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Home My WebLink AboutMRKT CMTE - 11/27/07 _._.:�-.•---�n � � � C'.�LM �ES�R� PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES Tuesday, November 27, 2007 — 2:00 p.m. Administrative Conference Room 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Sara O'Flynn called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Rick Darius, Vice Chair Emily Bird-Hrivnak Sara O'Flynn, Chair Theresa Maggio Lee Morcus Michael Shimer L'ITY CDIINCIL ACTI�N: �PPROVED,,,.L DENIED Staff/Others Present: RECEIVED f�� OTHER _ Dick Kelly Mayor _ Robert Spiegel, Councilmember ��INU i7�� ' Sheila Gilligan, Assistant City Manager��J'� Sn �� - i '°'"'�"�„" NoEs; �� Kristy Kneiding, Marketing Manager �SEN�°a a�"' �� Piper Close, Full Gallop Marketing �3STAI:1�: ' Mike Osgood, Desert Willow ��IF�� y. ,'�rigin�l. on� File with r��y Cler�.' s C?ffi~� III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Rick Darius introduced Melissa Allensworth the Director of Marketing for the McCallum Theatre to the Committee. Ms. Allensworth would like to join the Marketing Committee on behalf of the McCallum Theatre, as Mr. Darius' term will be completed at the end of this year. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 2007 Michael Shimer moved, by Minute Motion, to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2007, meeting. Motion was seconded by Sara O'Flynn and carried 4-0. Lee Morcus abstained. V. NEW BUSINESS A. SET TO SAVE ENERGY PARTNERSHIP PRESENTATION Pat Conlon, Director of Office of Energy Management, addressed the Committee and gave an overview of the Set to Save Program. The City has partnered with APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 27,2007 Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas, and The Energy Coalition to implement this program. The California Public Utilities Commission funded the program in December 2006, and it began the second week of January 2007. The City received funding for two years of the five-year program from the CPUC. In 2005, the City of Palm Desert used 716 million kilowatt hours of electricity. The Set to Save Program goal was to reduce the City's energy usage by 30%, which are 215 million less kilowatt-hours. The Office of Energy Management has put together a portfolio of programs promoting energy efficiency that would be accomplished through rebate or incentive programs. The City has five years to accomplish its goal of reducing energy usage by 30%. Ten months into the program the City is at 8.8%. The City's Marketing Department has developed an aggressive marketing program to promote the Set to Save Program. The website address (www.settosave.com) lists the programs available and has explanations of the different incentives as well as an application form that can be printed for the homeowner and/or business owner to complete. A conversation ensued regarding "time of use" hours and "rate structure." Mayor Kelly expressed concerned about making certain that the baseline remains in place even after the PUC begins its requirement of "time of use" meters for residential homes. He felt the City would want that to be a requirement. Mr. Colon stated he would certainly make a note of that concern. Upon question by Michael Osgood, Mr. Colon stated that the City of Palm DeserYs Energy Ordinance No. 1124, requires homes and commercial buildings to be built more energy efficient than the State Code minimum in Title 24. The requirement for new homes over 4,000 sq. ft. is 15% more efficient and new homes under 4,000 sq. ft. is 10% more efficient, than Title 24. All commercial buildings are to be 10% more efficient than stated in Title 24. Ms. Kneiding went over the marketing effort for the Set to Save Program. Because of the partnership with Southern California Edison, the marketing effort is not the City's alone. Over the past year, SCE has produced a variety of mailer postcards promoting energy efficiency. The 2008 Palm Desert calendar's theme is "Our Community, Our Environment, Our Responsibility." Each month offers tips on recycling, energy, and/or conservation. Nancy J. Friedman Public Relations firm has been promoting the Set to Save Program on a national scale. Mr. Conlon was featured on CNN's Open House. Also, an Associated Press writer had a nationally syndicated article on the Palm Desert Green Initiative. Upon question by Councilmember Spiegel, Mr. Conlon stated that there were other cities involved in the Aspen Accord; Santa Monica, San Diego, and Irvine. They have there own energy programs; however, they are not as aggressive as that of the City of Palm Desert. 2 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 27,2007 Ms. Kneiding stated that while the focus has been on residential properties they will begin working with restaurants and small hotels to help them work out a program that would be most suited for their business. On March 1, 2008, the City will host an event called "A Bright Idea Expo." It will take place at the Civic Center Park with vendors showcasing photovoltaic, solar, green builders, and LEAD Certification builders. The target audience will be children, which would bring their parents. S.C.R.A.P.E. Gallery with recycled art, Community Gardens showcasing the City's program on gardening, The Living Desert will have a booth focusing on conservation, the water agencies and other interesting groups will be included in the event. The Energy Coalition oversees the PEAK Program with fourth graders in the Desert Sands Unified School District. The kids involved in the PEAK Program do science experiments. How much solar does it take to make something work? What conducts electricity? The PEAK Program will be demonstrating experiments in energy and science. Mr. Conlon stated that they had a good handle on the residential sections of the City. They have written articles for the Chamber of Commerce Business to Business Newsletter, as well as, presentations to local service clubs. One of his goals was to get more exposure in the business community. Sara O'Flynn suggested that the best way to reach the businesses on EI Paseo would be through the EI Paseo Business Association. She would give Mr. Conlon contact information for The Garden's General Manger. Ms. O'Flynn moved, by Minute Motion, to receive and file the presentation of the Set to Save Energy Partnership Program. Motion was seconded by Rick Darius and carried 5-0. VI. OLD BUSINESS None VII. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS A. City Council Councilmember Spiegel asked Mr. Morcus to repeat the comments he made at the CVA meeting with regard to the Art of Food 8� Wine Festival. Mr. Morcus felt that the event was a marked improvement over last year's event and he came away from the weekend feeling very positive. He thanked everyone for their participation. VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Chair Ms. O'Flynn stated that she was involved in the Art of Food & Wine survey that specifically targeted the Friday event on EI Paseo. From the perspective of a restaurant owner she could see that it was a great event; however, she felt that 3 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 27,2007 there was room for improvement with regard to the benefits for the retailers. She will be anxious to see the final results from the surveys. Ms. O'Flynn reported that holiday shopping was going well at Saks. B. Committee Members Theresa Maggio inquired about a recap of the Art of Food & Wine event. Ms. Gilligan stated that a final report would be given to City Council in January 2008. Ms. Maggio thanked the City for its support of the Samsung Championship. It was indeed a success, the visibility was overwhelming, and the golf course was stunning. Ms. Maggio was pleased to report that in the last 30 days BIGHORN has sold over$56 million in property. Mr. Darius gave the holiday show line-up at the McCallum Theatre. He also stated that they have added ten new shows to the season. Ms. Allensworth announced that the McCallum Theatre was celebrating its 2p`n Anniversary Gala on Thursday evening with Liza Minnelli headlining. She added that it was an exciting time for the McCallum Theatre. Michael Shimer stated that the holiday weekend was busy at Tommy Bahama's. C. Staff On Friday, November 30, 2007, the Visitor Center will host the 2�d Annual Wreath Lighting Ceremony to begin at 6 p.m. The wreath will have LED Christmas lights. The Visitor Center will also be hosting a Christmas light exchange program. You can take in your old holiday lights and exchange them for LED energy e�cient lights. Ms. Kneiding reported that City Council approved the Nancy J. Friedman Public Relations Contract and the $50,000 CVA Co-op Airline Service Campaign. Ms. Gilligan thanked Mr. Darius for stepping up to the plate with the Thursday evening opening of the Art of Food &Wine Chocolate and Champagne event. Ms. Kneiding announced activities associated with the visit of the Travel Media Showcase being held at Casino Morongo. IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Visitor Information Center Activity Report None 4 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 27,2007 2. Update on Journey TV Piper Close gave an update on Journey TV. She distributed information on media buys and spoke on that subject as well. X. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence the meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. � O�'K- ` C�(/�� Lori imbish, Recording Se etary 5