Loading...
2000-05-03CITY OF ENCINITAS ACTION MINUTES OF REGULAR COMMITTEE MEETING TOURISM AND MARKETING COMMITTEE May 3, 2000 Council Member Sheila Cameron, Council Member Dennis Holz, City Manager Kerry Miller, Bob Bonde, Peder Norby, Paula Kirpalani, John McIsaac, Mark Skok, Rob Spence, Carolyn Cope, Jim Clark, Vanessa Williams, Cid Shaw, Tom Black, Jerry Brooks, Kirsten Richter, Chuck Ades, Evelyn Weidner, Julian Duval, Lynne Love. DIRECTION /ACTION # 1 Meeting called to order at 8:09 A.M. by Council Member Dennis Holz. Mr. Holz thanked everyone Call to Order for coming. Everyone introduced themselves. ITEM # 2 Marketing and Implementation: Review and Update of Sub - Committee Action Steps Kerry Miller, City Manager gave a brief overview of the last meeting, which focused on "Iwannapark" (ESD park site) as presented by Patrick Murphy, City Consultant with the Planning Department. Mr. Miller requested a progress update from the facilitator of each sub - committee (see Attachment A). Peder Norby, Group 1 facilitator, presented a report on the group's progress. Group 1 has identified 4 key projects: the Encinitas sign, streetscape, parking district formation, and the continuous sidewalk. • Encinitas Sign: City Council has funded the sign and is entering into a contract with the fabrication design company, Ultra Signs. The sign will be designed to look very similar to the original historic sign. The materials the company will use to make the sign include wood and metal with internal and facing lighting. The color of the sign will be dark forest green with white letters as was the old sign. Installation is anticipated for late September and prior to Encinitas' birthday. There will also be an etched bronze picture and history on the sign posts. The location of the sign will be as close as possible to the old sign location. • Streetscape: Mr. Norby noted that the streetscape plan is making significant progress. It will go before the Council by June /July. Driveway cuts and length configurations are being resolved at this time. Some driveway cuts will go, some will stay. Left turn movement will be restricted in some way. The next portion of the plan to be worked on is the design of the intersection treatments. • Parking District Formation: Discussions have begun. The downtown area has been surveyed with 75 -80% of the respondents being interested. The parking district should have a good revenue source. Half of the business owners noted they would like to do away with the two -hour parking limit. They are hoping to have a couple public meetings to inform the public on what a parking district is, how one is formed, etc. Mark Skok, Group 2 facilitator, presented an update on their group's progress. The group is working on creating an ambiance in Encinitas which would bring visitors back. They believe the key to creating an ambiance is to have the necessary infrastructure in place. In order to have this, a partnership needs to be created between the public/businesses and the City. They suggest that a liaison from the City be working on this with them. They have divided the infrastructure into two priorities: continuing/enhancing projects (projects the City is already working on) and new priorities. Continuing priorities include the Shoreline Committee which is working on promoting recreation and safety with our beaches; the development of bike /pedestrian trails along the rail corridor; and the preservation of open spaces and parklands. New priorities include artistically designed maps and signs to create clarity for tourists, a Lagoon to Lagoon trail, parking and transportation. The need for a shuttle /trolley type program in the City was discussed. A few suggestions were made regarding shuttle /trolley programs including looking at the PAL service in Carlsbad, which is a private venture and uses no public funds, as well as the idea of forming a Transit Management Association, which is funded by Caltrans and made up of private partners. Vanessa Williams, Group 3/4 facilitator, reported on their groups' progress. They were contemplating the idea of creating a new brochure with a one -page insert listing current events, restaurants, and lodging. However, they decided the stay with the current brochure and incorporate the one page insert into the web site being developed. Jerry Brooks reported that Planet X submitted a bid ($5 -7 thousand) for developing a video. The group may decide to obtain a few more bids before taking action. Ms. Williams indicated that funding will likely need to come from the City. Ms. Cameron noted that a Tourism & Marketing Fund would need to be created for these types of projects and she will request this at the upcoming budget meeting. It was suggested that a portion of the TOT funds be directed into such a fund. Mr. Holz noted that there are several projects the committee is looking into. We need to integrate all the ideas into a strategic plan and develop a budget. Mr. Skok stated that developing a strategic plan is a good idea, but City involvement is necessary to make it happen. Rob Spence gave a brief update on the website. They are working with the Chamber to develop a website. Mr. Holz suggested that they look into the cost of putting the video that is being created onto the website. Carolyn Cope, Group S facilitator, reported on their group's progress. The group's focus is on public art. They are starting with the survey. The survey is being distributed to residents and businesses. They do have a concern with funding and were also going to suggest that funding come from TOT money. Ms. Cameron noted that private donations are a good source for funding. Ms. Cope reported that all the Arts Commission's activities are on the website. She noted that on May 21, 2000 there will be a tour from Encinitas to Hollywood for the screening of `Battlefield Earth" with John Travolta. Ms. Cope indicated that she would bring a list of all the Arts Commission's activities to the next meeting. # 3 Peder Norby, executive director of DEMA, reported that the Mainstreet National Conference will take Oral Communications place in Encinitas May 10 and 11, 2000. If anyone is interested in the downtown, they should attend the May 11, 2000 meeting which will be followed by a walking tour. City Manager Kerry Miller reported that he recently took a tour of the greenhouses. He was fascinated to learn that our local greenhouses provide service to businesses all over the country. He believes we could promote our flower /plants greenhouses as a major annual event. He would like to include this in the strategic plan. Chuck Ades noted that he is interested in developing tours as they have had in the past. It was further noted that we will need to overcome adversity from the neighbors which stem from parking problems, traffic, restroom facilities, etc. before this can become a reality. Ms. Cameron requested Chuck Ades and Evelyn Weidner create a Flower Sub - Committee to come up with ideas on how to make this event a reality. Bob Bonde stated that a rail hearing will take place on May 17, 2000. He encouraged all members to attend the meeting and make their opinions heard. Mr. Miller added that it will be a forum and will be part of the regular City Council Meeting. Caltrans, Amtrak, NCTD, and SANDAG will give presentations, followed by questions and public comments. Ms. Cameron would like the following action to be taken: 1) Ask for a Tourism & Marketing Fund starting with 2% of the TOT funds; 2) Request a grant writer; 3) Have the Flowers Committee present their ideas on June 1, 2000; 4) Contact Gary Gallegos with Caltrans about speaking at a future meeting. ITEM #4 1) Development of a Strategic Plan and formalize the City's involvement in the Tourism & Discussion of Agenda Items for Future Meeting Marketing. 2) Representative from Caltrans to discuss transportation. Paramahansa Yogananda: "Those persons who have perceptive eyes, have beauty everyday." 3) Showing of DEMA's video. Next Meeting June 1, 2000. "Note: it was suggested that the committee members attend the Mainstreet Conference on May 11, 2000 at 9:30 a.m. which will be followed with a walking tour. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Prepared by Gina Rubottom Paramahansa Yogananda: "Those persons who have perceptive eyes, have beauty everyday."