CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
September 9, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita Gutierrez, City Manager
Submitted by: Kirk Pelser, Economic Development Director 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 2024-2025 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 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. The City Council will consider authorizing an expenditure of $50,000 from its 2024-2025 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.
SB1439/GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLICABILITY:
☐ When this box is checked, it indicates the agenda item is subject to the Levine Act SB1439 requirements. Councilmembers are reminded to check their campaign contributions and determine whether they have received a campaign contribution of $250 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $250 or more made 1) by any person or entity who is identified in the agenda report as the applicant or proposer or 2) on behalf of the applicant or participant, including a parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity, or 3) by any person who has a financial interest in the agenda item requires a councilmember to comply with SB1439.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding in the amount of $50,000 for the Chamber is available in the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Budget (101-0101-52188-00000).
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 2024-2025 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 2024-2025 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 $28,800 for payment of office space rent from July 2024 through June 2025.
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 2024-2025, the Chamber plans to reallocate sponsorship funds ($10,000) towards the following, in support of business economic development:
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.
In partnership with Cal Poly Innovation Hub engage with all businesses to offer resources such as access to capital, formation of business entities, HR resources, marketing resources, etc.
In partnership with Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation & America’s Job Centers of California are planning to host a Pomona Valley Business Expo on October 23rd between the hours of 10am-2pm.
Chamber President & CEO Monique Robles proposes to use the balance of the City assistance of $11,200 towards Economic Development Activities, such as assisting the Economic Development Committee in outreach efforts for the proposed Property Business Improvement District (PBID) along the East Holt Corridor, promotion of Business-to-Business Development Workshops. Of that $12,000 the Chamber plans to set aside $9,000 for marketing of the City including the promotion of a new Pomona Magazine & Directory, 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 $2,200 to continue business education and welcoming programs, i.e. workshops, technical assistance, ribbon cuttings and business councils.
Chamber Provided Update
During Fiscal Year 2023-2024, the Pomona Chamber of Commerce was successful in acquiring 101 new members, hosted eight 8 Grand Openings for non-member businesses, and hosted 23 Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for members. In addition, the Chamber hosted a 2024 Candidate Forum at City Hall, and partnered with Cal Poly Pomona to host the 2024 State Assembly Candidates Forum race, attended the 2023 California Workforce Development Conference in Monterey, CA, partnered with Pomona Unified School District and hosted a “How to do business” with PUSD procurement workshop , partnered with Athens Services to launch a waste disposal education pilot program for businesses, , , hosted a Summer Pool Party Multi-Chamber Mixer over 150 people l in attendance and 11 participating chambers, hosted Harvest Multi-Chamber Mixer over 130 people in attendance and 9 participating chambers, Lastly, we partnered with Downtown Pomona Owner’s Association on the 2nd Day of the Dead Festival and 2023 Downtown Pomona Christmas Parade.
The Pomona Chamber of Commerce accomplishments & recognitions in 20232024:
In partnership with Pomona’s Promise Economic Development initiative and the city of Pomona, the Chamber held bi-weekly meetings with the consultant from CIVITAS regarding the proposed East Holt Property Business Improvement District (PBID) project.
In partnership with Pomona’s Promise Economic Development initiative, the Chamber meet with elected officials and held business community meetings to express concerns relating to the current street vending ordinance.
In partnership with Pomona’s Promise Economic Development initiative, the Chamber worked with city staff and businesses on the draft zone update.
Hosted monthly meetings with the business community and city staff from August 2023 thru June 2024.
Also attended planning commission meeting and council meetings in support of the business community.
Monique Robles, President & CEO of the Chamber was recognized by Senator Susan Rubio as the “2024 Nonprofit Woman of the Year”.
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. 2023 and 2024.
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 2024-2025 Fiscal Year.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment No. 1 - Chamber FY 2024-2025 Approved Budget Chamber of Commerce Funding FY 2024-2025
September 9, 2024