The Wamego City Commission approved a funding proposal for adding a Convention and Visitors Bureau Coordinator. At Tuesday’s meeting, City Manager Merl Page set the stage for the proposal from the Wamego Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Megan Umscheid, and board members Jason Moore, Jeff Wick, Chris Hupe and Lance White.
According to Umscheid, the Wamego Chamber of Commerce proposed a collaborative funding model between the CVB, Chamber and the City of Wamego to implement a Coordinator position within the Chamber structure to coordinate and generate CVB efforts to expand the tourism footprint of Wamego and create sustainability within the Chamber and CVB.
To fund the Coordinator position, the Wamego Chamber will fund 25% ($11,500), the Wamego CVB will fun 25% (11,250), and the City of Wamego will fund 50% or $22,500 for a total of $45,000. This salary proposal includes benefits and travel for conferences.
A motion was made to fund the position with a cap of $22,500, along with a quarterly update to the Commission for a 3-year commitment. The proposal was accepted by a vote of 5 to 0.
The Wamego City Commission approved several resolutions. l Page introduced a resolution to amend the City’s Loss Control Program that would provide additional accountability in identifying and correcting safety deficiencies by shifting the responsibility to the Code Enforcement Officer on the City Safety Inspection Committee under the City’s Loss Control Program. The amendment was approved by a vote of 5 to 0.
In other business, a resolution was approved to accept the proposal from Bennington State Bank to be the Depository for the City’s general operating funds. Approval was given to complete the necessary paperwork contingent on the City Attorney’s review.
Approval was given to the Fire Department to purchase a new rescue truck at the cost of $26,900. Page said there were ample funds in the Fire Reserve Fund to pay for the vehicle.