08051996 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

30 Special Meeting August 5, 19% Page 2 of Commerce. She stated the Hispanic Chamber had grown significantly, and was ready to receive their own funding instead of taking money passed to them from the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Moore asked if the two Chambers were to split would they work against each other and 1-1s. Clifford stated the two Chambers were involved in different roles and worked very well together. She stated the Hispanic Chamber was primarily helping small businesses in San Marcos get started. She also stated the Hispanic Chamber would like to become a'Sister City with Santiago, Mexico. The total budget requested by the Hispanic Chamber is $85,000.00. i\tfr. i Hernandez proposed the City Council enter into a separate contract with the Hispanic Chamber ! ! and add an additional SI0,000.00 to their funding which would make the total funding allotted for I~ the Hispanic Chamber $45,000.00. Mayor Moore requested Mr. Guerra elaborate on the Council's decision regarding funding. Mr. Guerra stated the goals were as follows: 1) Economic Development stay with the Chamber of Commerce under the current contract. 2) Focus and set a tone on tourism and the arts. Things are changing and the Chamber needs to look at new ways to make an effective effort regarding tourism and the arts. i\tfr. Guerra stated in order to make an enhancing effort the City Council would like to create a new CVE Board appointed by the City Council composed of the following groups: Two people from the Arts Community. Three people from the Hospitality Association. Three people from the HoteIftvfotel Association. ~ One person from the Chamber of Commerce. One person from the Hispanic Chamber. One person from the Neighborhood Association. One person from the Heritage Association. Two people from the City Council. One person from the Downtown Association. Also have three non-voting ex officio members consisting of the following individuals: I President of the Chamber of Commerce. ¡._- Executive Director of the Hispanic Chamber. City ~vfanager or his designee. Each group can make recommendations to the City Council who would each appoint two members and the Mayor would appoint three. The members of the Board would be able to serve one-year terms for three consecutive years. He stated the CVB Board would elect a c;hair and a co-chair, one being a City Council Member. The Board shall have gender and ethnic representation. The new Board will develop and submit, review, modify and approve an annual budget and present it to the City Council for consideration. Mr. Guerra stated the new Board should be appointed in September to begin work with the new budget beginning October 1, 1996. Ms. Hughson stated she would like the new CVE Board to abide by the City's new attendance policy as well as Affidavits ofDiscIosure forms where a conflict of interest may arise. Mr. Guerra stated conflict of interest should be referred to the City Manager or the City Attorney. Phil Neighbors, President of the Chamber of Commerce, stated the Chamber looks forward to working \V1th the Council and the new CVE Board. Jan Hardin, Director of CVE, stated the CVB was strong and well respected in the State with their tight budget. She stated the Chamber works with the Lions Club, SWT Departments, Bluebonnet Lions Club, Carnaval, Confederate Air Force, Summer Fest, Cinco de Mayo, and many other organizations. Ms. Hardin stated as far --- as tourism was concerned the CVE strives to increase the room tax revenue. She stated the San ! Marcos program was above average and the State refers other Texas Cities to model after San I Marcos. She said in 1991, San Marcos had 600 hotel rooms and in 1996, San Marcos has 1,000 - hotel rooms. Ms. Hardin suggested the negative media regarding the water rationing was not healthy and affected organizations like the Lions Club Tube Rental; however, Wonder Wodd, Aquarena Springs and the Outlet Malls showed tourism was above average this year. Mayor Moore asked about the Hispanic Chamber becoming their own funding source. Ms. Hardin stated all organizations would be more accountable if not passed through the Chamber. She stated the CVB would work very well with the Hispanic Chamber and with the new CVB Board; she felt teamwork was very important. She also stated the arts have been very accommodating and the CVB would work well with an Arts Administrator. Mayor Moore stated one of the CVE issues