TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: JAMIE EARL, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
DATE: NOVEMBER 26, 2024
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
CLAREMONT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VISITOR CENTER SERVICES ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2023-24 (FUNDING SOURCE: AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUND)
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SUMMARY
The City of Claremont contracted with the Claremont Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) in 2023-24 to provide Visitor Center services on behalf of the City. As a requirement of its agreement with the City, the Chamber must prepare an annual year-end report on its Visitor Center services.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council receive and file the Claremont Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center Services Annual Report for 2023-24.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from the Claremont Chamber of Commerce and/or City staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Compensation under the agreement between the City and the Claremont Chamber of Commerce was $60,000 for 2023-24. The City entered into a new agreement with the Chamber for 2024-25 and 2025-26, during which the City will continue to compensate the Chamber $60,000 per fiscal year for Visitor Center services. This funding was included in the adopted 2024-26 Budget using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer this contract is estimated at $620 and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
The Chamber has prepared an Annual Visitor Center Services Report (Attachment) outlining the services it rendered to the City in 2023-24. Staff has evaluated the Chamber’s report and finds the Chamber to be in compliance with the terms of the agreement. The annual report is broken down into sections according to the agreement and provides actions taken to meet each requirement during the year, with corresponding quantitative data where applicable. This report contains an outline of the services provided by the Chamber.
General Information and Services
The Chamber continued to respond to inquiries from the general public by providing 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, and demographics, particularly as those inquiries related to business.
The Chamber also produced and distributed City, visitor, and business information materials. The information disseminated included, but was not limited to the Chamber's Business and Community Directory; City and Village maps; and Friday Nights Live band listings.
For 2023-24, the Chamber provided the following estimates:
• Phone call inquiries: Approximately 10,000
• Walk-ins requesting general information: 1,835
Website and Social Media
In addition to managing several social media pages, the Chamber managed a website with a full range of information, including links to City Council, Commission, and Committee meeting schedules and special events.
For 2023-24, the Chamber provided the following statistics:
• The number of successful Page Views on the Chamber Website for July 2023 - June 2024 was 73,270 (Information taken from Google Analytics). During this time, the Chamber posted a total of 2,042 social media postings.
• The number of accounts reached on the Claremont Chamber of Commerce Instagram for July 2023 - June 2024 was 28,042 and the number of followers as of June 2024 was 4,102.
• The number of accounts reached on the Village Venture Instagram for July 2023 - June 2024 was 656 and the number of followers as of June 2024 was 2,127.
Distribution Network
The Chamber promoted the City and its businesses through a variety of outlets. In 2023-24, the Chamber promoted both the City and its businesses at Claremont Heritage, the Claremont Colleges, Claremont Hotels, shopping centers, and many stores and other facilities that have materials available to the general public.
For 2023-24, the Chamber provided the following estimates:
• Brochures through the Chamber Kiosk: 5,000+
• Distribution Points: 5,000
Business Support Services
The Chamber was responsible for developing, coordinating, and advertising events. The Chamber coordinated the annual Village Venture Street Faire, which included 400 vendors and was estimated to attract over 10,000 visitors. Other events include Friday Nights Live and ribbon cuttings, of which there were 14 in 2023-24. The Chamber has also continued the Claremont Gift Card program with $23,560 in sales between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. The program currently includes 60+ participating businesses. Lastly, the Chamber worked with the Claremont Police Department to promote the Citywide Business Watch Program.
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, 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 Deputy City Manager
Attachment:
2023-24 Visitor Center Services Report