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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/26/1996 Work Session (2) . . . ... City of Springfield Joint Work Session MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL AND THE SPRINGFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1996 The Springfield City Council met in Joint Work Session in Springfield City Hall, Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, on Monday, February 26, 1996 at 6:55 p.m. with Council President Burge presiding. Present were Council President Burge and Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Dahlquist, Maine and Shaver. Mayor Morrisette was absent (excused). Also present were Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Joe Leahy, City Recorder Eileen Stein, Administrative Aide Shari Higgins, Development Services Director Susan Daluddung, Community and Economic Development Manager John Tamulonis and members of staff. Present from the Chamber Executive Committee were Chair Roy Orr, McKenzie- Willamette Hospital; Debbie Davis, U.S. Bank/Mohawk Branch; Dave Jewett, Thorp, Purdy, Jewett, Urness and Wilkinson, PC; Al King, Dain Bosworth, Inc., and Jim Christian, Jones and Roth. Also present from the Springfield Chamber of Commerce were Executive Vice-President Dan Egan, Program Managers Sharon Neylon and Denise Brittain, and Office/Membership Manager Chris Redmond. Mr. Orr thanked the City Council for the opportunity to work together and for holding the joint meeting. Mr. Jewett (Past President) discussed a few of the joint ventures between the City and the Chamber in 1995, including the assistance Chamber members provided the City regarding the recent gaming center proposal. Mr. Orr discussed a recent visioning session the Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee held at Sony. He explained the committee will have a follow-up session with the full Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors on March 8. Mr. Orr reaffirmed that the Chamber is looking forward to working with the City in 1996 and as well as in the future. Executive Vice-President Dan Egan detailed recent Chamber events and efforts to increase membership. He introduced the Chamber staff members and said the new group is positive and optimistic for 1996. Mr. Egan stated the Chamber works very hard to carry a good image of the city. Mr. Egan explained that although major events sponsored by the Chamber happen a few times per year, they promote the city on a daily basis, with each visitor or business relocation client that they come in contact with. Mr. Egan discussed how important it is to promote a positive image of the city and discussed a recent article from the L.A. Times regarding the production of a movie about Steve Prefontaine. The article characterized Eugene as idealic with wide boulevards, etc., and Springfield as full of trailer parks, etc. Mr. Egan commented that the image of the City can be made all over the country through articles such as this. He indicated he would be following up with the reporter to determine where the reporter obtained his information. Mr. Egan stated the Chamber has a "can do" attitude and staff continually focuses on the good aspects of the community and, during the upcoming year, hope to interface and have joint ventures with city staff to keep the community focused towards the future. . City of Springfield Joint Work Session - 2/26/96 Page two Office and Membership Manager Chris Redmond, discussed the Chamber's new membership program which identifies different segments ofthe community, existing and prospective members and scheduled visitations. She stated by getting to know the current membership, staff will get to know others who may be potential members. The Chamber is currently targeting restaurant and manufacturing businesses by trying to build an understanding of membership for prospective members and trying to maintain retention among existing members. Program Manager Sharon Neylon discussed networking efforts and event coordination. She explained that networking is interwoven for members of Chamber and current ventures include: Business after Hours, business open houses, the membership visitation program, the Annual Dinner and Awards Program, the Joint Chamber Golf Tournament, the Joint Auction, the New Teacher Reception, the Annual Christmas Parade, and the Legislative Breakfasts. She stated membership in the Chamber of Commerce is what members make of it and the more they get involved, the more they get from their community. . Program Manager Denise Brittain discussed the Business Fair and Chamber-sponsored committees. She stated staff serves as support for various committees, including: the Education Committee (1 school board member and 8 community and business leaders); the Legislative Committee (25 different members); the JointAuction Committee (20 members of both Eugene and Springfield members); the Golf Tourney Committee (25 member of both Eugene and Springfield) the Christmas Parade Committee (8 members, from various agencies, including, the City of Springfield, Springfield Utility Board, Willamalane Park and Recreation District, etc.) the Springfield Chamber Greeters (20 to 25 members); and the newly created Springfield Future Committee (10-12 members). Mr. Egan provided a new Chamber brochure and discussed the Leadership Programs for both adults and youth. Mr. Egan explained that the youth Leadership Program is in it's first year and gave details about the program. He explained the adult Leadership Program is in it's 10th year. Mr. Egan also discussed the Springfield Familiarization (F AM) Tours (which occur three to four times per year) and the need to continue to work hard at bringing people into Springfield. He stated visitor services is probably the most important part of the Chamber's contract with the City. Mr. Egan reminded the Council that the Chamber is open on a special summer schedule with increased hours due to the increased visitor travel. Mr. Egan discussed some upcoming Chamber projects, including: media slides and historical information; a guide to restaurants and "food" in Springfield (and other parts of industry in the city); increasing the time and effort for the Christmas Parade/celebration; and the initiative to start the new Springfield Future Committee. Councilor Burge stated the Chamber visits to both existing and prospective members are great for the community. . Councilor Maine stated she assisted in Chamber office last fall and she felt that she was a receptionist for the whole community. She spoke of the good work by the new Chamber staff and stated she would like to see a business license tax or fee discussed at the upcoming Chamber Board retreat. Her concern is if additional fees are charged to new businesses locating to in Springfield, then businesses might be concerned over what their Chamber dues are for. . . . ", City of Springfield Joint Work Session - 2/26/96 Page three Councilor Maine stated she would like both the Council and Chamber Board's points of view on the subject of a business license tax. Mr. King compared Springfield today to 15 years ago, and said that things have vastly improved and ahead of where things have previously been. Mr. King felt Springfield needs to continue to work on quality of life issues and make quality apart ofthe city's vision for the future. Councilor Ballew suggested adding faculty of Lane Community College to the new teacher welcoming event. Mr. Egan said the Chamber is being asked to playa role in the future of the community and the teacher reception is a good case in point. Ms. Brittian said the Education Committee is currently working with the business community to heighten the level of education awareness in the area. Councilor Shaver encouraged the realtor bus ride/tour, as well as a media bus tour, as future events. Mr. Egan stated these tours were recently done and that another media bus tour will be scheduled in the near future. Councilor Burge thanked the Chamber Executive Committee members for their participation in the joint meeting. He stated that historically, the good customer service that people have received from the Chamber office have been a source of pride and compliment to the city of Springfield. Councilor Ballew commented that the city has surpassed it's sense of inferiority as compared to Eugene. Mr. Egan stated that there is a significant change and impact being made in the metro- wide area by Springfield. Equality in the area is definitely happening and the Chamber is grateful for the opportunity to consider the Council's comments during it's upcoming visioning process. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins ATTEST: ~ City Recorder