January 21, 2003

Galveston Park Board of Trustees Committees

Three committees of the Galveston Park Board of Trustees met on Tuesday in preparation for next week's regular meeting.

Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Christa Buggey reported to the Tourism Development Committee that the first two bookings have been contracted for the new Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis.  

Buggey announced that Melody Smith has joined the staff of the CVB and is working to develop more overnight stays from cruise ship passengers.

Johnny Smecca, the city council ex-officio representative on the board, urged Buggey to include promotion of free parking downtown after 5 p.m. and on Sundays in future advertising campaigns.

The Mardi Gras/Special Events Committee voted to grant permission for the use of artwork on the park board's Mardi Gras poster on tee shirts and one other item, for sale in the owner's establishments, but to prohibit resale of the items. 

Craig Bowie asked the committee to consider helping him promote African-American events on a 25-day, 10-state tour.  

"I want the park board to pay for the gas," Bowie said.  "I want to begin this project by March first.

The Operations Committee voted to recommend approval of the addition of a rock climbing wall and bungee ride by Robert Day, who operates the human maze at Stewart Beach Park.

"This should make us all a lot more money," Day said of the new attractions.

"It's a great idea, but I think we should have a complete scale set of drawings," said committee member Al Fichera.

The committee voted 2-1 to recommend a $250 increase in the fee charged Carol Yarbrough for a snow cone concession at Stewart Beach.  Danny Allen is opposed to the increase.

The committee voted to recommend the purchase six vehicles through the Houston-Galveston Area Council cooperative purchasing program, but there was concern that the vehicles are not being purchased from local businesses.

"I'd like to go on record to say that if we are not desperate in need of these cars tomorrow, I would like to put it out to bid," said Smecca, who is on the park board but not on the committee.

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