Members of the city’s Legal Committee have recommended that further consideration be given to proposed agreements with the Roswell Hispano Chamber of Commerce and MainStreet Roswell.
Both groups requested funds from the city that would provide support during the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Legal Committee Chair Edward Heldenbrand explained that this committee focuses on the form, content and language used in these contracts while the Finance Committee, which is scheduled to meet on Thursday, is concerned about the monetary aspects of these agreements.
MainStreet Roswell seeks $75,000. Some of that money would be used to pay someone to work part-time as an assistant because of the increased workload.
The upcoming UFO Festival, now headed up by MainStreet Roswell with participation by various segments of the community, isn’t specifically identified in this document. Neither are some of the other MainStreet events throughout the year, such as the MainStreet Roswell Farmers Market and the Chile Cheese Festival.
The staff report explains that taking out such references will allow the city and MainStreet to “focus on moving our relationship forward with the city of Roswell, and highlight how we will work together and not on a specific issue.”
“The UFO Festival is an event that happens in Roswell,” said Councilor Robert Corn. “It’s not a city event. We’re not putting it on, but we’ll support it.”
Barbara Gomez, MainStreet’s executive director, has said the relationship between her organization and city government has changed. The city had been the lead organization for the past few years but stepped back from that leadership role this year.
The city is providing some funding and support for the UFO Festival.
“I don’t think we have the issues with communication now,” she said to committee members last week. Contacting some city employees had been difficult in the past.
MainStreet also provides programs to encourage business retention and economic development: Spearheading beautification efforts, working with the city to prepare and apply for resources and grants, and maintaining an inventory of available properties for sale or lease.
The Hispano chamber has asked for $50,000 to “provide services to businesses and to expand business and economic development in our area.”
Adam Villegas of the Hispano chamber said the organization was willing to make adjustments to the agreement. Villegas also said auditing of the group’s financial records continues.
The organization is involved in community activities and assists many local programs. Donations include money, effort and other forms of support.
The need for the organization to more than double its membership is being addressed. In April, it was reported that the Hispano chamber only had about 80 members. The goal is to reach 200 in a matter of months.
Some of the items in the draft agreement provided to Legal Committee members for review include such responsibilities for the Hispano chamber as finding and identifying “educational opportunities for local small businesses relevant to improving business, marketing business and promoting business growth opportunities, …”
Workers would also have opportunities to identify their own career paths so they can find jobs or advance their marketability in the workplace.
Some other specific tasks would be helping businesses use online tools, such as internet marketing and social media in advertising, and offering professional leadership courses with “an emphasis on the community and mission to develop future community leaders.”
Heldenbrand asked why so many local organizations are providing employee retention and development. Along with the Hispano chamber and MainStreet Roswell, these types of offerings are available through the Roswell Chamber of Commerce and Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation.
Councilor Juan Oropesa, who was the Hispano chamber’s executive director in the past, said when he was in that position many local business people belonged to both chambers simultaneously. And for those who don’t understand English, the Hispano chamber can provide these community members with information about other opportunities.
“The community is willing to support both of them,” Oropesa emphasized.
Villegas said there was a meeting between the two chambers and that each one had its own types, processes and targeted offerings that assist learners with unique needs.
“We do want to provide the Hispanic community with different levels of education,” he explained.
“(We) don’t think we’re stepping on people’s toes. … Yet.”
Heldenbrand said it was important that these groups ensure they pursue “different avenues” to achieve these goals. He explained to provide dissimilar programs “there has to be an exchange that takes place.”
The Hispano chamber announced in April that this year’s Cinco de Mayo festival had to be canceled because there weren’t enough volunteers. That announcement came with a promise to host it in 2025. Such community events as Dia de los Muertes and the Piñata Festival also come from the efforts of the Hispano chamber.
Both the Hispano chamber and MainStreet Roswell have been asked to provide additional documents for review by the Finance Committee on Thursday, when the members are scheduled to meet.
In April, the Legal Committee postponed making a decision about the city’s allocation to the Hispano chamber until their meeting held this past week.
“We’re a long way from where (the Hispano chamber) was a month and a half ago,” Villegas stressed.
