2002-11-11 Regular Meeting and Workshop Meeting

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September 10, 2002 San Jacinto Area Tourism Council George Baylis, initial Board of Directors C. David Pomeroy, Jr., Executive Director Mayor Normal Malone City of La Porte, Texas Dear Mayor Malone, The purpose of this presentation is to solicit La Porte's participation in the San Jacinto Area Tourism Council for the promotion of tourism to our area. Funding for this program will come from the Municipal Hotel Occupancy Tax and is allocated proportionately to each participating community in accordance with the tax collected. The state legislative purpose for the Municipal Hotel Occupancy Tax is to directly enhance and promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry with specific allocation for permitted uses. For La Porte, a minimum of 3/7ths (42.86%) must be spent on "advertising and conducting solicitations and promotional programs to attract tourist ... to the municipality or its vicinity." The cities of La Porte, Deer Park, Pasadena and South Houston are being requested to join together in a regional tourism council because their tourism objectives are the same and by combining tourism dollars, a more effective program can be achieved. In addition, the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau has agreed to match the contributions of the member cities. This would provide upwards to $270,000 to promote and develop the tourism industry in the area during the 2002-2003 fiscal year. The positive advertising campaign would also improve the image of each of the member cities as well as the quality of life for its residents. A nonprofit corporation is being formed and charitable status is being sought to qualify as a Section 501 (c) (3) corporation with the Internal Revenue Service. Thus charitable donations can be solicited which would increase the amount of funds available to promote the area and to enhance the tourism industry. The following material supports this request in greater detail. La Porte's portion of the budget would be $39,796, which represents less than one half of the city's legislative obligation. La Porte would have three members on the Board of Directors to insure that La Porte is properly represented. Funding would be requested to be paid quart I . It is our desire to start October 1 st Thank you for your consideration