Pacific tourism commission elects Max Orris chair, advances Route 66 events and 2026 budget planning

The Pacific Tourism Commission approved its minutes, elected Max Orris to serve as chair and spent the bulk of its meeting outlining event plans and budget timing for the 2026 season.

Commissioners said the packet shows year-to-date figures through January and that February numbers were not yet available; staff asked commissioners to submit budget additions by April 10 so the commission can review a proposed 2026 line-item budget in May. The commission also set its April meeting date for April 15 to accommodate schedules and pending special-event approvals.

Members discussed a range of Route 66–themed events. Planning for a proposed Route 66 Railroad Days in 2026 focused on coordination with rail operators, ticketing and vendor costs. Commissioners noted the Union Pacific schedule is set only months in advance and that a steam or heritage locomotive visit would need to be staged at the plaza where the train stops. A speaker who has tracked heritage runs offered to notify the committee if an appropriate Union Pacific or visiting steam locomotive is scheduled. The commission said it will continue discussions with neighboring towns and with a ride-provider used by Eureka, which requires minimum guarantees for first-year events and may provide bundled ticket options.

Commissioners also reported progress on a Route 66 barbecue and bluegrass festival. A sponsorship subcommittee approved the application and the festival is awaiting committee and then board-of-aldermen consideration; the commission expects a decision from the barbecue committee by March 20. The Franklin County Health Department has reviewed the event's people’s-choice food plan and indicated no objections, staff said.

A proposed 5K drew support. Staff reported that local parks officials in Eureka encouraged a fall race and said different races draw different participants; one organizer cited a recent run with 228 registered and 88 attendees as an example. The commission discussed course possibilities, including a longer route to Red Cedar, and volunteer support from local public-safety staff.

On smaller arts and tourism initiatives, staff described a Route 66 Quilt Trail program with an introductory class March 22–23 led by visiting instructors; the program would attach a removable Route 66 shield to participating quilts under a three-year agreement reviewed by city legal counsel. The commission also reported the hometown hero banners program: banners cost $65 per side under current quotes, volunteers will install and store banners at Red Cedar, and nine fallen-hero banners are pending donations.

The commission reviewed planned egg hunts: a teen egg hunt is set for April 11 and an adults’ event the evening after; the teen event caps registrations at 200, with fees of $10 for teens and $20 for adults; online purchases use Eventbrite and include a processing fee that the commission does not retain. Staff proposed using ticketed events (for example, the egg hunt) as a calibration point to compare footfall estimates from location-analytics vendors; one speaker recommended comparing Placer AI or similar services against known-ticket counts to measure accuracy before committing to a multi-thousand-dollar contract.

Other operational items discussed included an Adopt-a-Street program the commission would manage while public works installs signs (MoDOT involvement will be required where state right-of-way is concerned). A commissioner volunteered to draft a proposal to improve access to Jensen Point for mobility-challenged visitors; commissioners were advised to check with public works about a former path that was closed for blasting before developing ADA-related plans.

A personnel matter came up during open comments: commissioners discussed the removal of a committee member named Christine because of an eligibility question tied to residency. Alderman Kelly stated the action "will be taken care of" and that officials must "obey the law," saying state statutes and local ordinances governed the decision; no further specifics were provided at the meeting.

Formal actions recorded during the meeting were the approval of the prior meeting minutes and the election of Max Orris as chair. Both motions passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The commission closed by setting its next meeting for April 15, 2025, and adjourning at 4:07 p.m.