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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-11-TOUR2-min �RECEIVED 0 775 2022 2 Jan, 12A4 Torn APRIL 19' �FXINGSO� Town of Lexington Tourism Committee Dawn McKenna, Chair (781) 862-0500 ext 84585 Tourism Committee Minutes June 11, 2020 3:30 —6:00 pm Virtual via Zoom Members Present: Dawn McKenna, Marsha Baker, Kerry Brandin, Bebe Fallick, Jon Himmel, Erica McAvoy, Margaret Coppe, Wim Nijenberg Staff Present: Casey Hagerty, Sandhya Iyer, Katie Johnson Liaisons Present: Jill Hai, Select Board, Fred Johnson, Center Committee New Staff Introduction Sandhya Iyer was introduced as the new Economic Development Director. She has experience in the Life Science industry but is excited to apply techniques and tactics from that industry to tourism. Visitors Center. Lower Level Mural The Committee reviewed a draft of the mural for lower level of the Visitors Center. The Committee had previously decided on the six categories that would be featured on the mural. Some members of the Committee raised concern with some of the pictures on the mural and were worried about a lack of diversity. Those Committee members suggested that the project be paused so that more time can be put into finding pictures that are more representative of Lexington. The Subcommittee working on the panels agreed to take another look at the content and seek out pictures with more diversity. AV Content Casey Hagerty gave the Committee a preview of the content that will appear on the screens. She and Katie Johnson are working with the designer to finish the content. The screens are installed in the Visitors Center. The Committee suggested that these screens would be a good place to highlight more diversity. Construction status The Visitors Center project is substantially done and is in the Final Inspection stage. There are some punch list items that need to be included. Staff will work with the Committee to set up tours of the building before it opens to the public. Donation plaque and funding The Committee discussed the names of donation categories on the donor plaque. The plaque will go to the Select Board for final approval. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 Draft re-opening plan and future celebration Casey Hagerty reviewed the Town wide reopening policy. Economic Development Staff will work to create a custom policy for the Visitors Center. Staff is proposing to return to the building in mid-June. Staff will then set up a rolling information cart outside. The next step will be to open the Visitors Center at some reduced capacity. The outdoor bathrooms only will be available to visitors. Outdoor Battle Green tours are scheduled to start in Mid-July. A celebration activity is on hold. Room Use Policy Staff will work with the Department of Public Facilities to develop standards for room use of the Visitors Center. A motion was made and seconded to support a moratorium on non-Visitors Center Programing in the Visitors Center until January 1, 2021, at the earliest and the Committee develop a use policy in conjunction with the Economic Development staff to recommend to the Town Manager and Select Board. The motion passed by a roll call vote 6-0. Review and Vote on revised Marketing Plan from 2.17.2020 A motion was made and seconded that the Tourism Committee approve the marketing plan dated 2.17.20 subject to adding edits made at the Tourism Committee meeting that will get incorporated at a later date. The motion passed by a roll call vote 6-0. FY2020 Goal Review and FY2021 Goals This will be taken up at the next meeting. Future Meeting Dates The Committee reviewed future 2020 and 2021 dates. A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. The motion was approved by roll call vote 6-0. Documents available: Town Wide Reopening Plan, Visitors Center Draft Reopening Plan, Marketing Plan from 2.17.2020, Draft Lower Level Content, Draft Donation Plaque Approved: 1/13/2022