Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau
Board of Commissioners Meeting
900 Front Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31901
May 15, 2013
Commissioners Present: Elizabeth Barker, Chair, James Smith, Vice Chair,
Charlie Desai, Felicia Hamilton, and Ken Johnson
Commissioners Absent: Dhan Parekh, Secretary/Treasurer, Shelley Dean, Pino
Wells Davis, and Paul Pierce
Ex-Officios Present: Davis Bevans and Bill Bullock
Ex-Officios Absent: Richard Bishop, Cyndy Cerbin, Mike Gaymon, Herbert Greene,
Ross Hunter, Isaiah Hugley, and Mayor Teresa Tomlinson
Staff Present: Peter Bowden, Shelby Guest, Laura Walker, and Linda Olvera
Call to Order: Elizabeth Barker, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:31
p.m.
Approval of Minutes & Treasurer?s Report: In the absence of Dhan Parekh,
Secretary/Treasurer, Elizabeth Barker, Chair, presented the February minutes to
the Board for approval. Jim Smith made a motion to accept the minutes as
presented. Charlie Desai seconded the motion, a vote was taken and the motion
passed. Linda Olvera presented the financials for February, March, and April
for approval. Jim Smith made a motion to accept the February financials as
presented. Felicia Hamilton seconded the motion, a vote was taken and the
motion passed. The March financials were presented and Jim Smith made a motion
to accept them as presented. Charlie Desai seconded the motion, a vote was
taken, and the motion passed. Lastly the April financials were presented. Jim
Smith made a motion to accept the April financials as presented. Ken Johnson
seconded the motion, a vote was taken and the motion passed.
Chair?s Report???????????????????????????????Elizabeth Barker
? OTC Settlement-update---Isaiah Hugley, City Manager, and Pam Hodge, City
Finance Director, recommended that the settlement monies be paid out as part of
the FY 2014 budget adjustment creating a smoother process. Mr. Hugley
suggested that the distribution would be done based on 8%. Staff is
recommending accepting the FY 2014 budget adjustment option.
? Sequestration impacts on Georgia---Board members were supplied with a copy of
the potential impact Sequestration has specifically for Georgia. Fort Benning
contributes 40% of the visitation to Columbus through contract work and friends
visiting friends and relatives, graduations, etc. Staff has tracked nearly a
29% reduction in visitation due to smaller graduations and completion of major
construction work at Fort Benning. While the Chamber and others work to
protect the business of Fort Benning, Staff continues to create new markets to
replace lost business.
? GMA Hotel/Motel Tax Recovery Program---Discussion was held last month as to
the differences in revenue reported by Smith Travel Research and that of the
Columbus Consolidated Government. Staff was asked to bring this to the
attention of the CCG and ask their help to identify what was creating the
discrepancy. The services of the Georgia Municipal Association?s Tax Recovery
Program were referenced by the City Manager?s Office. Staff continues to seek
understanding of the causes of the differences which contribute to lost revenue.
? Fort Benning Hotel Privatization---Previous discussion was held by the Board
concerning the ?super hotel? with 600 plus rooms being constructed on Fort
Benning. This hotel will replace hotels and other rooming infrastructures that
are outdated, resulting in a net loss of rooms at Fort Benning. With fewer
rooms the hotels in Columbus would meet the overflow demand. After
conducting additional research, it has come to the attention of the Staff that
Fort Benning may be privatized. This could potentially have a negative impact
on Columbus, lost revenue for the CCG, and those organizations that are funded
through hotel motel tax. Staff has suggested developing a proactive plan to
offset the potential challenges. The Board accepted this recommendation.
? Fountain City Classic Funding Request---The Event organizers for the Classic
have requested a Silver Sponsorship in the amount of &15,000.00. Due to budget
limitations and no money designed for the Tourism Grant. Staff is
recommending a Bronze sponsorship of $5,000.00. The Board approved the
recommendation.
? Port Columbus Funding---The CCG Budget Review Committee has requested that
the CCVB verify the funding proposal for Port Columbus. The Board has copies
of the request and response along with other support materials.
Port Columbus-update
? Ken Johnson, Executive Director of Port Columbus, provided a quarterly update
to the Board on the current year-to-date status of the Museum. With funding
becoming more critical as the FY 2014 budget is being reviewed, additional
revenue sources from the private sector need to be secured, admissions to the
Museum need to continue to grow, etc. The Museum has reduced overhead as much
as possible and still remain functioning.
President?s
Report----------------------------------------------------------Peter Bowden
? Sales Report?Staff presented the previous month?s sales activity (detailed
report attached.)
The Meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
Attachments
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