HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-028-1421 - Creation of the Miami Gardens Chamber of Commerce
City of Miami Gardens Agenda Cover Memo Council Meeting Date: F2ebruary 9, 011 Item Type: (Enter X in box) Resolution Ordinance Other X Fiscal Impact: (Enter X in box) Yes No Ordinance
Reading: (Enter X in box) 1st Reading 2nd Reading X Public Hearing: (Enter X in box) Yes No Yes No X Funding Source: CDBG Funds Advertising Requirement: (Enter X in box) Yes No X Contract/P.O.
Required: (Enter X in box) Yes No RFP/RFQ/Bid #: X N/A Strategic Plan Related (Enter X in box) Yes No Strategic Plan Priority Area: Enhance Organizational Bus. & Economic Dev Public
Safety Quality of Education Qual. of Life & City Image Communication Strategic Plan Obj./Strategy: (list the specific objective/strategy this item will address) Obj. – Advance Business
& Economic Development in 3 established major corridors X Sponsor Name Mayor Shirley Gibson Department: City Council Short Title: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY TO TAKE ANY AND ALL STEPS NECESSARY TO CREATE THE MIAMI GARDENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; APPROVING THE INITIAL FUNDING FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012, IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,000 FROM CDBG FUNDING; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Staff Summary: Background Since the
City’s incorporation in 2003, focused attention to the growth needs of the City’s businesses has unfortunately taken a back seat to other priorities such as crime reduction and right‐of‐way
improvements. Then, with the economic recession beginning in 2008, circumstances prevented a concerted effort that made viable sense. However, as the economy continues to stabilize,
the need for a ITEM K-7) CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTION Miami Gardens Chamber of Commerce
1515 NW 167 Street, Building 5 Suite 200 Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 dedicated Chamber of Commerce for the businesses in Miami Gardens becomes increasingly important. Over the past
year, the Mayor has investigated the creation of a chamber‐style organization. Chambers act as advocates for businesses by promoting civic, commercial and industrial progress within
a community. Additionally, Chambers work diligently on behalf of their members with community partners for the establishment of sound legislation and efficient administration at all
levels of government. Most consumers (59%) think that being active in the local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy overall. When consumers know that a small business
is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future. Current Situation:
Businesses in Miami Gardens do not have a dedicated Chamber of Commerce. Some of the businesses are members of the North Dade Chamber, the Miami Dade Chamber, or the Aventura Marketing
Council. However, none of these organizations subscribe to the single focus of serving Miami Gardens’ based businesses and attracting new business to this City. The benefits of a Miami
Gardens Chamber of Commerce are several. As a separate legal entity, the Chamber can perform certain functions and projects specific to its mission, including the recruitment of new
businesses in targeted industries indentified by the City. The Chamber as a 501(c) 6 can solicit and accept donations, grants, gifts and other financial awards. Other projects include
marketing the city as a destination location, promotion of industrial parks to possible tenants, business development, creation of an interactive business directory, and the fulfillment
of business‐to‐business relationships. The City’s 5‐year Strategic Plan recognized the need to make Business and Economic Development a priority area, with the objective to advance business
and economic development in 3 established major corridors. By creating a Miami Gardens Chamber organization, the City will further be able to reach the goals outlined to meet this objective:
1. Establish and define the City’s economic development function. 2. Enhance retail & service mix. 3. Redevelop existing industrial parks. 4. Strengthen professional office base inventory.
A Miami Gardens Chamber of Commerce will add value to the City and its businesses by creating a brand, print and marketing initiative in order to focus its outreach efforts on local
businesses and the recruitment of new businesses in target industries unmet by other established organizations. A resolution is needed to direct the City Manager and the City Attorney
to take any and all necessary steps to create a Miami Gardens Chamber organization. The 501‐c6 entity would be named The Miami Gardens Chamber of Commerce, and the proposed structure
is as follows: • Structure: The organization would be an independent entity separate and apart from the City of Miami Gardens.
1515 NW 167 Street, Building 5 Suite 200 Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 • Governance: The day‐to‐day operations of the Chamber would be managed by an Executive Director, with policy decisions
being made by the Board of Directors. The City Council will appoint the interim Executive Director whose appointment can be later ratified by the Board of Directors once appointed, or
the Board can reserve the right to appoint another Executive Director. • Purpose: To service the needs of the business community by securing resources and implementing programs designed
to enhance the City’s economic engine. The Miami Gardens Chamber of Commerce will further exist to be the vehicle to carry out the economic development goals set forth by the City in
its long‐range strategic plans. • Board of Directors: The Board of Directors would be made up of local business leaders, representatives from one or more of the universities within the
City, and at least one City representative. The main mission of the Board will be economic development in the City. With that overarching mission, Board members are expected to advocate
and raise money and resources to support the organization’s mission. • Funding: The City of Miami Gardens would provide initial support to the Miami Gardens Chamber organization in three
ways: • Initial financial support through a direct allocation of Community Development Block Grant Funds for no more than three (3) years FY 10‐12: $120,000* FY 11‐12: $80,000 FY 12‐13:
$30,000 Estimated Impact $230,000 The attached resolution is requesting that the City Council direct the City Manager and City Attorney to take any and all steps necessary to create
the City of Miami Gardens Chamber of Commerce, and approve the CDBG Fund allocation of $120,000 in FY 10‐11 to support the partial year staffing and start‐up costs. *Note: the initial
funding amount will be determined when the organization receives its approved Articles of Incorporation. The $120,000 is a not to exceed amount that will go toward first year of the
Chamber’s operation. Proposed Action: Mayor Gibson recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution approving the Miami Gardens Chamber of Commerce Concept; directing the
City Manager and City Attorney to take any and all steps necessary to create a City of Miami Gardens Chamber of Commerce, and allocate $120,000 from the CDBG Fund in FY 10‐11 to support
the partial year staffing and start‐up costs. Attachment: None