by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

The first Claremont City Council meeting of 2025, on January 14, ended with a unanimous vote to approve the 10-year renewal of a marketing deal between the city and the Claremont Tourism Business Improvement District.

The deal with the coalition of Claremont hotel and motel managers allows the city to continue collecting 2% monthly CTBID assessments from its four lodging businesses — DoubleTree by Hilton, Motel 6, Claremont Lodge, and Hotel Casa 425. The revenue stream funds the Claremont Chamber of Commerce’s Discover Claremont tourism marketing materials.

Deputy City Manager Katie Wand at the January 14 Claremont City Council meeting. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

The city estimated the “CTBID would generate approximately $325,000 on an annual basis for promotion of travel and tourism specific to Claremont,” according to a staff report. The funds are budgeted as follows: $243,750 for marketing; $74,750 for administration and legal services; and $6,500 for contingency and renewal, according to the Claremont tourism group’s plan. The estimated revenue for the previous agreement from May 2014 was $210,000.

The assessments are not collected on stays of more than 30 consecutive days, from federal or state employees on official business, or exempt representatives of foreign governments, according to a staff report.

Deputy City Manager Katie Wand said that the agreement will include the Residence Inn by Marriott, currently under construction at the former Knights Inn Motel site at 721 S. Indian Hill Blvd.

California tourism business improvement districts, formed in the wake of the Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994, raise funds that are then returned to “the private non-profit corporation governing the district,” according to the tourism group’s plan. “Although actual revenues will fluctuate due to market conditions, the proportional allocations of the budget shall remain the same. However, the City and the Chamber shall have the authority to adjust budget allocations between the categories by no more than fifteen percent (15%) of the total budget per year.”

CTBID funds cannot be diverted for other government programs.

The agreement sunsets on December 31, 2034. Barring a change from the chamber or City Council, the budget will remain consistent throughout.

The council’s next meeting is Tuesday, January 28 at 225 W. Second St., Claremont, beginning with a closed session at 5:15 p.m. The public portion starts at 6:30. Agendas are posted at claremontca.gov.