Council unanimously approves renewed Chamber agreement despite objections over reduced Temple City Life

The Temple City City Council voted unanimously to approve a renewed service agreement with the Temple City Chamber of Commerce after residents and council members pressed the chamber for more outreach and transparency.

Longtime Temple City business owner and volunteer Jerry Jambazian told the council he was disappointed by a provision that reduces Temple City Life from monthly to quarterly publication. “The city and its taxpayers are not getting the bang for their Buck,” Jambazian said, describing past circulation and editorial breadth that he said had diminished.

John Barry, CEO of the Temple City Chamber of Commerce, told the council the proposed changes reflect rising production costs and a strategic shift toward programmatic services. “The hard cost is just for the printing of only 500 copies … we’re looking at saving approximately $1,500 per issue that we don't publish,” Barry said, and added that the chamber is increasing marketing and community programs such as TC Bites and a workforce-development pilot.

City staff said printing and paper costs have driven the change and that the chamber is pursuing other communication channels to avoid long gaps in community outreach. City Manager Brian Cook said staff will continue to monitor communications and work with the chamber to ensure community information is available between printed issues.

Council members acknowledged the tradeoffs. Some members praised the chamber’s recent event work and workforce initiatives, while others echoed concerns about reduced print frequency and the continued use of the city name by outside publications that carry little Temple City content.

Mayor Chavez moved to approve the consent calendar item that included the chamber agreement; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.