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City Council Meeting Minutes January 5, 2021 <br />focus of a Chamber Chat. <br />Council Member Garza inquired about professional development training on <br />diversity practices. Mr. Mock stated professional development is part of their <br />leadership training and yearly meetings are held annually with Chamber <br />Executives across the State. <br />Council Member Baker asked about the barriers on why some business are not <br />members. He also, asked if the 540 current members are businesses or <br />employees? Mr. Mock stated there are 540 businesses that are members and if <br />the business is a member of the Chamber then their employees are members <br />through that business. <br />Mr. Couch stated organizations like the Chamber exist to help the business <br />Community; 60% of businesses out of the current 540 members are locally <br />owned. He would estimate about 50% of the businesses are non white owners. <br />Mr. Couch stated the Chamber is a member driven association and benefits <br />from relationships with businesses. He noted that the Chamber stepped in to <br />assist all businesses this year during the pandemic. <br />Ms. Sonlitner stated there is a minimum membership fee of $325. This can be <br />paid on a monthly or yearly basis. The Chamber will work with businesses that <br />have issues making the payment. When the Chamber hosts the summits or <br />other programming events, these are open to all members and to the public. <br />Non-members pay the same as members. <br />Council Member Baker asked if there are any scholarships to pay the <br />membership? Do non English speakers feel a barrier regarding networking? <br />Mr. Mock stated a Hispanic chamber was not successful in the past so we reach <br />out to all business, not just English speaking businesses. Chamber members <br />are passionate on what they do for their businesses and the Chamber wants <br />them to be successful. <br />Ms. Sonlitner noted how much our local businesses give back to the <br />community. They are our neighbors and our kids go to school together. <br />Everyone works for the success of all. <br />Council Member Gleason thanked the Chamber for their presentation and <br />stated lots of discussion was held on communication and it is great to hear <br />about key issues, COVID recovery and the items discussed are great for the <br />community. <br />City of San Marcos Page 4 <br />