HomeMy WebLinkAboutrda min 1983/06/09
MINUTES OF A JOINT MEETING OF THE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
DEVELOPMENT STEERING COMMITTEE AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
Thursday, June 9, 1983 Council Conference Room
4:08 p.m. City Hall
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman Cox (arrived 4:20 p.m.); Members
Malcolm, Moore, McCandliss, Scott
STAFF PRESENT Executive Director Goss, Community Development
Director Des rochers
ALSO PRESENT BIDC Members: Chairman Butterfield; Members
Aland, Santos, Sellgren, Slijk, Brown
ITEM NO.1 - PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTING SERVICES
Vice Chairman Scott opened the meeting at this time and explained the purpose
for the joint meeting.
(Member Malcolm arrived at this time, 4:10 p.m.)
Executive Director Goss summarized the events since last March when the
presentation was made to the Agency regarding an information program primarily
concerning the staff person (who is currently on board full-time) who would be
oriented towards improving the City's image. The BIDC was aware of
discussions by the Agency on this subject, but had not arrived at any
conclusion. It was noted that consultant assi stance was mentioned for the
Public Information Coordinator on a very limited basis, appro x imate ly seven
hours a month, to provide guidance and support, linkage to what had happened
in the past and to assist in the operation of the Public Information Program.
It was hoped that consultant services would fade in the ensuing months after
the Public Information Coordinator had been trained. Mr. Goss felt that
perhaps the BIDC I S goal was look i ng at a more targeted type of audience for
public information.
Member McCandliss discussed the controversy which has ensued as a result of
their 1 ast meeting on June 2. The Agency is interested in knowi ng what
direction the Committee is going in and the need for a Public Relations
Consultant. In particular, she requested to know the BI DC's plans for the
consultant and the possibility of incorporating this consultant service into
the City's proposed work plan.
Chairman Butterfield apologized for not havi ng representat ion at the
Redevelopment Agency meeting to discuss this matter. He stated that the BIDC
has been tryi ng to reach a different public during the time the Steeri ng
Committee has been meeting. The Committee purposely did not have a
recorrmendati on regard i ng the Pub 1 i c Informati on Offi cer until the Ci ty took
action regarding this position.
JOI NT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY /
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING - 2 - June 9, 1983
Mr. Bob Santos, Chairman of the subcommittee involved in the development of a
public relations plan, exp 1 ai ned that when the BIDC started they tri ed to
accomplish some things as a group and wanted to correct weaknesses in the
City. One of the weaknesses was the publ ic relations effort. The Carey
Report stated that a positive image did exist within the City while a negative
image generally existed on the outside. Subsequently, the Committee felt that
adverti sing was an app ropri ate method to uti 1 i ze until the City has a
"product" to sell. The public relations scope of work was identified through
the efforts of Nuffer/Smith. Mr. Santos di stri buted copi es of thi s scope of
work. Hopefully, the tasks 1 i sted can be accomp 1 i shed over the next five
months.
Mr. Santos discussed the background regarding the development of the
subcommi ttee' s position concerning a Public Relations Consultant. He felt
that a Public Relations Counsel is more important and should be obtained
before the City's Publ ic Information Officer. Mr Santos stated that the
target publics of the Public Information Officer were quite different from the
target publics of the Committee. He added that it was implicit in his
understandi ng that the Pub 1 i c Informat ion Offi cer woul d have the counse 1 of
the Public Relations Consultant to guide him, at least initially.
(Chairman Cox arrived at this time, 4:20 p.m.)
Member McCandl i ss di scussed the pri orit i es of the BIDC. She had cons i de red
the economic development side as a higher priority than putting together a
slide presentation. In terms of implementing a public relations campaign,
there would sti 11 be a credibil ity problem, particularly concerning the
available industrial land ready for development.
Mr. Santos noted that the BIDC is trying to address image and business climate
of the City.
Discussion followed concerning the amount of available land in the City of
Chula Vista, especially on the Bayfront. Both bodi es also commented on the
structure of the Request for Proposal.
Member Moore discussed the need for a Public Relations Consultant for the
Public Information Coordinator to lean upon. He also discussed the priorities
of this City staffer, including: preparation of a slide presentation for site
selectors, organizing speakers groups, notifying other officials in the
Chamber and in other cities of what the City is trying to accomplish,
developing a press kit, developing a logo.
Executive Director Goss surmised that what was proposed as the duties for the
Public Information Officer back in March are not the same as are now proposed.
(Member Malcolm left the meeting at this time, 4:53 p.m.)
Chairman Butterfield expressed concern in accomplishing the tasks set forth by
the Committee. And he suggested that a professional counselor would be needed
in the next six months.
JOINT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY /
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING - 3 - June g, 1983
Member Brown stated that the BIDC should go back and review the topic
di scussed thi s afternoon in order to make a recommendation to the Agency
without reservation.
Member Santos summarized that the question to be answered is whether we have a
public relations firm to lead us or to simply help us.
Member Scott indicated that it is extremely important to dovetail the public
relations consulting services with the efforts of the City's Public
Information Officer. And, a po 1 i cy statement that embodi es the coordi nati on
of the two would be helpful.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURE OF $3,000
MSUC (Scott/Moore) to authorize $3,000 for an outside consultant with the
language for coordinating the efforts on a significant basis with the City's
in-house Public Information Coordinator.
Member McCandl i ss added that, as a pol i cy statement, the Agency must i ndi cate
that there is a time certain role for the Public Relations Consultant so that
the Agency has the ability to terminate the contract at the end of six months.
Chairman Cox clarified that the intent of the mot ion was that $3,000 of
Redeve 1 opment Agency funds woul d be contri buted to match the BIDC funds of
$3,000 for the Public Relations Consultant.
Community Development Director Desrochers informed the Agency that a marketing
consultant is in attendance at this afternoon's BIDC meeting to give a
presentation.
The Recording Secretary was excused and the Executive Secretary reported that
the joint Agency/BIDC meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
WPC 0696H
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