Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council directs staff to draft City Center management contract with Southlake Chamber after debate on options
Summary
Council instructed the city manager and attorney to draft a contract reflecting Proposal 2 under which the Southlake Chamber would take additional office space and manage City Center rentals; council required economic-development metrics and proposed a five-year term with a one-year out.
After a multi-option presentation about the future of the City Center, the City of Clermont City Council on April 8 directed the city manager and city attorney to draft a contract consistent with the chamber’s Proposal 2.
Staff presented three options: (1) keep the current arrangement and city staff the reception desk while the Chamber expands into remaining office space; (2) the Chamber takes additional office space and manages rentals (the option the council favored); and (3) the Chamber moves to a nearby commercial building while the city retains the City Center. City financial figures presented by staff used 2024 volume: roughly 180 rentals and about $90,000 gross rental revenue; numbers were used to estimate revenue under each option and the relative net benefit to the city.
Southlake Chamber President David Colby and supporters testified that Proposal 2—where the Chamber manages rentals and occupies the additional office space—would strengthen the Chamber’s ability to grow membership and enhance downtown marketing. Chamber proponents said the organization is positioned to increase event use and bring outside economic activity downtown.
Council direction: the motion that passed instructed the city manager and city attorney to prepare a contract based on Proposal 2. Council asked staff to include economic-development metrics in the contract (so performance can be evaluated) and discussed a likely five-year term with a one-year out provision and automatic renewals. The council emphasized that final contract terms and any operational details will return for formal council approval before implementation.
Ending City staff will draft the contract language for council review; council requested measurable economic-development metrics to evaluate the public-private arrangement.
