MARYSVILLE – The City Council had questions about how the chamber wanted to spend $40,000 in a grant request, and CEO Jesica Stickles provided the answers May 11 at a special meeting.
About $20,000 would go toward an intern for the summer at the Marysville-Tulalip Chamber of Commerce.
Council Member Stephen Muller said $20 an hour is high for an intern.
“Many graduates don’t make that,” he said.
The city usually pays about $12 an hour for interns.
“We were worried Jesica would spend most of her time managing an intern if we didn’t find one with experience,” chamber board chairman Will Ibershof said.
Another $10,000 of the grant would go to modernize the website.
“Responsive website are key right now,” Stickles said.
“If they’re not responsive they get moved down” on the search sites, Council Member Jeff Vaughan said.
Vaughan said last week he thought $10,000 was not enough to improve the website. But when he saw the plan Stickles came up with, he seemed satisfied.
She said she wants the website to look clean and send people where they want to go, instead of having everything on the home page. She wants the front page to focus on business relocation and a business directory.
As for scholarships to encourage new businesses to join the chamber, Stickles said they decided they could help 43 businesses join if they were only charged $100 for the first year, instead of the regular $280. There would be requirements, such as attending an educational and networking event, and assisting on a committee.
Small businesses with just a few employees would be eligible. As part of the new member packet, they receive information on health benefits with good rates because there is a group discount plan.
Being a member also gives a business more clout in Olympia, Ibershof said.
Muller said people need to know this community is pro-business.
“Seattle and its outlying areas are attractive” to new businesses, he said.
Stickles said she wants to market the community, and Ibershof said he wants to raise the image of Marysville.
Stickles said she is looking for ways to fund the chamber. It has applied for numerous Wal-mart grants and hopes to make $10,000 this July with a carnival. They also are planning a mother-daughter gala.
Stickles said people join chambers for four reasons:
• increase business
• use services and assistance
• increase visibility
• they should support the chamber
The chamber can help them by:
•lobbying on their behalf
• attracting other businesses
• bringing tourists to town
• providing assistance
• offering educational help
• networking events
Stickles talked of various goals for the chamber, including: information gateway online for the community; showcasing accomplishments of members; improving communications with members with calendars, seminars and news; offering educational programs; honoring members and community leaders; and being more visible.
At the council meeting itself:
• A measure was approved for nine fireworks stands to be able to sell products in town this year. As for a possible ban on Fourth of July fireworks the following year, Mayor Jon Nehring said that still is being discussed. Data is still being collected and an advisory vote is even possible.
• They learned that transportation measures the city has in the state budget have about a 50-50 chance of passing because of the current stalemate.
• An emergency was declared in replacing the damaged Public Safety Building video security system.
• CPC Materials dba Smokey Point Concrete won the bid for the Qwuloolt Fill Site Project for $65,450.
• A public hearing took place on the 2015-2019 Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Plan. It passed, but an addendum will be looked at concerning an indoor smoking ban.
