The Rock Port Tourism Board met February 18, 2025. Board members present were Jim Clodfelter, Alyssa Beck, and Ashtyn Beatty. Members present via telephone were Jody VanSickle, Elizabeth Dillman, Karen Brown, and Philip Angle. Mayor Amy Thomas was also present.

Jody called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m.

The agenda was approved.

The minutes of the October 10, 2024, meeting were approved.

The financials for October, November, December, January,  and February were also approved.

There was discussion on Old Fashioned Saturday Night. The Tourism Board wishes to continue the Lewis and Clark Bucks for the ball drop to keep the money given by the Tourism Board at this event. All Lewis and Clark bucks can be spent as equivalent to money ($1 is 1 Lewis and Clark Buck). They plan to make flyers to hand out to vendors for a better understanding on how to use and exchange after the event and they plan to have more ball drop counters this year.

The Tourism Board plans to help with the 3rd of July with volunteering and will provide bomb pops (red, white, and blue popsicles), and all night glow items to be handed out.

The date for Summer Palooza has not been set, but they are thinking it may be after all schools in the surrounding areas dismiss for summer. The end of May is being considered, depending on bounce house rentals. The Tourism Board wants to ask local businesses/vendors to sponsor a bounce house. Businesses can place a banner or wear clothing to represent themselves and they can sell items by the bounce house. They would be in charge of watching for safety in the bounce house.

Board members voted 6-1 to give the scenic wind turbine blade back to the city to maintain.

In regards to storage issues board members had previously voted to give the stage to the school. The speaker can fit in the city hall closet. Any other items can be brought to a meeting and they can go through the items. Board members unanimously voted no storage change. As previously discussed and voted on, the Tourism Board is an advisory board and cannot privately store items purchased with tax money. These items must be stored on city property.

There are open positions on the Rock Port Tourism Board. If you would like to join print off and fill out an application. It can be given to any board member or to the city clerk. Elizabeth inquired  if the by-laws on who is allowed to join can be changed. She was referring to more than just living in city limits or owning a business in city limits. Jody stated he will look into it.

Board members voted to put an ad in the paper about open positions for the tourism board.

Mayor Thomas presented questions in regards to AirBNB taxes. Elizabeth stated that everyone, including AirBNB, pays tourism tax if the stay is under 31 days.

Board members had voted on the pay back money for 2024 Old Fashioned Saturday Night to Karen Brown. She still has not received payment.

The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

The next meeting was set for March 11 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.