Town of Provincetown

Visitor Services Board

 

Meeting Minutes of

Friday, February 17, 2006

Judge Welsh Meeting Room


Chairman Lynne Davies convened the meeting at 10:02 AM noting the following attendees:

 

VSB members: Lynne Davies, Chairman; Peter Bez, Vice Chairman; Kathleen Fitzgerald; Laurel Guadazno; Michael Peregon; Mick Rudd; and Hersh Schwartz.

 

Absent VSB member:  none. 

                       

Other attendees:  Bill Schneider, Administrative Director of Tourism

 

Recorder: David Gardner, Administrative Assistant II.

 

MARKETING PLAN PRESENTATION TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

 

Chairman Davies noted that no members of the Economic Development Council were present for this Agenda item.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

MOTION:  Move to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2006 VSB meeting as amended.

Motion by:  Peter Bez; Seconded by:  Laurel Guadazno; Yea:  6  Nay: 0 Abstain:  1 (MP)

 

BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE

 

James Mack, Chairman of the Beautification Committee presented the Committee’s FY06 proposed projects to include:  a Memorial Plaque for Lopes Square $2,000; Donations of three park benches to Open Space Committee’s Shank Painter Pond project (purchased in FY05); Large evergreen trees for bus parking lot at Jerome Smith Road $5,000; and annual plantings at Lopes Square and Post Office $600.  Remaining funds will be spent to plant evergreen trees along Jerome Smith Road. 

 

The VSB questioned whether the Beautification Committee allotment of money should be administered by a grant agreement similar to other grant awards.  Bill Schneider will follow-up on this question and report back.

 

An initiative should be started to give ownership of planting areas throughout town to local businesses and organizations through an “adopt a planter campaign” program.  The program would encourage additional plantings and relieve the burden on DPW for the maintenance and watering of the existing planting areas. VSB should initiate a community campaign and would be willing to provide the plaques to identify the entity from the Tourism Budget.

 

MOTION:  VSB recommends $2,100 be moved from the DPW municipal budget to the Beautification Committee budget within the FY2007 Five-Year Plan.

Motion by:  Lynne Davies; Seconded by:  Peter Bez; Yea:  7  Nay: 0 Abstain:  0

 

Steve Melamed arrived after the Marketing Presentation Agenda item was discussed.  The VSB will look into scheduling a joint meeting with both the EDC and the BOS sometime after the Town Meeting to discuss the DMO issue.  Bill Schneider suggested that the Marketing Plan be presented to the EDC at their next meeting.  Steve Melamed also invited Bill Schneider to appear at the EDC meetings on a more regular basis to provide frequent updates on VSB activities and to facilitate a closer working relationship between the two town boards.

 

Mick Rudd excused himself from the meeting.

 

Tourism Directors Report

 

The Lipton Cup will be installed next Friday, February 24, 2006 in the Town Library.  The Banner and Provincetown TV have been notified.  The formal dedication will be made on June 14, 2006 in conjunction with the anniversary date of the Town’s incorporation.

 

Jennifer Lane of MTV/Logo Channel is in town and meeting with business members and organizations regarding the upcoming shooting of the P-Town pilot.  She has been holding casting calls in Boston and Provincetown.

 

A team from Focus Communications will be in Provincetown on Monday, March 6, 2006 for a familiarization visit and will tour various guesthouses, businesses, museums and attractions.

 

The VSB voted approval of the recommendation of the Administrative Director of Tourism to negotiate an advertisement in Out Traveler magazine.

 

MOTION:  Move to approve $4,400 for a one-time insertion in the June issue of Out Traveler.

Motion by:  Peter Bez; Seconded by:  Hersh Schwartz; Yea:  7; Nay: 0; Abstain:  0.

 

The New York GLBT Travel Expo is scheduled for March 25 and 26, 2006.  The stuffing party will be held Friday, March 10, 2006 at 10:00 am in the Caucus Hall.

 

MOTION:  VSB goes on record in support of the Town of Brewster’s Plan - Expanding Local Room Tax Base To Include Short Term Rentals as provided by the Town of Brewster on February 13, 2006.

Motion by:  Laurel Guadazno; Seconded by:  Peter Bez; Yea:  6; Nay: 0; Abstain:  0

 

The meeting adjourned at 12:00 PM.