11/15/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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, Emerson Hamilton, President, Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber e works on a long-term basis, sometimes four years in advance, to solicit tourist and convention business for the area. Presently, he said, the Chamber is serving conventions that were solicited several years ago. He said it is difficult for one group to work at soliciting the conventions and then for another group to deal with that convention four years later. This resolution indicating a contract with the City each year would be consistent with agreements in other cities and would simplify the process and be very helpful. Mr. Lieuallen saw it as a matter of convenience, that of formalizing an already operational system. He saw no reason to oppose it. Mr. Bradley opposed the process because he felt it to be anti-equal. He favored open competition bidding. He did not want obstacles placed for other interested groups to offer these services in the future. Mr. Haws was not in favor of spending money for this particular group. He said of all groups that would come to the Council asking for a monopoly, he would expect the Chamber of Commerce to be the last. He felt it was necessary to have competitive bidding to save money. He favored taking the $54,000 and giving it to some organization that needed it, such as LTD. He felt passing the resolution would be a big mistake. This was one way the City could cut down expenses as the taxpayers say they wish the City to do. He said there really is no commitment as the new Council could change the process. Mayor Keller felt money given to the Chamber was brought back many e times, noting that money received from conventions passes through the community several times. He said this was a very clean business, super beneficial to the community, and there is no more competitive business than the convention business. He did not know what investment would make a better return for the City. Historically the Chamber has always provided this service, and the City should be very appreciative of what the Chamber of Commerce has done. He noted Mr. Hamilton's comment of it being an on-going process over a number of years, and the Chamber needs to know if it is going to be funded. In the past, when the City wished budget ballots to be passed, the Chamber of Commerce was the first to be asked for help and they always responded. He felt the City needed the Chamber and it was the City's obligation to assist them. . ( Res. No. 3046--Designating the Eugene Chamber of Commerce as the sole supplier of specific services and authorizing City Manager to execute an agreement for provision of such services was read by number and title. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt the resolution. Mr. Delay supported the motion, but said he was concerned about the process. He thought perhaps Council should explore a better mechanism. e 11/15/78--8 135