Thursday, October 12, 2000 Council supports CVB   By Jason Gewirtz, Staff writer LONG BEACH Despite some concern over its recent auditing troubles, the city's convention and visitors bureau still enjoys considerable support from the City Council. The bureau's annual contract with the city was approved Tuesday during a council meeting that included more than one exchange between Councilman Dennis Carroll and bureau Board Chairman Chris Pook. Nonetheless, council members largely supported statistics that suggested the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has done its job marketing the city and bringing tourists to town. As for the recent audit discovery of thousands of miscalculated hotel room visits and overpaid bonuses from the bureau's sales reports, some council members called the situation an "oops" and a "glitch." Revenue from the city's hotel tax a 12 percent surcharge added to every bill has grown from $5 million in 1992 to about $13 million projected next year, according to statistics presented to the council. The bureau's allocation from the city, meanwhile, has increased from $2.5 million in 1992 to $3.7 million for 2001. Several council members and city leaders credited the bureau with contributing to the rise in the money generated from the tax. While a renovated convention center helped those numbers, the bureau has done its work, Mayor Beverly O'Neill said. "Just because you have a big hall doesn't mean people are going to come," she said. Bureau Board Chairman Chris Pook said the bureau is working to correct the problems associated with the audit and deserves some credit for recent increases in tourism. "We need to make sure we continue to market this city," Pook said. While the council unanimously approved the bureau's allocations, its decision did not come without some heated moments. The most testy exchange came when Councilman Dennis Carroll asked the city attorney if the city could review the bureau's contract on more than an annual basis. In fact, the council can review the contract at any point during the year. And, like other outside contracts, the city can terminate the contract with a 90-day notice at any time, City Attorney Bob Shannon said. Councilman Jerry Shultz called the auditing problems "a glitch." And Councilman Rob Webb called the problems an "oops." Until someone proves it's a "gotcha," he said he supports the bureau. Councilman Frank Colonna called the bureau's work "outstanding." "The last thing I'd like to see happen is we end up politicizing this bureau," he said. "I think we need to move on."