TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: JAMIE EARL, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
DATE: JUNE 25, 2024
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CLAREMONT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR VISITOR CENTER SERVICES (FUNDING SOURCE: AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUND)
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SUMMARY
Staff is seeking authority to enter into a two-year agreement with the Claremont Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”) beginning July 1, 2024 for the Chamber to continue providing visitor center services and business support services on behalf of the City. The City and Chamber are mutually desirous of continuing to promote Claremont as a business, educational, residential, recreational, industrial, and cultural destination.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a two-year agreement with the Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $60,000 per year ($120,000 total) to provide visitor center services on behalf of the City for a term starting on July 1, 2024.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
• Request additional information.
• Reject staff’s recommendation.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Prior to the elimination of Chamber funding in 2020-21, the City’s support of the Chamber was in the amount of $40,000. In recognition of the City’s continuing relationship with the Chamber of Commerce, the City Council voted to restore funding to the Chamber in the annual amount of $60,000 in the City’s 2022-24 Operating Budget.
The annual $60,000 funding amount returned the City’s support of the Chamber to levels consistent with those prior to the Great Recession of 2007-009. The annual amount of $60,000 is included in the City’s adopted 2024-26 Operating Budget and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund.
The staff cost to prepare this report and prepare the attached contract is estimated at $600 and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
The City of Claremont and the former Redevelopment Agency provided funding to the Claremont Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”) for over thirty years in return for visitor center and business support services. After the dissolution of the former Redevelopment Agency, the City provided funding from the General Fund for these services.
Funding for the Claremont Chamber of Commerce to provide visitor center services through an agreement with the City was eliminated in the 2020-21 budget. In spite of the elimination of funding, the Chamber has continued to provide visitor center and business support services.
The services the Chamber provides are intended to serve Claremont’s merchants, citizens, and visitors. These services are designed to enhance the operations of the Visitor’s Information Center (205 Yale Avenue), and provide a platform for both parties to work together on efforts benefiting the entire business community. Both the City and Chamber have continued to enjoy a positive, cooperative, and innovative relationship.
Below is an outline of the services proposed to be provided by the Chamber:
• Responding to requests for information on a variety of subjects, including but not limited to, business and business opportunities, City government services and procedures, City projects, visitor and new resident information, demographics, inquiries related to generating business in the City.
• Manage, update, and maintain the Chamber website.
• Producing and distributing City, visitor, and business information materials.
• Maintain a monthly and annual calendar which includes special events.
• Promoting the City and its businesses.
• Develop events, entertainment or activities for the Village and other commercial areas with the assistance of the City and other business representatives.
• Work with the Claremont Police Department to manage the Business Watch Program.
In addition to the services above, the Chamber of Commerce is also required to submit an annual report that includes an accurate and complete record of the number and nature of public inquiries and progress on goals and business support services.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Economic Sustainability Plan, General Plan, and the 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Jamie Earl Katie Wand
Assistant City Manager Assistant to the City Manager