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Staff Report - Chamber Renewal FINALPREPARED BY: MONICA RENN Economic Vitality Manager Reviewed by: ___Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Finance S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2016\06-21-16\Chamber Contract\Staff Report - Chamber Renewal FINAL.docx MEETING DATE: 06/21/16 ITEM NO: 5 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT DATE: JUNE 6, 2016 TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES WITH THE LOS GATOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the Town Manager to execute an agreement for services with the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce in an amount not to exceed $50,000. BACKGROUND: In 2001, the current agreement for Chamber services was first executed to include the operation and management of the Town’s Information Center, as well as coordination of the Town’s annual Leadership Los Gatos program (Attachment 1). This item continues the contract for another fiscal year and identifies the specific services that the Chamber will provide to the Town (Attachment 2). DISCUSSION: The Town’s Information Center provides residents and visitors with a location within the Central Business District to obtain information regarding various Town matters including: events, meetings, Town services information, business directories, relocation information, and various other subjects. The Chamber operates the office and it is open to the public 40 hours per week, 52 weeks a year with the exception of scheduled holidays. The Center is also open on occasional Saturdays in an effort to maximize the Center’s availability. The Leadership Los Gatos program is designed to engage, educate, and develop service-oriented individuals who live and/or work in Los Gatos for leadership roles in community and neighborhood organizations, schools, places of worship and Town government. The program includes ten sessions and PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: ANNUAL RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES WITH THE LOS GATOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO MANAGE THE TOWN’S INFORMATION CENTER AND COORDINATE THE LEADERSHIP LOS GATOS PROGRAM JUNE 6, 2016 DISCUSSION (Cont’d): participants are required to apply and pay tuition for the program. Many employers will often sponsor their employees in this community program. Exhibit A to Attachment 2 provides a scope of the services above. In past year, the Town has supported a third aspect of the Chamber of Commerce, the Los Gatos Visitor’s Bureau. This group was formed in 2008, during the recession as a way to promote downtown and market Los Gatos as a destination to shop, dine and stay. With the dissolution of the Redevelopment Agency and its funds, the marketing piece of the Visitors Bureau was discontinued because there were no replacement dollars. In addition, the Visitor’s Bureau historically coordinated several programs and events to meet the goal of strengthening commerce in Los Gatos and promoting the Town as a destination. As programs and events evolved and priorities have shifted, the Visitor’s Bureau became a group solely coordinating the bi-annual Wine Walk. As a result, the Town has elected to remove the Visitor’s Bureau from this contract. The Chamber of Commerce may still move forward with coordinating the Wine Walks as the event organizer and sponsor. All permitting and approvals would still be required through the Town’s special event process, or through a separate event contract should the Chamber of Commerce elect to pursue a single contract for multiple events per year as has been done for other events (e.g., Music in the Park). CONCLUSION: It is recommended that the Town Manager execute the attached agreement for services with the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce in the amount not to exceed $50,000. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required. FISCAL IMPACT: There are sufficient funds available for this project in the FY 2016/17 Operating Budget. Attachments: 1. FY 15/16Agreement 2. Proposed FY 16/17Agreement for Services including Exhibit A, Scope of Services