City of Centralia Tourism Commission met March 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
The meeting was called to order at 5:02 P.M.
Attendance:
Rob Jackson, Mike Schroeder, Mary Davis, Sonya Germann, Tom Walsh, and Melissa Rae Roach (Arrived after roll call was complete.)
Absent:
Robert “Spanky” Smith, Jessiycka Nix Coleman, and Rae Ann Quidgeon
Advisory Staff Present:
Derek Sherman, Assistant City Manager City of Centralia
Others Present:
Addison Applegate from the Centralia Sentinel and Gayla Harting, Community Development & Planning & Zoning Director City of Centralia
Public Comment:
Gayla Harting was moved up from section VII New Business Item 2 (Update on Locust Street Fair) as she had a meeting to get to as soon as possible. Gayla started discussing the Historic Preservation Commission’s Locust Street Fair (LSF). Jessiycka Nix Coleman call to MiMi Hawkins to discuss a collaboration between Historic Preservation Commission and the Tourism Commission on the LSF; it was suggested that maybe the Tourism Commission would add-on to the event either that day, the night before, the evening after the LSF, or a weeklong lead up to the LSF. Rob Jackson clarified that this was before he talked to Gayla, and Gayla confirmed Jessiycka called before Rob contacted Gayla. Gayla went to the Preservation Commission and informed them that Tourism would like to add on to or make it more of a weekend event, per Jessiycka’s request, to the LSF. Preservation Commission’s thoughts on Jessiycka’s request was that Historic Preservation has been building this event up over the years and think it will be a decent event as vendors have contact them to participate in the event. HPC does the event from 10AM-2PM staffed with volunteers. HPC is happy to have the Tourism Commission add something to the LSF as the Tourism section or have a parking lot to do a event during LSF. In years past there have been requests by HPC to have Tourism assist in the LSF, and the help provided was a card table and chairs set up to disseminate Tourism’s information out to people. The last LSF Tourism set up in the new City Hall to do tours of it and handed out Tourism’s information. Another section at HSP was that there are other weekends throughout the year, and that it could be better to have a new event sponsored by Tourism on another weekend. Rob decided to talk about Tourism’s ideas of assistance in LSF, and asked Mary Davis to elaborate. Mary said, the only discussion so far has been being a kickstart to the LSF on the Friday before by having an event at the Bicentennial Park with the Cultural Society’s assistance through a skit center around trains as Centralia has history as a train town. Additionally, the possibility of another event was brought up to the Tourism Commission at a previous meeting through a citizen, Becca Deomes, to put on a Taco Trail according to Mary Davis. Rob clarified that the Taco Trail idea would be a separate event on another weekend. Gayla asked for clarification of the various ideas brought up; Rob stated that Tourism does not want to change the event at all, but to draw attention to LSF to create extra buzz around the event as like a Spring Kickoff Event. That way people would potentially stay the night to get us more “heads in beds” revenue through the hotel-motel tax by having a series of events. Gayla then asked, what question would HPC need to answer. Rob said there is not really any questions for HPC. Mary said she just wanted more information of how Tourism could assist HPC. Gayla proceeded to explain HPC’s Historic Plaque application for Historic Buildings and LSF. LSF blocks off the road from the Centralia Museum to City Hall with an invitation only
Antique Car Show ran by another gentleman, food is in the center, and north end has vendors. This year they are hoping to add a flee market type event, and there has been some interest in having antique power tractors in an adjacent parking lot. There was discussion of a children’s area focused on history, but due to the constraints of COVID it was decided that it would be better to table that idea for another year. Also, in years past there has been use of the Trolley to do historic tours around town, and there has been a walking historic tour as well. Rob reiterated that Tourism’s goal was to just add on to LSF through separate events on other nights. Melissa asked if Gayla knew the attendance size of LSF. Gayla said it was hard to tell, but if the weather was nice LSF was packed. Mike asked if the Farmer’s Market was open during LSF, but Gayla said Terry told her that it is normally too wet at the time of year for produce to be available at the LSF. Sonya was concerned there was not enough time to get the Friday night event together for this year. Mary said that the last discussion was that it was held off due to COVID restrictions. Gayla confirmed that LSF is all organized and ready to go with restrooms and vendors. Gayla said that if Tourism is not able to get the Friday event going, LSF would still be happy to have Tourism participate with a table as in years past. Mary wanted to confirm that the restrooms would be delivered by Friday for use if the Friday Tourism event happened. Gayla said they should be there the Friday night before. That ended the discussion of LSF, and everyone thanked Gayla for her participation.
Minutes:
Tom Walsh moved to approve, and Mike Schroeder made a second. All present members voted to approve.
Treasurer’s Report:
Tom Walsh reported the balance of the end of the year (December 31, 2020) was $19,552.88. Revenue thus far was $6,836.08 and expenditures thus far of $4,485.10 leaving our balance as of February 28, 2021 of $21,903.86. Sonya made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report as submitted and seconded by Mike Schroeder. All present voted to approve.
Ongoing Business:
1. Amtrack Station Marketing Decal – Rob stated that Jessiycka was supposed to reach out and gather details about the decal. Rob had not heard from Jessiycka yet but thought we could proceed. Sonya stated that we have not seen the marketing decal, and we should not move forward until we see the marketing decal. It was decided to table the decision to move forward on the decal until a example was seen by the Commission.
2. Community Photo Contest – Rob stated that we were waiting on details from city staff to move forward on the contest. It was mentioned to that the contest details were supposed to be organized by Christmas, and no one has seen or heard anything about the contest. Mary asked who had access to the See Centralia website and Facebook. Derek explained that MiMi and himself have access to the See Centralia website and Facebook. It was discussed that city personnel should be the only ones to have access to the See Centralia website and Facebook page. Derek stated that he would determine if anyone else had access to these resources and report back to the Tourism Commission. Melissa suggested that the Tourism Commission plan out an event calendar for the year and an event calendar for months to help guide our outreach policy.
3. Spring Event – Rob asked if there was anymore discussion after hearing from Gayla. Mary asked for more input about the direction Tourism wants moving forward. Rob stated we know we want something, but unsure of how it should look this year. Rob thought we should plan for something small this year due to ongoing COVID guidance changes, and that Tourism should plan to go big for next year. Melissa asked if it made sense to plan an event or assist an already scheduled event. Sonya state that if the Trolley is operable and going to be at LSF, Tourism should assist with the Trolley. Also, Rob stated that the idea for an event at Bicentennial Park the night before it is a good idea. Mike mentioned that Tourism should get permission to use the park, and make sure there is insurance for the event. Sonya mentioned that there was a Centralia Foundation meeting at the end of the month would be a good place to ask for permission. It was decided that Tourism would participate in LSF through an informational booth, and Derek was instructed to create a volunteer sign-up sheet to be at the next Tourism Commission meeting.
New Business:
1. Welcome – Already covered it in public comments.
2. LSF – Already covered it in public comments.
3. 2021 Spring Tourism Times – Tourism needs to decide the content as it is due in 3 days from the meeting. The dates need to be updated for the ad. Sonya stated that we need to put events that are for sure going to happen this year. Sonya said that we know the Carillon Concerts, NBRA Long Course Nationals, and Balloon Fest is going to happen. Everyone present agreed that the content of the ad should have these events added. Mary suggested Derek change the classic cars on the ad be changed to boats from the boat races. Mike said that the Carillon was still on there, and everyone agreed it should stay. Rob mentioned we have should contact our photographer to gather other photos. Rob requested that a copy of the changes be sent to the Tourism Commission members for a review. Derek agreed to get the proof of the ad and sent to the members as soon as he received it from ILSouth Tourism. The activities content should also be COVID safe events according to Sonya. Derek asked if there were any suggestions for activities other than disc golf, fishing, and lakes. Everyone agreed that those parts were acceptable.
Discussion:
Pat Hodges Contract for Photography – Tourism Commission owes Pat Hodges money according to Rob. Sonya asked if Pat had sent an invoice in yet, and Rob replied that he was uncertain. Rob stated that Tourism should continue to keep Pat Hodges on contract. Sonya and Tom agreed we should keep Pat on retainer. Sonya commented that Pat should be paid quarterly or submit invoices on a quarterly basis. Derek stated that he would reach out to Pat Hodges to get clarification on the invoicing, and the reapproval of his contract.
ILSouth Tourism Commitment Letter – Sonya asked if we had sent our commitment letter to ILSouth Tourism for the year. Derek stated that he was not certain if he received it, and he would utilize Sonya’s letter to go send in the commitment letter.
Adjournment:
Tom Walsh motioned to adjourn the meeting, and Mary Davis seconded the motion.
https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/3-_March_16_2021_Minutes.pdf
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