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Staff wants to make it clear that this was not originally a Staff initiated idea but it has full "buy-in"" from both <br /> Hotels in Ramsey. This opportunity was presented to the City in November of 2023 and the City simply asked <br /> its hotels if they would have interest. Both hotels are very interested and believe that it will help them with <br /> increased occupancy rates and are supportive of the 3% lodging tax being implemented for each room booked. <br /> Both Hotels have provided a letter of support of implementing a lodging tax. Upon reviewing all the information, <br /> meeting with Al Stauffacher, discussing this with the City Administrator of Lino Lakes, and seeing support for <br /> this program by our two hotels, Staff sees the potential benefits of this program for the City, and our 2 hotels. f <br /> the City joins TC Gateway it will receive a seat on the board which will be designated by the City <br /> Council. Al Stauffacher,Director of the Twin Cities Gateway Visitors Bureau,will be in attendance to provide <br /> an overview of the Visitors Bureau and to answer questions. Additional information can be found at Home - Twin <br /> Cities Gateway(tcgateway.com) (https://www.tcgateway.com). <br /> There were additional questions by some EDA members at the August meeting, and a few days after, about the <br /> TC Gateway Organization and its operations. The FAQ has been updated with answers to those questions and is <br /> attached to this case. <br /> If the City decides it would like to join the Twin Cities Gateway it will require the adoption of an Ordinance, <br /> potential amendments to code and entering into an agreement with Twin Cities Gateway <br /> Alternatives: <br /> 1) Direct Staff to work with the City Attorney to draft documents necessary to implement a 3%Lodging Tax, <br /> bring back to the City Council for formal action, and to join the Twin Cities Gateway Visitors Bureau <br /> 2) Direct Staff to Conduct Additional Research and Provide Information to City Council <br /> 3)No Action-City Council to NOT Implement a Lodging Tax and to NOT Join the Twin Cities Gateway <br /> Visitors Bureau <br /> 4) Something Else <br /> Funding Source: <br /> All funds are generated through a 3% lodging tax collected from Comfort Suites and Hilton Home2 Suites. <br /> Recommendation: <br /> The EDA met on August 8, 2024 and passed a motion to recommend the City Council to implement a 3% <br /> Lodging Tax and to join the Twin Cities Gateway Visitors Bureau. There were some additional questions by <br /> EDA members and the answers to those questions are included iin the FAQ attached to this case. <br /> Outcome/Action: <br /> Direct Staff to work with the City Attorney to draft documents necessary to implement a 3% Lodging <br /> Tax, bring back to the City Council for formal action, and to join the Twin Cities Gateway Visitors Bureau <br /> Attachments <br /> DRAFT Agreement TC Gateway <br /> Letter of Support Blue Sky(Comfort Suites) <br /> Letter of Support Hilton Home2 Suites <br /> TC Gateway Visitor Bureau Guide <br /> TC Gateway 2024 Grant Criteria <br />