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)