| ITEM #: 15. DATE: 07/18/2022 AI #:1005 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | SOUTHWEST VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Lori Gary Economic Development Director |
SUMMARY
Council consideration of Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce contract renewal and amendment.
Recommendation
Approve a one-year renewal of the membership agreement in the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce with an amendment to the scope and a corresponding cost increase. (Lori Gary Economic Development Director)
FISCAL IMPACT
The city of Goodyear currently pays a membership fee to the Chamber in the amount of $725, an annual fee of $16,000, and an additional table fee to the Southwest Valley Awards Gala (SWAGGIES).
The new membership price of $25,000 is for a custom Platinum membership package which includes:
1. Marketing services for businesses/tourism/InnovationHub
2. City sponsorship for Chamber events
3. Groundbreaking/ribbon cutting services for Goodyear businesses
4. Customized Goodyear business/entrepreneurship events
5. Increased reporting to the city
The new membership price of $25,000 is for a custom Platinum membership package which includes:
1. Marketing services for businesses/tourism/InnovationHub
2. City sponsorship for Chamber events
3. Groundbreaking/ribbon cutting services for Goodyear businesses
4. Customized Goodyear business/entrepreneurship events
5. Increased reporting to the city
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
The city of Goodyear has been a long-time partner of the Southwest Valley Chamber ("Chamber"). The Chamber is an independent entity whose bylaws designate service areas to include businesses located within the cities of Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Tolleson.
The city of Goodyear has a three-pronged relationship with the Chamber:
1. Membership: The city is a member of the Chamber with a designated seat on the board as an ex-officio member. Councilmember Campbell serves as Goodyear's representative.
2. Land lease: Goodyear has a 99-year land lease with the Chamber that expires on March 31, 2099. The Chamber owns the building and this lease is not tied to our membership with the Chamber.
3. Partnership: Historically, the city of Goodyear has paid the Chamber annually to serve as the agent for the city to operate an information and Business Resource Center. Under the agreement, the Chamber is to maintain a visitor information center; respond to inquiries from residents, visitors/tourists and businesses; provide direct support to local businesses; and promote the city on the Chamber website and link to our Economic Development webpage.
Council last discussed the city's relationship with the Chamber at a Work Session on April 12, 2021. At that time, the Chamber was undergoing a leadership change and Jeffrey Campos had been retained as the new CEO, and the city of Avondale had discontinued their membership with the Chamber. The discussion addressed consistency across communities and value to Goodyear businesses. Council favored renewing the contract for one year to allow the new leadership time to acclimate. Since then Avondale has rejoined the Chamber as a Platinum member and in-person events have begun to normalize as COVID-19 related restrictions have ceased.
This is an opportunity for Council to receive an update on the city's relationship with the Chamber and discuss the updated membership agreement.
The city of Goodyear has a three-pronged relationship with the Chamber:
1. Membership: The city is a member of the Chamber with a designated seat on the board as an ex-officio member. Councilmember Campbell serves as Goodyear's representative.
2. Land lease: Goodyear has a 99-year land lease with the Chamber that expires on March 31, 2099. The Chamber owns the building and this lease is not tied to our membership with the Chamber.
3. Partnership: Historically, the city of Goodyear has paid the Chamber annually to serve as the agent for the city to operate an information and Business Resource Center. Under the agreement, the Chamber is to maintain a visitor information center; respond to inquiries from residents, visitors/tourists and businesses; provide direct support to local businesses; and promote the city on the Chamber website and link to our Economic Development webpage.
Council last discussed the city's relationship with the Chamber at a Work Session on April 12, 2021. At that time, the Chamber was undergoing a leadership change and Jeffrey Campos had been retained as the new CEO, and the city of Avondale had discontinued their membership with the Chamber. The discussion addressed consistency across communities and value to Goodyear businesses. Council favored renewing the contract for one year to allow the new leadership time to acclimate. Since then Avondale has rejoined the Chamber as a Platinum member and in-person events have begun to normalize as COVID-19 related restrictions have ceased.
This is an opportunity for Council to receive an update on the city's relationship with the Chamber and discuss the updated membership agreement.
STAFF ANALYSIS
Based on Council recommendations at the April 12, 2021 Work Session, the Chamber membership scope has been revised to include:
- Re-defined reporting procedures to help keep lines of communication open regarding the status of the chamber and progress on various initiatives
- Establishing the city as a sponsor at select Chamber events
- Creating new opportunities for the Chamber and the city to partner on events in Goodyear supporting existing Goodyear businesses
- Assuring Chamber ribbon cutting, groundbreaking, and grand opening services for Goodyear businesses