Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Tourism Advisory Commission - 1/26/2026MINUTES ORO VALLEY TOURISM ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL SESSION January 26, 2026 ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE           SPECIAL SESSION AT OR AFTER 4:00 PM   CALL TO ORDER Chair D'Angelo called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.   ROLL CALL Present: Christopher DeSimone, Commissioner Malarie Puggioni, Commissioner Mark Van Buren, Commissioner Sasha Case, Vice Chair Tony D'Angelo, Chair Staff Present: Crystal Franke, Destination Marketing Manager Paul Melcher, Community and Economic Development Director Attendees: Mary Murphy, Town Council Liaison PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair D'Angelo led the commission and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.   COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS Council Liaison Mary Murphy provided updates on the Town Court expansion project, OV Path Forward draft plan, Naranja multi-use path, OV Marketplace redevelopment, NWRRDS project, and transportation art by youth.   REPORTS ON CURRENT TOURISM EVENTS Several commissioners reported on events they recently attended.   CALL TO AUDIENCE There were no speaker requests.   SPECIAL SESSION AGENDA   1.ELECTION OF CHAIR FOR THE TOURISM ADVISORY COMMISSION    Motion by Vice Chair Sasha Case, seconded by Commissioner Christopher DeSimone to nominate Chair January 26, 2026 Minutes, Tourism Advisory Commission 1  Motion by Vice Chair Sasha Case, seconded by Commissioner Christopher DeSimone to nominate Chair D'Angelo to continue serving as Chair.  Vote: 5 - 0 Carried   2.ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR FOR THE TOURISM ADVISORY COMMISSION    Motion by Vice Chair Sasha Case, seconded by Commissioner Malarie Puggioni to nominate Commissioner Van Buren to serve as Vice Chair.  Vote: 5 - 0 Carried   3.REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 15, 2025 REGULAR SESSION MEETING MINUTES    Motion by Commissioner Christopher DeSimone, seconded by Vice Chair Sasha Case to approve the December 15, 2025 meeting minutes as presented.  Vote: 5 - 0 Carried   4.COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF UPDATE REGARDING THE HISTORY OF LODGING-RELATED SALES AND BED TAXES COLLECTED FROM JULY 1, 2018 TO DECEMBER 31, 2025    Community and Economic Development Director Paul Melcher reported on collected sales and bed taxes, differences between the years and noted trends. Discussion ensued among the commission and staff.   5.UPDATE REGARDING HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES PRODUCED BY THE TOWN OF ORO VALLEY    Community and Economic Development Director Paul Melcher stated that the commission had asked for an update on this agenda item at the December meeting. Mr. Melcher reported that the Town does not produce any Christmas events; the Town contracts with SAACA (now Art State Arizona) for the annual tree-lighting event. Resorts desire to produce their own individual events. Discussion ensued among the commission and staff.   6.UPDATE REGARDING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWN OF MARANA REGARDING TOURISM COLLABORATIONS    Community and Economic Development Director Paul Melcher spoke about the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Town of Marana for biking-related activities. There has been general discussion regarding another IGA in the future for other tourism activities, such as golf, sporting events, soccer, pickleball, balloon festival and swimming events. Discussion ensued among the commission and staff.   7.REVIEW OF THE TOURISM ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS COLLECTED DURING THE REVIEW OF THE DRAFT ORO VALLEY LEISURE TRAVEL DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PLAN DECEMBER 15, 2025    Community and Economic Development Director Paul Melcher provided a summary of the comments January 26, 2026 Minutes, Tourism Advisory Commission 2  Community and Economic Development Director Paul Melcher provided a summary of the comments received from the commission during the previous meeting. Mr. Melcher asked for any additional comments or refinements, with the goal of giving the Town Council a complete package. Discussion ensued among the commission and staff.   ADJOURNMENT    Motion by Vice Chair Sasha Case, seconded by Commissioner Mark Van Buren to adjourn the meeting.  Vote: 5 - 0 Carried    Chair D'Angelo adjourned the meeting at 5:07 p.m.     I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the special session of the Town of Oro Valley Tourism Advisory Commission of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 26th day of January 2026. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. ______________________________________ Jeanna Ancona Senior Office Specialist January 26, 2026 Minutes, Tourism Advisory Commission 3