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HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 52757 JEtVE� memorandum of Understanding between the Fort 20�g brth Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fort ,r� Rlvva� rth, Texas to Promote Economic Development Sto05AAY ,�o CITY SECRETARY L Background CONTRACT NO. . ,R-7 5:1 . Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce ("Chamber") is a 501(c) 6 membership organization funded through private membership investments, sponsorships, and event ticket and publication sales. The Chamber, with 2,300 member businesses, is the premier business association in Tarrant County and the largest Chamber in North Texas. The City of Fort Worth("City") currently stands as the 13th largest city in the U.S. and the fastest growing among large cities. Fort Worth operates an economic development department that develops and administers programs that promote a strong economy and enhances the quality of life throughout Fort Worth with a particular focus on business growth,job creation/retention, development of the future workforce and enhancing the overall tax base. The City and Chamber have a long history of partnering with one another to support economic development efforts. Recently both organizations completed economic development strategic plans outlining goals and objectives for the next three-to four-years. The Chamber and City share the common goals of promoting economic development in Fort Worth and the region, and a desire to support the City of Fort Worth vision, which is "To compete successfully on the national and international stage for creative, high-growth businesses and the talented individuals who fuel them." as well as the Chamber's vision, which is "Drive the Fort Worth region to be the most thriving, inviting communityfor alb" It was, however, identified in the City of Fort Worth Economic Development Strategic Plan that, "Fort Worth is losing prospects to other metro area cities. A proactive economic development effort is required to counteract negative perceptions of the city and to increase investment. " Fort Worth currently competes for the same prospects that are choosing to locate in Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Irving, Allen, and McKinney. While most of these prospects could locate in Fort Worth,too many ultimately decide against making an investment in the city. In some cases, a perceived weakness is the deciding factor; perceptions of the quality of Fort Worth ISD and a lack of an effective transportation system were referenced in both the stakeholder survey presented in Volumes 1 and 2 and in the broker perception survey presented in Attachment A. Addressing these perceived weaknesses will be essential to the city's future economic vitality. However, the planning process suggests the lack of a proactive economic development response is an equally significant factor affecting the City's ability to capture its share of the region's growth. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area is a highly competitive region. Dallas has a strong City economic development department and the Dallas Regional Chamber is very aggressive. The City is also faced with competition from dozens of Dallas-Fort Worth metro area sales tax corporations. In particular, the Type A economic development corporations in Frisco, Allen, and McKinney are-tWt, el effective. LFT OAL RECORD SECRETARY MOU to Promote Economic Development 0l s H. Purpose of this Memorandum This Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) sets forth the understandings and intentions of the Chamber and the City with regard to their shared goal of marketing Fort Worth and provides a framework for formal cooperation associated with such efforts. For the purposes of this MOU and all services to be provided hereunder,the parties are independent contractors and not agents or employees of the other party.Neither party shall have authority to make any statements, representations nor commitments of any kind, or to take any action which shall be binding on the other party, except as may be expressly provided herein or authorized in writing. To assure that each party operates within the intent of this MOU in a manner promoting the expectation of mutual benefit, the Chamber's activities relevant to this MOU are subject to review and comment by the City and vice versa. III. Nature of the Cooperation a) Marketing—To convey a unified economic development message the Fort Worth brand needs to be consistent and exhibit the community value proposition. The Chamber and City will partner, along with a number other economic development partners, to develop and implement a brand strategy for Fort Worth b) Web Presence—Websites, specifically,play an essential role in the success of economic development organizations. The Chamber and the City will jointly develop an economic development web portal with each organization committing $50,000 for the initial effort. Additionally, both the Chamber and the City will review their websites and ensure that each site meet the criteria outlined, as follows: CRITERIA DEFINITION Does the site have a modern look and feel?Does it convey an organized,savvy, Effective Design professional image, and does it function properly? Does the site utilize high-quality graphics and photos to convey a positive image and Attractive Visuals additional information about the community?Depending on the topic area, photos and graphics can often convey what words cannot. Are qualitycontact details(multiple methods of contact,staff names and positions) Staff Contact info featured in an obvious place on the site? Are social media links and features(e.g.twitter feeds,Instagram galleries,etc.)displayed Social Media prominently,and are there several options for engaging with the community? Does the site automatically adapt to the user's device and screen size,ensuring a Responsive Design quality experience regardless of how the visitor is viewing the site? Does the website provide a clear,concise picture of the community,beyond just a Community Profile complimentary profile,does the site offer data and statistics on the community's quality-of-place assets? Target Industries Is a clear list of local target industries featured with supporting data? Are links to information on business programs,incentives,and other resources easy to find Business Resources and up to date? MOU to Promote Economic Development Page 2 of 4 Does the site provide dear,concise, and updated economic data and reports in a Data & Reports well-organized and easy to access format (e.g., report builders,dashboards, document libraries)? Is site selection information(e.g.,property search,site profiles,or external database) Site Selection Info available and are the tools easy to navigate? c) Nonexclusive/Non-binding - This MOU is intended only to establish an understanding of the protocols that will be carried out by the City and the Chamber in a cooperative effort to promote economic development in the City. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this MOU is not a binding legal document and does not establish legal rights or obligations as to either the City or the Chamber. Collaboration between the Chamber and City under this MOU does not create a legal entity. This MOU does not supersede or interfere with any agreements entered into independently with other parties or entities by Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, City of Fort Worth or any affiliated entity. This MOU does not establish an exclusive working relationship or endorse a specific entity. d) Payment of Funds - This MOU does include the payment of$50,000 to the Chamber by the City in order to pursue the development of an economic development portal website. The Chamber will provide the City with monthly financial reports specific to the website portal project. The parties understand that all additional financial arrangements, if any, will be controlled by a separate, specifically signed and negotiated agreement between the Chamber and City for any agreed activity requiring financial commitment. IV. Communications a) The Chamber and City will communicate regularly with each other to coordinate their efforts under this MOU. b) For purposes of this MOU, the Chamber and City will be represented day-to-day by the persons holding or acting in the following positions: For the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce: Executive Vice President of Economic Development For the City of Fort Worth: Director, Economic Development Department V.Duration and Termination of this MOU This MOU is effective the date signed below and will continue until September 30, 2020. This MOU may be extended by mutual written agreement by both parties. Either the Chamber or City may terminate this MOU at any time by providing written notice to the other party. Vl. General Terms. The City shall maintain the confidentiality of all Chamber and client records and information to which it, its representatives or employees have access to and shall not disclose the same to any third parties, except as the City is required to disclose such information by law. The Chamber agrees to mark all such records and information as "Confidential." Notwithstanding the foregoing,the Chamber understands and agrees that MOU to Promote Economic Development Page 3 of 4 the City is subject to the Texas Public Information Act, Chapter 552 Texas Government Code (the "Act"). In the event that the City receives a request for release of any records and information received by the Chamber and marked"Confidential,"the City will notify the Chamber and provide the Chamber an opportunity to contest release of such information under the Act with the Texas Attorney General. The City agrees to cooperate with the Chamber in any such endeavor, provided that the City will not be obligated to expend any funds to do so. City of Fort Worth Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce,Inc. By: By: Name: Jesus "Jay" Chapa Name: Br Ge lbach Title: Assistant City Manager Title: Executive Vice President of Economic Development Date: Date: APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY.- Z--� PIT �, /v/� C Atte y: Y, 0 i * � Mary J. Kays , City Secretary 1EX `' OFFICIAL RECOR® CITY SECRETARY FT: WORTH, TX MOU to Promote Economic Development age 4 of 4 Contract Compliance Manager: By signing, I acknowledge that I am the person responsible for the monitoring and administration of this contract, including ensuring all performance and reporting requi e Brenda L. Hicks-Sorensen Name of Employee/Signature Economic Development Assistant Director Title OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX