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City briefed on revived Greater Everett Chamber; city plans a professional services agreement funded with COVID recovery dollars
Summary
City staff and chamber leaders briefed council on the formation of the Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce, membership growth and a proposed professional services agreement that would provide $290,000 in 2025 operating support, funded from COVID recovery dollars, with performance reporting required quarterly.
The Everett City Council received a briefing Tuesday on the newly formed Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce and a proposed professional services agreement that would provide $290,000 in city funding for 2025, drawn from COVID recovery reserves.
Tyler Chisholm, the city’s placemaking program manager, described an agreement modeled on the county’s arrangement with the Economic Alliance: “The funding is coming from, a COVID recovery resolution,” he said during Q&A when asked about the source.
Wendy Poishbagh, the chamber’s formation lead and interim CEO, told council the chamber had secured about 110 members within its first month and plans membership tiers from $100 for micro‑businesses to higher corporate tiers. She said the chamber aims to reach 400 members by year’s end and intends to focus on business retention and local advocacy rather than regional business‑attraction work performed by the Economic Alliance.
Why it matters: The contract would fund five areas of work — business outreach, events and programming, marketing and promotions, advocacy and technical assistance — and requires a detailed annual work plan and quarterly performance reports to city staff. The agreement term would run through the end of 2025 with an optional one‑year extension at $240,000.
Council questions and oversight: Council members asked about funding sources, conflicts of interest and oversight. Chisholm said the city would designate a staff member in an ex‑officio capacity on the chamber board and receive quarterly metrics including membership growth, event attendance and financial summaries. Council liaisons and formation committee members praised early turnout; Council Member O’Brien, who served as the council liaison, said the formation moved “at breakneck speed.”
Procurement and next steps: Chisholm said the city’s legal review recommended a professional services agreement rather than a grant. He said the proposed 2025 funding is $290,000 paid quarterly and that the contract would include an annual work plan and reporting schedule. Councilor Poishbagh noted the contract will come to council for approval next week.
What was not decided: The council did not vote on the contract at this meeting; the briefing and staff recommendation set the stage for a forthcoming contract ordinance or approval vote.
