HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/26/1996 Work Session (2)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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City Recorder