1999-09-16CITY OF ENCINITAS
ACTION MINUTES OF REGULAR COMMITTEE MEETING
TOURISM AND MARKETING COMMITTEE
September 16, 1999
Present: Co- Chairperson Sheila Cameron Co- Chairman Dennis Holz; Sandy Holder, Community Development Director; Paula Kirpalani; Julian Duval; Jeanette Statser; Lynne
Love; Kirsten Richter; Call Ellisor; Therese Vaillancourt; Leon Ostapiej; Robert Mance; Paul Davis; Mary Trimmins; J Brooks; Fred Caldwell; Armando Quisseanilla; Judy
Cunningham; Robert Rauch; Allen Zarqant; Michelle Hoyes; Edgere Argant
ISSUE
DIRECTION /ACTION
# 1
Meeting called to order at 8:05 A.M. by Mayor Sheila Cameron. Thank you for coming.
Welcome and Introductions
Everyone introduced themselves.
ITEM # 2
Sandra Holder, Community Development Director, discussed sign regulations and
Review of Sign Regulations
signage. She indicated that, the Council Members, at their last City Council Meeting,
gave approval to move forward with the ENCINITAS historic sign at D Street across
Hwy 101. The city will get obtain bids as soon as possible.
Ms. Holder indicated that there are four sets of sign regulations city wide: Downtown
Encinitas Specific Plan area, City of Encinitas Municipal Code area, North 101 Corridor
Specific Plan area and one for the Encinitas Ranch Specific Plan area. Ms. Holder
provided a handout: Summary of Permanent Sign Standards for Non - Residential Uses
which defines the differences in the four areas. The handout is incorporated as part of
these minutes.
# 3
Peder Norby, DEMA Exec. Director, presented a slide show Signs for a Successful
Signs for a Successful Mainstreet Slide Show
Mainstreet. Signs reflect the identity and general character of a business. Downtowns are
Presentation
being rejuvenated all across the country. Trying to get people back to downtown.
Mainstreet businesses that flourish do so much as a result of their signage. Signs attract
pedestrians strolling along the Main Street. Scale /materials /placement of signs must
differ from malls /strip centers. The structure and design of a sign can describe the type of
items in the business. There are various types of signs: Signs that are flush against the
building; window lettering is also a way of signage which works well with pedestrians
and this type of signage can be less expensive; Hanging signs in the interior of window is
another form of window sign; Awnings are another type of signs. Awnings very
important; Great way to shade sunny store fronts. They also add vibrancy and color to a
downtown store.
Mr. Norby indicated that businesses need to keep in mind that what one business does
will reflect on the others so the businesses need to work together. When considering
upgrading, get good sign design. Whatever you do reflects your business quality and
image. There are many brochures and design contractors available to help with signage.
DEMA can help with this.
ITEM # 4
The Hotel/Motel Association has brought up concerns with Transient Occupancy Tax
Discussion on T.O.T. Collection Procedures
(T.O.T.) collection procedures, Municipal Code Section 3.12. There have been
discrepancies regarding when T.O.T. payments are paid and when they are received by
the City.
Robert Rauch, President of the Hotel/Motel Association, voiced his concern with the
manner in which delinquency notices and penalty charges are handled. He indicated that
it took the city 2 months to notify him of a late payment and penalty charges. As a result,
he was charged another 10% in penalty fees per month. Mr. Rauch indicated that had he
known about the late payment and penalty fees, he would have paid the city right away
and avoided additional penalties. Mr. Rauch also questions what the city does with the
collected T.O.T. monies.
General discussion regarding the need for grace periods and lower penalty percentages
like many other cities have. Some cities only apply 1 to 1 V2% penalty whereas Encinitas
enforces a 10% penalty fee.
It was also noted that the hotel /motel owners are responsible for collecting and paying
the TOT payments. The City forgets that it costs these owners to do this; some cities
thank the owners by giving stipends, etc. to help w /the costs.
Committee members requested Mayor Cameron to seek clarification and answers
from the Finance Department and the City Manger to the following issues: 1) date
mailed vs. date received 2) grace periods for payments mailed on Sunday /last day of
the month 3) whether hand delivered payments made after 3:00 p.m. are being
considered paid the following work day rather than the day they were actually
delivered 4) quicker notification on payment delinquencies 5) how is T.O.T. money
used 6) look at reducing penalty percentages 7) look at grace periods 8) what
percentage of T.O.T. monies is being collected for sand 9) the city's
application/accounting for the T.O.T. monies — what is the state of these collected
monies.
ITEM 5
a) The group was reminded that the Encinitas Brochures and Encinitas Newsletter
General Announcements and Discussions
are available;
b) Quail Botanical Garden is having their annual sale;
c) Mr. Holz indicated that he would like the committee to come up with ways to promote
tourism and then determine if city can help incur expenses. Robert Rauch added that the
Hotel/Motel Association has already put together brochure on promoting tourism, but
received no assistance from the city.
d) Streetscape workshop at last night's city council meeting went well. There were many
agreements. Ideas will go back to City Council for final approval based on the
input/ideas made last night. Pop outs, landscaping, keeping the 4 lanes, parking options
were all discussed and will be included in plan.
ITEM #6
1) Review of Proposed Locations of Historic Route Signs
Agenda Items for Next Meeting
ITEM #7
October 7, 1999
Next Meeting
Poinsettia Room, Encinitas City Hall
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
Prepared by Gina Rubottom