Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board met Thursday at the CSI Technology Center, at Historic Franklin School.

Members present included:  Tena Lawrence, Paulette Ritter, and Frank Balak.  Ms. Lawrence conducted the meeting in the absence of Board President, Matthew Woods.

Also in attendance were, Tourism Director Searle Swedlund, and Ex-Offico Member, Pam Phillips, representing the Jamestown City Counci.

At the GRANT BOARD MEETING

Great Plains Housing Authority’s request in the amount of $4,000, was heard for advertising expenses for a concert to be held in Jamestown.

Director, David Klein said, The Community Concert and Regional Services Fair, will host a community concert at the Hansen Arts Park in Downtown Jamestown, on September 18. 2019, to utilize and showcase downtown.

The event also includes a Service Provider Fair, to assist individuals in the region to understand services and contacts available.

Other sources of funding includes Great Plains Housing Authority in the amount of $4,000, High Plains Fair Housing in the amount of $500, and Bank Forward in the amount of $500.

Great Plains Housing Authority has applied for several other grants, and is working with other businesses, to help sponsor the Community Concert, and Services Fair.

He added that the concert will help showcase Downtown Jamestown and that medium sized acts can work for the Hansen Arts Park.  The band Post Traumatic from Fargo has been booked to perform.

GPHA has combined into one to maximize funds and attendance.  Tourism would be encouraged to use footage for tourism purposes.

Kline said the economic impact is estimated at between $6,250 and $7,000, with the estimate attendance of 250- to 300.

Following discussion the Grant Board granted $2,500, in advertising  funding.

The Great Plains Housing Authority serves a five county region.

Kline said the event is in conjunction with a state housing conference to be held at the Civic Center, in Jamestown,  September 7-19, with around 300 participants in attendance, including representatives from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

At the EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

The was no Declaration of Conflict of Interest

 

The Financial Report by Taylor Barnes was given by Searle Swedlund, as part of the Tourism report, in Taylor Barnes absence.

He said the “Feed the Buffalo,” drop box for donations for the World’s Largest Buffalo Statue, is still collection funds toward the rehabilitation of the structure.

He said Cavendish Farms of Jamestown was a major sponsor of the July 3rd Public Fireworks display in Jamestown with Jamestown Speedway.  The total cost of funding was $11,000.

Ex-Officio Reports:

Pam Phillips representing the Jamestown City Council said the next city 2020 budget with another budget discussion to be held at the Finance and Legal Committee meeting on July 23, with the estimated new revenue projection numbers. The next city budget meeting is planned for Jul 29, at 10-a.m., at City Hall.

The First Reading of the budget to be introduced at the August 5th City Council meeting.

At that time the budget can be reduced but not increased.

The final budget is needed ready for passage by October.

She also said the City Council will further discuss information from the July 16 meeting concerning establishing rates and fees of the Stormwater Utility, at an upcoming, Public Works Committee meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

A discussion was held concerning  Staffing Grant Guidelines.

Beginning in 2018, Tourism made staffing decisions based off number of hours the agency was open and multiplied that by a wage set by the board.

Some of the Guidelines include:

Eligible Recipients:

Any agency whose work influences the businesses of Jamestown and meets the mission of Tourism.

Eligible Projects:

Staff Funding: The employment of seasonal/part-time staff for the purpose of hospitality and outstanding customer service at venues in Jamestown and the county.

Applicants will be required to make a brief presentation to Jamestown Tourism to explain their need and answer and questions or concerns.

New applicants must apply 90 days before the start date of the project/event and 30 days before advertising begins.

The board was asked to consider streamlining the process for volunteers managing this grant process

Does the application address the entities best suited for these grant funds?

At Thursday’s meeting the Grant/Executive Board members in attendance felt that the current guidelines serve the purpose it was designed for, and Swedlund said he may make minor adjustments and bring the proposal back to the board for consideration.