Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: Request from the Cotati Chamber of Commerce for Financial Support Date: May 24, 2022
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council approve a request from the Cotati Chamber of Commerce for $15,000 financial support in the current fiscal year (2021-2022).
Background
In the past 6 fiscal years (FY14/15-20/21) the Cotati City Council has provided funding support in the amount of $15,000 in each of those years to the Cotati Chamber of Commerce (Chamber). The Chamber recently submitted a letter requesting funding in the amount of $15,000, which is attached.
Analysis/Discussion
The Chamber is focused on growing the number and increasing the viability of local businesses through a variety of program benefits. The Chamber provides marketing and networking opportunities for all member businesses and, in addition, serves as the City’s Visitor Center. The Chamber also partners with the City with economic development, and the business visitation program, which is used to understand business challenges and look for solutions or ways to assist them in being successful. During the current fiscal year, the Chamber was a key partner in getting COVID-19 information out to the Cotati business community. Additionally, there are on-going discussions regarding maintenance of the business listings on the recently installed kiosk signs.
Through production of annual local events such as the Music Festival and Oktoberfest, the Chamber helps to grow the City’s desirability as a visitor destination. The requested support would further these marketing and promotions activities which are not readily, or legally cannot be, accomplished by the City.
Financial Considerations
The Chamber has requested $15,000 for this current fiscal year. The current budget includes a City Council Contributions budget of $25,000, with $15,000 allocated for this request. The remaining funds have been utilized for funding requests by outside non-profit organizations or citizen groups, including the waiver of some park fees and staff costs at multi-year community events in La Plaza Park, in accordance with the adopted park rental policy. In accordance with prior City Council action for COVID-19 relief, fees and staff time have been waived for events and rentals, which have generally been absorbed by the City operating budget. For this direct grant request, sufficient funds remain in the City Council contributions budget in 2021/22 to fund this request.
Environmental Issues
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378.
Attachments:
Grant Request 2022-2 (PDF)