City Council
MEETING DATE: 6/13/2018
TITLE:
Title
Chamber of Commerce Service Provider Agreement for FY18/19
End
FROM:
Leisa Lukes, Business Development Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Chamber of Commerce Service Provider Agreement for FY18/19, authorize the City Manager to sign the Agreement and approve payment of $60,000 for the agreed-upon services in accordance with the adopted FY18/19 budget.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Just under one year ago, the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce merged with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) and became an integral part of the GCVCC as the Cathedral City District for the Chamber. The GCVCC is the largest business networking organization in the Coachella Valley and serves as a partner with the City to retain and grow business. In doing so, it strengthens the City's connections with the business community and further benefits the City through its cooperative marketing programs and by providing Visitor Center services. An allocation of $60,000 to the GCVCC was approved in the FY17/18 budget. Staff is recommending approval of the Service Provider Agreement that includes a Scope of Services to be performed during the fiscal year by the GCVCC on behalf of the City.
DISCUSSION:
The Chamber and the City have been operating as partners since the City's incorporation in 1981. That partnership has continued with the Chamber's merger into the GCVCC, which occurred just under one year ago. Since the merger, the GCVCC continues to grow the number of Cathedral City business members and expand upon the opportunities provided to the City's business community. The GCVCC operates the Cathedral City district office on Perez Road, which serves as the City's Visitor Center. In addition to a full-time district administrator, the Perez Road location houses the office of the director of sales and membership services for the entire organization. It also provides a base location for the district's sales manager and offers space for the District's board meetings.
In July 2017, the City and Chamber entered into an annual Service Provider Agreement for FY17/18. That Agreement included a Scope of Services, which describes the services to be provided to the City in addition to the traditional functions of the GCVCC. The GCVCC has submitted its quarterly reports to the City identifying the services that have been completed, are ongoing, or are yet to be finalized.
The proposed Scope of Services for the FY18/19 Service Provider Agreement is generally consistent with that of the current fiscal year. The proposed budget allocation of $60,000 is consistent with the prior two Service Provider Agreements.
Creating the "Local First Cathedral City" program, specified in the FY17/18 Scope of Services under Section D, City Promotion, was one of the larger programs undertaken by the GCVCC in FY17/18 and will be ongoing through the next fiscal year. The Program includes developing a theme; logo; city retail, restaurant and entertainment brochure; city map; website; and branding/marketing campaign - all of which is intended to drive customers to city businesses. Design work has been completed and website development is underway. The GCVCC anticipates completing the website this June and finalizing the brochure this fall with funding provided in the current fiscal year. The branding/marketing campaign and promotion is included in the proposed FY18/19 Scope of Services.
During FY17/18, the GCVCC established the "West Valley Business Expo" as a wedding and events promotional expo. The Expo was held at the DoubleTree Resort in Cathedral City in April and the City participated with a booth. The GCVCC determined the event to be a success as attendance by both business vendors and attendees for this first-year event was strong. Many of the vendors received contract commitments as a result. The GCVCC is planning to hold the Expo again in FY18/19 with a focus on "Weddings and Quinceañeras." This event is included in the GCVCC Scope of Services under Item C, City Events, with dedicated City funding of $5,000. The allocation in included in the proposed Scope of Services.
During FY17/18, the GCVCC continued to manage and staff the Cathedral City Visitor Center; maintained dedicated staffing for the Cathedral City office; organized and participated in monthly business walks; welcomed new businesses to the City; organized ribbon cuttings; conducted business surveys (i.e., "kids meal" healthy beverage support); and held a number of events within the City. These networking, educational and recognition events included monthly "Tips 'n Tricks" often held at the Mary Pickford Theater; "Lunch Bunches" held at local restaurants; and the State of the City and Orion Awards held at the DoubleTree Hotel.
The Chamber promoted City events via social media and on their website and participated in the City's signature events. The Chamber also promoted events conducted in both English and Spanish by other local business organizations, such as the SBA, Accion and Get in Motion. The business walks included at least on participant fluent in Spanish and the GCVCC offices employ several staff who are also fluent in Spanish.
The board of directors for the Cathedral City District office is comprised of local business representatives. The outgoing president is Kara Robinson of Team Art Terry & Kara - Windermere Real Estate and the incoming president is David Bermudez of La Michoacana. Other board members represent Frasier Pest Control, Winslow Drake Investment Management, and the Cathedral City Boys & Girls Club. Four local Cathedral City business representatives serve on the GCVCC Board of Directors.
Quarter 4 of the current fiscal year concludes on June 30. Staff does not anticipate withholding payment of any services not completed in the FY1718 Scope of Services, contingent upon completion of the outstanding items under Section D, the "Local First Cathedral City" program, as noted above.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The FY18/19 adopted budget allocates $60,000 for GCVCC services. Exhibit "B" of the Service Provider Agreement provides for quarterly allocation from the general fund upon the City's satisfactory receipt of the GCVCC's Quarterly Activity and Budget Reports, and a meeting of the City/GCVCC Committee
ATTACHMENTS:
Service Provider Agreement for FY 18/19
Exhibit "A" - Scope of Services for FY18/19
Exhibit "B" - Payment Program for FY18/19