Minutes 03-12-2024 - Work Session

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Commissioner McKee said he sees this advisory board as a dual purpose because it serves as an economic development driver and helps the citizens. Commissioner Fowler thanked the CHOCVB Advisory Board for the creation of the disability restaurant guide. Commissioner Richards asked about the plan to help large event spaces. Laurie Paolicelli, Executive Director for the CHOCVB, said it has been hard for the conference and meeting industry across the nation. She said that there have been improvements over the last year. She said they large spaces rely on 300 attendees in the ballroom and large meeting spaces. She said that during the pandemic, it was discovered that Zoom works well. She said they are also seeing a general increase in the number of room nights available and less demand. She said that a former board member recommended shifting the marketing dollars from the transient nights to the larger groups. She said that leads are going up and it is coming back. She said that she thinks it is on the uptick. She said that last year, Carolina Inn broke all records and a lot of that was in food and beverage. Commissioner Richards said that at the last CHOCVB Advisory Board meeting there was an overview of the campaign, and she wants everyone to know that it is something that is being worked on. Commissioner McKee asked how many thousand square feet they want in a new facility. Laurie Paolicelli said people really want a public facility and that it is a struggle to find those spaces. Anita Mills of the Arts Commission said it is her last year on the commission. She said that the attention paid to the arts in Orange County has been heartwarming to her. She said they have been at the Eno Arts Mill for 2 years. She said that the facility generated enough revenue in their second year to cover expenses. She credited Katie Murray, the Arts Commission Director, with their success. She reviewed the list of accomplishments in the Arts Commission's work plan, which was included in the agenda packet. Commissioner McKee said that there are many ways to volunteer with the county and thanked Anita Mills for her service. Anita Mills said witnessing the development of the Eno Arts Mill has been a highlight for her. Commissioner Richards congratulated the Arts Commission for their accomplishments. She asked for elaboration on maintaining self-sufficiency. Anita Mills said they can do more with more staff, for camps, curriculum, etc. She said it is a matter of peoplepower. Katie Murray said it can be hard for the public to understand that because this is a county funded art space, why prices are not more in line with recreation prices, but they are a non-profit where their revenues have to cover the expenses. She said that it is hard to make things affordable and she has a hard time explaining the cost difference. She said that their non-profit can raise funds to offset costs. Commissioner Richards asked if the non-profit arm is as described, a blessing and a challenge. Katie Murray said that it is working now but that she has a dream of being able to offer arts services in the way that parks services are offered. 2. Request to Jointly Fund a Position to Support Black, Latinx, and Refugee Owned Enterprises The Board discussed a request from The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill Carrboro to partially fund a full-time community advocate to support the growth of new and existing Black, Latinx, and refugee owned businesses and provided direction to staff on next steps.