HomeMy WebLinkAboutTourism & Fair Committee - Minutes - 3/2/20212021-03-02 Minutes
Minutes of the
BAYFIELD COUNTY TOURISM-FAIR COMMITTEE
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 4:00 PM
Online Meeting – via Microsoft Teams
Members Present: Larry Fickbohm, James Crandall, Mary Dougherty, Charly Ray
Members Absent: Tom Snilsberg
Others Present: Mary D. Motiff, Tourism Director; Ursula M. Garrison, Fair Coordinator; Fred Strand, Bayfield County
Board of Supervisors Vice-Chair; Mark Abeles-Allison, County Administrator (4-4:43pm, 4:55-5:30pm);
Kellie Pederson, Community Development Educator; David Anderson, AOEF President
I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 4:02PM by Fickbohm
II. Motion to Approve Tourism Fair Committee January 26, 2021 Minutes – (Crandall/Ray) Motion carried.
III. Public Comment: No Public Comment.
IV. Budget Review: – Motiff went over budget line items along with scenarios that attempt to decrease the levy by
2%, 5% and 7% overall as requested by the Administrator. Due to the projected increase in salaries in 2022, the
scenarios represent higher cuts than listed above. Motiff also indicated we have already cut many different
expenditures in our budget over the past 5 years. Any further reductions can have a seriously negative impact and
may be unrealistic. Motiff also went over potential revenue increase opportunities including an increase in the
Winter Storage Fees for the 2021-2022 Season.
V. Discussion and Possible Action on 2021 Fair and Fairgrounds Fees – Motion (Crandall/Dougherty) to increase
Winter Storage Fees to $12.00 a running foot. Motion Carried. Motiff reviewed the critical need for the
Committee to make a decision as to whether we will have an in-person Fair in 2021. After lengthy discussion
which included considering the percentage of vaccinated people in the county, there was committee consensus to
move forward with an in-person fair and Motiff was given the go-ahead to sign the Carnival Contract.
VI. Discussion and possible Action on Bid Results for Phase III Electric Project – Motiff reported that she has had
multiple conversations with the contractor, the engineer and the highway department to try to reduce the cost of
this project, which is currently $40,000 over our budgeted amount. Abeles-Allison recommended trying to
complete the entire project this year to avoid further increases in costs next year. Costs will be verified, so the
Tourism/Fair Committee can make a recommendation to the Executive Committee to approve the difference in
costs.
VII. Discussion on Tourism-related Topics
a. Countywide Trail Coordination (Charly Ray) – Ray proposed establishing or facilitating a county-wide trail
coordination network. After some discussion, the committee was in consensus that this function is outside the
scope of the department’s mission.
b. Electric Car Charging Station (Larry Fickbohm) – Abeles-Allison indicated equipment is being shipped in early
May and that by early summer we should have something in place. We will have to wait and see what the
availability will be so we can see if we can promote it.
VIII. Tourism Report from Director – Motiff reviewed the department Goals & Objectives and shared some updates on
specific activities including: maximizing the new National Scenic Bayway designation of the Wisconsin Lake
Superior Scenic Byway, participating in Washburn’s Community Branding Initiative led by UW-Madison Extension,
working with Turner Media on itinerary development. Motiff also shared Tourism Statistics - Sales Taxes in
2021-03-02 Minutes
February were another record month – we are 12% over last year at this time. Visitors’ requests in all categories
were higher than last year. YouTube and Facebook advertising winter campaigns were successful.
IX. Future Agenda Items and Next Meeting Date – The Next meeting is scheduled for April 27, 2021 at 4 pm in the
EOC and remotely.
X. Adjournment – the meeting was adjourned at 6:04 pm.
Respectfully submitted by:
Ursula M. Garrison
Fair Secretary