HomeMy WebLinkAbout5A - Chamber of Commerce Request for Executive Director Position
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STAFF AGENDA REPORT
~~NK BOYLES, CITY MANAGER'A.~
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RE6LJ~T FOR CITY FINANCIAL
SUPPORT FOR EXECUTIVE DIREC~POSITION
NOVEMBER 1, 1993
The Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce has historically relied upon
volunteers to provide the staffing necessary to accomplish its ongoing
responsibilities. With the ongoing support of the City, volunteer staffing
has been modestly successful. In order to revitalize the Chamber, a
request is being made to hire a part time individual to provide staff
support for the Chamber.
The Chamber is operated by a Board of Directors consisting of ten
persons representing various business interests throughout the
community. The City has historically participated on the Chamber Board,
both as a voting member and by providing staff assistance. Chamber
representatives have contacted City Council members requesting that the
City consider making a donation of up to $10,000 in 1994 to assist the
Chamber in hiring a part time person to provide its staff responsibilities.
Businesses in the community would supply an in kind contribution by
providing office space and donated office equipment for this position.
Chamber President, Loraine Kesler and Board Member, Fran Greenfield,
will be present at the meeting to make the formal presentation to the City
Council.
The creation of a staff position for the Chamber should enhance this
body's ability to complete its annual objectives. Moreover, a staff person
will enhance accountability for achieving Chamber goals and minimize
duplication of efforts.
If the Council elects to support this request, the following issues will need
to be considered:
1 . Any contribution made by the City must be subtracted from
an existing line item in the proposed 1994 budget. A second
option is to draw the funds for this position from the
contingency account. This would reduce this account from
$100,000 to $90,000. As the Council is aware, we have
already expended the contingency account for 1993. I am
concerned that we do not allow the same thing to occur
before the end of 1994.
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4629 Dakota 51. 5.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
2. Support for this position should be conditioned on a receipt
of written 1994 work objectives for City Council review prior
to 1994. It is essential that the Chamber know where they
are going, what they wish to accomplish and can determine
their objectives when they have gotten there.
3. The City contribution should be "seed money". The City and
Chamber are and should be strongly allied. However, the
ongoing responsibility for this position should be recouped
by the Chamber through its dues to its members.
Consequently, the City's contribution should be based upon
two things: First, it should be based upon confirmation that
the Chamber is meeting its annual goals and objectives as
provided to the City Council; Second, the City's contribution
should be discontinued after some period of time --- say
three years. To reduce the budget "shock" to the Chamber,
the Council could consider annual declining payments over
some finite time period. At the end of the time period the
Chamber would be fully responsible for the position.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council should hear the Chamber's proposal and provide
direction as appropriate to the staff. The Council may wish to discuss this
request as part of the 1994 budget hearing on December 8.
FBAG5. WAT
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