South Central Reporter

City of Centralia Tourism Commission met Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

I. CALL TO ORDER- Davis, Vice-Chair: Meeting was called to order at 5:02PM.

II. ROLL CALL

_X__ Dawn Long    _ X_ Mary Davis         _ X_ Shannon Cooney

____ Barri Allen      _ X_ Rachel Wallace  _ X_ Greg Sutton

____ Kelsie Smith  _ X_ Mike Middleton   _ X_ Tom Walsh

 Ex-Officio Members

____ William Smith, City Manager

_ X_ Marcus Holland, Chamber of Commerce Director

_ X_ Advisory Staff -Derek Sherman, Economic Development Director

 Others Present:

III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – None

IV. MINUTES – A motion was made to approve the minutes as presented with a 1st Sutton 2nd Wallace. With all present voting yes in favor and none opposed.

September 19th, 2023

October 17th, 2023

V. TREASURER’S REPORT – Walsh

1. A motion was made to approve the treasurer’s report as presented: 1st Wallace 2nd Middleton. With all present voting yes in favor and none opposed.

VI. ONGOING BUSINESS

1. Out-Sleigh Your Neighbor – Sherman asked if the Commission wanted to host a December 29th trolley ride. The Commission said yes, and Dawn Long volunteered to load and unload the trolley.

i. Digital Sign-Up Form

ii. EventBrite

iii. Yard Sign Design

VII. NEW BUSINESS –

1. Approval of Officers for FY’2024 - A motion was made to table the election of new officers for the Tourism Commission: 1st Sutton 2 nd Cooney. With all present voting yes in favor and none opposed.

i. Chairman

ii. Secretary

iii. Treasurer

2. Review of Powers and Duties – Sherman provided the Tourism Commissioners with the ordinance that established the Tourism Commission and showed that some of the powers and duties appear to have never been completed by previous tourism commissions since it was established in 2006. Sherman said the priorities of the powers and duties that he is asking for the Commission to complete in FY’24 is the strategic plan for Tourism as one has never been completed or at least cannot be found in city records. Another power is creating the budget, Sherman said FY’24 is already complete and would recommend the Commission begin working on FY’25’s budget with a hard deadline of completion by September 2024. Another power is the assignment of an administrative agent, Sherman stated he believes he is acting in that role now, but if the Tourism Commission would like to explore this further than can. Cooney stated that he thinks he may have another role that needs to be filled. Sutton concurred, but the budget does not provide adequate funding for a full-time position now. Davis asked for action items to complete and implement this ordinance. Sherman stated that he would recommend electing officers, bylaws, strategic plan, and budgeting. Cooney asked what efforts were done previously by the Tourism Commission. Sherman stated that he reviewed all the agenda’s and some of the minutes since 2006, and reoccurring efforts surrounded the Amtrak viewing platform, a hotel-motel study, and discussion of a trolley. Davis asked for a motion to table New Business 7.1 until the January 2024 meeting.

VIII. DISCUSSION

1. Amtrak Corridor – Sherman stated that in January the Downstate Illini-Saluki Amtrak Corridor would have its first meeting to discuss working together to grow Amtrak ridership amongst the communities. Tourism Commissioners requested contact information for Amtrak once Sherman determined who the point person would be for the Illini-Saluki Corridor. Also, a request for how other Amtrak stations handle security. 

2. Annual Event Calendar – Sherman stated that with the end of year near, he has compiled all events throughout the previous year for review & planning amongst the Tourism Commission. Commissioners requested Sherman send a digital copy of the Calendar, and Sherman stated he would email that to members. 

3. Updates from meeting with Deputy Director of DCEO’s Office of Tourism – Sherman informed the Commission that DCEO’s Office of Tourism Deputy Director held a meeting with Discover Downstate to gain feedback from those in the Tourism Industry on how the state can better support tourism along with data the State had collected about the future of the tourism industry in Illinois. Sherman told the Commission that he was the only representative from Marion County and voiced his opinion that there needed to be more funding opportunities from the State to support tourism marketing and professional staffing needs. Sherman’s opinion was echoed by others present at the meeting, thus showing a regional need. 

4. Updates from meeting with Discover Downstate – Sherman stated that he had a meeting with Christine Orr from Discover Downstate to discuss marketing opportunities for Centralia Tourism and receive estimates for digital billboard costs. 

5. Community Branding – Sherman stated that he had received a quote from Fource Group for Community Wide branding per the Tourism Commissions request. The Tourism Commission requested the presentation and quote received from Fource Group be emailed to them. Sherman stated that he would send the presentation and quote to the Tourism Commission. 

6. FY’24 Solar Eclipse – Sherman wanted to remind the Tourism Commission that the FY’24 Solar Eclipse is happening April 8th, and Centralia is in Totality making it a prime viewing site for the eclipse. There is the potential for an influx of visitors to the city and ask the Commission to begin thinking about a marketing plan or if they wanted to create an event for the Eclipse. 

7. Upcoming Agenda Items – The Tourism Commission felt that the agenda should be focused on the Powers and Duties tasks that need to be completed & clarification of goals and objectives, and requested no additional items be added to the agenda.

IX. ADJOURNMENT – A motion was made to adjourn the meeting: 1st Cooney 2nd Walsh. With all present voting yes in favor and none opposed. The meeting adjourned at 6:18PM. 

https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/12_-_December_19th_2023_Minutes.pdf