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PAHRUMP TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES July 11, 2024 1. Pledge of Allegiance and Call to Order. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tim Burke at 8:04 a.m. in the Pahrump Tourism Office Conference Room. 2. Roll Call. Attendees: PTAC members – Tim Burke, Karen Spalding, Debbie Davis, Charles Ballew, and Jack Sanders. Excused absences – None. Also in attendance: Arlette Ledbetter, PTAC Director. Guests: Rob and Peggy RPS Video 3. Approval of the Agenda for July 11, 2024. Debbie Davis moved to place item #12 to follow item #16. Karen Spalding seconded, and the motion was approved unanimously. 4. General Public Comments (Three-minute time limit per person.) Action will not be taken on the matters considered during this period until specifically included on an agenda as an action item (First). Rob Pahrump Museum Committee, reported on the plan for a community garden to be built and the donations of land and antique farm equipment to be made for the project. Arlette announced that Death Valley Market Place has been approved to be an agent for tickets to Death Valley. They will, also, be managing the non-profit donkey attraction. 5. For Possible Action - Discussion and Deliberation of Minutes of the Pahrump Tourism Advisory Committee meeting of March 21, 2024. Karen Spalding moved to approve the minutes of the PTAC meeting of March 21, 2024, as distributed. Jack Sanders seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved. 6. Announcements (First). Tim Burke mentioned the current heatwave Southern Nevada has been experiencing and the fact that Pahrump is constantly a few degrees cooler than Las Vegas. That would be a good thing to remember when trying to attract tourists to Pahrump. Arlette is going to incorporate that fact, “Pahrump is cool” in the marketing going forward. ---PAGE BREAK--- PAHRUMP TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES ITEM # SUBJECT July 11, 2024 7. Committee Comments (This item limited to announcements or topics/issues proposed for future workshops/agendas). Charles Ballew reported that he is working with the Red Cross to get Pahrump as the hub for Emergency Shelters for the town and surrounding areas. He requested letters of support be sent to the County. 8. For Discussion Only – Report by Arlette Ledbetter, PTAC Director. Arlette reported: a) A lot has been happening since March. A new Strategic Plan will be sent out to each Silver Trail’s territory for approval. The State may be hiring a Coordinator for the territories. All other positions and representatives will remain volunteers. b) Progress is being made with Zartico, new and improved additions are being given to their program. c) Hope to see Brain Trust do a refurbishing of the Pahrump Tourism website. d) The occupancy rate is down 4.9% from this time last year, but noted 2023 had an unusually high increase. e) Main Street Project is not quite ready to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Arlette attended a weeklong Main Street seminar and was duly impressed. f) There is a need for “visual enhancements” for the community. Such as an updated water fountain or an enhanced entrance to the Chief Tecopa Cemetery. g) When our new members are approved by the BOCC there should be new sub-committees for Marketing, Ads and Signs. 9. For Discussion Only – Report by Bob Adams, Pahrump’s OHV Tourism Ambassador. Bob was unable to attend this meeting. 10. For Discussion Only – Report by Charles Ballew, PTAC Pahrump’s Fairgrounds Committee. Charles explained that work has begun on the dirt track at the Fairgrounds. It is not visible as it is engineering that must take place first. The area is south of the fireworks launch pad. 11. For Possible Action – Discussion and Deliberation- Distribute and review the PTAC Mission Statement and Bylaws. Tim led brief discussion of the Mission Statement and Bylaws and it was decided to wait as it would be more beneficial when our newly elected members are in attendance. ---PAGE BREAK--- PAHRUMP TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES ITEM # SUBJECT July 11, 2024 12. For Possible Action – Discussion and Deliberation for possible change in start time of the PTAC meetings. Karen Spalding moved to change the meeting time to 9:00 a.m. Jack Sanders seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved. 13. For Discussion Only – Recap of the 2024 Rural Round Up meeting. Tim, Karen and Debbie, at their own expense, attended all three days of the 2024 Rural Round Up that was held at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. They were joined by Arlette Ledbetter. This year, in contrast to last year’s Rural Round Up in Mesquite, there were a variety of seminars to attend. They took part in the networking breakfasts, lunches and dinners and they tried to divide and conquer the Storytelling Synergy, The Power and Pitfalls, Unlocking Potential: A Guide to Using AI, Shining a Spotlight, Unlocking Opportunities, Building Futures and Arts and Creativity Are Nevada’s Economic Engine seminars. It was time and money well spent. 14. For Possible Action – Discussion and Deliberation- Possibility of signs and tourist picture point. Karen brought up, again, the possibility of having the letters spelling, “PAHRUMP” built and placed in a strategic area of town. This discussion will continue at the September meeting when Debbie brings pictures of ideas gathered from other towns. 15. Possible Action – Discussion and Deliberation to: • Conduct a group discussion regarding ideas on how to gainfully contribute as an advisory committee to the Board of County Commissioners, as well, short-term and long-term goals • Approve tourism-related recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, with respect to PTAC’s role as an advisory committee to the BOCC. Discussion began and it was decided that it would be more advantageous to hold this discussion until the other new five PTAC members attend the September meeting. 16. Possible Action – Discussion and Deliberation to consider reclassifying the Committee as a special interest group instead of a public body as defined by NRS 241. During the discussion that followed it became clear that no one wanted to see this committee disbanded, but no one could accurately describe the difference between two types of groups. It was mutually agreed to bring in someone to the September meeting who could give the committee the information needed to make a wise decision. Jack Sanders moved that we continue to proceed with this discussion until the September 12, 2024, meeting of the PTAC. Debbie Davis seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved. 17. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (Second). None. ---PAGE BREAK--- PAHRUMP TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES ITEM # SUBJECT July 11, 2024 18. COMMITTEE COMMENTS (Second). (This item limited to announcements or topics/issues proposed for future workshops/agendas). None. 19. ANNOUNCEMENTS (Second). Tim announced Charleston Peak Winery (formerly Pahrump Valley Winery) has opened weekly Thursday – Monday from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. There is no restaurant currently. Arlette reported that Best Western will be opening a new style restaurant during their remodel. The current restaurant is still open for business. Charles reminded everyone that he would appreciate any information and suggestions how to have Pahrump become the hub for the Red Cross’s services in Nye County. The next meeting of the PTAC is September 12, 2024, at 9:00 in the Tourism Office’s Conference Room. 20. ADJOURNMENT. Jack Sanders moved to adjourn the meeting. Karen Spalding moved to second the motion and it was approved unanimously. Next Meeting September 12, 2024.