Title
a. Receive a presentation and request for funding in the amount of $70,000 from Salinas Valley Tourism & Visitors Bureau, as recommended by the Economic Opportunity Administrative Subcommittee, and
b. Consider potential funding options.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation and request for funding in the amount of $70,000 from Salinas Valley Tourism & Visitors Bureau (SVT&VB), as recommended by the Economic Opportunity Administrative Subcommittee, and
b. Consider potential funding options.
SUMMARY:
Under the Development Set-Aside (DSA) Program, the Economic Opportunity Administrative Subcommittee (the Subcommittee) is tasked with developing recommendations in response to requests for funding from interested organizations. The SVT&VB is requesting $70,000 to implement a Salinas Valley Tourism Attraction Program.
DISCUSSION:
On June 23, 2014, the Subcommittee unanimously passed a motion approving DSA funding for the SVT&VB on condition that the SVT&VB: (1) provide Economic Development Department staff with a copy of documents demonstrating financial status and (2) provide Economic Development Department staff with a work plan detailing how it would use the $70,000 in funding. SVT&VB has met these conditions. The Subcommittee further recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider funding SVT&VB in an amount up to $70,000 for the 2014-15 fiscal year and, thereafter, consider designating the SVT&VB as a Development Set-Aside agency which would receive ongoing funding. The Subcommittee directed Economic Development Department staff to forward the SVT&VB's request to the Board of Supervisors for funding consideration.
The SVT&VB funding request, if granted, would be used to provide operational support for the California Welcome Center, located in Salinas. It would also be used as first year seed funding to implement the Salinas Valley Tourism Attraction Program; this would be comprised of: 1) setting up tours of large agri-business and small independent farms in the Salinas Valley, 2) testing the feasibility of the SVT&VB's tourism program, and 3) refining and packaging programmed Salinas Valley "day trips." More details are found in SVT&VB's attached funding request.
On August 26, 2014, the Board of Supervisors voted, 4 to 1, to receive a funding request from the SVT&VB. The Board of Supervisors recommended that the existing DSA agencies, the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCCVB), the Arts Council for Monterey County (ACMC), and the Monterey County Film Commission (MCFC), be afforded the opportunity to assist in finding a financial solution that works for all. Furthermore, the Board of Supervisors recommended that Development Set-Aside funds, additional Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) funds, or the General Fund be considered as a source of funding in an amount ranging from $50,000 to $70,000.
On August 12, 2014, a meeting was held between the Directors of the MCCVB and SVT&VB to discuss the possibility that MCCVB would provide $70,000 to support the Salinas Valley Tourism Attraction Program, would provide administrative oversight of the Salinas Valley Tourism Attraction Program, and would facilitate SVT&VB's measurement of the California Welcome Center's performance. While the MCCVB is willing to enter into this partnership, the SVT&VB's first choice is to seek funding directly from the County of Monterey.
With respect to funding, the DSA Program was not allocated additional funds in the FY 2014-15 Board Adopted Budget. The Subcommittee directed Economic Development Department staff to forward the SVT&VB's request to the Board of Supervisors for funding consideration. The options before the Board of Supervisors regarding funding include:
1. Denying SVT&VB's request
2. If agreed to by the MCCVB and SVT&VB, authorizing the MCCVB to modify its DSA 2014-15 budget by $70,000 (or other amount), and to subcontract with the SVT&VB to implement the Salinas Valley Tourism Attraction Program
3. Modifying existing contracts with DSA agencies and implementing a new formula for allocating DSA funds; or,
4. Adding $70,000 (or other amount) to the DSA Account from the General Fund.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Subcommittee recommends that the Board of Supervisors consider the funding request from SVT&VB. County Counsel has approved this report as to form.
FINANCING:
If option 1, 2, or 3 are selected there would be no impact to the General Fund, however if option 4 is selected there would be an impact to the General Fund of up to $70,000, and this action would require staff to acquire funds from another program and return to the Board for approval.
Prepared by:
_________________________________________________
Jerry Hernandez, Analyst X5393
Economic Development Department
Approved by:
_________________________________________________
David L. Spaur, CEcD, EDFP X5387
Economic Development Director
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board Office:
SVT&VB Funding Request
SVT&VB Draft Performance Measures
SVT&VB PowerPoint Presentation