SR-072308-1DCity Council Meeting: July 23, 2008
Agenda Item: 0'r®
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dean Kubani, Manager, Office of Sustainability and the Environment
Subject: Graphic Design Services for Public Outreach Initiatives related to City-
. sponsored Environmental. Efforts
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement in the amount of $100,000 annually for two
years with Cowan Communication Arts, a graphic design firm, to provide graphic design
services for public outreach activities and programs sponsored by the City.
Executive Summary
The Office of Sustainability and the Environment utilizes a graphic design firm for the
design and development of coordinated outreach materials that promote the water
efficiency, green building, energy efficiency, urban runoff, hazardous materials
management, and sustainable city programming and services of the Environmental
Programs Division. Services requested .would include graphic design for display
advertising,.. outdoor signs & advertising,. document design, website development,
exhibitor displays, and printed collateral materials. Funds for the first year are available
in the current budget, second year funds will be subject to budget approval.
Discussion
The Office of Sustainability and the Environment disseminates information pertaining to
specific public health and environmental education programs to the community in the
form of printed materials, print & outdoor advertisements, direct mail, world-wide-web,
and event displays. Each of these efforts is related to a program with specific goals,
objectives and measurement opportunities. These educational pieces are key elements
of the Division's efforts to help the community, and City operations to meet the new
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Sustainable City Plan goals. The selected firm will be asked to improve upon the current .
theme and campaign strategies, including advertising, collateral materials, and event
display materials, create consistent graphic designs, provide copy-writing services, and
coordinate the production of printed brochures and flyers, banners, displays, posters,
and truck signs and recommend cost-effective production and distribution strategies.
Consultant Selection
In April 2008, City staff issued a Request For Proposal to identify firms experienced in
graphic design. Graphic design firms, selected from a list maintained by the City
Manager's Office; were contacted by mail with a formal request for proposal including
information about the firm, references, samples of past work, and hourly rates. Of the
fourteen firms contacted, staff received two responses. A selection panel consisting of
staff from the Office of Sustainability and the Environment interviewed the two finalists -
Cowan Communication Arts and Samantha Ahdoot Design. Cowan Communication
Arts was selected by the panel based upon the quality and creativity of their products,
experience developing past projects and materials, and for demonstrating the ability to
deliver an effective product.
Budget/Financial Impact
The cost for the scope of work will not exceed $100,000 annually. Funds in the amount
of $100,000 are available in account number 01226.522540 for the first year. Funds for
future years is contingent upon budget approval by City Council.
Prepared by: Dean Kubani, Manager, Office of Sustainability and the Environment
Approved:
Dean Kubani, Manager
Office of Sustainability and the
Environment
Forwarded to Council:
amont Ewell
Manager
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Reference Contract No.
8955 (CCS).