Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board was able to complete its meeting from last Thursday, just before the full board meeting, on Monday.

Due to conflicts of interest at Thursday’s meeting a quorum was not available to vote on grant requests for the Jamestown Downtown Association for funds for the Rods & Hogs 3 event.

On Monday the Grant/Executive Board with a quorum was able to  approve the request.

The Jamestown Downtown Association requested $1,000 for Rods & Hogs-3,  to be held on First Avenue in Downtown Jamestown, on June 10, 2017.  The vote for the grant was 4-0 with Board President  Matt Woods,  abstaining because he is a member of the Jamestown Downtown Association board.

Jamestown Tourism was advised  to assist in co-promoting Rods & Hogs and the Kite Festival at Meidinger Park the same weekend.

The full Tourism Board voted 9-0 to direct the staff to pursue the creation of a “feed the buffalo” receptacle for visitors to contribute toward occasional restoration projects for the World’s Largest Buffalo statue.

The receptacle for donations will cost from $3,000 to $5,000.

Capital construction funds will be requested from the Jamestown City Council.

Previously…

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism  Grant/Executive Advisory Board met Thursday morning at The CSi Technology Center, at Historic Franklin School.  In attendance were, Chairman, Matt Woods, and Board Members Tena Lawrence, and Janna Bergstedt.

During the Grant Board meeting requests were made by:

The North Dakota Roughrider Association Championships for the James River Roughrider Rodeo.

Rods & Hogs, from the Jamestown Downtown Association.

The Two Rivers Performing Arts School’s,  2017 Spring Concert, at the University of Jamestown .

 

Greg Carlson, and Marlin Bertsch represented  James River Rodeo, Inc.,  requested $12,500, for the three day full performance of the Roughrider Association Finals, rodeo to be held October 27, 28, 29, 2017 at the Jamestown Civic Center.

Roughrider Association contributions are listed at $8,000, sponsors $20,000, ticket sales $25, 000.

The estimated economic impact from the 2016 Jamestown Rodeo was listed at $948,400.

The total revenue from the 2016 rodeo at the Civic Center  was listed at $63,183.69.

Total expenditures for the Civic Center reported as $69,742.59, for a net loss for the Civic Center at $6,558.90.

Approximately 2,000 were in attendance.

It was noted by Bertsch and Carlson that negotiations continue with the City Of Jamestown on a new contract with the Rodeo, at the Jamestown Civic Center.  Carlson said his attorney and the City Attorney are in discussions on a new agreement.

They indicated that they are also financially supporting the rodeo, and want to see it stay in Jamestown, and continue to grow and be self-supporting.

Also at the Meeting was Pam Phillips who chairs the City Council’s, Civic Center, and Promotion Committee.

She said the new contract is based on a different model, adding the rodeo’s expenses should be picked up by their advertising efforts.

She added the City Council on May 1st is expected to have the rodeo issue on the agenda, for further discussion.

The committee recommended unanimously, supporting the Rodeo at $7,500, citing Tourism’s support, keeping in mind the events economic impact on the community.

 

The Jamestown Downtown Association represented by President,  Lynn Lambrecht, requested $1,000 for Rods & Hogs-3,  to be held on First Avenue in Downtown Jamestown, on June 10, 2017.  Sponsorship amounts are anticipated at $2,000, and registrations at $1,500.

She added that in 2016 the event drew 1,000, with 55 registered to display or have booths.

The event will feature classic cars, trucks and motorcycles, with food trucks, motorhead activities, and entertain for all ages.

The Board discussed recommending funding at the full $1,000 citing the event brings life and energy to downtown, important to tourism.

Chairman Matt Woods declared a conflict of interest in voting on the request, due to being a member of the Downtown Association, and the Board agreed to have him not vote on the request..

With two board members there was lack of a quorum to vote on the request, which was delayed.

 

The University of Jamestown/Two Rivers Chamber Choir was represented by Mark Reeves, of the Two Rivers Performing Arts School, requesting funding for the  Spring Concert, April 30, 2017 at Voorhees Chapel on the UJ campus, featuring the featuring the Two River Chamber Choir and Orchestra, along with the University of Jamestown Choir.

The requests list Agri-Cover contributing $250, Real Truck $500, Cavendish Farms $200, with Funding from the Jamestown Arts Center, Jamestown Rotary Club, and Jamestown Optimists Club to be announced.  The economic impact is estimated at $2,000.

The request said Two Rivers Chamber Choir’s vision is to see the arts elevated in our community, by providing events characterized by excellent artistry, and community involvement.

The Tourism Board discussion noted  that supporting the arts brings value and outside engagement to the community.  It’s uncertain the event will draw a significant crowd, however, the partnerships involved, suggest outstanding outcomes.

Tena Lawrence declared a conflict of interest in voting being affiliated with the University of Jamestown, and board agreed to have her not vote.  Due to a lack of a quorum. the vote on the request was delayed.

The Tourism Reports was given by Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund.

He said Tourism and the Jamestown Downtown Association nominated The Hansen Art Park, which was awarded the  2017  Annual North Dakota Travel Industry, Flint Starter Award for a Tourism Development Project at Wednesday’s Conference in Bismarck.  On hand from the Jamestown Arts Center to accept the award were Jamestown Arts Center Director, Cyndi Wish, along with the Arts Center’s Angela Martini, and from the Board Laurel Haroldson.

He also distributed the newly published National Buffalo Museum Newsletter, along with a thank you note, from the Jamestown Rural Fire Department, as Tourism granted funding toward the annual fishing derby.

The present 990 Tax Return was reviewed by the Board.

The Board will reconvene Monday at 5-p.m., before the regular full board meeting, when a quorum will be present, to vote on the requests from the Downtown Association, and Jamestown Two Rivers Performing Arts School and the University of Jamestown.