Approved Minutes for October 9, 2024 meeting — original pdf

Approved Minutes

TOURISM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 9, OCTOBER 2024 The TOURISM COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting on 9, OCTOBER 2024, at 301 w. Second St. in Austin, Texas. Chair, Daniel Ronan called the TOURISM COMMISSION Meeting to order at 2:33 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Commissioners Ed Bailey, Greg Chanon, Bishop Chappell, Stefani Mathis, Anna Panossian, Daniel Ronan, and Christian Tschoepe Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioners John Riedie and Aileen Bazan 1. Laura Esparza, Executive Director of A3 (formerly Arts Alliance of Austin) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the TOURISM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on September 11, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 9/11/2024 were approved on Commissioner Chappell’s motion and Commissioner Panossian’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Ed Bailey, Greg Chanon, Bishop Chappell, Stefani Mathis Anna Panossian, John Riedie, Daniel Ronan, and Christian Tschoepe approved the vote. Commissioner Aileen Bazan was off the dais. STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. Staff Liaison, Felicia Ojeda briefed on the vacancy for District 10 and new format for virtual attendance of commissioners. 1  DISCUSSION ITEMS variety of items Introduction of the newly appointed District 4 member, Allison Moujaes, to the Tourism Commission Board. Cara Bertron, Program Manager of the City of Austin- Planning Department, presented on the Equity-Based Preservation Plan and its connection to Tourism. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. 6. Discussion and possible action to recommend to the Austin City Council to adopt the Equity-Based Preservation Plan. a. The motion to recommend to the Austin City Council to adopt the Equity-Based Preservation Plan failed on Commissioner Riedie’s motion, Commissioner Bazan second on a 5-4 vote. Those members voting aye were: Chair Ronan, Commissioners Bazan, Chappell, Riedie, and Tschoepe. Those voting nay were: Vice Chair Bailey, Commissioners Chanon, Mathis, and Panossian b. The motion has failed. DISCUSSION ITEMS 7. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Cody Scott, Facility Processes Manager of the City of Austin- Austin Public Library, presented on the Austin History Center Capital Improvements including building a destination for Tourism. 8. Discussion and possible action to recommend to the Austin City Council to move forward with the Doherty Arts Center Project. a. The motion to recommend to the Austin City Council to move forward with the Doherty Arts Center Project was approved on Commissioner Panossian motion, Commissioner Chappell second on a unanimous vote. b. The motion to recommend was approved with the following friendly amendment on motion by Commissioner Chanon, seconded by Vice Chair Bailey’s on an 7-0-1 vote. The friendly amendment from Commissioner Chanon was to change the wording of “the 2026 Bond to “a” 2026 Bond. i. This was accepted by the maker of the motion and Chappell, who seconded the motion. ii. Those members voting aye were: Vice Chair Bailey, Commissioners Bazan, Chanon, Mathis, Panossian, Riedie, and Tschoepe. iii. Chair Ronan abstained. iv. Commissioner Chappell was off dais. c. The motion to recommend was approved with the following friendly amendment on motion by Commissioner Mathis, seconded by Commissioner Tschoepe on a unanimous vote. The friendly amendment from Commissioner Chanon was to change the wording of “the 3rd Whereas” to “WHEREAS, the Dougherty Arts Center provides invaluable programs through its arts school, theater and gallery 2  spaces for 60,000 attendees, and also provides skilled workforce development for the tourism and events industry, enhancing Austin’s image as an attractive destination for local families, out of town visitors, conferences, conventions, film and television productions, and relocating workers.” i. This was accepted by the maker of the motion and Chappell, who seconded the motion. ii. This friendly amendment was approved with a unanimous vote. d. The motion to recommend was approved with the following friendly amendment on motion by Commissioner Chappell, seconded by Commissioner Chanon on an 7-1-1 vote. The friendly amendment from Commissioner Chappell was to strike the following wording: NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN TOURISM COMMISSION: that City Council formally commit to completing the Dougherty Arts Center without a reduction in size and scope as stated in Council Resolution 20221208-068 with a complete arts center made up of theaters, galleries and art schools as designed by Studio 8, and that the necessary funds required to complete the Dougherty be included in the a 2026 bond. i. This was accepted by the maker of the motion and Chappell, who seconded the motion. ii. Those members voting aye were: Vice Chair Bailey, Commissioners Bazan, Chanon, Mathis, Panossian, Riedie, and Tschoepe. iii. Chair Ronan abstained. iv. Commissioner Chappell opposed. e. The motion to recommend to the Austin City Council to move forward with the Doherty Arts Center Project was approved with all the friendly amendments discussed on a unanimous vote. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES 9. Update from the Short-Term Rental Working Group on any new reports regarding the STR’s new focus and efforts for recommendations. Chair Daniel Ronan adjourned the meeting at 4:09pm. The minutes were approved at the November 13, 2024 meeting on Commissioner Panossian’s motion, Commissioner Chanon’s second on a (9-0) vote. 3