Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau
Board of Commissioners Meeting
900 Front Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31901
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Commissioners Present: Dhan Parekh, Chairman, Paul Pierce, Vice Chair, Charlie
Desai, John Miller, Ken Johnson, and Donna Hix
Commissioners Absent: Elizabeth Barker, Immediate Past Chair, Felicia
Hamilton, Secretary/Treasurer, and Shelley Dean
Ex-Officios Present: Herbert Greene, Bill Bullock, David Bevans, Isaiah
Hugley, and Mayor Teresa Tomlinson
Ex-Officos Absent: Richard Bishop, Cyndy Cerbin, Mike Gaymon, and Ross Horner
Staff Present: Peter Bowden, Shelby Guest, Laura Ruffner, Ashley Woitena, and
Linda Olvera
Special Guests: Brian Rutledge and Bo Tabor with Robinson, Grimes
Call to Order: Dhan Parekh, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m.
Public Agenda Phenix City Partnership: Peter Bowden?s presentation outlined
the conversations between the CCVB and Phenix City officials regarding the
forming of an alliance (with a contract) between the two organizations. There
would be a payment of $1.00 per hotel room (in Phenix City) paid to the CCVB to
be used to market those hotels. Those funds would be kept in a separate
account to be used solely for the marketing of Phenix City hotels. The floor
was then opened for discussion from the attending hotel managers, owners, Mayor
Tomlinson and Isaiah Hugley, City Manager. It was decided that a committee of
hotel management/owners with Brian Plemmons as chair would be formed to further
look into the formation of an alliance or if there is a need for one. They
would also review the various comments/suggestions presented by the attendees
at today?s meeting.
FY 2014 Annual Audit: Brian Rutledge with Robinson, Grimes presented the
annual audit to the CCVB Board members. The only area he cited was the
division of duties which as in the past audits has been noted due to the small
staff. Paul Pierce made a motion to accept the audit as presented. Donna Hix
seconded the motion, a vote was taken and the motion passed. Mr. Rutledge then
presented the audit of the Sports Council for FY 2014. He also cited the lack
of division of duties due to the small staff (4 staff members.) Also a
recommendation was made that all invoices be approved by Herbert Greene as
Director of the Sports Council. The audit was a clean one as noted by Mr.
Rutledge. Dhan Parekh thanked Mr. Rutledge and Robinson, Grimes for the audit
and its presentation to the Board.
Sports Council Update: Merri Sherman gave a power point presentation about the
makeup of the Council and its operations.
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