REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Travis K. Hopkins, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Carlina Thomas, Assistant to the City Manager
Subject:
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Approve the Recommendation by the City Council Ad Hoc Committee to End the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Creative Strategy, Branding, Merchandising, Media, Communications, and Film Industry Development Services Process and Not Award a Contract
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Statement of Issue:
In April, the City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Creative Strategy, Branding, Merchandising, Media, Communications, and Film Industry Development Services. At the April 21 City Council meeting, the City Council established an Ad Hoc Committee to review the proposals received in response to the RFP. After all parties conducted independent evaluations, City staff and the Ad Hoc Committee met to discuss the submitted proposals.
Following its review, the Ad Hoc Committee recommends discontinuing the current RFP process and not awarding a contract at this time to allow for additional evaluation, refinement, and development of the City’s overall strategies and objectives related to these services.
Financial Impact:
There is no financial impact to the City as a result of the recommended action.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Accept the Ad Hoc Committee recommended action to discontinue (close) the RFP process.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) in April 2026 for Creative Strategy, Branding, Merchandising, Media, Communications, and Film Industry Development Services. The City received eleven proposals from firms offering a broad range of services and strategic approaches.
To evaluate the proposals, the City Council formed an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Butch Twinning and Councilmembers Pat Burns and Don Kennedy.
Following its review, the Ad Hoc Committee recommends closing the current RFP without awarding a contract at this time. The recommendation is intended to preserve and further develop the creative concepts and opportunities identified through the RFP process while allowing for additional planning, coordination, and refinement of the City’s long-term objectives.
The Committee believes the initiatives outlined in the RFP can be more effectively developed and implemented through additional collaboration with City partners, greater utilization of internal City staff resources, and a more targeted and strategic use of outside consulting services.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item