Judge Welsh Hearing Room
Members present: Michelle Haynes, Laurel Guadazno,
Michael Peregon, Mick Rudd, Rita “Hersh” Schwartz, and Rob Tosner.
Member absent:
Kathleen Fitzgerald (excused)
Staff: Lisa Bowden, Tourism Director
Others: David Gardner
The
meeting was called to order at
Agenda:
One of the Board wanted to make sure
that the minutes (prior to their approval) were sent ONLY to the Board
members. It was agreed and must’ve been
an oversight.
Public
Statements
There
were none.
Lisa
B. has met with the
Patrick
is doing the spec drawings on a contracted basis. Hersh suggested seeking a
donation from Trex – especially since the dog park received freebies from
them. David suggested consulting with
Beautification for some funds from their budget, especially since they received
$10K in their budget. They are committed
to provide two benches for the
Lisa
is working 12 and 15 hour days but she will look for what is and what isn’t in
place. Seamen’s Bank has coordinated
memorial efforts for other groups. Rob
cautioned that we really can’t start this project after April 1st,
it would be too late into the season.
Website
There
was a great deal of discussion about the shortcomings of the website and
possible ways to repair it with the following motion being made:
Motion: Move to have the Tourism Director pursue
whether or not Chuck Anzalone can look at the website problem and help us with
it – with advice and input from the town counsel.
Motion: Michelle Haynes Seconded:
Hersh Schwartz Vote: 6-0-0.
Marketing
expense approvals
Lisa
explained that at the time the agenda was done – she was waiting to speak with
David G. to approve the marketing expenses.
Rob
T. had quite a bit to say about the 5 year plan. He had been presented with David G.’s staff
recommendations and the recommendations certainly didn’t agree with the Visitor
Services Board’s thoughts.
Mick
Rudd said that the conflict should be definitely noted and the 5 year plan
should not be listed as the VSB plan.
Rob T. – as chair of the Board - wrote the VSB statement for the Annual
Town Report. It is supposed to be the
record for posterity and he opted to make it factual.
Hersh
S. said that the VSB was charged with doing the 5 year plan; it was read by the
Board of Selectmen (BoS) and they didn’t like what they read - then they had
someone make changes. She doesn’t think
it’s up to anybody to make cuts. When
that’s done then it’s not really a
report.
David
G. explained that - in 2006 the same thing happened - the BoS didn’t accept it
either BUT the difference was that the VSB was sent back to the drawing board
to adjust. Lisa said that the discussion
covered a lot of her frustration with the budget process; we’re still trying to
fine tune all of this.
Tourism
Director's Report
The
Tourism Director’s report is attached to these minutes for reference. It deals with room tax revenue, location and
staffing of the tourism office, tour guide appreciation day, the 2008 calendar
of events, the business summit, marketing, public relations, and FY 2009
promotional grants. Based on the report,
the following motion was made:
Motion: Authorize the Tourism Director to have two
printings of the 2008 calendars. The
first printing will number 2,000 in February and the second will be for 10,000
in March.
Motion: Michael Peregon Seconded: Mick Rudd Vote:
6-0-0.
Lisa
is concerned about how long it may take to get the “Provincetown Like Nowhere
Else” bags for all the trade shows.
Hersh said it takes about 6 to 8 weeks for the bags.
Michael
P. would like to have Lisa e-mail her current schedule (for shows, etc.) to the
members of the VSB.
Grant
Proposals
After
a discussion on 50% matching funds, etc., the following motion was made:
Motion: Move that for the FY 2009 round of grants –
there not be a strict requirement that the total budget for the project be at
least double the grant request.
Motion: Mick Rudd Seconded: Michelle Haynes
Discussion
re: above:
David
G. said that the guidelines don’t give us much direction. For the grant agreement to be changed, it
will have to go back to the BoS. After a
bit more discussion, Mick withdrew the above motion.
Minutes
Motion: Approve the January 10th minutes
as written.
Motion: Laurel
Guadazno Seconded: Michael Peregon
Vote: 4-0-2 ab (MH & MR)
Walking
Trail
Laurel
G. had a meeting on the historic walking trail; the group will also be meeting
next week and reviewing the grant.
Lisa
B. – in researching the files - found a company that Bill had reached out to
and they did a pod cast for a
Art
in Windows
Hersh
S. wondered if we could get the Banner to do a little something on the Art in
Windows project so that people from up
VNR
Status
Rob
inquired about the status of the VNR for gay and lesbian tourism. Lisa responded that there was a specific
budget put in place and we’ll have something by March.
Request
from FAWC
Rob
said that we’re being asked to write a letter in support of the FAWC request
for some of the Town’s historic preservation funds (they’re redoing the Higgins
lumber building). It was suggested by
Mick Rudd the response might be, “it would be nice to have a policy on this and
in lieu of that policy – we can’t write this letter.”
FOCUS
Michelle
asked if it were possible to get a copy of the contract with FOCUS. Lisa said it costs $2K/month and the contract
ends on June 30th. Michelle
said that we need to get a clear understanding of what they’re doing for it. Lisa said that they’ll be providing us with a
report.
Jacob
Javitts show
Michelle
H. wanted to know if we can put the show on our loop.
Dunes
Radio
Lisa
met with the Dunes Radio and Fireworks Committee – the Dunes radio requested an
updated press release so that they can give promotions of the fireworks fund
and the Provincetown Stars CD.
The
meeting adjourned at
Respectfully
submitted,
Approved by_________________________ on
_________2007
Rob Tosner, Chair
Attachment:
Tourism
Director’s Report