Agenda Packets - 2009/05/11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council April 13, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 5 10) of cities. She explained most of their business is corporate meetings and conventions, not 1 sports teams. Currently, The Mermaid is on the same level as Northland Inn and the Earle 2 Brown Center so she is skeptical whether a new bureau run by two people will provide the same 3 high level of representation for The Mermaid or be able to target their market. Ms. Mattke stated 4 The Mermaid is satisfied with the representation received from Visit Minneapolis North and if 5 Mounds View does not opt out now, it can remain in Visit Minneapolis North through 2010. 6 7 Mayor Flaherty stated it appears there is a good chance that Mounds View will be asked to leave 8 Visit Minneapolis North by the end of 2009 and it is hoped that a new bureau will be well 9 organized to represent Mounds View businesses. 10 11 Clerk-Administrator Ericson noted the legislation that created the ability to establish a lodging 12 tax was to promote the city and hotels. The cities will be forming this entity through a joint 13 powers agreement to promote and market its area for tourism so a partnership with the lodging 14 properties is needed. He stated that with a different focus on Mounds View, maybe The 15 Mermaid will gain business from sports teams. 16 17 Ms. Mattke stated by the time the sports teams come, they are already booked with a lower 18 negotiated rate plus a commission paid to the National Sports Center. 19 20 Dan Hall, representing The Mermaid, stated it is also during the time of year that they are booked 21 for weddings. He explained how they bid for convention business but if The Mermaid is the only 22 convention center in the bureau, he would wonder why a group would come to this area. 23 However, if they are part of a bureau with established business, there is more business and it is 24 based on hotel business instead of sports business. They also make application for grants and it 25 is not known if that will be available with a new bureau. 26 27 Council Member Gunn noted some of the Visit Minneapolis North member cities are not close to 28 Mounds View but John Connelly has connections and knows this business. Also, Mounds View 29 may not have an option so she supports the resolution. 30 31 MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7430, 32 Approving Intent to Exercise the Opt Out Clause of the Contract with Visit Minneapolis North 33 CVB effective December 31, 2009. 34 35 Council Member Mueller commented on the Minneapolis and St. Paul crime rate and stated she 36 thinks a new bureau could have a more dynamic name and create opportunities for Mounds View 37 businesses. 38 39 Clerk-Administrator Ericson clarified that the new bureau is not a National Sports Center 40 charged organization but the cities do acknowledge the National Sports Center will be a great 41 partner. He indicated that member cities will assure the many tourism opportunities in this area 42 will be promoted. 43 44 Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 45