CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
September 11, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted by: Kirk Pelser, Deputy City Manager
Subject: APPROVING FUNDING OF $50,000 TO THE POMONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DEFINED DISBURSEMENT SCHEDULE RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve funding for the Pomona Chamber of Commerce (the “Chamber”) for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 in the amount of $50,000 to be disbursed in four equal quarterly payments of $12,500 at the beginning of each quarter.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Pomona Chamber of Commerce has requested financial assistance from the City for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year. The City Council will consider authorizing an expenditure of $50,000 from its 2023-2024 Fiscal Year budget to fund the Pomona Chamber of Commerce for the purposes of maintaining the City’s membership with the Chamber, funding economic development activities, and assistance in paying office space rent at Mission Promenade.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding in the amount of $50,000 for the Chamber is available in the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Budget (101-0101-52188).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
Following the dissolution of Redevelopment in 2012, the City Council has provided General Fund financial assistance annually to the Chamber of Commerce.
BACKGROUND:
Following the dissolution of redevelopment funding in 2012, the City has taken on the Chamber’s needs for financial assistance by allocating $50,000 from its General Fund in the City’s annual operating budget. The Council adopted the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget with $50,000 set aside for the Chamber. Before that money can be released, the Chamber must first approve its own budget and outline which programs and services the City will be receiving and how the funds will be allocated in this fiscal year. A copy of the Chamber’s approved budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 can be found in Attachment No. 1.
DISCUSSION:
The Chamber has submitted a proposal for the use of City funds in the amount of $50,000. The Chamber is proposing to use $28,800for payment of office rent at Mission Promenade from July 2023 through June 2024.
The Chamber will credit the City $10,000 for Chamber membership and Title Sponsorship of all signature events, which includes a reserved table with eight tickets (8-seatings) and recognition. As a Chamber Member, the Chamber will promote the City’s on-going community events and services. In the event that the Chamber is unable to host in-person signature events for this fiscal year 2023-2024, the Chamber plans to reallocate sponsorship funds ($10,000) towards the following, in support of business economic recovery efforts:
Assist all businesses in applying for Grant Funding Opportunities through City, state, and federal programs.
In partnership with Pomona’s Promise, the Chamber will host quarterly workshops focusing on business development and access to capital.
Chamber President & CEO Monique Robles proposes to use the balance of the City assistance of $13,000 towards Economic Development Activities, such as assisting the Economic Development Committee in outreach efforts for the Property Business Improvement District (PBID) proposed project along the East Holt Corridor and promotion of Business-to-Business Development Workshops. Of that $13,000 the Chamber plans to set aside $10,000 for marketing of the City including the promotion of a new City map, Pomona Magazine & Directory, Pomona Eateries Guide and related business attraction materials to include brochures, flyers and towards the production of promotional videos and social media posts. Lastly, the Chamber will allocate the remaining $3,000 to continue business education and welcoming programs, i.e. workshops, technical assistance, ribbon cuttings and business councils.
Chamber Provided Update
During Fiscal Year 2022-2023, the Pomona Chamber of Commerce was successful in acquiring 67 new members, hosted eight Grand Openings for non-member businesses, and hosted three Grand Re-openings for members. In addition, the Chamber hosted 2022 Candidate Forum at City Hall, attended the 2022 California Workforce Development Conference in Monterey, CA, hosted a Meet & Greet Luncheon welcoming Senator Susan Rubio to the City of Pomona, partnered with Athens Services to host events educating businesses on SB1383, Organic Waste Diversion Program, partnered with the City of Pomona to host the Mini-Taste of Pomona at the State of the City, hosted AMOCA Multi-Chamber Mixer over 200 ppl in attendance and 12 participating chambers, hosted Harvest Multi-Chamber Mixer over 150 ppl in attendance and seven participating chambers, Lastly, we partnered with Downtown Pomona Owner’s Association on the 2nd Day of the Dead Festival and 2022 Downtown Pomona Christmas Parade.
Recognized for our partnership with CHERP (non-profit, solar panel assembly factory) The Pomona Chamber of Commerce accomplishments & recognitions in 2022-2023:
Recognized by ICIC-Inner City Capital Connections as being one of the Top Nominators Nationally for businesses to receive access to Capitol in 2019 & 2020, & 2021& 2022 Staff is in support of the Chamber’s plans for the allocation of the $50,000. Upon approval, Staff is proposing that disbursement of the $50,000 to the Chamber be the same as in past years, which has been in four equal payments of $12,500 made at the end of each quarter of the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 - Chamber FY 2023-2024 Approved Budget Chamber of Commerce Funding FY 2023-2024
September 11, 2023