FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: Interim City Manager Alex Posada
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolutions Approving Operating Agreements with Various Outside Agencies
Description:
The City Council will consider adopting Resolutions approving operating agreements with the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce, Santa Maria Valley Historical Museum, Unite d Way of Northern Santa Barbara County, and Santa Maria Valley Museum of Flight.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Adopt a Resolution a pproving operating agreements with the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce for Economic Development Services and Visitors and Convention Bureau Services; and
2. Adopt a Resolution approving an operating agreement with the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society and Museum; and
3. Adopt a Resolution approving an operating agreement with United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County for the Home for Good program; and
4. Adopt a Resolution approving an operating agreement with the Santa Maria Valley Museum of Flight.
BACKGROUND:
The City provides financial support to outside agencies, such as the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce (Chamber), Santa Maria Valley Historical Society and Museum (Historical Society), United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County ( United Way), Santa Maria Valley Museum of Flight ( Museum of Flight), and the County for specific services to the community. The financial contribution to the Chamber is used to promote and increase the trade, commerce, and tourism activity within the City by way of funding the Visitor and Convention Bureau services. The financial contribution to the Historical Society is used for operations, maintenance, and for the purpose of promoting the historical and cultural resources of the City.
Currently, the City and the Chamber have been engaged in economic development services for a number of years. The Chamber has special knowledge, experience, and skills for promotional and advertising work related to attracting businesses to Santa Maria. Under the terms of the agreement, the Chamber determines the method, details, and means of advertising, providing information, and conducting activities designed to retain and expand existing businesses, as well as attract new businesses to the City.
2 The City extended the Chamber’s 2022-2024 contract for both the Visitor and Convention Bureau services and Economic Development services for 90 days, until September 30, 2024. This new Economic Development contract will last for 9 months, while the new Visitor and Convention Bureau contract will be for 21 months. Both of the contracts will end on June 30, 2026.
DISCUSSION:
On the June 18, 2024, City Council agenda, the City Council deliberated on the 2024-26 Budget, and approved the following allocations pending execution of the Operating Agreements:
Adopted Proposed Proposed
2024-25 2024-25 2025-26
Chamber of Commerce $608,000 $608,000 $588,600
Economic Development (Chamber) 222,500 222,500 222,500 Historical Society 20,000 20,000 20,000
Museum of Flight 20,000 20,000 20,000
United Way (Home for Good) 30,000 30,000 30,000 Total Allocation $900,500 $880,000 $900,500
Fiscal Considerations
The above funding is budgeted in the 2024-26 Budget, and the services to be provided are outlined in the attached agreements . For City Council’s review, the 20 24-25 spending plans/budgets for each agency are incorporated as Exhibit A to the Agreements. The spending plans/budgets for each agency are in addition to the Chamber’s annual audits, and the Historical Society’s and Museum of Flight’s Statement of Revenues and Expenditures that the City receives on each agency’s actual revenues and expenditures for the prior year.
Impact to the Community
Approving the Operating Agreements will increase the well-being of the City through the development of tourism, conventions, preservation, and exhibition of the historical, cultural, and aviation resources of the Santa Maria Valley. The Operating Agreement for services to be performed by United Way for Home for Good will allow funding for additional coordinated outreach efforts. Approving the agreement for economic development services will increase opportunities for employment through job attraction and retention.
ATTACHMENTS
A) Operating Agreement with the Chamber of Commerce for Economic Development Services B) Operating Agreement with the Chamber of Commerce for Visitors and Convention Bureau Services C) Operating Agreement with the Historical Society
D) Operating Agreement with the Museum of Flight
E) Operating Agreement with United Way for Home for Good Services