Despite a change in chamber leadership, the council still seems to feel that way.

At a council work session May 4, council members drilled chamber board chairman Will Ibershof about a $40,000 grant request to the city. They had questions, but he lacked answers, as he was filling in for president/CEO Jesica Stickles, who had a meeting as an Arlington City Council member.

At one point, council president Jeff Vaughan asked: “Maybe we should step back a little farther and decide do we want to subsidize the chamber? And if we do, do we tell the chamber the kinds of things we want them to do?”

Earlier, it was explained that the chamber wanted to use $20,000 for a communications intern, $10,000 to update its website and $10,000 for scholarships to help businesses join the organization.

The one-year scholarship idea to get new members received criticism.

“I don’t mind helping, but when people get something free they don’t see the value in it,” Council Member Stephen Muller said. “I hate giving stuff away for nothing.”

He said new members could possibly pay 50 percent. That way, twice as many businesses could receive help.

Council Member Donna Wright said there also should be a rate structure, so that small businesses pay less than larger ones to join.

Vaughan also questioned the $10,000 cost to improve the website.

“I’m concerned we’d be throwing money away,” he said, adding to really fix the site it could cost from $20,000 to $90,000.

Ibershof explained that the website lacks functionality, especially for smart phones. He added that Stickles came up with the cost estimate by researching local companies.

As for the intern, Ibershof said Stickles is busy planning fund-raising events, such as a summer carnival, so the new position would focus on programs that reach out to local businesses.

Council Member Jeff Seibert asked if other cities give money to chambers.

“It’s all over the board,” Ibershof answered. “It depends on the relationship.”

He said the chamber wants to be self-sufficient and is applying for grants to create a diverse funding stream. The chamber came up with the grant request by talking to the council and surveying membership about their needs. Money is in the Economic Development budget for the grant.

However, Seibert mentioned the council normally likes to share costs with groups it helps fund.

“Is this the best use of forty-thousand dollars to help the chamber grow?” he asked.

And Vaughan said, “I’m still looking for – what value does the city get?”

It was decided that the issue would be discussed again in a few weeks at the committee level at a meeting that Stickles could attend.

A number of other issues discussed at the meeting will be voted on May 11 at the council’s regular session.

•Equipment has been ordered to repair and replace software corruption in the video security system at the Public Safety Building. The system failed April 20, and staff was unable to repair it. The system is tied to the jail’s door, creating a safety liability. The public bidding requirement is waived because of the emergency.

• A public hearing is planned on the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan and one-year action plan. The plans are needed to qualify for federal Community Development Block Grants. In the past two years, the funds helped 250 low-income people with housing. They also helped 70 homeless people with transitional housing. This year’s action plan specifically targets helping disabled and elderly people with housing issues with almost $347,000.

• The city will consider working with the Adopt-A-Stream Foundation on three areas to improve water quality and salmon habitat: the Hayho Creek watershed, Jennings Memorial Park and on Munson Creek at Norpointe Park.

• Nine fireworks stands in Marysville for the Fourth of July, one more than last year.

• The city may rent out its video screen and sound system for $1,200 to Stanwood. Snohomish wants to use it, too, parks director Jim Ballew said. Anacortes also uses it, and in the past Granite Falls was a customer.

• Ballew asked for the permit for the Marysville Strawberry Festival to be extended a year. The permit expired last year, and the city would like some adjustments considered, such as up to a five-year agreement, but the event is too close to finalize those changes this year, Ballew said.

• It will consider bids for the Qwuloolt Fill Site Project, which entails hauling and stockpiling 4,500 cubic yards of fill to help with a future trail.

In other news discussed at the work session.

• Public Works Director Kevin Nielsen said road construction is taking place on Sunnyside Boulevard and will soon on State Avenue. He added the department is going after grants even for projects already funded by the city.

• Vaughan said he has done some traveling lately, and it matters what a city looks like. “It makes a difference whether you stop for dinner or a hotel or just go through.”

• Ballew said a youngster caught a 6 1/2 pound trout in the Jennings Memorial Park pond at a fishing derby last weekend.

• Council Member Michael Stevens said his 10-year-old son saluted Mayor Jon Nehring at a recent event. Asked why, the boy said you always salute the president. But he’s not the president. “Well, I like him better anyway,” Stevens’ son said.