HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppropriation Merchandise Sold at PD Visitor Information Cnter 1------
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.•^ :. Memorandum
*yIti� City of Palm Desert
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Fo .n0 No Department of Community Affairs
To: Honorable Mayor&Members of the City Council
From: Director of Community Affairs/City Clerk
Subject: Request for Appropriation of Funds for Merchandise To Be Sold at the Palm
Desert Visitor Information Center.
Date: February 25, 1999
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion, appropriate$25,000 from Unobligated Funds to the Visitor Information Center
Cost of Goods Sold Account No. 110-4419-453-8012 for the procurement of merchandise to be sold
at the Center.
Discussion:
One of the most frequent criticisms received by the Visitor Center and City staff is the fact that there
are few,if any,places in the City where visitors and locals alike can purchase Palm Desert souvenirs,
and it is felt that a good marketing opportunity is consequently being lost. In an effort to respond
to this need, staff has conducted research and met with various retail specialists to become educated
in what it would take to open a small retail outlet for the sale of this type of merchandise at the Palm
Desert Visitor Information Center. Because we are currently mid season, we have an opportunity
to stock the Visitor Center with a nice selection of merchandise with an inventory large enough to
both satisfy the needs of the remainder of the season and to give us a better idea of what items will
be in greatest demand for next year's purchase. While we will be cautious with the initial purchase
of items, these can be restocked with a seven-day reorder if and when necessary.
The items to be included in the initial order are being recommended by staff after visits to other"city
stores", meetings with several different vendors, and the marketing staff of Desert Willow Golf
Resort. This review also assisted staff in making its recommendation to utilize the services provided
by the Foundation for the Retarded for purchase of this initial inventory. Staff is recommending that
the initial purchase be as follows:
Request fdr'Appropriatie- ^f Funds for
Merchandise To Be Sold ie Palm
Desert Visitor Information k,enter February 25, 1999
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Display and Storage Units $ 850.00
Pricing Materials/Customer Bags $ 2,200.00
Merchandise:
Hats, Golf Shirts, Sweatshirts,
Children's T-Shirts,Windbreakers,
License Plate Frames, Coffee Mugs,
Key Chains, Golf Balls, Bumper
Stickers, Refrigerator Magnets,
and Note Cards/Stationary. $21,950.00
Total $25,000.00
Note: All merchandise purchased will be of high quality but will offer a good range in price
selection.
Revenue derived from the sale of this merchandise will be placed in a Trust Account to be used for
replenishing stock in the future and to help offset other costs incurred by the Visitor Center. If
approved, staff will make monthly reports to the Promotion Committee relative to this activity's
success, and these reports will be forwarded to the City Council for information.
DONNA GOMEZ E �,
VISITOR INFORMATIO CENTER COORDINATOR ' { 1 >I-
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Approved and Concurred:
5rIIEILA a'GILLIGAN
DIRECT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS/CITY CLERK q
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Reviewed and Concurred: 0 s1 i
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PAUL S. GIBSON
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE ,$\ v : � �+
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Reviewed and Concurred:
RAMON A. DIAZ v
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CITY MAN GER
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