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• <br />• <br />AGENDA ITEM 6 -A <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Mary Alice Divine <br />MEETING DATE: January 12, 2009 <br />TOPIC: Resolution No. 09 -01 Supporting Participation in a new <br />Convention and Visitor's Bureau <br />VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 <br />BACKGROUND <br />Representatives from the Hampton Inn and Country Inn & Suites have requested that <br />the city indicate its support for the two hotels to participate in a new Convention and <br />Visitor's Bureau. <br />Cities have statutory authority to charge a 3% lodging tax which can be used to market <br />lodging and entertainment opportunities through a convention and visitor's bureau. In <br />recent weeks there has been discussion among the Metro North Chamber of <br />Commerce, the National Sports Center and participating hotels in cities such as Blaine, <br />Shoreview and Coon Rapids about creating a convention and visitor's bureau that is <br />focused on cities that are in close proximity to the National Sports Center. The two Lino <br />Lakes hotels agree that it would benefit them to join this new organization. Some of <br />these cities currently impose a lodging tax to support Visiting Minneapolis North <br />Convention and Visitor's Bureau, which represents 11 cities in the north and west metro <br />suburbs. A city must opt out of that bureau one year in advance of creating a new one. <br />Therefore, participants are seeking a resolution of support from each city to ensure that <br />they will have strong participation in a new bureau. <br />This resolution of support does not establish the lodging tax. The City Council will need <br />to consider an ordinance imposing a lodging tax once the visitor's bureau is established <br />in January of 2010. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff is recommending approval of Resolution No. 09 -01 Supporting Lino Lakes' Hotels <br />participation in a new Convention and Visitor's Bureau. <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />1. Resolution No. 09 -01 <br />