There is a planned power outage in the Sun Valley and Ketchum area September 27th, starting at 12:01 am that morning and lasting until around 6:00 am. Idaho Power will be doing some major repairs and upgrades on the 138 Kv line that runs from Hailey to Ketchum. If you live north of St. Luke’s Hospital, plan to be without power for around 6 hours on Tuesday the 27th.
Category Archives: Ketchum
Sun Valley City Council Meeting May 31, 2011
UPDATE 5-30-11: As I do each year, I prepare my recommended Strategic Project Priorities for the upcoming Fiscal Year for the City of Sun Valley. I will be discussing these at the meeting on May 31st. You can click here to see my FY12 priorities.
On Tuesday May 31, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. we have a Special Sun Valley City Council meeting. This is the first of a number of meetings we will hold to establish the City’s Fiscal Year 2012 Budget (October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012). Click here to see the complete list of our budget meetings.
At this meeting, the Council will review and update its Priorities for FY12, and we will review our External Contracts Policy.
We will then listen to presentations from various organizations and individuals wishing to contract with the City for FY12. They include: Fly Sun Valley Alliance, Ketchum Parks and Recreation, Sustain Blaine, Sun Valley Marketing Alliance, Blaine County Housing Authority, Mountain Rides Transportation Authority, Adam King – Attorney, and Frederick Allington – Attorney.
To see the full Agenda and Council Packet for the 5-31-11 meeting, click here.
You can also listen to any of our Council meetings live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
Two Sun Valley City Council Meetings the Week of April 18, 2011
The week of April 18, 2011 we have two Sun Valley City Council meetings:
Monday April 18, 2011 at 5:30 pm – Special Council Meeting – Quarterly Report from Sun Valley Marketing Alliance – at Ketchum City Hall
- Click here for the Agenda for Joint 4-18-11 meeting with Ketchum City Council.
Thursday April 21, 2011 at 4:00 pm – Regular Monthly Council Meeting
- Click here for the Agenda and Council Packet for the 4-21-11 meeting. Along with normal business and reports, the principal items of consideration this month include:
- Request from Clear Creek Disposal to increase garbage collection fees
- Establish Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Calendar
- Review of Council/Mayor Powers and Authorities
You can also listen to any of our Council meetings live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
Economic Development Possibilities for the Sun Valley Area
I was recently asked for input on economic development suggestions for the Sun Valley area. The following is my response with some specific ideas that can be implemented to augment our current expanded marketing effort:
Here are several suggestions of near-term, meaningful economic development actions for the north valley that could make a real difference:
- Insist all local cell phone providers upgrade their equipment to assure 100% coverage in and around our towns.
- Find one or two companies that will provide true high speed broadband service capable of moving mass amounts of data and video at high speeds (think fiber optics) throughout the entire area.
- Highly encourage all existing lodging providers in the area to renovate/update their facilities and rooms as soon as possible.
- Highly encourage all businesses in the area to not only adopt a goal of providing 100% customer satisfaction, but actually implement it and ensure it is practiced day in and day out.
Since we have already made a significant investment in marketing the Sun Valley resort area, which is also considered economic development, we need to be sure our visitor and second homeowner experience is as positive as possible. They cannot come here and find twentieth century technology and worn out facilities if we want them to come back or spread positive words about the area. Local businesses must step up to the plate in a meaningful way, otherwise we cannot justify spending our tax dollars marketing the area.
I came across an article the other day which shows how, even in depressed resort areas, private businesses are not afraid to spend money to stay competitive. Click here to read the article.
This would give us a good start and enhance the new marketing effort.
Special Sun Valley City Council Meeting October 28, 2010
On Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 2:00 pm we have a Special City Council meeting.
The purpose of this Special Council meeting is to discuss and possibly take action on an a marketing contract.
To see the Agenda for this meeting, click here (City staff has not yet prepared a Council Packet for this meeting).
You can also listen to this or any other Council meeting live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
Sun Valley City Council Meeting October 21, 2010
On Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 4:00 pm we have our regular monthly City Council meeting.
Along with normal business and reports, the principal items of consideration this month include:
- Second Reading of Ordinance 429 – Dollar Mountain Zoning Map Amendment.
- Resolutions regarding FY11 Contracts for Service with:
- Mountain Rides Transportation Authority
- Blaine County Housing Authority
- Ketchum Parks and Recreation Department
- Resolution to Amend the Council’s External Contracts Policy.
- Public Hearing on the White Clouds Parcel E Multi Family Preliminary Plat.
- Public Hearing on Ordinance 436 – FEMA Flood Plain Maps.
To see the full Agenda and Council Packet for the 10-21-10 meeting, click here.
You can also listen to this or any other Council meeting live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
Ribi & Youngman Comment on Sun Valley Area Marketing
Below is a joint letter issued October 1, 2010 by Sun Valley City Councilmen Nils Ribi and Bob Youngman:
Dear Sun Valley Citizens and Stakeholders:
Nine months ago the City of Sun Valley embarked on a program to specifically improve the quality of the visitor experience, increase the number of visitors to the area, and increase visitor spending. This was based on extensive detailed research and data developed by the independent marketing committee, which showed the marketing and visitor operations run by the local Chamber were not producing positive results.
We are writing directly to you because we feel the local print media has not provided accurate coverage of the significant departures to what was expected from the implementation of that program.
The implications of the recently announced merger of the originally planned marketing board (Sun Valley Resort Area Marketing, Inc. or SVRAMI) and the Chamber of Commerce into a “new marketing alliance” (Sun Valley Marketing Alliance or SVMA) are significant and deserve a full explanation because this merger essentially takes us back to where we were before we began this process. The important lines of functionality and accountability which were outlined for SVRAMI in the press release of June 11, 2010 from the Mayors of Sun Valley and Ketchum are not reflected in the structure of SVMA (click here to read the press release). The actions of the “new marketing alliance” have also caused unnecessary delays in the implementation of the tasked national and international marketing of the Sun Valley resort area.
There are three primary areas where the “new marketing alliance” has significantly deviated from the original plan:
1. The original SVRAMI Board was to consist of an executive board of three members – one selected by Ketchum, one selected by Sun Valley, and one representing the Sun Valley Company, with two additional at-large members named by the executive board. SVRAMI was to be tasked with all external marketing, visitor center services, event planning and execution, local promotion and advertising, and visitor customer service. All board members were to possess significant business skills, experience, and direct marketing experience, preferably in the resort and tourism industry. This Board was to be completely independent of the Chamber of Commerce. It was expected the Sun Valley and Ketchum business communities would form a separate Chamber of Commerce to operate traditional business support activities.
Instead, here is what happened:
A nine member “new marketing alliance” board was formed, with most members having no demonstrable successful experience in direct marketing of any type, let alone in the resort or tourism industry. This “new marketing alliance” board, with four “Chamber of Commerce” Board members added, is essentially a mirror image of the old Chamber of Commerce board, something we were attempting to move away from because, for many reasons, this approach was ineffective. The independent marketing committee identified a real need to create clear accountability and a focus on goals and results. The SVRAMI structure outlined in the June 11, 2010 press release accomplished this (see June 11, 2010 press release SVRAMI organizational chart below).
2. The SVRAMI Board was to immediately identify and hire a highly qualified Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), whose role would be to develop strategic and operational marketing plans for the Sun Valley resort area which was to be presented to the two Cities for approval for funding. The importance of the CEO/CMO position cannot be underestimated as it is the experience, professionalism, and fresh perspective of a qualified person that were to play a central role in efficient and effective resort area marketing and to help lead us out of our economic decline.
Instead, here is what happened:
The “new marketing alliance” board did not hire a CEO/CMO, but instead announced it would develop its own marketing plan using an external marketing agency. The board appointments consist of individuals that are volunteers, have other business interests, and, in some cases, are not qualified to work in a direct fashion on marketing initiatives. The need in the Sun Valley resort area is critical and we cannot depend on part-time volunteers to develop a detailed, complex, strategic marketing plan. A proven leader with substantial and successful resort area marketing experience is necessary and not optional.
3. The SVRAMI Board was also to be tasked with overseeing visitor center services, event planning and execution, local promotion and advertising, and visitor customer service, all to be placed in a separate division from external marketing. It was to have its own Director. As noted above, we have attached the June 11, 2010 press release and organizational chart regarding this, where Mayor Willich and Mayor Hall enthusiastically support this organizational structure.
Instead, here is what happened:
The “new marketing alliance” decided, through its merger with the Chamber of Commerce, to relinquish all policy, oversight and budgeting for visitor center services, event planning, and visitor customer service back to the control of the Chamber of Commerce, an organization that presided over a 10 year decline in the Sun Valley resort area economy. We have attached the September 14, 2010 press release where Mayor Willich and Mayor Hall now enthusiastically announce and support this latest organizational structure (click here to read it). This structure is flawed and bears no resemblance to what was agreed upon during our budget deliberations.
By not following the recommendations or the directions of the policy-making body of the City, the “new marketing alliance” has caused our entire community to take a large step backwards. We are back to where we were before we began with essentially the same organization we have been trying to restructure; an organization we know from experience and analysis of data does not produce positive results.
Is there a solution to the mess they have created? Yes. The reasons for, and the long-term importance of, restructuring our resort area marketing to restore economic vitality to this community is just as valid today as it was nine months ago. The Cities can insist that the original organizational structure (as outlined in the June 11, 2010 press release) be reinstituted, a board of qualified individuals be appointed, a CEO/CMO be funded, recruited and hired, strategic and operational marketing plans be developed, and the plans be implemented. A Chamber of Commerce, independent of the local government, is needed and has a place in our community.
We are not sitting by idly while we hope others come to their senses. In the interim, we are working on a program to make sure critical upcoming events in Sun Valley receive the attention and support they need. At the October 21st City Council meeting, we will be presenting revisions to Sun Valley’s External Contracts Policy to allow the Council greater ability to support and manage marketing and promotion of events which will increase the local option tax revenues and enhance the quality of life in Sun Valley.
Thank you for taking the time to understand the rest of the story.
Nils Ribi , Sun Valley Councilman Bob Youngman, Sun Valley Councilman
Special Sun Valley City Council Meeting June 3, 2010
On Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 10:00 am we have a Special City Council meeting.
At this meeting, the Mayor will present his proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Draft Budget. We will also hear presentations from organizations requesting funds under external contracts for service.
Presentations will be made by:
- Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber and Visitors Bureau
- Marketing Exploration Committee
- Mountain Rides Transportation Authority
- Blaine County Housing Authority
- Ketchum Parks and Recreation Department
- Sustain Blaine
- Fly Sun Valley Alliance
To see the Agenda and Council packet for this meeting, click here.
At our last Council meeting we established the following calendar for the remaining FY11 Budget meetings. All meetings will be at Sun Valley City Hall at 10:00 a.m.
June 14, 2010 – Discussion on Draft Budget
June 28, 2010 – Adopt Tentative FY11 Budget
August 3, 2010 – Public Hearing on Tentative FY11 Budget, First Reading of Budget Ordinance
August 10, 2010 – Second Reading of Budget Ordinance (if necessary)
August 17, 2010 – Third Reading of Budget Ordinance (if necessary)
You can also listen to any of our Council meetings live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
Special Sun Valley City Council Meeting May 18, 2010
On Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 5:30 pm we have a Special Sun Valley City Council meeting. This will be another joint meeting held together with the Ketchum City Council, this time in the Limelight Room at the Sun Valley Resort.
The purpose of this Special Council meeting is to hear the recommendations from the Marketing Exploration Committee.
On May 3, 2010 we heard that Committee’s progress report based on Councilman Bob Youngman’s research and analysis of Sun Valley’s historic Local Option Tax (LOT) revenue generation from tourism marketing relative to past performance, competing resorts, and non-resort economies. No action will be taken at this special meeting.
Update 5-16-10 – Councilman Youngman has just posted a very enlightening new report entitled ”Structural Economic Analysis of the Sun Valley Resort Area Economy” as a slideshow. I would encourage everyone to review it at this link or view it below.
To see the Agenda for this meeting, click here.
To see my earlier blog regarding Councilman Youngman’s work on this important matter, click here.
Unfortunately, you will not be able to listen to this Council meeting live either, since it will be held in the Limelight Room. I am hopeful a recording will be made of it and City staff will upload it to our Granicus system so you can listen to it later.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
Special Sun Valley City Council Meeting May 3, 2010
On Monday, May 3, 2010 at 8:00 pm we have a Special City Council meeting. This will be a joint meeting held together with the Ketchum City Council in their chambers at Ketchum City Hall.
The purpose of this Special Council meeting is to hear a report from the Marketing Exploration Committee. This Committee was formed as a result of Councilman Bob Youngman’s research and analysis of Sun Valley’s historic Local Option Tax (LOT) revenue generation from tourism marketing relative to past performance, competing resorts, and non-resort economies. No action will be taken at this special meeting.
To see the Agenda for this meeting, click here.
To see my earlier blog regarding Councilman Youngman’s work on this important matter, click here.
Unfortunately, you will not be able to listen to this Council meeting live, since it will be held at Ketchum City Hall. I had encouraged the meeting be held in our City Hall so we could take advantage of our live broadcast and archive system, but was unsuccessful and apologize for this inconvenience.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
Understanding Sun Valley Local Option Tax, Tourism Marketing and ROI
At the January 21, 2010 City Council meeting, fellow Councilman Bob Youngman gave an excellent presentation on his research analysis of Sun Valley’s historic Local Option Tax (LOT) revenue generation from tourism marketing relative to past performance, competing resorts, and non-resort economies.
His fine work, supported with thorough and factual information, confirms my suspicion that the return on investment of our LOT in tourism marketing has been unacceptable. This data now gives the City the opportunity to begin a process to thoroughly evaluate, with the help of an independent marketing consulting firm, current Chamber marketing efforts and strategies funded with the LOT generated in Sun Valley.
I encourage you to read Councilman Youngman’s introduction to his analysis on his website at this link, then view his slide show presentation below.
I have also placed a link to the audio portion of the January 21, 2010 City Council meeting where you can listen to Councilman Youngman’s presentation. Click here for that audio. His presentation begins at minute 15:00 and ends at minute 43:00 of the meeting.
Sun Valley City Council Meeting the Week of 11/9/09
We have one City Council meeting in Sun Valley the week of November 9th.
On Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 4:00 pm we have our regular monthly Council meeting. It has been moved up one week from the normal time to accommodate Thanksgiving travel plans for some members and staff.
Along with normal business and reports, the principal items of consideration this month include:
- Authorization to allow the Mayor to enter into Contracts with the Chamber, Mountain Rides, Ketchum Parks and Recreation and for prosecution of misdemeanors and infractions.
- Funding request from Blaine County Housing Authority.
- Adoption of the final Denovo Independence Findings of Fact.
- Public Hearing on rezoning around Harker Center.
- Public Hearing on water conservation regulations proposed by the Water & Sewer District.
To see the full Agenda and Council Packet for the 11-12-09 meeting, click here.
You can also listen to this or any other Council meeting live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
