Town of Provincetown

Visitor Services Board

Meeting Minutes of

Tuesday, September 5, 2006

Judge Welsh Meeting Room


Chairman Lynne Davies convened the meeting at 11:00 AM noting the following attendees:

 

Members Present: Lynne Davies, Chairman; Peter Bez, Vice Chairman; Kathleen Fitzgerald; Michael Peregon; Mick Rudd and Hersh Schwartz

 

Excused Absence:  Laurel Guadazno.

 

Other attendees:  Bill Schneider, Administrative Director of Tourism; David Gardner, Administrative Assistant II.

 

Michael Leger, Member, Airport Commission; Michelle Jarusiewicz, Grants Administrator; Michael Glasfeld, Bay State Cruise Company were also present in the audience.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion:  Move to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2006 VSB meeting as amended.

Motion:  Michael Peregon; Seconded:  Kathleen Fitzgerald; Yea:  5; Nay: 0; Abstain:  1 (HS)

 

NEW BUSINESS

Lynne Davies introduced Michael Leger, a member of both the Airport Commission and the Gay Pilots Association (“GPA”), who is seeking to make the airport more visitor friendly for guests as well as private pilots.  The GPA is holding its 15th annual Gay Pilot’s Cape Cod Classic pilot flyover on September 15-17, 2006.  The Tourism Office will add the event on the calendar of events.

 

Motion:  Authorize the use of the VSB logo on a banner to welcome the Gay Pilots Association to town, contingent upon the approval of the Airport Commission and the Tourism Office once all regulatory requirements have been met. 

Motion:  Lynne Davis; Seconded:  Peter Bez; Yea:  6; Nay: 0; Abstain:  0

 

WATERFRONT PARK GRANT

Lynne Davies introduced Michelle Jarusiewicz and asked for help to research possible grant sources for improvements to the waterfront park.  The VSB would like to see improvements to the waterfront park to improve the visitor experience at the waterfront and the Municipal Parking Lot.   Seeking additional landscaping, infrastructure and irrigation improvements, even on an interim basis until a larger or more comprehensive improvement project can be determined.

 

Michelle suggest that with the several other projects currently under consideration including the Intermodal Transportation Center, the Streetscape Improvement Plan, the Historic Walking Trail, and that the more coordination and collaboration with other projects or organizations will improve the opportunities for grants.

 

Michelle will start researching possible grant opportunities and will report back at the first VSB meeting in October.

 

VIDEO NEWS RELEASE (VNR)

The ADT presented the final version of the VNR.  Discussion concerning the next phase of the project ensued, and the ADT was directed to meet with FOCUS Communications to brainstorm ideas for producing a VNR that highlights the shoulder seasons.

 

Lynne Davies introduced Mike Glasfeld from Bay State Cruise Company, who presented information regarding confirmed sightings over the last six months, which contradicts the Banner story that reported there were no confirmed sightings during the summer.

 

The ADT announced that he received an email from David Guertin, Public Works Director, which informed him that the Water and Sewer Board has taken up the issue of public bathrooms, and in particular, issues of signage. 

 

Motion:  The VSB supports the Water and Sewer Boards attempt to develop a policy regarding the governing of access to public bathrooms in establishments connected to the public sewer system.

Motion:  Mick Rudd; Seconded:  Kathleen Fitzgerald; Yea:  6; Nay: 0; Abstain:  0

 

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN

 

The VSB discussed the staff recommendations for the Five Year Plan for FY2008 – FY2013 for comments.  Regarding the recommendation Municipal Projects Budget:  The VSB recommended to the BOS as a goal, to have the Town invest in the tourism infrastructure of the Town, and that tourism funds should not be used to subsidize the DPW budget maintenance schedule for the ongoing maintenance and operations of municipal projects, i.e. additional trash barrel pickup, landscaping services, janitorial services, etc.  Further discussion will continue at the next VSB meeting.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 1:24 PM.