Visitor Impact Task Force May 23, 2017 3:00pm Hyatt Regency Austin Foothills 2 Room 208 Barton Springs Austin, TX 78704 CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Gavin Garcia - Music Industry Representative Catlin Whitington - Music Industry Representative Lulu Flores - Arts Community Representative MariBen Ramsey - Arts Community Representative James Russell - Special Events Industry Representative Julie Niehoff - Special Events Industry Representative Tom Noonan - Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau Representative Shelly Schadegg - Hotel Industry Representative Bill Worsham - Public Safety Community Representative Alyson McGee - Preservation Community Representative Dan Keshet - Parks Community Representative Mark Tester - Convention Center Representative Dewitt Peart - Downtown Commission Representative Ashwin Ghatalia - Tourism Workforce Representative Stephen Sternschein - Tourism Workforce Representative Jonathan Mahone - Community Member Representative Pam Thompson - Environmental Community Representative Skeeter Miller - Restaurant Industry Representative Richard Mendoza - Public Works Department Representative (ex-officio) AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER: 3:00pm 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. From the May 16, 2017 meeting 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action to make recommendations from initial ideas from each Task Force member to recommend to City Council in future report. 4. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL a. Citizens wishing to speak will need to sign up ten minutes before the meeting calls for Citizen Communications at 5:30pm. Citizen communications will be limited to the first ten speakers and each citizen communicator will be given three minutes to speak. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Discussion and possible action to make recommendations on items for future agendas. 6. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Larry Schooler at Communication and Public Information Office Department, at 512.974.6004, larry.schooler@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Visitor Impact Task Force, please contact Felicia Ojeda at 512.404.4022, felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov.
Visitor Impact Task Force May 23, 2017 3:00pm Hyatt Regency Austin Foothills 2 Room 208 Barton Springs Austin, TX 78704 MINUTES In Attendance: Gavin Garcia - Music Industry Representative Catlin Whitington - Music Industry Representative Lulu Flores - Arts Community Representative MariBen Ramsey - Arts Community Representative James Russell - Special Events Industry Representative Julie Niehoff - Special Events Industry Representative Tom Noonan - Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau Representative Bill Worsham - Public Safety Community Representative Alyson McGee - Preservation Community Representative Dan Keshet - Parks Community Representative Mark Tester - Convention Center Representative Dewitt Peart - Downtown Commission Representative Ashwin Ghatalia - Tourism Workforce Representative Stephen Sternschein - Tourism Workforce Representative Jonathan Mahone - Community Member Representative Pam Thompson - Environmental Community Representative Richard Mendoza - Public Works Department Representative (ex-officio) Absent: Shelly Schadegg - Hotel Industry Representative Skeeter Miller - Restaurant Industry Representative Staff and Others In Attendance: Mark Washington, ACM Larry Schooler, CPIO, Facilitator Felicia Ojeda, Austin Convention Center Department Robert Lee Tommy Mantini Liz Lathan John Bernardoni Bill Bunch Rebecca Melancon Scott Joslove, THLA Staff and Others In Attendance: (con’t) Susan Richardson, Visit Austin Mary Kay Hackley Qi Dada Linda Atkins Gene McMenamin Jeff Jack Zenobia C. Joseph AGENDA 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER a. Meeting called to order at 3:14pm by Chair James Russell 1. Approval of Minutes from May 16, 2017 Meeting, all voters approved minus the absence of Task Force Members, Shelly Schadegg and Skeeter Miller. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Chair, James Russell continued the discussion of recommendations to present to City Council. b. Convention Center Design Amendments review presented by Task Force Member, Dan Keshet. c. Heritage Grant program funds review and presented by Task Force member, Alyson McGee. d. Cultural Arts Division review presented by Task Force member, Jonathan Mahone. 3. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: 5:25pm a. Robert Lee b. Tommy Mantini c. Liz Lathan d. John Bernardoni e. Bill Bunch f. Rebecca Melancon g. Qi Dada h. Gene McMenamin i. Jeff Jack j. Zenobia C. Joseph 4. OLD BUSINESS – resumed- 5:54pm a. Chair, James Russell reviewed Scott Joslove’s response to Task Force member, Pam Thompson’s recommendation b. Minority Report provided by Task Force member, Pam Thompson. c. Break to review Sticky Notes Recommendations from February 28 and April 25 meeting d. Finalizing Recommendations e. Task Force member, Lulu Flores, motioned to extend the meeting until 8pm f. Chair, James Russell …
Austin Independent Business AlliancePO Box , Austin, Texas 78765512-441-2123 • www.ibuyaustin.comMay 18, 2017Larry SchoolerVisitor Impact Task ForceCity of Austin Communications and Public Information OfficeAustin, TexasMr. Schooler,I feel compelled to write following Tuesday’s Task Force meeting and I am asking that you share this with the Task Force. In the meeting on May 16, Tom Noonan, President and CEO of ACVB, misled and deceived the Task Force in regards to ACVB’s relationship with AIBA. Specifically, Mr. Noonan stated that ACVB and AIBA meet multiple times a year to work together to promote local business. I have been with AIBA for 15 years and I have never met Tom Noonan. AIBA did meet with other representatives of ACVB on May 17, 2010; November 30, 2010; November 14, 2012; January 29, 2013; and May 28, 2013. We have not met since 2013. Furthermore, while AIBA has proposed many ideas for working togeth-er, ACVB has rejected every one and closed the door on any collaboration. Mr. Noonan’s statement is simply false.In regards to ACVB promoting the IBIZ Districts, this is again, totally false. A search of the ACVB website produces only one result matching “IBIZ District.” This is in a listing for Amelia’s Retro-Vogue and Relics which closed in October 2016. In this listing, the South First IBIZ District is used to identify where Amelia’s is located and oddly (and incorrectly) listed as “South 1st St. IBIZ ... district” (a copy is attached). ACVB does not promote the IBIZ Districts as claimed by Mr. Noonan. In these two regards, Mr. Noonan has misrepresented his organization’s marketing of the IBIZ Districts and local business. I bring these two error up because the Task Force will be making decisions based on information they received that was incorrect.ACVB is “charged with marketing Austin nationally and internationally as a premier business and leisure destination, thus enriching our community’s overall quality of life.” ACVB is not charged with directing visitors once they get here. As Mr. Noonan stated, they cannot promote locally owned business over other business. Therefore ACVB cannot be the entity that drives visitors to locally owned business. It’s our job to direct visitors to local business. In addition, I find it concerning that the Task Force seems to be addressing allocation of only the potential 2% increase in HOT funds because City Council Resolution 20160818-075 clearly directs the Task Force to ”Make recommendations to the City …
Convention Center Design Amendments The convention experience of today is more than a building; it is the authentic experience of a city. More visitors than ever are forgoing cars in favor of a completely walkable convention experience. Austin needs a new model for a convention center — one that adds to instead of subtracting from the vibrancy and connectivity of its surroundings. An expansion of the convention center should minimize negative impacts and maximize positive impacts on the city which supports it. Therefore, we recommend: 1.The costs of expanding the Convention Center should be met in part by integrating the expansion with other uses, such as residential or office. This would benefit the convention center and the city by ensuring that the surrounding area is active at times when no conventions are taking place. 2.The city should issue a Request for Information for integrating the expansion of the Convention Center with other uses that would contribute to street activity and a healthy urban fabric in downtown’s southeast quadrant while maintaining the city’s intact street grid and valuable land and development on the property tax rolls for the benefit of the entire City. 3.The Convention Center expansion should be used to repair the urban framework in the immediate vicinity of the convention center. Improvements should include those described in the Waller Creek Conservancy vision for the Convention Center area as well as pedestrian connections between the Convention Center and the Rainey Street neighborhood. 4.Through the Waller Creek Tax Increment Financing District and/or a similar mechanism, additional property tax revenues from the expansion should be considered to address urgent social problems in this area of downtown.
General Recommendations for CAD with increased funding: 1.Marketing/Access/Outreach a.Website - Grants Funding page(s) more user friendly. There should be a video (2-3 minutes) on the landing page that explains each grant. Each grant program also needs a video (2-3 minutes), and graphics explaining regulations, deadlines, details. b.Enhanced Community Outreach/Marketing - Dedicated interactive monthly outreach events to under-served communities that includes previous recipients as presenters: arts organizations, musicians, artists. Grant videos should be screened at these meetings. c.Marketing - Increased visibility in under-served community via targeted outreach campaign. Make materials more relevant visually and culturally. 2.Grant Funding a.Artist-as-Entrepreneur (Core Funding) - Austin musicians and artists add tremendous value to culture, and even further, to economic growth in the ‘Live Music Capital.’ There are artists in Austin building careers outside of performance on stage that can ultimately develop their creative ventures into larger economic engines, fueling tourism in new markets - beyond traditional, historic locales. These business-oriented artists need greater opportunity to develop their ideas, and access to increased resources. Funding preference to ideas and plans that stimulate growth, and develop tourism opportunities in under-served communities. i.Specific funding to expand and develop individual artists that are building successful arts ventures with a history of growth 1.Incubator ($2,000-$10,000) - business with 1-2 year history. Funding delivery includes mentorship. 2.Growth ($10,000-$25,000) - business with 3-5 year history, proven growth, and strategic plan. Funding delivery includes mentorship. 3.Expansion ($25,000-$100,000) - 5-7 year history, previous funding from CAD, clear community partnerships/investment. Funding delivery includes mentorship. ii.Artists’ receiving funding in Growth and Expansion phases must become mentors as a stipulation of their participation in the program. iii.Each funding level can only be received once per artist.
1 MEMORANDUM TO: Budget Office FROM: Liana Kallivoka, PhD, PE, Assistant Director Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) DATE: September 8, 2017 SUBJECT: PARD Historic Properties Eligible for HOT Funding The Budget Office requested a list of PARD historic properties that may be eligible for funding through Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) under Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code. This code allows funding to be allocated for “historical restoration and preservation projects or activities or advertising and conducting solicitations and promotional programs to encourage tourists and convention delegates to visit preserved historic sites or museums.” This provision allows for expenditures on historic sites “at or in the immediate vicinity of convention center facilities or visitor information centers; or located elsewhere in the municipality or its vicinity that would be frequented by tourists and convention delegates.” PARD has identified potential historic preservation projects, personnel, and general fund expenditures that may be allowable expenditures under Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code. More detail about the proposed capital expenditures is provided in this document, but PARD wishes to emphasize that all municipal capital projects take time to mobilize due to contracting and procurement. Additionally, project timelines may allow for community engagement. As a result, capital projects may span multiple fiscal years from inception to completion. Following is a summary of PARD historic preservation projects and allocations that could be addressed in 2017-2018. Expenditure Proposed HOT funding amount General Fund expenditures related to temporary staffing at historic sites $279,070 2 1/2 Temporary FTEs (project coordinator, program coordinator and marketing representative) to implement historic preservation capital projects and market historic sites to visitors and conventioneers. $211,730 HOT-eligible Historic Preservation Projects $8,500,000 TOTAL $8,990,800 2 Explanation for expenditures 1. General Fund expenditures— PARD was asked to determine general fund expenditures that could be offset with HOT. Given the extremely tight timeline for this determination and the need for extensive legal guidance, PARD is putting forward a) the temporary staffing needs associated with operating museums in the immediate convention center area and downtown area ($104,070); and b) estimated maintenance expenses directly associated with maintenance of a select number of historic sites located in the immediate convention center area and elsewhere that are visited by tourists and convention delegates ($175,000). While PARD is an important partner in supporting the tourism infrastructure of our city, the department will need more guidance and time to extrapolate the costs associated …
Funding for Heritage Grant Program Current Use of HOT Revenues for Heritage Grant Program: Since 1996 the City of Austin has contracted with the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) to, among other tourism-related services, administer a grant program funding projects involving historic sites. Known as the Heritage Grants Program, the funds are provided from the collection of Hotel Occupancy Taxes (HOT) as allowed by Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code. The amount of funding allocated to the Heritage Grant Program has not been based upon a set percentage of HOT revenues as it is with other HOT-fund programs, but as a specific amount determined by the ACVB, and agreed upon by City Council each year. Currently Austin’s assessed HOT rate is 15%, which is divided between the State and City, which receive 6% and 9% respectfully. Of the 9% the City receives, approximately 20 5/7% is allocated to ACVB for tourism promotion and the Heritage Grants Program. Recipients of Heritage grants have included the Paramount and Stateside Theaters, the French Legation, the Contemporary, the Elisabet Ney Museum, Pease Park, and the Austin Symphony. Since 2009 the ACVB has distributed approximately, on average, $200,000 annually through the Heritage Grants Program. As the table below shows that amount has equated to an average of less than 0.50% of the total HOT tax revenues collected annually by the City. Until 2017, the amount awarded to historic preservation projects had not increased (and some years has decreased), while the City’s HOT revenues have increased by nearly 70%. In 2017, City Council directed the ACVB to set aside $500,000 toward the Heritage Grants Program. Additionally, Council allocated $1,000,000 to the Parks and Recreation Department for use on Chapter 351-eligible historic restoration projects located within parks. Through a diligent planning process, PARD decided to allocate the funds for projects at the Elisabet Ney Museum, the O Henry Museum, the Oakwood Cemetery Chapel, and Mayfield Park. Note: Data in the following table to be confirmed and correct by appropriate City and ACC staff Fiscal Year HOT Revenues (9% assessment) Convention Center Ch. 334 (2% of total) Convention Center Ch. 351 (64 2/7% of 7%) ACVB Tourism & Promo Fund Ch. 351 (20 5/7% of 7%) Cultural Arts Grants Ch. 351 (15% of 7%) Heritage Grants Program grants awarded 2011 $46,809,809 $10,298,158 $23,469,689 $7,364,400 $5,476,748 Data not avail. to committee 2012 $51,049,877 $11,230,973 $25,595,592 $8,031,473 $5,972,836 …
VISITOR IMPACT TASK FORCEFinal Report Briefingchair: James Russellvice-chair: MariBenRamseyPresentation to Austin City CouncilAugust 15, 2017http://www.austintexas.gov/content/visitor-impact-task-force OverviewAustin City Council resolution No. 20160818-075, adopted August 201613 meetings held in 4 locationsMeetings held from December 12, 2016 –May 23, 201741 hours of public meeting time192+ staff hours at meetings; many more hours of attendee timeThe Visitor Impact Task Force (VITF) was subject to the provisions of the Texas OpenMeetings ActAll meetings were open to the public and included opportunities for publiccomment.VITF Final Report Briefing2 Scope of Work per Council Resolution Study the impact of tourism on City infrastructure, services, and facilities, andinvestigate opportunities to offset those impacts.by using Hotel Occupancy Taxrevenues;Review of current uses of Hotel Occupancy Taxes and the impact of those activitiesand expenditures on tourism in the City;Review of current tourist activity in the City of Austin and what events, venues, orfacilities those tourists attend while visiting;Review of State and National best practices for tourism programs;Review of Texas Tax Code Chapter 351 and allowable uses of Hotel Occupancy Taxesunder the Tax Code including parks, historic preservation, cultural heritage, music,arts, special events, fee waivers, convention, visitors bureau, transportation,downtown districts, venues and other facilities and debt defeasance for city-ownedhotels and convention facilities;Review the Austin Convention Center expansion, all possible design options andpotential funding mechanisms; andMake recommendations to the City Council about how to best utilize all hoteloccupancy revenue to impact tourism.VITF Final Report Briefing3 VITF –Meetings and InputCollected public input via:In-Person at scheduled VITF meetings –13 meetingsOnline speakupAustin! discussion forum –78 responses from 28 participantsEmailVITF resource websitewww.austinexas.gov/content/visitor-impact-task-forceVITF Final Report Briefing4 Hotel Occupancy Tax Legal FrameworkChapter 351 of Texas Tax Code7% AssessmentUsed only to promote tourism and the convention and hotel industryFurther limited to the following allowable uses applicable to Austin–Convention Center–Advertising and promotional programs to attract tourists and convention delegates–Cultural Arts –up to 15%–Historic Preservation –up to 15%–Signage directing public to sights frequented by hotel guests–Transportation system for touristsAdditional 2% Assessment for Eligible Central Municipalities applicable to Austin–Expansion of an existing convention centerRevenue derived from this Chapter may not be used for general revenue purposes or generalgovernmental operations of a municipality.Chapter 334 of Texas Local Government Code2% Voter-approved venue–Current venue used for previous convention center expansion and a portion of Waller Creek TunnelVITF Final Report Briefing5 Final Recommendation CategoriesOverarching RecommendationsEquitable consideration for HOT uses/recipientsConsideration of sustainable practicesExpansion of the Convention Center with several conditions/directivesArts / Commercial MusicHistoric PreservationVisit Austin (Tourism Promotion)Short-term RentalsWelcome CentersVITF …
Visitor Impact Task Force Final Report to Austin City Council June 30, 2017 This document provides the analyses and deliberations of the Visitor Impact Task Force, to develop and report recommendations relevant to Austin City Council Resolution No. 20160818-075. 2 | Page Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Task Force Scope ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Membership ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 Meeting Details ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Council Resolution .......................................................................................................................................... 10 Extension of Due Date .................................................................................................................................... 10 Data Provided to the Visitor Impact Task Force ................................................................................................. 10 Key Findings ........................................................................................................................................................ 13 Review of Texas Tax Code Chapter 351 and allowable uses of Hotel Occupancy Taxes ................................ 13 Review of current uses of Hotel Occupancy Taxes and the impact of those activities and expenditures on tourism in the City .......................................................................................................................................... 14 Review of State and National best practices for tourism programs ............................................................... 22 Study the impact of tourism on City infrastructure, services, and facilities ................................................... 24 Review of current tourist activity in the City of Austin and what events, venues, or facilities those tourists attend while visiting ........................................................................................................................................ 25 Review the Austin Convention Center expansion, all possible design options and potential funding mechanisms .................................................................................................................................................... 29 Consideration of the creation of a Tourism Public Improvement District ...................................................... 33 Additional Topic Covered by Task Force – Welcome Centers ........................................................................ 33 Detailed Recommendations ............................................................................................................................... 34 Appendices ......................................................................................................................................................... 39 Appendix A ...................................................................................................................................................... 40 Council Resolution 20160818-075 .............................................................................................................. 40 Appendix B ...................................................................................................................................................... 43 Recommendation Discussion Notes ........................................................................................................... 43 3 | Page Executive Summary The Visitor Impact Task Force (VITF or Task Force) was created by resolution 20160818-075 approved by the Austin City Council (Council) on August 18, 2016. The Task Force held its first meeting on December 12, 2016, when 17 of 18 members were seated. The 18-member Task Force represented a variety of visitor industry interests, including representatives from the following communities and groups: hotel, restaurant, workforce, arts, music, events, parks, historic preservation, environment, public safety, convention center, and convention and visitors bureau. As intended by Council, there were many different viewpoints expressed by Task Force members. The recommendations were unanimously adopted by the 14 Task Force members present, plus one abstention. The success of the Task Force has been predicated on a philosophy of inclusion and not from the standpoint of any one person or group. The Task Force was subject to the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, and all meetings were open to the …
From:To:Subject:Date:Minority ReportTuesday, May 23, 2017 8:20:10 AMFelicia,Please print for VITF & add to website.Thanx,PamThe Visitors Impact Task Force seems to be addressing allocationof only the potential 2% increase in HOT funds that would occurwith expansion of the Convention Center. The existing programscontinue to expand their budgets with the increase in revenuefrom HOT. (City Council Resolution 20160818-075 clearlydirects the Task Force to ”Make recommendations to the CityCouncil about how to best utilize all hotel occupancy revenue toimpact tourism by April 1, 2017.”) The Heritage Fund beingtransferred to another entity is the substantial change beingpresented.Therefore a minority report is being submitted to consider thatCity Council request Visit Austin, formerly Austin Conventionand Visitors Bureau, review the Global Sustainable Tourismcriteria for implementing in Austin. Seems that this wouldsimplify & define common goals initially in regards toexpectations of business models. One example: vendors agreeing to recycle in the conventioncenter.Other possibilities include:A)Special consideration for the allocation of HOT funds torecipients who are requesting funds for the first time.B)Inject into the tourism conversation the idea of a carryingcapacity for hard and soft infrastructure.Pam ThompsonFelicia Ojeda C)Use the plan to focus more resources on transportation safetyand developing new, low-emission mobility options.D)To protect green space in the urban core from encroachmentand to enhance the tree canopy.Funding could come from the cultural/arts program. It could betourism promotion, it could be historic preservation, it could evenbe fashioned as a "venue" if it was linking places in a commonplan that were not geographically linked. For example, part of asustainable tourism plan could be agri-tourism, linking our localfarms and remaining operating ranches with local breweries andfarm to table restaurants with other sustainable sites, including,for example, Austin Energy's East Austin solar farm. The VITF minority report encourages the City Council to ask theJoint Sustainable Committee and the Environmental Board to beinvolved in the review, at a minimum.http://www.gstcouncil.org/en/gstc-criteria-hotels-tour-operators-destinations/criteria-for-hotels-tour-operators-industry.html?id=1296:global-sustainable-tourism-criteria-hotelsOther recommendations are:A)Recommend to the City Council to use the HOT for a COASustainable Tourism Plan .B ) Evaluate the Austin Convention Center to determine how theexisting space could be redesigned for better utilization of thehallways, vertical space and the roof. C)Designate Trinity St. from Cesar Chavez to 4th St. as a lowemission zone for vehicles and have the Austin ConventionCenter post no engine idling signs to existing posts. D)Include in calculations for the actual or projected economicbenefit of conventions the cost of lost hours in reduced mobilitydue to traffic congestion in the impacted area surrounding theConvention Center …
111 Congress Avenue, Suite 700 • Austin, Texas 78701 • p: 800.926.2282, 512.474.5171 • f: 512.583.7282 • AustinTexas.org May 22, 2017 Larry Schooler Visitor Impact Task Force Austin, Texas Mr. Schooler: In response to the letter you and the task force received on May 18 from Ms. Rebecca Melancon, I feel there are several items that need to be addressed due to the misconceptions that were presented about me, the Visit Austin organization, and staff. Issue 1: When referring to meetings with AIBA, I was referring to the Visit Austin staff and yes, they have met with her on multiple occasions. The last communication Ms. Melancon sent to our staff outlined request for a cash contribution to her organization and for advertising in her guides. That request was countered by Visit Austin with other opportunities for collaboration with no response received from AIBA (see attached email): • “We would like to continue running the complimentary AIBA banner ads on our website – originally committed thru end of 2013 – through end of year 2014.” Despite no response from AIBA’s team, Visit Austin fulfilled this offer. • “In addition, our Film Commission will continue to work with your team to highlight AIBA members in our Film Vendor discount program.” • “We will also continue to highlight AIBA members in the individual listings on our website. We are likely due for a refresh of that content; Amy do you have a spreadsheet you can provide with all members that we can cross reference with our database? Any that are missing or not coded as AIBA members can then be updated.” Despite no response from AIBA’s team, Visit Austin fulfilled this initial offer and on an annual basis, we update our database with AIBA’s latest members lists using the IBIZ brochure(s) as a guide. • “In addition to the above, we are running a shopping ad buy with Texas Monthly in August and would love to highlight an AIBA member or two. Attached is the creative – I was thinking Amelia's or Room Service might be good options (to replace one of the existing mentioned businesses; keep in mind this is a draft of creative). I'll let you know what we finally land on, but this is a great example of the type of one-off projects we can partner together on to promote AIBA membership.” Issue 2: We do not promote the “IBIZ” …
City of Austin, Visitor Impact Task Force Reference Sheet Here are links to Hotel Occupancy Tax References: Texas Tax Code Chapter 351 – Municipal Hotel Occupancy Taxes http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TX/htm/TX.351.htm Texas Local Government Code Chapter 334 – Venues (Hotel Occupancy Tax is found under subchapter H, beginning with Sec 334.251) http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.334.htm Texas Hotel Lodging Association’s What Cities Need to Know to Administer Municipal Hotel Occupancy Taxes http://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Transportation/Special_Events/WhatCitiesNeedToKnow_HOT_FullVersion.pdf Texas Municipal League’s The Hotel Tax “Two-Step” http://www.tml.org/p/20160226135109762.pdf City of Austin Code of Ordinances Chapter 11-2 – Hotel Occupancy Tax https://www.municode.com/library/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT11TA_CH11-2HOOCTA Reference to Austin Convention Center’s presentation – (1.3.17 Meeting) https://travel.texas.gov/tti/media/PDFs/TXImp15pRev2_1.pdf Study on the economic benefits of historic preservation and heritage tourism- (1.17.2017 Meeting Reference) http://www.thc.texas.gov/public/upload/publications/economic-impact-technical-analysis.pdf Texas Local Government Code | Chapter 334. Sports And Community Venues (Requested from 1.3.17 Meeting) http://www.texas-statutes.com/local-government-code/chapter-334-sports-and-community-venues Economic Development Department- Website (1.17.17 Meeting) http://austintexas.gov/department/economic-development Reading Material shared (1/19/2017) http://cityobservatory.org/costly-misses-on-convention-centers/ Austin Convention Center Info (1.30.2017) Austin Convention Center Long-Range Master Plan http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=242405 Vol II Austin Convention Center Long-Range Master Plan http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=242406 Urban Land Institute’s Technical Assistance Panel Report – Review of Long-Range Master Plan http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=242407 City of Austin, Visitor Impact Task Force Reference Sheet Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation? Here is a link to the online version. (1.30.2017) http://www.thc.texas.gov/public/upload/publications/economic-impact-historic-preservation.pdf VITF Meeting April 11, 2017 ACE – City of Austin http://www.austintexas.gov/citystage VITF Member- Pam Thompson shares… May 16, 2017 http://www.gstcouncil.org/en/gstc-criteria-hotels-tour-operators-destinations/criteria-for-hotels-tour-operators-industry.html?id=1296:global-sustainable-tourism-criteria-hotels VITF Member – James Russell shares… May 23, 2017 http://www.cefa.fsu.edu/sites/g/files/imported/storage/original/application/f1fd2fdd5e7bd76c107b5d244bf81586.pdf http://www.floridataxwatch.org/resources/pdf/tourismreportmarch2006.pdf https://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/tacir/attachments/2015OctoberTab6HotelMotelTax.pdf http://www.eventscouncil.org/Files/2012%20ESS/CIC%20Meetings%20ESS%20Update%20EXECUTIVE%20SUMMARY-FINAL.pdf http://www.conventioncentertaskforce.org/resources/presentations/TF%20Present%20June%2015%202009-PiperJaffey.pdf http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/creative_sector_impact2012.pdf
Welcome Center Funds Austin has many premiere tourism attractions - including our City parks. While tourists may need to visit the city to conduct business, attend a convention, or visit family, our attractions are why visitors jump to make the trip and why they come back and bring their friends. They are also part of the “wow factor” that makes Austin such a coveted location for conventions, music festivals, and group travel. The Welcome Center fund would invest in centers to improve visitor experience at specific areas frequented by a large number of tourists by providing information and direction to visitors. An example of such a such a center is the Visitor Education Center envisioned by the Barton Springs Conservancy to be located in Zilker Park near Barton Springs Pool. This center would educate visitors about the heritage, natural history, and eco-system of Barton Springs, as well as serve as an point of orientation for other City parks. While Welcome Centers are authorized under the same portion of Chapter 351 as Austin’s existing Visitor Information Centers, they are conceptually distinct. While Visitor Information Centers provide information to visitors about the whole city, Welcome Centers guide visitors around specific tourist areas. Recommendations 1.Create a new fund called the Welcome Center Fund to construct, improve, expand, equip, repair, operate, and maintain Welcome Centers at tourist destination parks, such as Zilker Park, or other qualifying tourist destination areas that promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry. 2.Solely fund the Welcome Center Fund out of the “waterfall” or “ending balance bucket” funds identified as part of Scenario 2B of the Convention Center Expansion. 3.Set a maximum limit amount of the “ending balance bucket” to be allocated to the Welcome Center Fund in any given year. 4.Assign administration and operation of the Welcome Center Fund to an appropriate body which would create a special committee composed of a broad set of stakeholders representing tourist destination parks and other tourist destination areas. 5.Establish eligibility and grant administration guidelines while retaining consistency with state law and city code. 6.Prior to construction funding for a Welcome Center, require funds be identified for operation and maintenance of the Welcome Center that will not be drawn from Tourism Promotion Fund or other Visit Austin funds.
