Mendocino County Lodging Association
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Fairfield Inn, Ukiah, CA

The meeting was called to order by President Jan Rodriguez at 12:15pm. Present were Scott Schneider (ED), Richard Strom, Josie Perla, Jeff Stanford, Pauline Zamboni, Mike Bradbrook, Pam Amante, Jo Bradley, Stuart Marcus, Jason Hurst, Raakesh Patel, Deny Shah, Jitu Ishwar, Alydia Atkins (guest). Phone: Renata Dorn (guest), Aimee Hanson (staff), Cally Dym

Privilege of the Floor
• Introductions were held
• Request was for a better phone system. Board mentioned the current system is one of the best out there.
• Mendocino County is only down 4% for Jan – Mar 2009 vs. 2008 and 4.5% from July – Mar. Surrounding areas are 10-30% down. Promotion is having an effect!

President’s Report –
• Met with the County on Monday to discuss monthly collection. The County wants to start with monthly and see how it works out. They welcome feedback from lodging members once the new collection system begins. The $500 charge has been a part of the law all along and now they are only implementing it now. Their hope is that properties will pay the full amount on-time.
• Board Handbook/Training – Jan is working on a Board Handbook and would like to create an ad-hoc committee to help develop the Handbook. Thought is to finish the by-law revisions before creating a Handbook.

Approval and Posting of Last Meeting’s Minutes
Jeff motions to approve minutes from the May 6 meeting and from May 27 special meeting. Josie seconds. Motion Passes.

Treasurer’s Report
Savings Account - $4998.26
Checking Account - $13.98
Scott gave update. Jo did not have a chance to look over financials. Board to vote on May financials at July meeting.

MCPA Report:
• Did not renew with E-Vision for May and June. Board felt the investment was not worthwhile.
• Denied partnership request to EcoMotion
• Working on Contract with County for 2009-2010
• Considering funding Film Office $5,000 again for 2008-2009
• Held annual retreat. Decided to begin meeting bi-monthly in July. Will hold officer elections in July as Scott is stepping down as Chair.

Administration Report
• Asked for a moment of silence in respect of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Bob Nye on June 1st. Memorial “celebration” to be held at Goldeneye June 7 from 1-3.
• Annual Meeting: Meeting will be held Sept. 24 from 3:00 – 7:00 at Parducci Winery in Ukiah. Social Media workshop will be held along with updating membership on activities. Social time including Parducci wine, music, food, etc. to follow. Time has been changed from prior years in an attempt to increase attendance.
• Board of Directors election results: 30 ballots received. Board Members elected are as follows: Jitu Ishwar, Deny Shah, Jan Rodriquez, Pam Amante, Jason Hurst, Josie Perla, Jamie Buckner (Mendocino Hotel), Kevin Gallagher & Renata Dorn. Board to vote for new officers at the July meeting.
• Update on activities and Visit Mendocino County, Inc
o Attended POW WOW on behalf of NCTC. Working to increase our travel trade product throughout the County. This was a huge advantage to Mendocino County as we were able to sell our “product” to tour and travel trade from around the world.
o Asked for feedback on advertising in the Winesong! guide. Board felt this would not be a good investment as we should spend our money outside the County.
o Sunset Celebration Days this weekend. We have over a dozen volunteers from around the County coming to host the booth in four hour shifts. Volunteers are allowed to display their brochures while at the booth. Orientation will be held for those not familiar with hosting a table at a trade show or familiar with how we are marketing the County.
o Scott encouraged Board Members and others to sign the petition against the State Park closures. We have a small window to act!

Marketing Activities
• Partnership Requests
o EcoMotion Mendocino – Requests $5,000 for their 2009 event – Nicole Kench presented the block party in August in Fort Bragg. Jeff motions to deny the EcoMotion request. A letter of support can be written in support of the concept of the event, if requested. A second request is welcome closer to the event should permits be given and the event is a “go”. Jo Seconds. Motion Passes.
o Arts Council Partnership – Requests $800/mo for FY2009-2010 – Partnership has increased membership and the promotion of the Arts to a huge extent! Jeff motions to approve $800/mo for FY2009-2010. Raakesh seconds. Motion Passes.
o Howard Hospital Foundation – Requests $5,000 for their Mushroom Train in November during the Mushroom & Wine Festival – Jo motions to fund the request in the amount of $1,000 as it is a regional event, not Countywide. Stuart seconds. Richard & Jeff call to question. Motion Passes.
o Botanical Gardens – Requests $1,000 for their concert series following Winesong! in September. Funds would be used for promotion of the event outside the County encouraging people to stay Sun/Mon nights – Jeff motions to approve $1,000. Richard seconds. Motion Passes.

Old Business
• Contract with Visit Mendocino County, Inc. – Received draft contract for FY 2009-2010 and possible adoption. Jeff motions to accept the contract with VMC. Richard seconds. Motion Passes.
• Contract with County of Mendocino – discussion and possible adoption – County accepted most changes. Committee accepted County’s “counter-edits”. Jeff motions to approve the Contract with the County for FY 2009-2010. An errata sheet will be submitted with some last minute un-substantive edits which were found. Jitu seconds. Motion Passes.
• Update on mcla.info@gmail.com legal use – Email address has not been used to our knowledge since the last regularly scheduled meeting. Jo asked for guidance as to whether she should hire the attorney for $250. Board requested Jo continue with contacting the attorney.

New Business
• SilverBranch Consulting Contract – Richard motions to abate the contract for one year. Stuart seconds. Motion Passes. Board requested Richard write the abatement letter.
• Advertising in SF Visitor Guide Summer/Fall 2009 – request to use $2,000 for ½ page ad– Pam motions we spend up to $2,000 to advertise in SFVG, Summer/Fall 2009. Jason seconds. Motion Passes. Scott was also able to secure a FREE full page in the back of the same publication.

Next Meeting
Scheduled for July 1 @ 12pm, Location: Shambhala Ranch, Comptche (To be confirmed)

Adjournment - Jeff motioned to adjourn at 3:15 pm