HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 01/15/2002 - 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 January 15, 2002, which were approved by the City
Council on January 22, 2002.
WITNESSETH MY HAND AND SEAL, this 22nd day of January 2002.
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
SEAL
MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
CORPUS CHRISTI CITY COUNCIL AND
CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS
January 15, 2002 - 12:10 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Samuel L. Neal Jr.
Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Noyola
Brent Chesney*
Javier Colmenero
Henry Garrett
Bill Kelly*
Rex Kinnison*
City Staff Present
City Manager David R. Garcia
Deputy City Manager George Noe
City Secretary Armando Chapa
City Attorney James R. Bray Jr.
Recording Secretary Rachelle Parry
CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
Brad Lomax, Board Chairman
Jody Patel
Dave Prewitt
Bert Quintanilla
Linda Routh
Tom Schmid
Berney Seal
John Trice
Dan Viola
ABSENT
John Longoria (Council Member)
Mark Scott (Council Member)
Vangie Chapa (Board Member)
Cristina Garza (Board Member)
Bill Goin (Board Member)
Victor Gonzalez (Board Member)
Bill Morgan (Board Member)
Govind Nadkarni (Board Member)
Mayor Neal called the meeting to order in the Basement Training Room of City Hall. City
Secretary Chapa checked the roll and said that although there was not yet a quorum of the Council,
they could still hear the presentation as long as they did not take any action.
Mr. Lomax introduced Mr. Mike Wheeler of the accounting firm of Fite & Wheeler. Mr.
Wheeler discussed the results of the CVB audit as of July 31, 2001, saying his company issued a
clean opinion of the organization's financial statements. He said the CVB now has liquidity with a
two -to -one ratio of funds coming in versus funds going out. Mr. Lomax commented that the CVB
is being well-run but additional monies are needed to further its goals.
*Council Member Kinnison arrived at approximately 12:20 p.m. and Council Member
Chesney arrived at approximately 12:23 p.m.
Mr. Quintanilla reported that Mr. Wayne Bennett, CEO of the CVB, has streamlined the staff
and focused on advertising efforts by contracting with Mr. Bill Pettus of Pettus Advertising. He said
Mr. Bennett has also doubled the convention sales staff. He noted that the CVB is also working with
the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Quintanilla discussed new opportunities for growth,
including the new airport terminal, the American Bowling Congress convention in 2006, direct Delta
Minutes - Joint Meeting
January 15, 2002
Page 2
Airlines flights to Dallas, the renovated convention center and new arena, and planned development
on Packery Channel and Mustang Island. He noted that after September 11th, driving destinations
have become even more important, which has benefitted Corpus Christi's tourism.
Mr. Prewitt, outgoing President of the Hotel/Motel/Condominium Association and manager
of the Holiday Inn Airport, discussed marketing efforts and the importance of return on investment.
He said hoteliers need a strong CVB and he noted that convention decisions are made two to 10
years in advance. He said the CVB needs to spend more money on promoting Corpus Christi as a
convention destination and he showed a slide of the convention media plan for August 2002 to July
2003, which includes an increase of approximately $348,000. He discussed the pros and cons of
obtaining that amount from the following sources: membership income, advertising cooperatives,
shifting funds out of the tourism area, and privatizing the sales marketing efforts.
*Council Member Kelly arrived at approximately 12:38 p.m.
Mr. Kevin Latone, manager of the Omni Hotels, discussed the importance of tourism, noting
that it is the largest industry in the world and the third largest in Texas. He commented on findings
of the Star Report (an industry report). He said that developing Corpus Christi's convention market
to its full potential will have a far-reaching impact since tourism translates into economic
development. Mr. Latone said that the cost of holding conventions in this city is half that of other
cities and the CVB must educate meeting planners and develop regional and national tourism
markets. He added that the CVB must spend money to make money.
Mr. Lomax then showed a new video --to be used in the CVB's tourism efforts --promoting
the many amenities that Corpus Christi has to offer. Following the video, Mr. Lomax reiterated that
the CVB needs additional funds in order to better market this city. He then responded to Council
members' questions and said he would provide them with specific information. A discussion ensued
concerning the impact of additional small hotels on the daily occupancy rate.
Mayor Neal said that when he was president of the Texas Municipal League, people
repeatedly told him that they would like to hold conventions in Corpus Christi but it lacked sufficient
hotel rooms in the downtown area. The Mayor complimented the CVB on the new video and said
the Council will consider the organization's request for additional funds as they go through the
budget process in the next few months.
There being no other business, the Mayor adjourned the joint meeting at 1:18 p.m. on January
15, 2002.
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