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7.02: Adopt Ordinance No. to Amend City Code Section 117 -118 Entitled The COR <br />Senior Planner Gladhill reviewed the staff report. <br />Motion by Councilmember McGlone, seconded by Councilmember Wise, to waive the City <br />Charter requirement to read the ordinance aloud and adopt Ordinance No. , An Amendment to <br />Chapter 117 which is known as the Zoning and Subdivision of Land Chapter of the City Code of <br />Ramsey, Minnesota, An Ordinance Amending Section 117 -118 "The COR Districts" of Chapter <br />117 of the City Code of Ramsey, Minnesota. <br />A roll call vote was performed by the Recording Secretary: <br />Councilmember Strommen aye <br />Councilmember Tossey aye <br />Councilmember Backous aye <br />Councilmember Wise aye <br />Councilmember McGlone aye <br />Councilmember Elvig aye <br />Mayor Ramsey aye <br />Motion carried. <br />7.03: Consider Membership in Twin Cities Gateway Convention & Visitors Bureau <br />(CVB) <br />Economic Development /Marketing Director Backman reviewed the staff report. He explained <br />statute mandates involvement of the municipality for a lodging property to collect the three - <br />percent sales tax. If the lodging property is not a member, it has to pay a ten - percent referral fee. <br />Economic Development /Marketing Director Backman indicated there is a six -month notice <br />requirement should the City decide to withdraw. If approved, the hotel would cut a check to the <br />City once a month and the City would then cut a check to the CVB. <br />The Council debated the merits of the CVB and each stated their position for or against. <br />Consensus was reached that it would prefer this program operated similar to a chamber of <br />commerce without government involvement; however, that is not an option under the statute. <br />Mayor Ramsey and Councilmembers McGlone and Tossey stated their intention to oppose <br />membership and resulting additional tax, seeing it as another layer of government and intrusion <br />into the private sector. Rather, they preferred the hotel increase room rates by 3% to generate <br />enough money to do its own advertising. <br />Councilmembers Backous, Elvig, Strommen, and Wise spoke in support of CVB membership, <br />though acknowledging it is a difficult decision. Support was expressed because it would provide <br />the City's hospitality industry with another tool /opportunity to attract business and remain <br />competitive, Ramsey's surrounding communities are members, and the owner of the one hotel in <br />Ramsey supports CVB membership. <br />City Council / February 28, 2012 <br />Page 4 of 7 <br />