The Hotel Motel Tax Board met Tuesday night to hear presentations from current and former H/M Tax grant money finalists.

The board observed presentations from four previous grant recipients.

Janet Adams presented on behalf of Arts R Alive in Webster City. Nancy Kayser presented on behalf of the Hamilton County Fair Foundation concerning the restoration and preservation of the 1919 Sales Pavilion and Stock (Horse) Barn. Mike Constant and Deb Brown presented on behalf of the Iowa Antique JunqueFest Network and the Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce. Kent Harfst presented on behalf of the Wilson Brewer Historic Park Committee concerning the Wilson Brewer Historic Park Museum and Information Center.

After the conclusion of former recipient presentations, the board heard from the eight finalists hoping to receive funding for this cycle of H/M Tax grant monies. Each group was allowed seven minutes to present plus an additional five minutes for questions.

• ACE Program Director Janet Toering and ACE Board President Zoami Calles-Rios Sosa presented on behalf of ACE Community Center-All Cultures Equal. They are seeking funding for the ACE Community Center Grand Opening. This includes two signs for the ACE entrance, one of which she hopes to be electronic. Toering asked for $23,900 for the cost of both signs and other marketing support.

• Dale Caquelin presented on behalf of the American Legion Post 191 concerning storage for the Avenue of Flags equipment and flags. Randy Youngdale also provided attendees with a short history about the Avenue of Flags beginnings in Webster City in 1990. The Legion estimated the cost for a new building to house the flags at $35,000.

• Janet Adams presented on behalf of Arts R Alive in Webster City. She asked for $3,600 on behalf of Arts R Alive for marketing costs. The marketing will be used for music, two new sculpture pad bases, and artists at their annual Arts R Alive Sculpture Event this August.

• Kelly Haman presented on behalf of Briggs Woods Golf Course/Hamilton County Conservation Board. Haman spoke about the Briggs Woods Conference Center and how the addition of the facility to Webster City would bring in more people and boost the local economy. The conference center would also provide more full and part-time jobs for local residents. Haman asked for $50,000 on behalf of the Briggs Woods Golf Course/Conference Center.

Sharon Cline and Maureen Seamonds presented on behalf of Legacy Learning Boone River Valley about an Artist in Residence and workshop series. LLBRV is seeking $19,640 to be put towards three areas: marketing, workshops focused on downtown revitalization, and an artist in residence program.

• Deb Brown and Mike Constant presenting on behalf of the Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce and Iowa Antique Network about JunqueFest. Constant explained the most recent event brought an estimated 7,500 people to Webster City. The duo asked for $2,825 to be put towards marketing costs for the next JunqueFest.

• Jade and Ryan Williams spoke on behalf of the Webster City Lions Club about the Lions Park revitalization. They explained their wish to update and enhance the current city park due to old, unsafe playground equipment. The Lions Club hopes to implement a three phase plan over the next five years to fully rehabilitate the park so that the whole community can enjoy all it has to offer. The first phase of the plan involves buying the playground equipment. The Lions Club asked for $35,000 to be put towards new equipment.

• Gary Groves, Wilson Brewer Historic Park Committee Chairman, Kent Harfst, Webster City Recreation and Public Grounds Director, and Lori Graham presented on behalf of the Wilson Brewer Historic Park Committee concerning the Wilson Brewer Historic Park and Information Center. Members of the committee asked for $21,619.20 to be put towards improvements and rehabilitation of the Wilson Brewer Historic Park.

A total of $191,584.20 was requested by the eight finalists. The H/M Tax Board will meet tonight to determine what grant money amounts each finalist will receive. The board will present their requests to the city council for possible approval during the next city council meeting.