Economic Development Council Meeting

Minutes: October 31, 2007; 9:30 am

Judge Welsh Room, Town Hall

 

Present:

Members:  Chairman Steve Melamed, Thanassi Kuliopulos, William Dougal, Bonnie Adams-Campbell, Michael Carroll

Staff:  Grant Administrator Michelle Jarusiewicz, Assistant Town Manager David Gardner, Town Manager Sharon Lynn, Cultural Economic Development Coordinator Lisa Bowden, Selectman Lynn Davies

Absent: Alix Ritchie and Marty Huey excused;

 

Meeting called to order by Chairman Steve Melamed at 9:40 am

 

Minutes: Bonnie to send 10/3 minutes to Michelle to edit. Michelle to draft minutes for 10/17/07 meeting.

 

Public Statements: none

 

Business Summit:

Discussion regarding the great turn-out at Business Summit on October 18th. Selectman Davies indicated that the Board of Selectmen voted to have the Town Manager and staff conduct an all day session for the next Business Summit. Some concern that an all day session would discourage the business community from attending. Business Community will only return if worthwhile experience and get something out of it.

 

Bill Dougal supported Board of Selectmen/Town Manager sponsored Summit event with EDC conduit. The EDC has no authority to change taxes, over licensing, etc. The Selectmen need to be educated, they’ll own it and be held accountable.

 

Thanassi Kuliopulos stated that the EDC has been planning the Summit for years, politics should not be involved.

 

Gerry/Chadington’s participated and inquired how best to market Provincetown in a cohesive way? What incentives are there for business? Not handouts, but working relationship. Who is the town catering to? How do we get more people into town? Lots of websites, not one voice, lots of fracturing.

 

Alex Brown: Summit was success, should be 4 per year. Provincetown always first on many things, usually can’t finish projects, look at Pier.

 

Bill Dougal: agrees, pier never finished, PPC doing its best, but is it the right organizational structure?

 

Lynne Davies: Town hall rental fees, Board of Selectmen to look at in January.

 

Alex Browne:  Should build on what we have as Provincetown product –Provincetown oysters. Look at Sanibel Island – user friendly, ”can do” attitude. Don’t really have 3500 year-round people, probably 1500. Not anti-Pier Corp, lots of positives, service is better, response is better

 

Bill Dougal:  how can we sustain ourselves?  Next steps, perhaps include a rep from fishing and Pier Corporation in planning Summit II. Should EDC host meeting led by Town Manager?

 

Steve Melamed: Town has elected to run it, intend to cooperate, but not lead

 

Sharon Lynn: next week target gathering group leaders

 

Bill Dougal:  Cape Cod Times article regarding exodus from the Cape – what is the real population of year-round Provincetown? Who is visiting Provincetown? How stem the exodus?

 

Next meeting: 11/7/07; 11/28?? Depends on Summit II

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 12:20 pm.