Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 12, March 22, 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.