Chair Parks called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. Richard Parks, Greg Dalling, Eleanor Stone, Aimee Dawson and Jessi Gerdes were the Board members present. Barbara Bush, the Administrative Manager was also present; members of the public in attendance included (but not limited to) the following: Jenny Golding, Nico Wood Kos, Mary Strickroth, Chelsea Deweese, Sabrina Strauss, Greg Strauss, Scott Seaton, Mary Kay Woodin, Bob Kopeland, JoLynn Sharrow, Joy Perius, Tom Stone, Josh Wells, George Bumann and Dennis McIntosh.
Administrative Manager Bush presented the October meeting minutes. Vice-Chair Dalling moved to approve the October meeting minutes. Director Gerdes seconded the motion. No discussion was needed; all voted in favor; none opposed. Motion passed.
Administrative Manager Bush presented the financial statements for the month, including a Recent Transaction List and a Profit/Loss Report. Secretary/Treasurer Stone moved to approve the financial statements for the month. Vice-Chair Dalling seconded the motion. No further discussion was needed; all voted in favor; none opposed. Motion passed.
Chair Parks recognized Sabina Strauss, with Successful Gardiner. The committee will be hosting a public meeting to release the final report from this project. Sabina was asking for the Gardiner Resort Tax board to co-sponsor this event. After a Board discussion, it was determined that co-sponsoring was not something that the Board was interested in. Secretary/Treasurer stated that as a “tax entity” we don’t support individual endeavors. Chair Parks stated that as a “governmental body” the board does not support any certain option listed in the final report.
No actions were taken as the Board declined to sponsor this public event.
Chair Parks welcomed all members of the public to the meeting, explaining the question-answer session for the meeting. The public was encouraged to make comments/ask questions.
Secretary/Treasurer Stone explained the District ordinance and how money is partially appropriated by the ordinance and that two accounts, the Capital Improvement and the Community Service accounts are the money the Board appropriates. The current available funds together are approximately $408,240.00. These amounts could increase slightly as more collections are received.
Each application was announced and the representing members were given a chance to explain their request and to answer any questions from the Board and/or members of the public. Groups requesting more than one project were asked to prioritize their requests and were asked if they had any additional methods of funding. Groups were asked to clarify where their projects would be taking place, to ensure placement within the District boundaries.
After the question/answer session was complete, Chair Parks called for any additional public comment. Mr. George Bumann asked about SB241 and the possible 1% additional resort tax funding and whether the NYEF’s teacher housing project would qualify. Chair Parks summarized the legal language as is written in the revised SB241 language: ” ‘Infrastructure’ means tangible facilities and assets related to water, sewer, wastewater treatment, storm water, solid waste and utilities systems, fire protection, ambulance and law enforcement, and roads, and bridges, and other transportation needs.” JoLynn Sharrow thanked the Board members for all their hard work for the resort tax district and the community.
In Old Business, Chair Parks updated the board on West Yellowstone’s work on this 1% resort tax and how Gardiner’s district election cycle is in the spring with school board elections. The Board felt the timing would be too rushed for Spring 2020 so they anticipate trying to be ready for the Spring 2021 election with a project that would qualify for this additional 1%.
The next meeting will be held on December 10th. Vice-Chair Dalling motion to adjourn the regular session meeting at 8:32 PM. Director Dawson seconded the motion. No discussion was needed; all voted in favor; none opposed. Motion passed.
Comments