Laserfiche WebLink
<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 <br /> <br />17 <br /> <br />Mr. Looby explained that promoting the City was their objective and they do this through the <br />Chambers of Commerce. Visit Minneapolis North does try to attend City events and promote <br />City events <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked Mr. Looby if there were any additional fees outside of the 3 % <br />lodging tax that was collected. <br /> <br />Mr. Looby stated that there were no other fees unless the City chose to advertise in their <br />publications outside of the basic listing that Visit Minneapolis North provided. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked Mr. Looby for clarification on the amount of funds collected in <br />the last quarter, or since the Holiday !un had closed. <br /> <br />Mr. Bhatia stated that of the $65,000 collect last year the Super 8 had contributed $23,000 and <br />for the first quarter of this year he had contributed about $4,000. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant asked Mr. Looby if the number of referrals was tracked. <br /> <br />Mr. Looby stated that when the National Sports Center had events there were 206 rooms <br />attributed to Visit Minneapolis North. Had the Super 8 not been a member, it would have cost <br />the Super 8 $1,549, which is the National Sports Center's incentive plan costs. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant stated that the 206 rooms rented did not cover the $23,000 in costs the <br />hotel had incurred. He also acknowledged that the Super 8 may have rented these rooms <br />anyway. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes stated it appeared that Mr. Bhartia did not want this service and did <br />not feel that his business was benefiting. She asked if there was a greater benefit to the City that <br />we may not have access to. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant stated that he did not think the Council should put the publicity of the <br />City on the back of one of its businesses, especially when it has a negative impact. He also <br />stated he did not feel that they should continue the agreement. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant stated that he would like to have staff draw up a resolution so the City is <br />no longer a member of Minneapolis North. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead stated that he agreed with Councilmember Hohnes and Councilmember <br />Grant to withdraw from Visit Minneapolis North. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung stated he was concerned that this agreement was not having the <br />impact it should have. He would be more comfortable revisiting this once TCAAP was on board <br />and the City had additional hotels. He stated that he would like to direct staff to draw up the <br />papers to discontinue the 3 % lodging tax at this time. <br />