There is hereby created the convention and tourism bureau (the CTB). The CTB shall recommend to the city council those activities, programs, events and policies that will best promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry within the city limits. Such activities, programs, events and policies, if approved by the city council, would be funded all or in part by revenue generated by the hotel occupancy tax adopted by the city pursuant to the provisions of chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code.
(1999 Code, sec. 8.2101)
The CTB shall be organized under the following terms and conditions:
(1) 
Name.
The name of the committee shall be the city convention and tourism bureau (the CTB).
(2) 
Appointment and term of members.
The CTB shall consist of seven (7) members, who shall be recommended by the mayor and approved by the city council to serve two-year terms coinciding with the term of the mayor, except for the initial appointees, who shall serve until the city mayoral election in the year 2009. Members will continue to serve until new members have been recommended by the mayor and approved by the city council. The mayor shall designate a chairperson from among the appointees, who shall preside over all meetings. Any vacancies shall be filled by recommendation of the mayor with city council approval.
(3) 
Meetings.
The CTB shall meet at least monthly. The CTB may meet in special session upon call by the chairman. Meetings shall be held in the council chambers. Notice of each regular or special meeting of the CTB shall be posted in accordance with the state open government statutes. The CTB shall elect a vice-chairman and secretary at its first meeting. The vice-chairman shall preside over meetings when the chairperson is unable to attend. The secretary shall review and maintain copies of minutes of CTB meetings in a permanent file and shall sign minutes of meetings with the chairperson or vice-chairperson once approved by the majority of the CTB.
(4) 
Conduct of business; minutes.
The CTB shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its meetings. The CTB shall keep minutes of all regular and special meetings that shall be filed with the city secretary. The mayor shall report on activities of the CTB at regular city council meetings. The chairman of the CTB shall present any recommendations from the CTB to the city council. The city shall provide a member of the administrative staff to attend all meetings of the CTB for the purpose of recording minutes.
(5) 
Forms for use by persons requesting funds.
The CTB shall promulgate forms for use by persons or entities requesting hotel occupancy tax funds for use in qualifying events or projects. In addition to furnishing other information that may be required, such forms shall require the applicant to state in writing how the requested expenditure will enhance and promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry in the city.
(6) 
Studies and recommendations; member education.
The CTB shall use its best efforts to study proposed use of funds generated by the hotel occupancy tax and shall recommend allocation of funds as required by Tax Code section 351.103. From time to time, the CTB shall recommend activities, events and programs to the city council that will best promote the city as a convention site and tourist destination. To assist it in achieving its goals, the CTB may communicate with other cities and examine their policies and practices regarding conventions and tourism. Members of the CTB may attend workshops and studies created for the purposes of assisting cities to develop convention and visitor incentives.
(7) 
Qualifications of members.
Members of the CTB shall possess at least one of the following qualifications:
(A) 
Residency within the city limits;
(B) 
A nonresident of the city who may own or be an officer or director of a business, other than a hotel or motel, with offices within the city limits. No more than two CTB member qualifying solely under this subsection shall be appointed; or
(C) 
An employee or officer of a hotel or motel located within the city limits, who may either be a resident or nonresident of the city. No more than two CTB members qualifying solely under this subsection shall be appointed.
(8) 
Disqualification for membership.
No member appointed under subsection (7)(A) or (7)(B) may own, be employed by, or serve on the board of any organization or entity which is applying for or may apply for hotel occupancy tax financial assistance for any activities, programs, or events. No person shall serve on the CTB who has a spouse, child or stepchild who owns or is employed by or serving on the board of any organization or entity which is applying for or may apply for hotel occupancy tax financial assistance for any activities, programs, or events.
(9) 
Reports on requests for funds.
A majority of CTB members attending a meeting shall be a quorum. No later than its second meeting after a request for hotel occupancy tax financial assistance has been filed, the CTB shall indicate in a written report to the city council whether it does or does not recommend the request. The report shall also describe how the request complies with any one or more of the statutory categories for expenditures set out in section 351.101(a)(1) through (7) of the Tax Code. A copy of the request accompanied by the report of the CTB shall be delivered to the city council for determination whether the project is related to the promotion of tourism and the convention and hotel industry within the city limits. The city council shall not be bound by the recommendation of the CTB in determining whether the project should be approved.
(Ordinance 2993 adopted 7/12/21)
Before final action by the city council, any request for use of revenue generated by the hotel occupancy tax originating in the city council shall be submitted to the CTB for review. The request shall be returned to the city council for final action after CTB review.
(1999 Code, sec. 8.2103)
Each budget year, the city council shall allocate funds for use by the CTB as a line item in the following fiscal year based upon anticipated administrative costs and estimated costs for CTB member education. Revenue generated from the hotel occupancy tax shall be used only for activities directly related to promoting tourism and the hotel and convention business. The mayor or city administrator may hear requests for and authorize expenditure of city funds by members of the CTB. Any member receiving funds under this section shall keep records of any expenditure and shall deliver copies of such records supported by receipts or invoices to the city administrator.
(1999 Code, sec. 8.2104)