By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
City council members have approved $10,000 for the promotion of an open house event at Laughlin Air Force Base Saturday.
The council took the action during its Feb. 27 meeting after hearing from a member of the Del Rio Military Affairs Association and event organizers from Laughlin.
Before taking action on the ordinance authorizing the funding, which will come from the city’s hotel occupancy tax monies, Mayor Al Arreola invited Del Rio businessman Skip Baker and two active duty Laughlin members to speak to city council about the event.
Baker told the council he was representing the Military Affairs Association and introduced Maj. Patrick Doyle, who is the director for the 2024 Laughlin Air Force Base Open House on Saturday. Doyle in turn introduced SMSgt. Mariya Cavazos.
Baker asked Doyle to provide the council with a synopsis of the event.
“We have a full day, open house on Saturday March 9, but we will have events starting on March 6,” Doyle said, adding the base is expecting a total of about 10,000 visitors.
“We’ve generated 180 room nights for the event to house all the personnel that are required. We have a partnership with the local CTE school and surrounding school districts to put on a science expo on Friday, and then on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the base will be open to the general public through the north gate.
“We’re hoping to celebrate the base-community relationship on that day, and we’d like everyone to come out and see how we live and work on Laughlin Air Force Base,” Doyle added.
Baker reminded the council Laughlin last planned an open house and air show about four years ago. That event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Baker said he appreciated any funding support the city council could provide, adding he would like to see the city double the amount to $20,000. The group had initially asked for $30,000 from the city.
After Baker and Doyle spoke, Mayor Al Arreola asked for a motion to approve the funding request. Councilman Jim DeReus made the motion, and Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez gave the second.
After Arreola asked if there were any questions, Councilwoman Alexandra Falcon Calderon said, “Well, I have some questions. Looking at what was presented, I know that it mentioned the amount that they are requesting, but going by the guidelines and requirements, there is a cap of $10,000. There is a big amount (of money) that goes to the CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau). Do you know if they applied or asked for funds in that area, Mr. Chavez?”
Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez replied, “That, I’m not aware of.”
Calderon then asked Baker if event organizers had asked for money from the CVB.
“No,” Baker responded.
“Because I understand the CVB (money is) for advertising. Correct, Mr. Chavez?” Calderon asked.
“Correct, for advertising,” Chavez replied.
“Where do we stand with that, based on the HOT (hotel occupancy tax) and CVB, as far as this? What’s the purpose of the CVB receiving funds, and it comes in now coming out of HOT (funds)? It’s going to limit others that come to us,” Calderon said.
Chavez replied, “Right. The agreement between the city and the Convention and Visitors Bureau is for advertisement, whether they do it through their organization. They can also advertise for other events for the city as well, but that is another option for any organization to work with the CVB to get their event advertised, along with our current application to (fund) up to $10,000 in advertisement or any other category that qualifies for HOT funds.”
“So the motion in place is for the $10,000?” Calderon asked.
“That’s correct, yes,” Chavez replied.
DeReus added, “That is what is written in the ordinance.”
“Just making that clear. I’m just concerned. I’m not against all this. It’s just that if we have CVB out there, I think they could have gone with them because it will limit to any other applicants that come our way because the fiscal year ends in September. So that’s my concern, because it would take a good chunk if we had gone with what they requested ($30,000), but we will do the cap at $10,000,” the councilwoman added.
The council then voted unanimously to approve the ordinance for the funding request.
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