Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.13.26 Meeting MinutesST. JOSEPH COUNTY HOTEL MOTEL TAX BOARD THURSDAY, August 13, 2026 8:30 A.M. Members Present Members Absent John Anthony Rob Decleene Kurt Janowsky Micki Kidder Mark McDonnell Jenny McNeil Paul Phair Carmen Piasecki Gary West Kyle Willis Ron Zeltwanger President John Anthony called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m. Darius Garner conducted roll call. APPROVAL OF MINUTES President John Anthony entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the June 3 meeting. Carmen Piasecki moved to approve the minutes, and Mark McDonnell seconded the motion. Motion carried. TREASURER'S REPORT, Ron Zeltwanger Summary: Ron Zeltwanger noted that this would be his final Treasurer’s Report. Referring to the June 30 report provided to the Board, he directed members to page 2 for the balances of the funds under the Board’s oversight and to page 3 for the Hotel-Motel Tax Fund summary. The January 1 beginning balance was $8,380,257.50. First- and second-quarter receipts totaled $2,980,813.37, while disbursements to date totaled $2,863,532.34, leaving a June 30 cash balance of $8,497,538.53. Undisbursed funds from the 2026 budget totaled $5,217,904.66. Without additional revenue, the remaining balance would be $3,279,633.87. Ron projected approximately $5,000,000.00 in receipts during the third and fourth quarters, resulting in a potential December 31 balance of $8,279,634. He noted that some grants and CVB special allocations remain pending and that budgeted funds have generally been disbursed as planned. As of June 30, the Mishawaka Sports Complex balance was $1,721,539.00; the Potawatomi Zoo balance was $1,726,311.97; the Morris cash reserve was $1,576,499.45; and the Tourism Capital Investment Fund balance was $1,544,991.23. Ron referenced page 9, which shows rolling four- quarter receipts over several years. Receipts for the most recent year were approximately $8.25 million, compared with approximately $6 million in each of the preceding two years and $5 million to $5.8 million in the two years before that. He anticipated receipts continuing in the $8 million range and noted that his final report reflected record receipts. Ron expressed appreciation for the relationships developed with the community, hoteliers, partner organizations, and the CVB, as well as for the growth achieved during his tenure. F27 BUDGET, Micki Kidder Summary: Micki Kidder reported that she and Jeff presented the budget to the Common Council at the end of July and that the presentation was well received. The budget included in the Board packets was the same version presented to the Council. She noted that the presentation recognized the record year and the activities contributing to that performance. The proposed budget supports continued investment in festivals, youth sports, Notre Dame events, and related community activities. Micki highlighted several material budget changes. Debt Service will decrease from $385,000 to $0 in 2027, while Building & Structures will decrease from $800,000 to $250,000. CVB Operations will increase by $100,000. The $400,000 marketing investment introduced several years ago has yielded positive results and will be sustained in 2027. The greatest anticipated growth is in CVB Special Projects. Given the Board’s surplus, the proposed budget provides for potential new projects, including initiatives already in development. It was emphasized that all Special Projects will require Board review and approval. President Anthony entertained a motion to accept the proposed 2027 Hotel/Motel Tax Fund Budget. Carmen Piasecki moved to accept the budget, and Mark McDonnell seconded the motion. Motion carried. President Anthony thanked Ron for 10 years of dedicated service to the Board and the community. On behalf of the Board, he presented Ron with a gift in recognition of his service. PRESIDENT'S REPORT, John Anthony Summary: President Anthony briefly discussed Boots on the Bend, the upcoming football season, and concerts. He noted that national hotel rates were down 3.3% in July. President Anthony addressed the issues involving Andy Card, noting that the Board learned of the matter at the same time as the public. Because the matter involves legal issues, he stated that Tony would not be asked about it during the Mishawaka Fieldhouse presentation. Carmen Piasecki asked who would serve as the contact for updates. President Anthony identified Jeff as the contact, and Jeff stated that the City of Mishawaka had kept the parties informed. He noted that, if the alleged misappropriation is substantiated, the City of Mishawaka would be the affected party. All Board funds were disbursed to the City of Mishawaka. Carmen requested that the Board receive timely updates on matters affecting its funds or projects rather than learning of them through news reports. ELECTION OF OFFICERS, John Anthony, Gary West, Kyle Willis Summary: Kyle Willis reported that he and Gary West contacted Board members to determine their interest in Executive Committee positions. No other members expressed interest in the President or Vice President positions. Kyle indicated that this reflected support for the leadership of John Anthony and Micki Kidder. With Ron Zeltwanger’s departure, Rob Decleene was slated to serve as Treasurer. The President and Vice President positions would remain unchanged. President Anthony entertained a motion to approve the slate of officers. Jenny McNeil moved to approve the slate, and Carmen Piasecki seconded the motion. Motion carried. POTAWATOMI ZOO Summary: The presenter was absent from the meeting. MISHAWAKA SPORTS FIELDHOUSE, Tony Stearns, General Manager Summary: Tony Stearns recognized the Fieldhouse’s ongoing partnership with OMSC. Through that partnership, the Fieldhouse hosted a football clinic with quarterback Ian Book. In addition to quarterback skills, the clinic addressed physical care, injury prevention, and personal development for young participants. Tony reported on an Adidas tournament held at the Fieldhouse, with approximately 140 girls’ teams ages 15 to 17, including leading competitors from across the nation. The event generated 1,600 hotel room bookings from Friday through Monday and drew 350 college coaches. He recognized the Fieldhouse operations team and emphasized the event’s significance for the City of Mishawaka. Tony noted that June and July are typically slower travel months for the Fieldhouse because high schools resume practices at their own facilities and many tournaments are held nationally. Local summer camps continue, including a four-day multisport camp with two sessions of 120 participants each, serving 240 children in total. The January through August recap: • 24 tournaments • Unique attendees up 12% • Room nights up 23% • Growth of AYOP and use of the facility for practices In the local programming update, Tony reported that volleyball activities will begin soon, with particular emphasis on boys’ volleyball. Basketball activity remains strong, and the UA girls’ team finished second. Pickleball membership and participation remain strong. The upcoming Midwest Open is expected to attract 400 participants and generate hotel room nights. Turf activities also remain strong, supported by a new partnership with Northern Indiana FC Academy. In response to a Board question, Tony clarified that the academy currently uses the facility for practices and hopes to expand into tournaments. An upcoming trading card event will occupy three courts and feature 250 tables. Tony described it as an opportunity to introduce the Fieldhouse to a new audience. Due to technical issues, Visit South Bend Mishawaka presented before the Morris Performing Arts Center. VISIT SOUTH BEND MISHAWAKA, Jeff Jarnecke Summary: Jeff Jarnecke reported that the STR gap had narrowed from 8% to 5%. The county’s average daily rate increased 11% through the end of June. He noted that some transient business is shifting to Elkhart County, where room rates are approximately $35 lower. Beginning in January, more than 4,000 Microsoft employees are expected to work on the project. Jeff stated that efforts are underway with local hoteliers to retain this business within the city and county. Jeff projected that the year would rank among the top three financially, potentially the second- best year on record. Jeff highlighted a $935,000 reduction in the FY27 Century Center budget request, including the expiration of $385,000 in debt service. The requested amount for improvements was reduced from $1.6 million to $250,000 for 2027. The Century Center is operating in the black and may finish the year with a positive balance. Jeff highlighted the following upcoming events: • Art Beat • Nitro Circus • Ninja event • Boots On The Bend A free student circulator bus service will connect Notre Dame’s campus with the Eastbank and downtown South Bend, supporting collaboration with the University. Service will operate Fridays from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The service is expected to resume in the spring after the snow clears. Micki asked whether Jeff had seen any impact on downtown South Bend hotels. Jeff reported that JKS’s downtown properties are having their strongest year on record and remain healthy. MORRIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, Dezha Moore Summary: Dezha Moore provided a second-quarter year-to-date overview. Revenue YTD: $720,946 Expense YTD: $828,538 Operating deficit: $107,592 Dezha noted that the Morris historically experiences lower operations and revenue in the second quarter, while the fourth quarter is typically stronger. Upcoming fourth-quarter events are expected to help reduce the deficit. YTD Room Nights The Palais hosted 56 events, reflecting an increase in activity. Other performance metrics, including projected room nights, also increased. Dezha recognized the Navarre team for its work. The Morris hosted 63 events, including events at the Raclin Murphy Encore Center. The Encore Center hosted 34 events with total attendance of approximately 4,000, including the City’s Daddy Daughter Dance and Mother Son Dance. Excluding those events, attendance was 1,200. Dezha identified Jeff Dunham and Beetlejuice as the quarter’s most successful events. Jeff Dunham reached 88% capacity and generated $34,932 in ticket revenue. eTix ticket-purchaser data demonstrated the event’s geographic draw by city and state. Beetlejuice held five performances, with 4,475 tickets distributed across those performances. Dezha reported plans to refresh the Volunteer Usher Program for adults and youth, with an emphasis on communication, recruitment, training, and recognition. Under the proposed recognition component, ushers who complete 60 hours of service will receive two complimentary tickets to a show. Implementation is planned for 2027, with additional details to be shared with the Board. Dezha highlighted rehearsals and performances for The Grinch. The Broadway season will begin with an 11-day rehearsal period, projected to generate approximately 750 hotel room nights, $25,000 in rental revenue, and $15,000 in show revenue. The four-day Dynasty Sports Film Festival is scheduled for October and is projected to generate $25,000 in revenue. Dezha also highlighted community events through Equity in the Arts and the upcoming Murder at the Morris fundraising gala. OLD BUSINESS Summary: President Anthony invited Jeff Jarnecke to update the Board on ongoing discussions concerning the Century Center’s future. Jeff reported that discussions continue with the Civic Center Board of Managers and the City of South Bend. The City plans to engage the firm that worked on the 2045 Plan to evaluate the Century Center property and properties across the street and develop potential plans. The plans will be presented to stakeholders, including the Hotel-Motel Tax Board. NEW BUSINESS Summary: There was no new business. The Board presented Mike McNeil with a token of appreciation for his work at the Compton Family Ice Arena and his 15 years of service. ADJOURNMENT Motion to Adjourn: Mark McDonnell Seconded By: Jenny McNeil Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:24 a.m.