Commissioner Chair Roger Jasnoch called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm.

Commissioners present: Darrin Barner, Heritage Homes of Nebraska; Roger Jasnoch, Kearney Visitors Bureau; Roger Kuhn, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; Starr Lehl, Scottsbluff Economic Development; Deb Loseke, Columbus/Platte County CVB; Barry McFarland, Mac’s Creek Vineyards and Winery; Ashley Olson, Willa Cather Foundation; Sarah Sortum, Calamus Outfitters; Jeanna Stavas, Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast.

Commissioners absent:  John Chapo, Lincoln Children’s Zoo; Robert Sabin, Hilton Omaha

Commission staff present: John Ricks, Shirley Wichman, Karen Kollars, Ben Jones

1.      

Approval of Meeting Agenda

Commission Chair Jasnoch welcomed the commissioners; introductions were made; and Jasnoch asked for motion to approve agenda.

Kuhn motioned to approve the agenda. Barner seconded the motion.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Lehl, Loseke, McFarland, Olson,  Sortum, Stavas. Absent: Chapo, Sabin. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

2.      

Public Comment Period for items listed on the Agenda

Jasnoch opened the public comment period at 1:08pm.

With no members of the public coming forward, Jasnoch closed the public comment period at 1:09pm

3.      

Approval of March 24, 2022, Meeting Minutes

Jasnoch requested motion to approve the March 24, 2022, meeting minutes.

McFarland motioned to approve the meeting minutes from March 24, 2022.  Loseke seconded the motion.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Lehl, Loseke, McFarland, Olson,  Sortum, Stavas. Absent: Chapo, Sabin. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

4.      

Financial Update and Finance Committee Report – Commissioner Stavas

Stavas went through spreadsheets that were previously distributed.  Director Ricks spoke about the budget spreadsheets, budget narratives through a PowerPoint presentation pointing out various elements of financials and expenses. Discussion on gas prices, that people will still go, but may spend less.  Discussion again on increasing spending authority to $10 million in next legislative session.  There was discussion from finance committee regarding the amount of $250,000 in reserve fund. Director Ricks will send a report after the meeting.

Motion to accept status review and financials as presented by Sortum.  Lehl seconded the motion.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Lehl, Loseke, McFarland, Olson,  Sortum, Stavas. Absent: Chapo, Sabin. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

5.      

Director’s Report and NTC Project Updates – John Ricks and NTC staff

a.      

ARPA Grant Status – Commissioner Jasnoch set up a sub-committee of Olson, Stavas and Jasnoch. They will get with fiscal analyst and Director Ricks to work with DED on  ARPA non-competitive fund.

b.      

Federal Highway Administration – 2022 Byway grants – Director Ricks in discussion with DOT on grant, could possibly include Byways. Deadline is June 20^th.

c.      

Western Gateway Welcome Center Update/Request – Discussion on $50-60 thousand for Proposal – Engineering company is McChef from Scottsbluff…. was original engineering company. Questions of Do we need RFP? Procedure? Where else in state? Budget line item? Byways included for funding? 

Decision made to table until next meeting…get more information…make action item then.

d.      

Elevator Speech/Wallet Card – Discussion on what the wallet card would entail. Who would provide info. Work with marketing agency.

e.      

Sentiment Study Brochure Status – Discussion on next steps…what have we achieved and where do we go from here. Decision is to have a strategy session at next commission meeting.

6.      

Commission Committee Reports

a.      

Legislative Committee/NETA Legislative Update – Commissioner Lehl deferred to Commissioner Jasnoch for updates. Gave update on bills that NETA monitored and that passed. LB59 did pass.

b.      

Marketing Committee - Commissioner Chapo

Chapo was absent. Director Ricks gave presentation on marketing campaign. Discussion of trends and various elements of the campaign and the broader outreach this year. Ricks mentioned that CBS weekend show is working on a program to air possibly in June.

7.      

Commission Chair Report - Commissioner Jasnoch

Thanked everyone on the tourism staff for all their work. It takes everyone from large areas to small communities to work together and make a difference in the state.

8.      

New Business

a.      

Upcoming Meetings:  Discussion and agreement on the following dates:

August –  17-18, Scottsbluff

October 25-27 – South Sioux City, Date TBA

b.      

Will put on the next meeting agenda the Commissioner review status of sentiment study as well as possible regional meeting?

9.      

Adjourn

At 2:20 Jasnoch requested motion to adjourn meeting. Stavas motioned to adjourn. Second was made by Olson.

Roll call vote – Commissioners in favor: Barner, Jasnoch, Kuhn, Lehl, Loseke, McFarland, Olson,  Sortum, Stavas. Absent: Chapo, Sabin. Opposed: none. Abstain: none. Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted by Shirley Wichman

*Denotes Action Item

Open Meetings Law of the State of Nebraska will be available in the meeting room. Proposed agenda posted May 20, 2022 kept current and available for inspection on the Commission’s website, visitnebraska.com.  Items of an emergency nature may be added to the agenda by the Commission at the meeting.  The Commission reserves the right to enter into closed session, should a closed session be necessary.