Estacada Tourism Council

Meeting Minutes

August 16, 2004

Present: Linda Parsons, Bennett Johnson, Clinton and Nancy Peterson, Nina O. Hamilton, Irene Adams, Randy Ealy

1. Introductions

2. Chairpersons explained the agenda plan for next three months. Plan is to create a statement regarding why we want tourism in Estacada, to be used as a guidepost in making decisions and prioritization or projects. At the next meeting we will hear proposals for the Clackamas Tourism grant. We hope to have enough information to make a decision regarding the grant request in October. Irene suggested we hear from other groups (cities) that have done similar projects. We decided to invite a representative from Canby in November. Irene will call her. (Note: we may try and organize this sooner so we are more informed when we make a decision regarding the grant project)

3. Discussion: Why do we want to promote tourism in Estacada?

· Increase business

· Increase and develop area resources

· Improvements to the area

· Create pride in the town and area

· We want to enjoy the town and improvements too

· Positive image

Bennett agreed to try and synthesize the list into a statement that we will use as a guidepost in future discussions

4. What will success look like?

· Maintain rural flavor

· Promote “Portland’s Backyard” theme

· Bike paths

· Tourism all year long

· Relatives want to come visit us here

· Jogging trails

· Unique look to the town

· Unique shops

· More art!!

· Businesses are prosperous

· Estacada is attractive to NEW business

· Maybe a theme to the town

· Town and area are destinations

· Improved/more recreation resources

· Sunset magazine is interested in us

· Range of lodging options

· More jobs

5. Grant ideas

· Benches (off set price)

· Lighting

· Awnings

· Color schemes

· Street art (sculptures and other art)

· Gateway part (with play area)

· Tourist info kiosk

· Signage

· Cleanliness

· Repairs and maintenance

· Map of recreation area

· Brochure

· Positive image development

· Art back brochure

· Marketing campaign

· Centennial (themes: trains, logging, covered bridge)

· Estacada / Springwater link

· Web presence

· Events

o Centennial

o Event schedule

At the next meeting we will listen to more detailed information regarding grant ideas. We hope that we will be able to create a list from these presentations from which we will chose a project to propose in the grant request. Presentations should include the estimated cost of the project, what is involved and other information that would help the committee determine prioritization of the project.

From the proposals we also hope to be able to create a two or three year project list. We know that $10,000 is not enough to do everything. It is our hope that we can plan for other projects over the next two or three years.

6. Field trips: Some of the committee members would like to visit other cities that have had success in creating an environment for tourism or have used the grant money. Irene said she would rather have someone come to the meeting and do a presentation (she will invite someone from Canby for this purpose) everyone agreed that would be useful but several members want to go on field trips. We will discuss at next meeting

We also discussed the commitment of the Committee. Several other groups have started in town and quickly run out of steam. We agreed we would see this though.

7. Next meeting: September 20, 2004 at 7 pm at City Hall

Remember, this is the meeting at which we will listen to proposals for the grant. Proposals are limited to 5 minutes to allow time for questions. The more complete the proposal, the better chance it has of making it to the final list. Needs to demonstrate how it supports the objectives listed in Item #3 above

Draft agenda for September 20 meeting:

1. Introductions
2. Draft “Why we want to promote Tourism” statement
3. Presentation of grant proposals
4. Review of process for grant proposal selection
5. Next meeting date and time