Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Buffalo City Tourism Foundation’s Executive Board met Friday (Mar 15, 2013) at the CSi Technology Center at Historic Franklin School.

The board heard requests from the earlier Grant Advisory Board meeting.

The Executive Board unanimously denied the request from the Frontier Village for a grant of $3,899, an entertainment expenditure for the annual two day Pioneer Days activities.

CORRECTION  Charlie Kourajian is not a board member but rather an Ex-Offico member of the city council and thus is not a voting member of the board. He said the BCTF Board needs to make suggestions to the Frontier Village board of new ideas, and said there seems to be a “riff” between the two boards.

BCTF Board member Beth Dewald said the Frontier Village needs more creative events, based on poor attendance at last year’s Pioneer Days activities.

BCTF Board Chairman Aldon Kollman added that the board has approved a significant amount of funding for Frontier Village, and that a new manager this year may come up with new ideas, and Nina Sneider says, the FVB can also reapply for grant funding later.

 

Grant requests approved by the board include:

$8,250 for advertising an equipment for the Drag Races to be held at Jamestown Regional Airport July 27, 28 this year.

$13,682 for summer staffing of six individuals at the National Buffalo Museum.

$1,680 for boardwalk sealant, and for a sign (cannon information) at $136.61.

Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund’s report included updates on the new web site progress, along with indicating that tourism will reach out for new partnerships in the community, regarding economic impact that tourism has.

Civic Center Manage Pam Fosse told the board that a planners guide is being readied for distribution, and pointed out that the Jehovah’s Witness convention will be coming back to Jamestown over the next 4-5 years. They indicated that Jamestown is centrally located, and noted Jamestown’s hospitality to convention-goers.

 

The Buffalo City Tourism Board went into closed Executive Session for discussion about the contract negotiations with the City of Jamestown.

The City Council’s Finance and Legal Committee on Tuesday (Mar 19, 2013) will meet in Special Session at 3-p.m. at City Hall to discuss with Buffalo City Tourism, a financing agreement, and entering into an enterprise agreement for financing