Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 10/10/2000 - JointI HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Joint Council Meeting of the City of Corpus Christi of October 10, 2000, which were approved by the City Council on October 17, 2000. WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 17th day of October, 2000. Armando Chapa City Secretary SEAL MINUTES JOINT MEETING OF THE CORPUS CHRISTI CITY COUNCIL AND CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS October 10, 2000 - 12:10 p.m. CITY COUNCIL Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Melody Cooper* Javier D. Colmenero Rex Kinnison Betty Jean Longoria John Longoria Mark Scott City Staff Present City Manager David R. Garcia City Attorney James R. Bray City Secretary Armando Chapa Recording Secretary Rachelle P. Ramon COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT Henry Garrett Arnold Gonzales CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Bill Pruet, Board Chairman Vangie Chapa Bill Goin Victor Gonzalez Brad Lomax Bill Morgan Govind Nadkarni Jody Patel Bert Quintanilla Linda Routh Berney Seal Jim Snow John Trice BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT Cristina Garza Yolanda Olivarez Mayor Neal called the meeting to order in the Basement Training Room of City Hall. City Secretary Chapa checked the roll and verified that a quorum was present to conduct the meeting. Mr. Pruet also confirmed that a majority of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) board members were present. He said that although the CVB currently does not have a CEO, they are making progress in many areas and their intention at this meeting was to report that information to the Council. *Ms. Cooper arrived at 12:14 p.m. Mr. Seal gave an update on the search for a new CEO. He said Ms. Cynthia Garcia, director of the city's Human Resources Department, met with the search committee and helped them develop scoring guidelines and other aspects of the hiring process. He said they are setting a deadline of November 1st for accepting applications and they hope to have a CEO hired by the end of the year. Responding to Council members' questions, he read a summary of the job description, noting that the board wants to hire someone who has had CVB experience and who holds a college degree. Mr. Pruet noted that the search committee has been meeting weekly. Mr. Lomax, a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee, said they are committed to getting the bond issue passed and they support legislation to restore a more traditional school year schedule (to begin later in August or early September). He said they are also working with the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, the Regional Transportation Authority and the Downtown Management District on transportation issues, such as how to more easily and efficiently transport visitors and Minutes - Joint Meeting October 10, 2000 Page 2 conventioneers around the city to the hotels and attractions. He said they also support quarterly meetings between the CVB board and the City Council. Mr. Jim Snow, a member of the Marketing Committee, said there is a good mix of stakeholders involved, including representatives of the Texas State Aquarium, the U. S.S. Lexington Museum on the Bay, hoteliers, and others. Mr. Bill Pettus, who will be handling the CVB's advertising needs, has met with the committee members to discuss their goals. During their next meeting, the committee intends to develop a basic advertising plan as well as a multi-year plan. Mr. Pruet said they are working to maximize the cooperative dollars from local partners. City Manager Garcia asked about current ad campaigns, such as the "Beaches of Texas." Mr. Joey Jarreau, CVB Director of Sales and Marketing and Acting CEO, said he is meeting soon with representatives from Galveston to discuss that campaign. He said they are also working on an audit of the former Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance (of which the CVB was a member). Mr. Snow added that the Beach to Bay guide and the convention guide are both totally supported by advertising. Mr. Jarreau added that they also have an interim marketing piece they are using to promote the city at this time. Mr. Kinnison asked how the CVB is helping to promote specific events, such as the upcoming Texas Jazz Festival. Mr. Jarreau said they have added a "button" to the CVB's web page with a link to upcoming events and he discussed the importance of sending out promotional information ahead of the events. Mr. Longoria commented about Texas Monthly magazine's e-mail service about upcoming events around the state. Mr. Trice added that the CVB board's strategy is to not underwrite events but to help market them. Mr. Scott asked how the CVB integrates marketing on the website. Mr. Jarreau replied that they link the CVB's site to other sites, such as the Jazz Festival's site. A brief discussion followed about booking room reservations from the web site and who pays for it. Mr. Pruet said the board is still studying several issues regarding the web site and they will report back to the Council. Mr. Jarreau then gave a sales update, referring to figures he distributed regarding the booking activity. He said the CVB has hired new staff members and they are going after new business, including finding partners for trade shows for the whole year. As a result, they have been able to add two new trade shows. He said they are also having monthly meetings with the CVB's partners and they are encouraging national associations to hold their regional meetings in Corpus Christi. He added that they also intend to bid on the American Bowling Congress convention for 2006. Mr. Pruet said the ABC was held in Corpus Christi in 1992 and it can have an economic impact of $60 million to $70 million. He said they are getting ideas about funding sources for the $500,000 that the successful bidder will have to have. Mayor Neal asked if the CVB was doing any marketing with the Buccaneer Commission. Mr. Jarreau said the former CEO had met with the head of that organization. He also commented how the CVB assists tour groups that come to Corpus Christi. The Mayor asked if the CVB is marketing Minutes - Joint Meeting October 10, 2000 Page 3 the new Ortiz Center at the port, and Mr. Jarreau said they are marketing it as a location to hold meetings and events. Mr. Longoria asked about plans for the city's 150th birthday, and Mayor Neal said they have started developing ideas on how to celebrate that in 2002. Mr. Scott noted that there was an item on the Council's agenda later that day on management of the proposed arena. Mr. Pruet thanked the Council for allowing them to meet and he welcomed the Council members to the CVB board meetings. Mrs. Longoria commented on the need for taxi drivers to better market and promote Corpus Christi, and Mr. Jarreau said they are very attuned to that need. Mayor Neal commented on the importance of maintaining good communication between the Council and the CVB. There being no other business, he adjourned the meeting at 1:15 p.m. on October 10, 2000. * * * * * * * * * * * * *