Town of Provincetown

Visitor Services Board

Meeting Minutes of

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Judge Welsh Hearing Room

Chairman Lynne Davies convened the meeting at 10:03 AM noting the following attendees:

Members Present: Lynne Davies, Chairman; Peter Bez, Vice Chairman; Laurel Guadazno; Michael Peregon; Mick Rudd and Hersh Schwartz.

Excused Absence: Kathleen Fitzgerald.

Other attendees: Bill Schneider, Administrative Director of Tourism; David Gardner, Administrative Assistant II; Candace Collins-Boden, Chamber of Commerce; Patrick Eleey, Landscape Architect; Rex McKinsey, Harbormaster; James Mack, Chair of the Beautification Committee; Austin Knight, Vice Chair of the Historical Commission and Barbara Rushmore.

FY08 GRANT APPLICATION UPDATE

As of November 17, 2006, FY08 grant applications have been sent to 39 individuals and organizations, including previous grantees, grant applicants and interested parties expressing interest. The application is now available in a pdf format, making the application much easier to complete. An acknowledgment letter has been drafted to include the new policy language regarding the pre-event reimbursement of funds.

WATERFRONT PARK INITIATIVE

Lynne Davies narrated a power point presentation regarding the proposed improvements to the waterfront park.

The following are the next steps, which the VSB will be addressing regarding this initiative:

· Define scope of proposed RFP to be very specific (i.e. public safety, cultural and heritage, etc.)

· Determine funding available

· Prepare budget

· Schedule public hearing to receive input regarding proposed plans

· Develop plan to present to BOS

· Schedule public hearing of final plans

· Publish RFP

The following comments were made from those in attendance:

- check out old waterfront park

- bandstand

- should incorporate an historic element into the design

- welcoming element/signage to those entering the harbor as well as wayfinding to attract visitors to the waterfront from town

- flag poles representing various nationalities

- discussion with the parking department regarding maximizing both open space and parking resources

- sufficient amount of garage receptacles would be necessary

- maintain memorial trees

- drive-up access and landing at the courtesy float

- memorial plaques/monument should be included to honor lost mariners and the fishing heritage of the town

- pavers and benches could be sold for sponsorship and to generate revenue

- endowment should be included into the sponsorship to compensate for maintenance over time

- ships railing along the bulkhead

- fencing to separate the waterfront park and parking lot

- structural integrity of the bulkhead should be investigated

- existing water infrastructure along the waterfront could accommodate drinking fountains and an irrigation system to support the additional plantings

- future planning could include the Intermodal transportation center or a cultural center with interactive exhibits

CRUISE SHIPS

The ADT has drafted a letter to invite and entice cruise lines to include Provincetown as a full day or overnight destination, to include a variety of excursion packages and attractions to entertain cruise ship guests. Art galleries, shopping, tours and cultural facilities would all be included as marketing attractions to bring them to town.

TOURISM DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The Cape Light Compact and PTO issued a joint press release regarding the lighting initiative featuring LED lights and the efforts of the Town to address global warming concerns. The Sierra Club is pursuing a story idea regarding this initiative.

The PTO website has been updated to include the 2007 Calendar of Events, the arts VNR and a video featuring dune tours. Work continues to add other segments featuring Provincetown, including Cn8, WGBH and Fox 25’s Zip Trip to Provincetown.

A joint letter from the PTO and VSB will be mailed tomorrow to the 1,728 property owners identified by the Town’s Assessor as “second home owners.” Included with this mailing would be the 2007 Calendar of Events.

The ADT has continued to dialogue with Andy Pollack concerning the efforts to resurrect the Summer Farmers’ Market. Mr. Pollack has confirmed the preferred date and time for the market will be Saturday afternoons (following the Orleans Farmers’ Market, which is Saturday mornings). The ADT will meet with Mr. Pollack next month to discuss requirements for licensing and health permits as well as public safety issues concerning parking and traffic around the Ryder Street parking lot.

The ADT is in discussion with the Provincetown High School Art Department regarding cross- promotional opportunities for displaying retired work from the Art in Windows at Logan International Airport during the spring and summer of next year.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUMMIT REPORT

Mr. Peregon addressed the report submitted by the financial subcommittee regarding the Affordable Housing Summit. The subcommittee will make the following recommendation:

"Support the current Cape-wide Home Rule effort that would make weekly rentals subject to the collection of a room occupancy tax and to further advocate within the Town that whatever additional revenue accrue to the general fund from these additional collections be made available on a yearly basis for a period of ten years to support affordable/community housing initiatives."

The effect of this recommendation would mean that these room tax revenues would not be subject to the current allocation (45% for tourism fund; 35.875% for general fund; 19.125% for waste water enterprise fund).

The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 PM.