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Consider Directing the City Manager to Draft a Policy or Strategy to Increase the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Above the Current Rate of 10%, with a Portion, or All, of Revenues Attributable to the Rate Above the Original 10% Dedicated to Specified Visitor-Serving Activities. (Councilmember Daysog)
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COUNCIL REFERRAL FORM
Name of Councilmember requesting referral: Tony Daysog
Date of submission to City Clerk (must be submitted before 5:00 p.m. on the Monday two weeks before the Council meeting requested): June 4, 2015
Council Meeting date: July 7, 2015
Brief description of the subject to be printed on the agenda, sufficient to inform the City Council and public of the nature of the referral:
Consider Directing the City Manager to Draft Policy or Strategy to Increase the Transient Occupancy Tax above the current rate of 10%, with a portion or all of revenues attributable to the rate above the original 10% dedicated to specified visitor-serving activities.
Types of visitor-serving activities might include a “Visit Alameda” program, which might be managed directly by economic development city staff or contracted-out to private sector entities such as the Alameda Chamber of Commerce or the Park Street Business Association.
“Visit Alameda” staff might reach out to lodging providers to understand ways City of Alameda can leverage city- and other resources (i.e. downtown Alameda, “Spirits Alley”, beach, historic neighborhoods, etc.) in an effort to enhance stay of business travelers, sports enthusiasts coming from long distances to see local professional teams, tourists visiting East Bay and Bay Area attractions, and traveler persons visiting family and friends. Types of lodging providers “Visit Alameda” staff might reach out to include motel operators, local bed and breakfast inns, and Air BnB providers.
“Visit Alameda” staff might also reach out to key sources of demand for lodging space, including major employers in Harbor Bay Business Park, Marina Village, and Alameda Point, in an effort to understand how they think the City of Alameda can leverage city- and other resources to enhance the stay of their respective visitors.