networking, the Chamber website offering information on community events,
the publications of Living and Doing Business in Ashland, In and About Ashland, and of
course the 4th of July parade and Festival of Light to name a few.
It has been our pleasure to work with the Chamber on local and state levels to enhance
the visitor experience in Ashland, always with a close eye on maintaining the unique
encounter Ashland offers to resident and visitor alike. We look forward to working with
the Chamber in its continuing effort to improve its services for members and the
community.
Sincerely,
IMichael and Laurie Gibbs
Owners
35 South Second Street, ,Ashland, Oregon 97520
Phone (541) 488-1113, Fax (541) 488-4604
11 / 1/2003
Ashland Chamber of Commerce
110 E Main Street
Ashland, Oregon 97520
Dear Chamber staff,
I just wanted to drop you a quick note about the Chamber/City business
seminar by Jon Shallert and to let 'you know that I learned several things
about how the community can work together to create a better
experience for visitors and customers, even if I'm not in the retail industry,
there are things I learned to do to help make Ashland even better.
I also learned valuable insight into the need to continuously market to our
customers and how to create a destination business.
And finally I enjoyed the opportunity to network with about 1CE) other
business people that were in attendance.
Thank you for putting on such wonderful events and thank you for
continuing your mission to support the entire Ashland Community.
Warmest regards,
President & CEO
Project A, Inc.
www. ProjectA.com
iim@ProiectA.com
541-301-5608 cell
340ASl[reel Building ! Ashland, Oregon g7520
OS41 488 1702 ~, $41 488 1851 ~ projecta.com
..... . .......... I r ___ ~ ___:E .... L':_ .
Appendix VI
Economic & Cultural Grant Criteria - City of Ashland Resolution No. 98-23
Section 3: The following are the goals which the Economic and Cultural
Development Committee is attempting to meet by granting money to
applicants.
a. To respond to general inquiries about business in the City
b. To promote tourism
c. To provide assistance to existing small businesses
d. To provide technical and financial assistance for the expansion of
existing businesses
e. To provide technical and financial assistance for the development of new
businesses
f. To provide information and financial assistance to small cultural
organizations to:
1. Attract tourists with emphasis on the off-season
2. Create a greater diversity of cultural opportunities for our citizens
a. To respond to general inquiries about business in the City:
As the front door for the City of Ashland, the Ashland Chamber of Commerce
receives:
· 10,000 visits per month
· 4,000 phone calls per month
· 1,400 emails per month
The Chamber-Run Plaza Information Booth services:
· 28,000 individual visitors through the summer
The Chamber website receives:
· 10,000 individual visits per month w/links to other vital sites
The Chamber of Commerce is the first place a visitor accesses for information on
their plans to visit. Our policy insures that we answer those inquiries the day we receive
them by first class mail. More travel decisions than ever before are being made with
shortened time frames making this policy critical in our fulfillment program. The Chamber
is the first place a potential new business will check in with in terms of general information
about the business climate, specific demographic information, licensing and permits,
guidance and support, as well as introductions to other people who might be of assistance
within the business community. Any questions, and some of them you could not even
begin to imagine, seem to come to the Chamber for answers. We are the repository for all
community event information. Our staff keeps a calendar of all local events, updates our
website and creates a published monthly calendar and rack card. A list and reference of all
community organizations and activities is also maintained by our staff. All Meals on
Wheels calls are handled daily by the Chamber staff. People interested in registering either
compliments about businesses or complaints run through our office and are handled
individually.
b. To promote tourism (see attached budget and explanation)
c. To provide assistance to existing small businesses
Over the years, the Chamber has provided financial and marketing assistance to the
Ashland Gallery Association, the Ashland Independent Film Festival, helped promote the
Rogue Valley Blues Festival, Smooth Jazz and Blues Festival, worked with small
independent film companies, and co-hosted events with the Ashland Community Hospital,
Southern Oregon University, the Pacific Northwest Natural History Museum, Science
Works, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, as well as any organizations asking for our
support.
In addition to the assistance and partnership with community organizations, our
help to small businesses in integral to our Chamber mission which is to promote the
economic health of our community. We sponsor numerous business education programs
to help businesses become more successful on topics that range from marketing to
customer service. These topics are identified by the business owners themselves
highlighting areas that they know they need help with. We regularly meet one-on-one
with business owners to provide assistance on marketing, public relations, legislative
issues, operational problems, financial direction, physical space needs, staffing issues,
future planning, demographic and market analysis and networking advice. Through the
Chamber, we sponsor functions to allow business owners to meet and share advice. These
activities include weekly Greeters that have an average of 75 attendees a week and
quarterly evening mixer events bring 100-200 attendees. Our Ambassador committee
promotes grand openings, anniversaries, ground breakings and the like to showcase small
businesses.
Hands-on training opportunities to learn the newest and best uses for technology
are sponsored annually by the Chamber for small businesses at little to no cost. These are
practical workshops to teach business owners and employees how to use technology to
further the development of their businesses.
Committees through the Chamber are developed to meet the needs of small
businesses in Ashland. They are specific to Ashland business needs and the goals of those
committee reflect the special qualities inherent in our community. Committees such as
Health & Safety, Community Issues Forums, Business Development, Local and Regional
Marketing, Membership Marketing & Communications, Transportation to name a few.
These committees not only address areas of importance to the business sector but work to
improve the overall climate of business in Ashland. In addition to the goals of the
committees, individual participation on these committees affords business people an
opportunity to share ideas, be creatively engaged, team build and network with other
business people. Hundreds of members of the Chamber annually volunteer their time to
work on these committees to enhance their ,own businesses and improve the economy of
Ashland.
d. To provide technical and financial assistance for the expansion of existing
businesses
In addition to the above mentioned items that assist small businesses in their
development, we have formed through the Chamber the Economic Sustainability
Committee to work with existing and new businesses. The goals of this committee are to
provide comprehensive land use zoning mapping, land and/or building availability, a one-
stop informational source for planning, permitting, real estate, and financial resources to
guide businesses through a fairly complex process. This information will be included on
the Chamber website and in the Living and Doing Business Guide distributed to any
interested business. The committee includes the Mayor, City Administrator, Planning &
Community Development Director, along with Chamber member professionals engaged in
industry sectors most relevant to business expansion. While all businesses in Ashland will
be afforded access to this committee at no cost, there will be an effort to identify cluster
segments within the Ashland economy.
e. To provide technical and financial assistance for the development of new
businesses
As the first place a new business goes for information, the Chamber welcomes and
personally nurtures each and every individual to help them with their specific needs. The
staff has a "make the necessary time" policy' for those interested in developing their
business in Ashland. AS needed, we call upon the services of the Rapid Response Team
through the Economic Sustainability Committee to provide the expertise and industry
specialties only those engaged in the private sector can provide. City assistance through
the engagement of appropriate staff and resources are utilized to create a process that
encourages new business.
Another aspect of the Economic Sustainability Committee is to identify and
encourage development in these cluster segments throughout our community. Clusters
such as the health care industry, education and agriculture to name a few thrive in our
area. A sub-cluster within the agriculture cluster includes vineyards and wineries. The
development, technical support and promotion of this subset encourages traded-sector
industries by adding product enhancement to our already rich tourism opportunities and
encourages customer loyalty and product exportation.
f.
to:
To provide information and financial assistance to small cultural organizations
1. attract tourists with emphasis on the off-season
2. create a great diversity of cultural opportunities for our citizens
The Chamber receives Ashland community event information and distributes it in
various ways to anyone interested. That information is given to the public through phone
calls, in-person contact, the website, calendar of event brochures and is listed in our own
marketing materials and publications of Ashland throughout the year.
Through the years, the Chamber has provided financial and marketing assistance to
the Ashland Gallery Association for both the Taste of Ashland and the First Friday Gallery
Walks, the Ashland Independent Film Festival, helped promote the Rogue Valley Blues
Festival, Smooth Jazz and Blues Festival, worked with small independent film companies,
and co-hosted events with the Ashland Community Hospital, Southern Oregon University,
the Pacific Northwest Natural History Museum, Science Works, the Oregon Shakespeare
Festival, as well as any organizations asking for our support.
Historical Perspective of Chamber
ltotol I Motel Tax
Collected
Membership
Involvement
Ex: Greeters
Number of People
Served
· Phone
· Inquiries & Mail
· Email
· Plaza Booth
· Web Site
Printing · LDBG
· Visitor
· Calendar of
Events
Staff
Events/Workshops
· Seminars
· Festival of
Light
· Resource
Conservation
Mana. gement
$209,455
135
15 people/week
· 700! morlth
,, 20,000/year
· lJnavailablc
· 5.000." yea:'
· No Web S;te
· 10,000
· 15,000
3 Employees
· No
Seminars
· No Event
· No RCM
............................................... I
$685.1 C)3
325
35 people.,' week
· 1,800..' month
· 50,000/year
· [.Jllavail~-:hl,.:.
· 1',4,.000 ~, c.;~,"
· Iqo Web S,';te
· 12,000
· 40,000
4 ~,'~ Emp!oyees
· Began
· I':OL 13ogan
· RCM Began
$1.315 [5:':,
650
80 people week
· 4.000/month
· 120.000/year
· 1.400/month
· 2i!.0()0/year
· 'i() 0,:)0 visits/
· 25.000
· 80.000
· 12.000
8 l.-;mplo),oc:;
· Qua[tedy & Free
Seminars
· Well Attended,
Annual Event
· On-Going
[.-'.ducation
6"
0
~ · mm ·
U
c
W
~-0