[PAGE 1]
Lorain County Visitors Bureau Meeting Minutes
February 19, 2026
The Visitors Bureau met on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 8:03 a.m., at Lorain County Administration
Building, 226 Middle Avenue, Elyria, Ohio, Room 555.
I. Welcome:
Commissioner Moore welcomed everybody and asked for roll call.
The following members were present and there was a quorum:
David J. Moore, Commissioner and Chairman Visitors Bureau Board
Rob Duncan, Director, Lorain County Community Development, absent-excused
Brad Mullins, Member
Ron Billings, Member, absent - excused
Brenda Phillips, Member
Other Staff:
Garry Gibbs, Visitors Bureau Director
Theresa L. Upton, Secretary
K.C. Saunders, Budget Director
Minutes:
Motion by David J. Moore, seconded by Brad Mullins to approve the minutes of January 29,
2026 with some corrections. Upon roll call the vote taken thereon resulted as: Ayes: All / Nays: None
Motion passes. ___________________
I1. Finances:
KC Saunders spoke with US Bank about the $16,000 monthly payment towards principal. US
Bank indicated that anything $100,000 or over will contribute faster to the debt. Saunders said there is
around $525,000 left to pay off the building.
RESOLUTION NO. VB-26-8
Motion by David J. Moore, seconded by Brad Mullins to rescind Resolution No. VB-26-2
adopted January 29, 2026 authorize payments beginning February 2026 in the amount of $16,000
monthly towards the principal on paying the debt service on the SR58 Building.
Upon roll call the vote taken thereon resulted as: Ayes: Moore, Mullins & Phillips / Nays: None /
Absent: Billings & Duncan
Motion passed. ______________
RESOLUTION NO. VB-26-9
Motion by Moore, seconded by Brad Mullins to authorize $100,000 monthly payment starting
March 1, 2026 toward the payment of debt on the SR58 building, Amherst and then get a payoff on the 6th
and final payment.
Upon roll call the vote taken thereon resulted as: Ayes: Moore, Mullins & Phillips / Nays: None /
Absent: Billings & Duncan
Motion passed. ______________

[PAGE 2]
Visitors Bureau cont. Page 2 February 19, 2026
Sauders distributed the financial statement
Gibbs asked Saunders to clarify travel expenditures, he thinks this is high.
Moore said the additional 3% on bed tax starts April 1, 2026
Gibbs will get an updated list on the short term rentals. Saunders to get the letters out. Moore
said the person being hired for Visitors Bureau will help Saunders on the collection of bed tax.
Moore said the Commissioners approved Alpha Key Digital Marketing as the communications
digital marketer and the other person that is being hired for Visitors Bureau will help with this. Alpha Key
will also do work for the commissioners digital marketing.
Moore said Crushers and T3 have plans for their space in Avon and looking for some
sponsorships.
Moore said at the last meeting, we approved funds for the security of events at Black River
Landing and county fair. 4H is needing help to due to a depleted county general fund and Solid Waste,
WDA and JFS are contributing. He was thinking of maybe a sponsored barn.
Moore said there is a fire/police memorial on the county Historic Courthouse lawn. The cost of
engraving is around $7,500 and Sheriff said the Commissioners have to pay. He inquired about the
Heritage fund paying maybe half and FOP’s paying other have for that memorial. Saunders said that fund
can be used for memorials. ________________(discussion was held on the above)

[PAGE 3]
Visitors Bureau cont. Page 2 February 19, 2026
III. Director’s Report – Garry Gibbs:
* February 7, Ice A Fair, Vermilion was held. Despite the cold negative temperatures there
were about 4,600 in attendance. Visitors Burau contributed paid Facebook promotions
and 11 billboards in Erie/Lorain counties. Sandusky Register had a nice article.
* Alpha Key Digital Marketing – social media management. Commissioners approved a
PO for $120,0000 annually for 1 year
* Communications Director will start March 2026 and share job responsibilities with
Commissioners. This is for public relations challenges, ensuring communications are
clear, accurate & supportive of county mission and Visitors Bureau events & activities
are communicated in a timely manner
* May 18-20, ICSC Show in Las Vegas. Visitors Bureau is paying for Commissioner
Moore, Commissioner Gallagher, Brenda Phillips & Dave Blevins. There are others that
will be attending, but have to pay for their own tickets/hotel and airfare.
* July 24, - County’s America 250 Celebration. Cleveland Pops Orchestra will play, and
Visitors Bureau Chair Moore will sign contract once corrections are made.
Moore also said there will be hotdogs, apple pie, popcorn
* Elyria Community Partnership (Main Street Elyria), will install a looking glass of the
1822 Lorain County Courthouse and dedication will be July 24 at 11:30 a.m. and will
feature the America 250 Lorain County Visitors Bureau and Commissioners name
* Leviathan FC season starts May 25 at Forefront Field, Avon. Leviathan is the new soccer
team and Crushers Stadium is being renamed to Forefront Field. Gibbs has some
billboards that will go up and commercials on WOBL. Many season tickets have been
purchased already.
* Lorain Skatepark has been fully funded and estimated to break ground this year 2026.
City of Lorain is to maintain. Visitors Bureau will market their events.
* Rocking on the River, Blak River Landing -waiting on architectural drawings from
Lorain Port & Finance Authority to present to Visitors Bureau Board for
approval/location.
Mullins noted that Visitors Bureau is to get an invite to sign the beam between today and
next Friday from 9-4:30 p.m.
* June 12 & 13, Amherst - Taste of History, Sandstone Village. There are about 300
reenactors attending/participating and this continues to grow annually.
______________(discussion was held on the above)
JOURNAL ENTRY
Motion by David J. Moore, seconded by Brenda Phillips to recess into an executive session at
8:45 a.m. to discuss contract negotiations. Upon roll call the vote taken thereon resulted as: Ayes: Moore,
Phillips, & Mullins / Nays: None / Absent: Billings & Duncan
Motion passed. ______________
JOURNAL ENTRY
Visitor’s Bureau reconvened from the executive session, and no action was taken.

[PAGE 4]
Visitors Bureau cont. Page 3 February 19, 2026
IV. Unfinished Business:
Gibbs said Commissioners assistants Aimee & Anne are coordinating the ICSC show. Visitors
Bureau is paying for Gallagher, Moore, Phillips & Blevins to include show tickets, hotel and flight. The
other people that have mentioned they would like to go and have to pay on their own are; City of Elyria –
Mayor Brubaker & Dawn Calvert, City of Lorain – Mayor Bradley, Matt Kusznir & Ray Carrion and
Tiffany McCleland, Lorain City Port Authority
V. Next Meeting:
Thursday, March 26, 2026 & April 23, 2026
________________
VI. Adjournment:
Moore said nothing further, we adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by Theresa L. Upton, Clerk