Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Proposal shall contain the following
information and shall be scored on the criteria listed under each section.
(1) Site Plan. (0 to 20 points)
(A) The physical address of the proposed
Center.
(B) Size and location of
property. Include a description of the proximity to tourist attractions, restaurants
and lodging and distance from major freeways or highways.
(C) Central heating and air conditioning
capacity.
(D) The architectural theme of
the facility and how it is representative of local surroundings.
(E) Restroom facilities and Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
(F)
An interior display space to include the following: Lay out for information racks,
service desk and rest rooms. The lay out must include plans that allow, at a
minimum, eight 2' x 3' display racks, or 25' of linear wall space, or 51 square feet
of open space dedicated to brochure display racks, and space for a 42" plasma
screen.
(G) Direct Internet access,
preferably with speed of 128kb or better, for visitor use.
(H) Parking facilities, including RV and bus
parking.
(2) Marketing Plan.
(0 to 20 points) The marketing plan shall include the following:
(A) Public Relations.
1. Describe any public relations efforts that will
promote the proposed center.
(B) Direct Sales
1. A list of any merchandise to be sold at the
center, the benefit the merchandise has to the traveler and the competitive pricing
of the merchandise with other local vendors.
2. A list of any and all commercial establishments
attached to the proposed property and the level of service it will provide to the
traveler.
3. A list of any travel
services provided at the center, including travel arrangements, ticket booking
service and internet service.
4. A
commitment that the California Welcome Center shall not provide any real estate or
time-shares sales, or engage in or support telemarketing.
5. Describe any other plans to promote the center
through direct sales.
(C)
Print Advertising
1. Describe any plans to promote
the Center through print advertising.
(3) Financial Plan. (0 to 20 points) The financial
plan shall describe or include the following:
(A)
Funding sources and financial ability to meet hours of operation, on-going marketing
activities and payment of the annual $5,000 fee.
(4) Operational Plan. (0 to 30 points) The
operational plan shall include the following:
(A)
Description of proposed staffing which shall include a manager with decision-making
authority. Include number of full-time and part-time staff, and indicate paid or
volunteer. Describe proposed uniforms or name tags that will distinguish the staff
from the visitors.
(B) Commitment to
operate seven days a week, except for major holidays.
(C) Describe in detail the plan to gather, display
and maintain visitor brochures and travel-related information from throughout the
State.
(D) Building Maintenance. Provide
plans for maintaining the building, restrooms and grounds surrounding the
center.
(E) Proof of insurance on the
proposed property. The Applicant shall furnish to the Office a certificate of
insurance stating that there is comprehensive general liability insurance in effect
for the property with a combined single limit of not less than one million dollars
per occurrence for bodily injury and property liability combined.
(F) Office Equipment.
(G) Operating hours and how they meet the needs of
travelers in that area.
(H) Training
Plans for Staff.
(I) Authorization by
the property owner that the applicant can display signage for a California Welcome
Center on the exterior of the proposed property and evidence that signage will be in
compliance with any relevant city or county ordinances or applicable conditions,
covenants and restrictions.
(J) Provide
the method used for tracking the number of visitors to the Center.
(K) Description of visitor traffic patterns
including current and projected visitor numbers and determination of whether a
center is warranted in said area. If another California Welcome Center is located
within 50 miles of the proposed location, description of how the visitor traffic
patterns will support both centers.
(5) Local or Community Support (0 to 10 points)
(A) A letter from at least two of the following:
the community's principal destination marketing organization, tourism association,
city or county, supporting the establishment of a California Welcome Center in the
area.
(b) Eligible
Proposals receiving between eighty-five (85) and one hundred (100) points shall be
considered for designation and a site visitation shall be scheduled.
(c) Site visitation. (0-20 Points) A site
visitation of the proposed Center will be conducted to verify the site and
operational plan and to evaluate the Applicants understanding of the role of a
California Welcome Center.
(d) The
Agency shall award the designation to the Applicant(s) receiving the highest
score.
(e) The designation shall be for
a five-year period, with the first year being a probationary period. At the end of
the five years, the Center shall submit in writing a letter of intent to continue
operation of the Center and the Office shall re-evaluate the effectiveness and
appropriateness of continuing a Center designation at the same location.
1. New section filed
8-1-2006; operative 8-31-2006 (Register 2006, No.
31).
Note: Authority cited: Section
13995.151,
Government Code. Reference: Sections
13995.150,
13999.151,
13995.152,
13995.153 and
13995.154,
Government Code.
