Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Fourth Amendment to an Agreement with Michael Baker International, Inc. for Graphic Art and Marketing Support for the Community Development Department, Extending the Term for 12 Months, to June 30, 2017. (Community Development 256)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Fourth Amendment to an Agreement with Michael Baker International, Inc. for Graphic Art and Marketing Support for the Community Development Department, Extending the Term for 12 Months, to June 30, 2017
BACKGROUND
After completing a competitive selection process for graphic art support, a $74,000 contract was executed with Pacific Municipal Consultants (PMC) on March 26, 2012, to develop a graphic identity and collateral materials for the City’s Economic Development Program, and provide general graphic design services as needed. Deliverables included print and digital design for economic development informational booklets, flyers, posters, banners, postcards, advertisements, brochures and signage. During the initial selection process, the City received 10 proposals and interviewed five teams.
PMC’s contract was amended a first time, extending the term to March 31, 2015. PMC’s contract was amended a second time, increasing the contract amount to $224,000, and extending the term to June 30, 2016. On July 15, 2015, the contract was amended a third time, after the City was notified that PMC was acquired by Michael Baker International, Inc. (hereafter referred to as “MBI”). The Agreement, as amended, is attached as Exhibit 1.
The Community Development Department (CDD) has worked with MBI on economic development marketing strategies, as well as the larger “Alameda At Your Service” program over the past 48 months. To continue the success of the marketing program, it is recommended that MBI’s contract be extended for another 12 months. The fourth amendment is attached as Exhibit 2.
DISCUSSION
CDD has developed marketing materials and updated its forms and applications since bringing MBI under contract. MBI worked quickly with staff to create a modern, business-friendly City of Alameda logo, which complements the official City seal. Next, MBI helped create “Alameda at a Glance,” which provides important statistics on Alameda to the retail and business communities. MBI created the “Start Your Business” guide, which was developed in English, Spanish and Mandarin. In the summer of 2013, the Alameda “Visitor’s Guide” was created and marketed to America’s Cup tourists among others. This brochure is very popular and has been adapted for use in several advertisements. MBI also designed and placed ads in AAA’s Via magazine, resulting in over 300 inquiries about Alameda. Each inquiry was responded to with a letter and a copy of the Visitor’s Guide. Other initiatives MBI has assisted with include the “Island Shopper” logo, “Dine Alameda” restaurant guide, and several ads placed in regional newspapers and tourist publications.
MBI is currently providing on-call services for marketing campaigns and to update economic development collateral material. By using MBI for these tasks, the City continues to get a consistent branded look for all collateral and online material. MBI responds to City requests in a professional manner and is reliable and efficient.
MBI has worked with staff to expand the Dine Alameda campaign to an online format. The Dine Alameda campaign now includes a full online listing of Alameda restaurants by type as well as a partial listing of Alameda restaurants in brochure form. MBI has designed the material for the Work Alameda and Play Alameda campaigns. The latest ad designed by MBI was a full page ad in the San Francisco Chronicle’s Alameda section. CDD will continue expanding its advertising program and marketing informational material focused on economic development. A 12-month time extension would allow this work to continue.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact for this extension. The Marketing continues to be funded from FISC Lease Revenue Fund (Fund 256), Contractual Services (61060). There is no impact to the General Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a fourth amendment to an agreement with Michael Baker International, Inc. for graphic art and marketing support for the Community Development Department, extending the term for 12 months, to June 30, 2017.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
By,
Lois Butler, Economic Development Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Agreement between the City of Alameda and PMC, as amended
2. Fourth amendment to Agreement