New agreement would change oversight of Cape's Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Cape Girardeau City Council will vote today on a new agreement with the local chamber of commerce that would change the oversight structure of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and more clearly define duties.

The meeting will be held at the Shawnee Park Center, with the study session scheduled for 5 p.m. and the regular meeting set for 7 p.m.

Under the proposed agreement, the current system of two advisory boards would be replaced with a six-member Convention and Visitors Bureau executive board.

The new board would have three members appointed by the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce and three chosen by the city council. Chamber president John Mehner would serve on the board.

The city manager would be one of the three city representatives on the board.

City manager Scott Meyer said the new board would be organized like the River Campus and Show Me Center boards, which have equal membership from the city and Southeast Missouri State University.

Meyer, who serves on both boards, said it makes sense for the city manager to serve on the CVB board as well. He said it would lead to improved communication and allow him to better communicate information about the CVB operation to city council members.

The CVB has been overseen by an executive board and a task force, and city representation has been less defined under the current system.

Under the new agreement, the executive board would be required to hold open meetings at least quarterly, and meeting agendas would be posted as required by Missouri's open-meetings and records law.

The agreement calls for the board to provide "oversight" of CVB operations, including methods of promoting tourism, conventions, meetings and other activities.

The board would provide input for development of a long-term strategic plan and an annual marketing and business plan. The board also would provide input regarding the operating budget and ensure it "reflects the full cost of CVB operations," the proposed contract states.

Meyer said the proposed agreement is "not a response to some type of problem."

He added the agreement would provide "good checks and balances" for an operation funded with city tax money.

The current five-year agreement between the city and the chamber is set to expire June 30, 2017. The new agreement would take effect Jan. 1, 2017, and run through June 30, 2020, with options for two extensions of three years each.

With the extensions, the agreement could last until June 30, 2026.

Mehner, the chamber president, said under the new agreement, the chamber's board of directors still would make the final decisions regarding CVB operations.

Mehner said his organization will continue to work closely with the city.

"We love the relationship," he said.

He said CVB financial records are provided to city government.

"We have always given them audited financials," he said.

The chamber also provides an annual report to the city about CVB operations.

Mehner said the new agreement won't change day-to-day operations.

The chamber asked for a new agreement because the CVB has moved into new quarters in the Marquette Tower on Broadway and wanted to be assured city funding would continue, Mehner said.

Under the new agreement, the CVB will operate under the existing budget in which the city is providing $654,800 through June 30, 2017.

City spending on the CVB is determined annually, city and chamber officials said. City funding comes from motel/hotel tax revenue.

An existing agreement with Midamerica Hotels Corp. specifies the CVB budget cannot grow more than 3 percent annually unless there is at least 7 percent growth in hotel/motel and restaurant taxes in a 12-month period.

Even then, the percentage growth in funding is restricted and cannot exceed 10 percent in a single year. The budget restrictions, which are in place, are listed in the new CVB agreement.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

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835 S. West End Blvd., Cape Girardeau, Mo.