Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-156 Resolution No. 12-156 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH MARKETPLACE MEDIA GROUP, LLC FOR THE ELGIN NEIGHBOR NEWSLETTER BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS,that Sean R. Stegall,City Manager,and Kimberly A.Dewis,City Clerk,be and are hereby authorized and directed to execute an Agreement with Marketplace Media Group, LLC, on behalf of the City of Elgin for Fall and Winter Neighbor Newsletter design,printing and mailing services,a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference. s/David J. Kaptain David J. Kaptain, Mayor Presented: October 10, 2012 Adopted: October 10, 2012 Vote: Yeas: 7 Nays: 0 Attest: s/Kimberly Dewis Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this day of , 2012, by and between the CITY OF ELGIN, an Illinois municipal corporation (hereinafter referred to as "CITY") and Marketplace Media Group, LLC (hereinafter referred to as "CONSULTANT"). WHEREAS, the CITY desires to engage the CONSULTANT to furnish certain services in connection with the Elgin Neighbor newsletter design and publication (hereinafter referred to as the "PROJECT"); and WHEREAS, the CONSULTANT represents that it has the necessary expertise and experience to furnish such services upon the terms and conditions set forth herein below. NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed by and between the CITY and the CONSULTANT that the CITY does hereby retain the CONSULTANT for and in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged to perform the services relating to the PROJECT as described herein, subject to the following terms and conditions and stipulations, to-wit: 1. SCOPE OF SERVICES A. All work hereunder shall be performed under the direction of the City Manager of the CITY, herein after referred to as the "DIRECTOR". B. Design, produce, print and mail two (2) full-color eight-page newsletters to each address within the corporate limits of the city of Elgin. C. A detailed Scope of Services is attached hereto as Attachment A. 2. SCHEDULE The CONSULTANT shall complete the services to be provided pursuant to this Agreement according to the project schedule attached hereto as Attachment B. 3. WORK PRODUCT All work product prepared by the CONSULTANT pursuant hereto including, but not limited to, reports, plans, designs, calculations, work drawings, studies, photographs, models and recommendations shall be the property of the CITY and shall be delivered to the CITY upon request of the DIRECTOR; provided, however, that the CONSULTANT may retain copies of such work product for its records. CONSULTANT's execution of this Agreement shall constitute CONSULTANT's conveyance and assignment of all right, title and interest, including but not limited to any copyright interest, by the CONSULTANT to the CITY of all such work product prepared by the CONSULTANT pursuant to this Agreement. The CITY shall have the right either on its own or through such other consultants as determined by the CITY to utilize and/or amend such work product. Any such amendment to such work product shall be at the sole risk of the CITY. Such work product is not intended or represented to be suitable for reuse by the CITY on any extension to the PROJECT or on any other project, and such reuse shall be at the sole risk of the CITY without liability or legal exposure to the CONSULTANT. 4. PAYMENTS TO THE CONSULTANT A. For services provided the CONSULTANT shall be paid the total fee not to exceed $32, 520 regardless of the actual costs incurred by the CONSULTANT unless substantial modifications to the scope of the work are authorized in writing by the DIRECTOR and approved by way of written amendment to this Agreement executed by the parties. B. For outside services provided by other firms or subcontractors, the CITY shall pay the CONSULTANT the invoiced fee to the CONSULTANT. C. (Omitted) D. The CITY shall make periodic payments to the CONSULTANT based upon actual progress within thirty (30) days after receipt and approval of invoice. Said periodic payments to the CONSULTANT shall not exceed the amounts shown in the following schedule, and full payments for each task shall not be made until the task is completed and accepted by the DIRECTOR. Creative Writing Photography Printing Fulfillment Postage Total Task 1 $3,000 $600 $175 $5,168 $649 $6,468 $16,060 Task 2 $3,000 $1,000 $175 $5,168 $649 $6,468 $16,460 Grand Total $32,520 5. INVOICES A. The CONSULTANT shall submit invoices in a format approved by the CITY. B. The CONSULTANT shall maintain records showing actual time devoted and cost incurred. The CONSULTANT shall permit the authorized representative of the CITY to inspect and audit all data and records of the CONSULTANT for work done under this Agreement. The CONSULTANT shall make these records available at reasonable times during the Agreement period and for one (1) year after termination of this Agreement. - 2 - 6. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the CITY may terminate this Agreement at any time upon fifteen (15) days prior written notice to the CONSULTANT. In the event that this Agreement is so terminated, the CONSULTANT shall be paid for services actually performed and reimbursable expenses actually incurred prior to termination, except that reimbursement shall not exceed the task amounts set forth under Paragraph 4 above. 7. TERM This Agreement shall become effective as of the date the CONSULTANT is given a notice to proceed and, unless terminated for cause or pursuant to Paragraph 6, shall be deemed concluded on the date the CITY determines that all of the CONSULTANT's work under this Agreement is completed. A determination of completion shall not constitute a waiver of any rights or claims which the CITY may have or thereafter acquire with respect to any term or provision of this Agreement. 8. NOTICE OF CLAIM If the CONSULTANT wishes to make a claim for additional compensation as a result of action taken by the CITY, the CONSULTANT shall give written notice of his claim within fifteen (15) days after occurrence of such action. No claim for additional compensation shall be valid unless so made. Any changes in the CONSULTANT's fee shall be valid only to the extent that such changes are included in writing signed by the CITY and the CONSULTANT. Regardless of the decision of the DIRECTOR relative to a claim submitted by the CONSULTANT, all work required under this Agreement as determined by the DIRECTOR shall proceed without interruption. 9. BREACH OF CONTRACT If either party violates or breaches any term of this Agreement, such violation or breach shall be deemed to constitute a default, and the other party has the right to seek such administrative, contractual or legal remedies as may be suitable to the violation or breach; and, in addition, if either party, by reason of any default, fails within fifteen (15) days after notice thereof by the other party to comply with the conditions of the Agreement, the other party may terminate this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, or anything else to the contrary in this Agreement, with the sole exception of an action to recover the monies the CITY has agreed to pay to the CONSULTANT pursuant to Paragraph 4 hereof, no action shall be commenced by the CONSULTANT against the CITY for monetary damages. CONSULTANT hereby further waives any and all claims or rights to interest on money claimed to be due pursuant to this Agreement, and waives any and all such rights to interest which it claims it may otherwise be entitled pursuant to law, including, but not limited to, the Local Government Prompt Payment Act (50 ILCS 501/1, et seq.), as amended, or the Illinois Interest Act (815 ILCS 205/1, et seq.), as amended. The parties hereto further agree that any action by the CONSULTANT arising - 3 - out of this Agreement must be filed within one year of the date the alleged cause of action arose or the same will be time-barred. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive any expiration, completion and/or termination of this Agreement. 10. INDEMNIFICATION To the fullest extent permitted by law, CONSULTANT agrees to and shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the CITY, its officers, employees, agents, boards and commissions from and against any and all claims, suits,judgments, costs, attorneys fees, damages or other relief, including, but not limited to, workers' compensation claims, in any way resulting from or arising out of negligent actions or omissions of the CONSULTANT in connection herewith, including negligence or omissions of employees or agents of the CONSULTANT arising out of the performance of this Agreement. In the event of any action against the CITY, its officers, employees, agents, boards or commissions, covered by the foregoing duty to indemnify, defend and hold harmless such action shall be defended by legal counsel of the CITY's choosing. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive any expiration, completion and/or termination of this Agreement. 11. NO PERSONAL LIABILITY No official, director, officer, agent or employee of the CITY shall be charged personally or held contractually liable under any term or provision of this Agreement or because of their execution, approval or attempted execution of this Agreement. 12. INSURANCE A. Comprehensive Liability. The CONSULTANT shall provide, pay for and maintain in effect, during the term of this Agreement, a policy of comprehensive general liability insurance with limits of at least $1,000,000 aggregate for bodily injury and $1,000,000 aggregate for property damage. The CONSULTANT shall deliver to the DIRECTOR a Certificate of Insurance naming the CITY as additional insured. The policy shall not be modified or teiiiiinated without thirty (30) days prior written notice to the DIRECTOR. The Certificate of Insurance shall include the contractual obligation assumed by the CONSULTANT under Paragraph 10 entitled "Indemnification". This insurance shall be primary and non-contributory to any other insurance or self-insurance programs afforded to the CITY. There shall be no endorsement or modification of this insurance to make it excess over other available insurance. B. Comprehensive Automobile Liability. Comprehensive Automobile Liability Insurance covering all owned, non-owned and hired motor vehicles with limits of not less than $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and/or property damage. - 4 - C. Combined Single Limit Policy. The requirements for insurance coverage for the general liability and auto exposures may be met with a combined single limit of $1,000,000 per occurrence subject to a$1,000,000 aggregate. 13. INTENTIONALLY OMITTED. 14. NONDISCRIMINATION In all hiring or employment made possible or resulting from this Agreement, there shall be no discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, marital status, of the presence of any sensory, mental or physical handicap, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification, and this requirement shall apply to, but not be limited to, the following: employment advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship. No person shall be denied or subjected to discrimination in receipt of the benefit of any services or activities made possible by or resulting from this Agreement on the grounds of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, age except minimum age and retirement provisions, marital status or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical handicap. Any violation of this provision shall be considered a violation of a material provision of this Agreement and shall be grounds for cancellation, termination or suspension, in whole or in part, of the Agreement by the CITY. 15. ASSIGNMENT AND SUCCESSORS This Agreement and each and every portion thereof shall be binding upon the successors and the assigns of the parties hereto; provided, however, that no assignment shall be made without the prior written consent of the CITY. 16. DELEGATIONS AND SUBCONTRACTORS Any assignment, delegation or subcontracting shall be subject to all the terms, conditions and other provisions of this Agreement and the CONSULTANT shall remain liable to the CITY with respect to each and every item, condition and other provision hereof to the same extent that the CONSULTANT would have been obligated if it had done the work itself and no assignment, delegation or subcontract had been made. Any proposed subcontractor shall require the CITY's advanced written approval. 17. NO CO-PARTNERSHIP OR AGENCY This Agreement shall not be construed so as to create a partnership, joint venture, employment or other agency relationship between the parties hereto. - 5 - 18. SEVERABILITY The parties intend and agreed that, if any paragraph, sub-paragraph, phrase, clause or other provision of this Agreement, or any portion thereof, shall be held to be void or otherwise unenforceable, all other portions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. 19. HEADINGS The headings of the several paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for reference and in no way are they intended to define, limit or describe the scope of intent of any provision of this Agreement, nor shall they be construed to affect in any manner the terms and provisions hereof or the interpretation or construction thereof. 20. MODIFICATION OR AMENDMENT This Agreement and its attachments constitutes the entire Agreement of the parties on the subject matter hereof and may not be changed, modified, discharged or extended except by written amendment duly executed by the parties. Each party agrees that no representations or warranties shall be binding upon the other party unless expressed in writing herein or in a duly executed amendment hereof, or change order as herein provided. 21. APPLICABLE LAW This Agreement shall be deemed to have been made in, and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois. Venue for the resolution of any disputes or the enforcement of any rights pursuant to this Agreement shall be in the Circuit Court of Kane County, Illinois. 22. NEWS RELEASES The CONSULTANT may not issue any news releases without prior approval from the DIRECTOR, nor will the CONSULTANT make public proposals developed under this Agreement without prior written approval from the DIRECTOR prior to said documentation becoming matters of public record. 23. COOPERATION WITH OTHER CONSULTANTS The CONSULTANT shall cooperate with any other consultants in the CITY's employ or any work associated with the PROJECT. - 6 - 24. INTERFERENCE WITH PUBLIC CONTRACTING The CONSULTANT certifies hereby that it is not barred from bidding on this contract as a result of a violation of 720 ILCS 5/33E et seq. or any similar state or federal statute regarding bid rigging. 25. SEXUAL HARASSMENT As a condition of this Agreement, the CONSULTANT shall have written sexual harassment policies that include, at a minimum, the following information: A. the illegality of sexual harassment; B. the definition of sexual harassment under state law; C. a description of sexual harassment, utilizing examples; D. the vendor's internal complaint process including penalties; E. the legal recourse, investigative and complaint process available through the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and the Illinois Human Rights Commission; F. directions on how to contact the department and commission; G. protection against retaliation as provided by Section 6-101 of the Human Rights Act. A copy of the policies shall be provided by CONSULTANT to the Department of Human Rights upon request 775 ILCS 5/2-105. 26. INTENTIONALLY OMITTED. 27. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS All recommendations and other communications by the CONSULTANT to the DIRECTOR and to other participants which may affect cost or time of completion, shall be made or confirmed in writing. The DIRECTOR may also require other recommendations and communications by the CONSULTANT be made or confirmed in writing. 28. NOTICES All notices, reports and documents required under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be mailed by First Class Mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows: - 7 - A. As to the CITY: Sean R. Stegall City Manager City of Elgin 150 Dexter Court Elgin, Illinois 60120-5555 B. As to the CONSULTANT: 29. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS Notwithstanding any other provision of this AGREEMENT it is expressly agreed and understood that in connection with the performance of this AGREEMENT that the CONSULTANT shall comply with all applicable federal, state, city and other requirements of law, including, but not limited to, any applicable requirements regarding prevailing wages, minimum wage, workplace safety and legal status of employees. Without limiting the foregoing, CONSULTANT hereby certifies, represents and warrants to the CITY that all CONSULTANT's employees and/or agents who will be providing products and/or services with respect to this AGREEMENT shall be legal residents of the United States. CONSULTANT shall also at its expense secure all permits and licenses, pay all charges and fees and give all notices necessary and incident to the due and lawful prosecution of the work, and/or the products and/or services to be provided for in this AGREEMENT. The CITY shall have the right to audit any records in the possession or control of the CONSULTANT to determine CONSULTANT's compliance with the provisions of this paragraph. In the event the CITY proceeds with such an audit the CONSULTANT shall make available to the CITY the CONSULTANT's relevant records at no cost to the CITY. CONSULTANT shall pay any and all costs associated with any such audit. - 8 - IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have entered into and executed this agreement effective as of the date and year first written above. CITY OF ELGIN: By: i / i 4 or Se.'Stegall,City Manager / Attest: City Clerk CONSULTANT: MARKETPLACE MEDIA GROUP LLC By: Name/Print: George Hahne Title: President FALegal DeptkAgreemcnt\Consultant Agreement-Marketplace Media Group LLC-10-442.docx 9 ATTACHMENT A SCOPE OF SERVICES "Elgin Neighbor Newsletter Design and Publication Services" Task 1 —Fall Neighbor Newsletter Issue General Description Provide design, printing and coordinate mailing services for an eight, 11.5 inch by 8 inch, color page newsletter to be sent to each address within the corporate limits of the city of Elgin. Newsletter content will be developed through coordinated efforts with city staff in the City Manager's Office. Deliverables (1) An electronic version of the newsletter in portable document format(PDF) for use on the city's website. Consultant will make every effort to provide a small file size to enable quick online viewing. (2) 45,000 printed copies of the newsletter with one copy mailed to each address within the corporate limits of the city of Elgin. Consultant will delivery extra copies to City Hall, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin IL 60120 for use at city facilities. Completion date: 10/1/12 Task 2—Winter Neighbor Newsletter Issue General Description Provide design, printing and coordinate mailing services for an eight, 11.5 inch by 8 inch, color page newsletter to be sent to each address within the corporate limits of the city of Elgin. Newsletter content will be developed through coordinated efforts with city staff in the City Manager's Office. Deliverables (1)An electronic version of the newsletter in portable document format(PDF) for use on the city's website. Consultant will make every effort to provide a small file size to enable quick online viewing. (2) 45,000 printed copies of the newsletter with one copy mailed to each address within the corporate limits of the city of Elgin. Consultant will delivery extra copies to City Hall, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin IL 60120 for use at city facilities. Completion date: 12/10/12 Consultant Costs: Creative Writing Photography Printing Fulfillment Postage Total Task 1 $3,000 $600 $175 $5,168 $649 $6,468 $16,060 Task 2 $3,000 $1,000 $175 $5,168 $649 $6,468 $16,460 Grand Total $32,520 - 11 - ATTACHMENT B PROJECT SCHEDULE September 26—October 1,2012: Design, print and mailing of Fall Neighbor Newsletter October 2 —November 19,2012: Design Winter Neighbor Newsletter November 19—December 10,2012: Print and Mailing of Winter Neighbor Newsletter . ' lh -( 1, ( I I Y Ot 1NCIE ELGIN THE CITY IN THE SUBURBS" AGENDA ITEM: C MEETING DATE: September 12, 2012 ITEM: Agreement with Marketplace Media Group, LLC for Fall and Winter Neighbor Newsletter De- sign, Printing and Mailing Services ($32,520) OBJECTIVE: Improve communications with Elgin residents through print media mailings. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the creation, printing and mailing of Elgin's Fall and Winter Neighbor newsletter by Marketplace Media Group, LLC and provide direction to release an request for proposal for 2013 newsletter design services. BACKGROUND Print publications are dying. The Pew Research Center's State of the News Media 2012 reports that 2011 losses in print advertising dollars outpaced gains in digital revenue by a factor of roughly 10 to 1. When circulation and advertising revenues were combined, the report found that the newspaper industry has shrunk 43 percent since 2000 ("The State of the News Media 2012." Pew Center for Research, n.d. Web. <stateofthemedia.org>). Increasingly,Americans are accessing news digitally. More than 75 percent of U.S. adults own a laptop or desktop computer. Moreover, 44 percent own a smartphone and tablet ownership is at 18 percent. A growing number of executives predict that in five years many newspapers will offer a print, home-delivered newspaper only on Sunday, and perhaps one or two other days a week. And yet, for the overwhelming data indicating a shift away from print media, the Pew Research Center finds that: 1 "The civic implications of the decline in newspapers are also becoming clearer. More evidence emerged that newspapers (whether accessed in print or digitally) are the primary source people turn to for news about government and civic af- fairs. If these operations continue to shrivel or disappear, it is unclear where, or whether, that information would be reported."(Emphasis added) -State of the News Media 2012, Executive Summary, page 4 Attempts to fill the identified market gap initially have come in the form of "hyperlocal" news services such as AOL's Patch or the Chicago Tribune's TribLocal. The Elgin-centric BocaJump provides another example. However, hyperlocal sites have found difficulties sustaining them- selves due to low advertising revenues. Head of interactive local media at advertising firm, BIA/Kelsey, Matt Booth explains that consumers only really "need or desire [hyperlocal] sites a couple times a month. The rest of their information requests are satisfied elsewhere."(Gillette, Felix. "AOL's Patch: Big Losses on Hyperlocal News." Bloomberg Businessweek. N.p., 31 May 2012. Web. <businessweek.com>). Local governments are uniquely positioned to "patch" this information gap. Community news- letters are a common way for local governments to pass on vital civic information. The city of Elgin's previous print newsletter The Spirit was discontinued in 2008 due to budgetary con- straints. While these constraints still exist, a regularly occurring newsletter adds value. Throughout the 2012 budget season, unprecedented efforts to communicate with Elgin's citi- zens were made through public meetings, a task force, government access television, social media, email blasts and web streaming. Despite these attempts, not all households were reached. A community newsletter provides vital city information to all Elgin residents. OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS This memorandum requests funding to produce two issues of Neighbor for the rest of 2012 as well as direction to release a request for proposal for 2013 services. During summer 2012, city staff experimented with a newsletter redesign resulting in the Elgin Neighbor. The first issue of the Neighbor was designed and developed by local design firm Mar- ketplace Media LLC and was released in early August 2012. To avoid disruption in publication, staff recommends continuing with Marketplace Media through 2012, then issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for newsletter design services throughout 2013. Please note that city staff has asked that Marketplace Media, LLC design the fall issue. Should the council decide not to pursue the print version of the Neighbor the electronic fall version will still be produced. i 2 INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED None. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS Funds to develop, print and mail Elgin's 2012 Fall and Winter Neighbor newsletter have been identified within the city manager's office budget. Production costs for the remainder of 2012 total $32,520. City staff has also requested funding for six issues of the Neighbor in 2013 esti- mated to total approximately$102,600. BUDGET IMPACT FUND(S) ACCOUNT(S) PROJECT AMOUNT AMOUNT #(S) BUDGETED AVAILABLE General Fund 010-0302-711.30-99 $12,000 $12,000 General Fund 010-0302-711.32-08 $5,900 $5,900 General Fund 010-0302-711.32-10 $14,200 $14,200 General Fund 010-0303-711.30-99 $1,000 $1,000 LEGAL IMPACT A written agreement will be required. ALTERNATIVES The city council could choose to direct staff to not continue producing the Neighbor. Council could also direct staff to issue an RFP for the remainder of 2012. Should this be council's direc- tion, it is likely that only a winter issue of the Neighbor would be produced in 2012, with bi- monthly issues occurring in 2013. NEXT STEPS 1. Produce the fall and winter issues of the Neighbor. 2. Develop a request for proposal for 2013 newsletter services. A 3 Originator: Aaron Cosentino, Management Analyst Final Review: Colleen Lavery, Chief Financial Officer Richard G. Kozal, Assistant City Manager/Chief Operating Officer William A. Cogley, Corporation Counsel/Chief Development Officer Sean R. Stegall, City Manager ATTACHMENTS None. i! ► 4 • 'vr.1: r _ S r. - 1_ E LG I N THE CITY IN THE SUBURBS AGENDA ITEM: C MEETING DATE: September 12, 2012 ITEM: Agreement with Marketplace Media Group, LLC for Fall and Winter Neighbor Newsletter De- sign, Printing and Mailing Services ($32,520) OBJECTIVE: Improve communications with Elgin residents through print media mailings. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the creation, printing and mailing of Elgin's Fall and Winter Neighbor newsletter by Marketplace Media Group, LLC and provide direction to release an request for proposal for 2013 newsletter design services. BACKGROUND Print publications are dying. The Pew Research Center's State of the News Media 2012 reports that 2011 losses in print advertising dollars outpaced gains in digital revenue by a factor of roughly 10 to 1. When circulation and advertising revenues were combined, the report found that the newspaper industry has shrunk 43 percent since 2000 ("The State of the News Media 2012." Pew Center for Research, n.d. Web. <stateofthemedia.org>). Increasingly, Americans are accessing news digitally. More than 75 percent of U.S. adults own a laptop or desktop computer. Moreover, 44 percent own a smartphone and tablet ownership is at 18 percent. A growing number of executives predict that in five years many newspapers will offer a print, home-delivered newspaper only on Sunday, and perhaps one or two other days a week. And yet,for the overwhelming data indicating a shift away from print media, the Pew Research Center finds that: 1 "The civic implications of the decline in newspapers are also becoming clearer. More evidence emerged that newspapers (whether accessed in print or digitally) are the primary source people turn to for news about government and civic af- fairs. If these operations continue to shrivel or disappear, it is unclear where, or whether, that information would be reported."(Emphasis added) -State of the News Media 2012, Executive Summary, page 4 Attempts to fill the identified market gap initially have come in the form of "hyperlocal" news services such as AOL's Patch or the Chicago Tribune's TribLocal. The Elgin-centric Bocaiump • provides another example. However, hyperlocal sites have found difficulties sustaining them- selves due to low advertising revenues. Head of interactive local media at advertising firm, BIA/Kelsey, Matt Booth explains that consumers only really "need or desire [hyperlocal] sites a couple times a month. The rest of their information requests are satisfied elsewhere."(Gillette, Felix. "AOL's Patch: Big Losses on Hyperlocal News." Bloomberg Businessweek. N.p., 31 May 2012. Web. <businessweek.com>). Local governments are uniquely positioned to "patch" this information gap. Community news- letters are a common way for local governments to pass on vital civic information. The city of Elgin's previous print newsletter The Spirit was discontinued in 2008 due to budgetary con- straints. While these constraints still exist, a regularly occurring newsletter adds value. Throughout the 2012 budget season, unprecedented efforts to communicate with Elgin's citi- ' zens were made through public meetings, a task force, government access television, social media, email blasts and web streaming. Despite these attempts, not all households were reached. A community newsletter provides vital city information to all Elgin residents. OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS This memorandum requests funding to produce two issues of Neighbor for the rest of 2012 as well as direction to release a request for proposal for 2013 services. During summer 2012, city staff experimented with a newsletter redesign resulting in the Elgin Neighbor. The first issue of the Neighbor was designed and developed by local design firm Mar- ketplace Media LLC and was released in early August 2012. To avoid disruption in publication, staff recommends continuing with Marketplace Media through 2012, then issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for newsletter design services throughout 2013. Please note that city staff has asked that Marketplace Media, LLC design the fall issue. Should the council decide not to pursue the print version of the Neighbor the electronic fall version will still be produced. 2 INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED None. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS Funds to develop, print and mail Elgin's 2012 Fall and Winter Neighbor newsletter have been identified within the city manager's office budget. Production costs for the remainder of 2012 total $32,520. City staff has also requested funding for six issues of the Neighbor in 2013 esti- mated to total approximately $102,600. BUDGET IMPACT FUND(S) ACCOUNT(S) PROJECT AMOUNT AMOUNT #(S) BUDGETED AVAILABLE General Fund 010-0302-711.30-99 $12,000 $12,000 General Fund 010-0302-711.32-08 $5,900 $5,900 General Fund 010-0302-711.32-10 $14,200 $14,200 General Fund 010-0303-711.30-99 $1,000 $1,000 LEGAL IMPACT (Pk A written agreement will be required. ALTERNATIVES The city council could choose to direct staff to not continue producing the Neighbor. Council could also direct staff to issue an RFP for the remainder of 2012. Should this be council's direc- tion, it is likely that only a winter issue of the Neighbor would be produced in 2012, with bi- monthly issues occurring in 2013. NEXT STEPS 1. Produce the fall and winter issues of the Neighbor. 2. Develop a request for proposal for 2013 newsletter services. = h 3 . ' Originator: Aaron Cosentino, Management Analyst Final Review: Colleen Lavery, Chief Financial Officer Richard G. Kozal, Assistant City Manager/Chief Operating Officer William A. Cogley, Corporation Counsel/Chief Development Officer Sean R. Stegall, City Manager ATTACHMENTS None.