City of Greenville Tourism Committee met Sept. 28.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Tourism Committee meeting was called to order on September 28, 2023 at 5:15 PM by Chairperson Sharon Grimes.
1. ROLL CALL
Committee Members Present: Economic Development Director Bill Walker, Tourism Committee Member Kathy Brewer, Tourism Committee Member Laura Wall, Tourism Committee Member Om Jogi, Tourism Committee Member Sharon Grimes, Owner-Surestay Chintan Patel, and Planning Commission Member Jane Nelson
Committee Members Absent: Tourism Committee Member David Kessinger and Tourism Committee Member Erin Bradshaw
Staff Present: Bill Walker, Jody Weiss
Public Present: Pat Bond
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. CITIZEN INPUT / COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA ITEM OR OTHERWISE
None
3.1. Minutes of: August 24, 2023 Meeting
A) Motion by Laura Wall, seconded by Om Jogi, to approve August 24, 2023 minutes as presented.
RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Laura Wall
SECONDER: Om Jogi
AYES: Kathy Brewer, Laura Wall, Om Jogi, Sharon Grimes, Chintan Patel, and Jane Nelson
ABSENT: David Kessinger and Erin Bradshaw
4. MATTERS OF CONSIDERATION
4.1. Greenville University Homecoming Request
Pat Bond was in attendance representing Greenville University. Homecoming is October 19-21. They are asking for $7,700. Those in attendance would be athletics, class reunions, prospective students, returning alumni and some local residents, having a parade on Friday afternoon for everyone in the area. They are launching a capital campaign on Friday night.
Grimes asked if they still fill the local hotels, and Jogi said room revenue has been down the last few years for the event.
Brewer asked why GU should get more funds than other events. She did not feel like they should receive more funding than other events since there are sponsors of lots of the events. Bond emphasized the large number of people coming in to the city, not only for the homecoming but will also be eating at restaurants and shopping a businesses, as well as hotel stays.
Walker read a statement from resident Travis Gorline:
"Dear Tourism Committee Members,
I’m city resident Travis Gorline. In my years as President of the Bond County Board of Review, I was proud to hold the office of the assessor accountable. Tonight, I’d like to take a couple of minutes to talk about the old adage: Give an inch, they take a mile.
GU has an endowment of $million; I believe most Greenvillagers would not find it prudent to give tax dollars to a tax-exempt entity with $million endowment so that they can advertise their own homecoming.
Can GU not solicit its Rolodex of alumni to come up w $750 - $3000? Do they not have the liquidity to cover these funds on their own?
To that end, I ask you to be good stewards of our tax dollars, and deny GU’s audacious request."
Brewer did not feel that tourism funds should be used for the mailers. She did not oppose the postage. She felt the homecoming is not promoting the City of Greenville, only Greenville University. She felt the $3,000 that was budgeted was an appropriate amount, not the requested amount.
Wall stated they do see some visitors at Marcoot during homecoming, however she also felt more comfortable with the $3,000 that was budgeted.
Nelson said the local businesses do benefit during that weekend with additional sales. She added that GU does bring more tourism to the City whether we see it or not.
Jogi would like to see what the rooms sold beforehand, but unfortunately we cannot do that.
Grimes stated that due to her connection to the university, she would abstain from voting.
Patel said they still have rooms available and would like to see what rooms actually sold look like before increasing any funding.
Motion by Kathy Brewer, seconded by Laura Wall, to grant the GU
Homecoming $3,000 for advertising.
RESULT: Quorum Not Met
MOVER: Kathy Brewer
SECONDER: Laura Wall
AYES: Kathy Brewer, Laura Wall, Om Jogi, and Chintan Patel
ABSTAINED: Sharon Grimes and Jane Nelson
ABSENT: David Kessinger and Erin Bradshaw
4.2. I-70 Baseball Coaches Clinic
Bill Walker presented the request on behalf of Joe Alstat, organizer of the I70 Coaches Baseball Clinic. They will have their 7th Major League Coach presenting this year. Over 300 coaches attend each year, from all over the country. The budgeted amount to grant is $3,000, which is the requested amount.
Motion by Laura Wall, seconded by Om Jogi, to grant $3,000 Tourism funds to I70 Coaches Baseball Clinic
RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Laura Wall
SECONDER: Om Jogi
AYES: Kathy Brewer, Laura Wall, Om Jogi, Sharon Grimes, Chintan Patel, and Jane Nelson
ABSENT: David Kessinger and Erin Bradshaw
5. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Laura Wall, seconded by Om Jogi, to adjourn the Tourism Meeting at 6:05 PM.
RESULT: Carried
MOVER: Laura Wall
SECONDER: Om Jogi
AYES: Kathy Brewer, Laura Wall, Om Jogi, Sharon Grimes, Chintan Patel, and Jane Nelson
ABSENT: David Kessinger and Erin Bradshaw
https://greenvilleillinois.civicweb.net/document/29809/
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