Title
Recommendation to Reconsider Award of the Contract for the Publication of Legal Notices and Consider Providing Direction for Funding Options to Assist the Alameda Sun. (City Clerk 10022020)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Following City Council direction on Councilmember Daysog's July 20, 2021 referral, staff is returning with the option to reconsider the contract for publication of legal notices and consider providing direction regarding possible funding assistance for the Alameda Sun.
BACKGROUND
The City Council awarded the legal notices contract to the Alameda Journal on June 15, 2021. On July 20, 2021, City Council considered a referral submitted by Councilmember Daysog (Exhibit 1). City Council directed that the matter be brought back to the City Council to consider awarding the contract to the Alameda Sun and explore using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide financial assistance to the Alameda Sun.
DISCUSSION
Contract
The current contract with the Alameda Journal (Exhibit 2) can be terminated by giving 7 days written notice. Section 19.b of the Alameda Journal contract states: "The foregoing notwithstanding, City of Alameda (City) shall have the option, at its sole discretion and without cause, of terminating this Agreement by giving seven (7) days' prior written notice to Provider as provided herein." A draft notice terminating the Alameda Journal contract is attached (Exhibit 3). If written notice is sent September 8, 2021, the contract could be terminated on September 15, 2021.
If City Council terminates the Alameda Journal contract, the contract could be awarded to the Alameda Sun. A draft contract is attached (Exhibit 4). City Council requested information on whether the Alameda Sun could lower the bid amount due to decreased circulation. The Sun indicted the amount cannot be lowered because it is based on the cost of providing the service, not circulation.
Funding
Accord...
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