SR 07-24-2018 3S
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: July 24, 2018
Agenda Item: 3.S
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Katie Lichtig, Assistant City Manager, City Manager's Office
Subject: KCRW Professional Services Award to Broadcast Regular City Council
Meetings
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute an agreement with Santa Monica Community College District (SMMCD), a
California–based community college, to broadcast regular City Council meetings for up
to one year. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive
bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24,080 (a-f) and is for a total not to exceed
$94,416 with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Summary
For more than 20 years, the City has contracted with the Santa Monica Community
College District (SMCCD) to provide live broadcasts of regular Santa Monica City
Council meetings from 8 p.m. to midnight on public radio station 89.9 FM KCRW.
KCRW is a community service of Santa Monica College (SMC) and broadcasts from the
SMC campus in Santa Monica. The current agreement expired on June 30, 2018 . Staff
anticipates returning to Council with a recommendation for a longer term agreement
with KCRW within six months.
Discussion
KCRW has requested a reevaluation of the model between the City and the radio
station as they report Council meetings are the least listened-to part of their broadcast
and airing them has negative implications for that time slot and throughout the week.
Staff is suggesting a not to exceed one-year agreement with a 3% increase over the
previous contract year for a total of $94,416 to maintain the current arrangement as staff
continue to negotiate with KCRW for a longer term agreement.
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KCRW has indicated that they would like to explore evolving air coverage of various
topics in place of airing council meetings. Ideas for a future arrangement may include
coverage of relevant and timely issues of specific interest to Santa Monica and
promotion of engagement opportunities such as how to be involved in specific projects
and how to get information on City Council meetings. Staff has requested data
regarding listeners during Council meetings, and is interested in getting more
information about possibilities for the most effective methods to engage citizens with a
new partnership with KCRW. Staff will continue to explore concepts with KCRW and
return to Council with recommendations.
City Council meetings will continue to be:
Broadcast on the City’s primary cable channel,
Stream live via the City’s YouTube channel, and
Viewable on the City’s own website.
Exception to Competitive Bidding
Staff recommends Santa Monica Community College to provide live broadcasts of
regular Santa Monica City Council meetings from 8 p.m. to midnight on public radio
station 89.9 FM KCRW as an exception to competitive bidding per Muni Code 2.24.080
(a) and (d). KCRW is the only major public radio station based in Santa Monica, they
are the sole provider of services that perform the intended function and meet the
specialized needs of the City. Per Section 2.24.080 (a) and (d), competition does not
exist due to the unique function of a public radio station, and the relatively narrow
potential audience for the programming. KCRW has been a reliable source for the radio
broadcasts of the City Council meetings.
The City maintains a radio station at KSRM AM 1680 that broadcasts within the Santa
Monica city limits. However, FCC regulations require that this station be used solely for
traffic and transit-related updates. Therefore, it is not possible to offer broadcasts of the
City Council meetings on this radio station.
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a. Competition does not exist, such as memberships for professional organizations
and/or public utilities. Proprietary Purchase - Item of original equipment
manufacturer and/or their authorized exclusive distributor.
d. Only one vendor possesses the unique ability or capability to meet the particular
requirements of the solicitation, such as a good or service that is copyrighted,
patented or otherwise only available from one license holder. T he purchase is
economically available from a single source because: Compatibility of equipment
is of paramount consideration.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
6/19/2015
(attachment A)
Previous Agreement with Santa Monica Community College
District to Air City Council Meetings Live on KCRW
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
The budget is available in the City Manager’s Office FY2018 -19 budget.
Agreement Request
Request Amount FY2018-19 Budget Department
Account Number
Total Contract Amount
$94,416 01200004.531510 $94,416
Prepared By: Beth Rolandson, Administrative Services Officer
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Previous Professional Services Agreement with Santa Monica Community
College Staff Report - 6/9/15 (Web Link)
B. SMC Oaks Form march 01 2018
REFERENCE:
Agreement No. 10723
(CCS)