Versión en español a continuación Tourism Commission Meeting May 10, 2021 Tourism Commission to be held May 10, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Sunday, May 9, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the May 10, 2021 Tourism Commission Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Reunión del Tourism Commission FECHA de la reunion (May 10, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Sunday, May 9, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una vez que …
PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS May 10, 2021 PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 1 | Page Table of Contents Introduction A. Directive from Tourism Commission B. Overview of Working Group Process and Recommendations C. Overview Description of Proposed Projects, Activities and Programs to Benefit Parks and Environment Under Chapter 351 Environment Under Chapter 334 D. Overview Description of Proposed Projects, Activities and Programs to Benefit Parks and Exhibit A - Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Eligible Projects, Activities And Programs That Can Benefit Parks And Environment I. PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 2 | Page I. Introduction This document provides recommendations from the Parks and Environment Working Group to identify Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) eligible projects, activities, and programs that can benefit parks and environment in our community. A. Directive from Tourism Commission On February 20, 2020, the Tourism Commission appointed the Parks and Environment Working Group look into (1) Chapter 351 funding options for using hotel occupancy tax funds to benefit parks and/or environment, (2) Chapter 334 funding options for using hotel occupancy tax funds to benefit parks/environment, (3) park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park- specific projects, and (4) Palm Park HOT funding options. The appointed members of the Parks and Environment Working Group include Commissioners Bunch, Cannatti, Fuentes, and Joslove, and also include community/stakeholder representatives Ladye Anne Wofford (Austin Parks Foundation), Clark Hancock (Save Barton Creek Association), Dan Eck (Hill Country Conservancy) Angela Richter (Save Barton Creek Association), Heath Riddles-Sanchez (Pease Park Conservancy), Adrienne Longenecker (Colorado River Alliance), Molly Alexander (Downtown Austin), Ted Siff, (Shoal Creek Conservancy), Heidi Anderson (The Trail Foundation), Chuck Smith (Pease Park Conservancy), Sarah Story (Umlauf Sculpture). B. Overview of Working Group Process and Recommendations Working virtually, the Working Group identified a list of funding categories under the state’s hotel occupancy tax statute that could benefit our parks and environment. For each funding category, we identified the “statutory basis” for the expenditure, any geographic limitations under state law, whether “maintenance and operations” can be funded, the existence of any “statutory cap” under state law, any “real world examples” of such expenditures, and a summary of the position of the Texas Municipal League regarding HOT expenditures in each category. In addition, we included a description of proposed projects to illustrate how the expenditures might be implemented with HOT funds. The details of this analysis are attached at Exhibit A, and an …
Versión en español a continuación Tourism Commission Special Called Meeting April 19, 2021 Tourism Commission to be held April 19, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Sunday, April 18, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 19, 2021 Tourism Commission Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Reunión del Tourism Commission FECHA de la reunion (April 19, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Sunday, April 18, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una …
Versión en español a continuación Tourism Commission Meeting March 8, 2021 Tourism Commission to be held March 8, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Sunday, March 7, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the March 8, 2021 Tourism Commission Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Reunión del Tourism Commission FECHA de la reunion (March 8, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Sunday, March 7, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una vez que …
Economic Development Department – Hotel Occupancy Tax Program Overview Sylnovia Holt Rabb, Deputy Director Economic Development Department March 8, 2021 C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 1 EDD - Divisions The Economic Development Department’s mission is to promote a competitive, sustainable and equitable economy for all. EDD achieves this mission through its six divisions. C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 2 Policy & Statute Alignment HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX (HOT) • To directly support “the encouragement, promotion, improvement, and application of the arts” by investing in the growth of Austin’s cultural producers. • Funded contractors will “present, perform, promote, encourage or otherwise make possible” cultural events that are promoted and open to the public. CITY OF AUSTIN PRIORITIES • To support the City’s priorities in equity, leading with a lens of racial equity and healing and correcting past disparities in funding. • To advance the goals of the Strategic Direction 2023, including: Culture & Lifelong Learning indicators by elevating the quality of cultural resources, investing in the vibrancy of the creative industry, and honoring ethnic heritage. Economic Opportunity & Affordability through supporting job and workforce development, and industry stabilization. C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 3 Cultural Arts Fund C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 4 C U LT U R A L A RT S F U N D 401 Applications received in Core and CHFP FY20: 25 CHFP 22 OS 400 Recommended for funding FY 19: 19 CHFP 22 OS FY20: 64 PS I 127 PS II 163 PS III FY 19: 66 PS I 141 PS II 174 PS III 113 First Time Applicants 116 ALAANA Applicants C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E …
Ethics for City of Austin Boards and Commissions Thank you for serving as a City of Austin board or commission member. The city depends on community-minded individuals to perform many of its services and responsibilities. The sacrifice of your personal time in service to your community is greatly appreciated. However, there are additional responsibilities that come with public service. To ensure a fair and open government, as a board or commission member, you are subject to certain laws and regulations concerning your conduct. If your experience has been in the private sector, the rules that apply to you as a board or commission member may be new to you. Many ordinary business practices in the private sector are not allowed in the public sector. considered situations laws signify The laws that regulate your conduct as a public servant are generally referred to as “Ethics Laws.” These the seriousness of the work you are about to undertake. Your actions as a board or commission member affect the lives of the residents of Austin and surrounding communities. Violating the laws that govern your conduct as a public servant can result in more than public embarrassment – it can result in criminal liability. This module will help you avoid those pitfalls and introduce you to the ethics laws and regulations that apply to your position with the city. It will also provide you with an understanding of the purpose behind the creation of such laws and help you to avoid situations that may lead to a violation. The goals behind the creation of ethics laws and regulations are to ensure the proper operation of democratic government. This requires that public officials and employees be independent, impartial and responsible; that governmental decisions and policy be made in proper channel of the governmental structure; that public office not be used for personal gain; and that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government. What are “Ethics Laws”? Ethics laws are basically a “code of conduct” for public servants. When we think about think “government ethics,” we generally about laws that support one of the following five principles of good government. Transparent and Impartial Government - the public has the right to know what its government is doing. Decision-Making Free from Personal Interests - duty is to the people, not one’s own interests. Decision-Making Free from Gifts, Bribes, or Intimidation - citizens expect decisions …
Tourism Commission Meeting January 11, 2021 Tourism Commission to be held January 11, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Sunday, January 10, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the January 11, 2021 Tourism Commission Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Reunión del Tourism Commission FECHA de la reunion (January 11. 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Sunday, January 10, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una vez que se haya realizado una solicitud …
Fiscal Year FY19/20 - FY20/21 to-date Tourism Commission Request (draft agenda langauge from 12/14/2020) Visit Austin report funds dedicated to tourism promotion that have been used to sponsor or otherwise pay musicians and/or other artists and creative productions. Visit Austin Response Visit Austin does not provide sponsorship to musicians or artists/creatives. As marketing programs and campaigns are developed to promote the destination to potential visitors and meeting professionals, local destination assets (musicians, makers, chefs, artists, photographers,videographers, writers, influencers, etc,) are sometimes engaged to support sales and marketing activities. Assets outlined below. Marketing Campaign/Activity Production / Photographers Writers Music Music Performance Licensing Video Edit Influencers / Local Talent Total Estimated Spend $3,581 X $14,553 X X X X X X X X Promotional Video Content Destination Promotional Video Refresh Best Seat in the House Service Industry Video Series (2 teasers, 8 episodes) Vibrant City (Mural Promotional Video + AR Filters) Convention Sales Drone Video Small Business Season Campaign 15 Seconds in Austin Pre-roll Video Destination Content Creation Content Development (website, blogs, insider guide, social media, etc.) Social Media Marketing Campaigns Influencer Campaign 3D Portrait Promotional Series (featuring musicians & other local creatives) Virtual Convention Promotion ASAE Virtual Conference Promotion (Best Seat rebroadcast) IMEX Virtual Conference Promotion (Best Seat rebroadcast) NCBMP Virtual Conference Promotion PCMA Foundation Virtual Event PCMA Virtual Conference Promotion IAEE Virtual Conference Virtual Destination Campaigns Best Seat in the House Live Music Edition - Episode 1 Willie Nelson Tribute Best Seat in the House Live Music Edition - Episode 2 Daniel Johnston Tribute Best Seat in the House Live Music Edition - Episode 3 Tribute to Austin's Black Music Legacy National Travel and Tourism Week Virtual Travel Trade/Tourism Trainings Virtual Vacations Webinar Brand USA Mexico trade training Canada Trade Webinar Beds Online Webinar Travel Texas Mexico Trade training Convention Services Convention Services Commitments International and other Marketing Activities Americana Fest - UK Paste Studio NYC Song Confessional Content Song Confessional @ PCMA Hosted Meetings 2019 Annual Meeting 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting Sales Missions & Customer Events Hire Austin Musician Program: X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X $34,140 $4,678 $5,031 $3,000 $31,652 $10,000 $5,178 $5,371 $1,500 $3,050 $1,500 $6,000 $300 $800 $800 $5,100 …
Tourism Commission Meeting December 14, 2020 Tourism Commission to be held December 14, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Sunday, December 13, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the December 14, 2020 Tourism Commission Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Reunión del Tourism Commission FECHA de la reunion (December 14. 2020) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Sunday, December 13, 2020 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una vez que se haya realizado una solicitud …
What is Austin Detours? ● We are a tour company that offers tours to locals, visitors, and corporate groups. ● Our offerings include city tours, food tours, brewery / distillery tours / wine tours, live music tours, and more. ● Our corporate events range from small local teams to visiting convention groups in the 1000s. We offer social, teambuilding and charity events. ● Our team is made up of local musicians, artists, and creators. Austin Detours Pre-Pandemic ● We grew from 1 employee in 2013 to 27 employees in 2020. We also had a 2nd location in San Antonio with 8 employees. ● In 2019, we were recognized as a nominee for “Best CEO,” “Fast 50,” “Best Family Business,” and ranked as “#2 Best Place to Work in Austin” (micro-category). These awards are given out by the Austin Business Journal and highly respected in our city. ● In 2019, we hosted over 27,000 public tour guests and 14,000 corporate guests. ● In 2019, we were the largest tour company in Austin. We have been featured in Lonely Planet, National Geographic Travel, the Washington Post, USA Today, Forbes, and countless blogs / online publications. ● Austin Detours directly supported hundreds of small businesses in Austin, featuring food trucks, musicians and artists on our tours. Many of these creative entrepreneurs have told us that we were the sole reason they were in business, or that we were integral in the launching of their small business. Austin Detours Post-Pandemic ● Austin Detours has been 100% closed since March 11, 2020. ● We have laid off 26 employees. We have one remaining. ● We have completely closed our 2nd operation in San Antonio. ● Many of our key partners have also been forced to close indefinitely. Other Tour Companies in Austin ● AO Tours has continued to operate 1-2 private tours / week. ● Austin Tour Company closed in March and has not reopened. ● Twisted Texas Tours was closed from March - September. They have reopened for private groups only, and have had 12 small private tours to date. Austin Detours Recovery In order for Austin Detours to recover, we will need: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● A vaccine that is available to the general public Financial assistance to help with start-up costs (basically starting the business from new again) Depending on timing, the ability to bring my staff …
Travel & Tourism Update STR 2020 Week Over Week March 7 - December 5 Adam Sacks President Tourism Economics Cindy Lo CEO RED VELVET Billy Carter President & General Manager Carter Transportation (Formerly Super Shuttle/ Execucar) Elizabeth Alderson Owner Austin Detours Dennis Randolph Owner Strong Events 9
RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, iconic venues and other local tourist destinations have been forever lost resulting in the tourist destinations; and economy and real estate boom, and WHEREAS, iconic venues and local tourist destinati ible for launching WHEREAS, a recent Billboard List (And Why It Matters) speaks to oss the country and struggling without revenue and insufficient nce due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, the Billboard artic l list of permanently closed venues by state, listing fif l exas, eight of which are in Austin and being the city ures; and WHE ssfully provided a means to save these resulting in the loss of such places as the iconic Thre dquarters and Shady Grove, Barracuda, Plush, Scratchouse, -2-One Bar, and North Door; and WHE -19 public health crisis continues to negatively impact our tourist related economies due to the general public limiting their travel, public health limitations on the ability to gather, and subsequent requirements of social distancing; and 1 of 9 WHEREAS, businesses that promote tourism and the hotel and convention industry are faced with nearly complete loss of operating income due to COVID-19 precautions on top of the pre-COVID conditions of rising rents; and WHEREAS, despite best efforts by the City Council and staff, relief funds to assist with expenses have fallen significantly short to meet the need and to date have been unable to address the loss of iconic venues and tourist destinations that serve WHEREAS may be possible federal fun uch as SAVES funding, could be utilized to stabilize WHEREAS, from around the world; and reputation for live musi attracts visitors WHEREAS, culin venues founded in Austin, and unique to Austin, pr nd convention industry by defining tha e filled with distinctive experiences for visitors foun of those contributing essential talents and businesses thrive upon r and WHE Council Resolution No. 20200326-091 directed City Management to prioritize all necessary resources available to address the public health and economic crises connected to the emergency declaration related to COVID-19; and WHEREAS, Austin City Council Resolution No. 20200326-091 further directed the City Manager to consider possible options for reassessing other uses of and repurposing of existing Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT); and 2 of 9 WHEREAS, Texas Attorneys General have affirmed that cities must determine in the first instance whether an expenditure of hotel occupancy tax revenue is proper under Texas Tax Code Section 351.101 and have discretion in …
PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES ELIGIBLE FOR HOT FUNDING Tourism-Promoting Advertising, Solicitations, and Promotional Programs : Tax Code Sec. 351.101(a)(3) (“(a) Revenue from the municipal hotel Statutory Basis occupancy tax may be used only to promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry, and that use is limited to … (3) advertising and conducting solicitations and promotional programs municipality or its vicinity”). to attract tourists and convention delegates or registrants to the Geographic Limitation : None Maintenance and Operation Funding : No Statutory Cap : None. : According to “What Cities Need to Know to Administer Municipal Hotel Statutory Minimum Occupancy Taxes,” state law requires that, for cities with a seven percent local hotel tax rate, at least one-seventh of the hotel tax proceeds must be spent advertising and promoting the city to directly impact tourism and the hotel and convention industry. Tax Code §§ 351.103, 351.1035, 351.104(d), 351.105(b), and 351.106(a). this assertion is unclear. Statutory basis for Real World Examples promotional programs, including paying musicians to promote Austin tourism. : Visit Austin expends HOT on tourism advertising, solicitations, and Proposed Project Description public art in parkland. Funding for a promotional guide to area parks, such as an expanded version of SBCA’s “Explorer’s Guide to the Hill Country Oasis.” : Hiring musicians to play in our parks. Paying artists for Additional “advertising” and “promotional programs” funding could be applied to parks or park projects that are featured in documentary, tv series, social media, or other tourism promotion efforts, such as "lifeguards of Austin," "park rangers of Austin," "restoring the historic Victory Grill," "trailbuilders of Austin," "restoring the neglected neighborhood pools of East Austin," "rowing racers of Lady Bird Lake," "Nature schools of Austin," "eel hunters of the Colorado", "community farms of Boggy Creek," "reversing climate change in Austin," "restoring habitat of endangered wildlife of Central Texas," etc. In addition to funding filmmakers and social media producers that feature Austin parks and environmental settings, “advertising” and “promotional programs” funding could be applied to the work or activities being filmed, such performers and musicians in such promotional projects, thereby employing the Austin creative community while also protecting our environment, improving our parks, etc. Texas Municipal League historic/cultural arts projects. Cultural Arts and Commercial Music : Allowable use unless used to improperly avoid funding caps for : Tax Code Sec. 351.101(a)(4) (“(a) Revenue …
1 BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION City of Austin Tourism Commission Recommendation Number: 20201203-?: HOT Funding for Parks and Environment Projects WHEREAS, Texas state law imposes significant restrictions on how hotel occupancy tax (HOT) funds can be used, including but not limited to Texas Tax Code, Chapters 334 and 351; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has numerous parks and environmental features which are some of the strongest tourist attractions in our city and which are prominently featured in local tourism promotion campaigns, including Visit Austin’s promotion of “9 Reasons to Explore Austin’s Outdoors” (https://www.austintexas.org/austin-insider-blog/post/explore-austins-outdoors); and WHEREAS, the Parks and Environment Working Group was appointed at the February 20, 2020 Tourism Commission meeting to investigate possible uses of HOT funding for parks and environment projects, including (1) Chapter 351 funding options for using hotel occupancy tax funds to benefit parks and/or environment, (2) Chapter 334 funding options for using hotel occupancy tax funds to benefit parks/environment, (3) park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park-specific projects, and (4) Palm Park HOT funding options; and WHEREAS, it was recognized that economic turmoil and tourism impacts from Covid-19 could impact how the city handles hotel occupancy tax dollars in the future; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Environment Working Group has assembled the attached report and recommendation to help City Council envision possible uses of HOT funds to benefit our parks and environment; and WHEREAS, the attached report and recommendation from the Parks and Environment Working Group includes a listing of parks and environment projects/activities that are eligible for HOT funding by identifying specific categories of allowable HOT funded projects (e.g., “Tourism-Promoting Advertising, Solicitations, and Promotional Programs,” “Cultural Arts and Commercial Music,” “Visitor Information Centers,” etc.) along with a description of the statutory basis, limitations, allowed uses, and descriptions of real world examples and parks/environment projects for using HOT funds. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Tourism Commission encourages the Austin City Council to consider the attached report and recommendation from the Parks and Environment Working Group on allowable HOT funding to benefit parks and environment projects in any future decision to allocate HOT funds. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign) 2
Special Meeting of the Tourism Commission August 10, 2020 Tourism Commission to be held August 10, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (August 9, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 10, 2020 Tourism Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512.404.4022/ felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Tourism Commission August 10, 2020 at 1pm VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Vanessa Fuentes (D-2) Rachel Magee (D-4) Scott Joslove (D-6) Lois Rodriguez (D-8) Mike Cannatti (D-10) AGENDA CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Alta Alexander (D-1) Edward Bailey (D-3) Bill Bunch (D-5) John Riedie (D-7) Brian Rodgers (D-9) Catlin Whitington (Mayoral) CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. June 8, 2020 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion on formation of working groups b. Update on Historic Preservation Fund and Historic Preservation Grants presented by Economic Development Department, Interim Director, Sylnovia Holt Rabb c. Update on Convention Center Expansion presented by Austin Convention Center Department, Acting Chief Administrative Officer, Katy Zamesnik 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Visit Austin Marketing Plan and Budget, presented by Visit Austin, President & CEO, Tom Noonan FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS The Commission may discuss and take possible action to request information and identify future agenda items, topics, or presentation: ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal …
