SR 03-05-2019 3D
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: March 5, 2019
Agenda Item: 3.D
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Katie Lichtig, Assistant City Manager, City Manager's Office
Subject: Santa Monica Community College District Professional Agreement for
Broadcasting of Regular City Council Meetings on KCRW
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute an agreement with Santa Monica Community College District (SMCCD), a
California –based community college district, for broadcasting regular City Council
meetings on KCRW for up to five years. This recommended award is made as an
exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.080 (a) and is for
a total amount not to exceed $300,588 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 (SMMCCD) 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. The
City provides this service as well as airing full Council meetings on the City TV Channel
and the City’s YouTube feed to increase the public’s ability to hear and participate in
matters before Council. The current agreement expires on June 30, 2019.Staff
recommend a new five-year agreement with SMCCD to continue the broadcast of
Council meetings on KCRW .
Discussion
In 2018, KCRW, a community service of Santa Monica College (SMC) broadcasting
from within the City, requested a reevaluation of the longstanding model between the
City and the radio station. It reported that 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. Options identified included coverage of relevant an d 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
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meetings. Staff evaluated options suggested by KCRW and other ideas identified by
City staff. After consideration of the option, staff recommends continuing the
longstanding arrangement as it continues to provide direct access to Council
proceedings to community members. There will be a 3% cost increase per year for
these services.
City Council meetings will also continue to be available through:
the City’s primary cable channel,
the City’s YouTube channel, and
the City’s own website.
The City maintains a radio station at KRSM 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.
Exception to Competitive Bidding
Staff recommends SMCCD provide live broadcasts of regular City Council meetings
from 8 p.m. to midnight on the public radio station 89.9FM KCRW as an exception to
competitive bidding per SMMC Code 2.24.080 (a). As 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), competition does not exist due to the unique function of a public radio station, a nd
the relatively narrow potential audience for the programming.
Competition does not exist, such as memberships for professional organizations and/or
public utilities.
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 - 3 years
7/24/2018
(attachment B)
Previous Agreement with Santa Monica Community College
District to Air City Council Meetings Live on KCRW - 1 year
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
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Staff seeks authority to enter into an agreement with Santa Monica Community College
District for the airing of regularly scheduled City Council meetings from 8 p.m. to
midnight.
Agreement Request
Request Amount FY 2018-19 Budget Department Number Total Contract Amount
$97,248 01200004.531510 $516,301
Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Beth Rolandson, Administrative Services Officer
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Attachment A : 6/19/15 City Council Report for 3 Year Agreement with SMCCD
(Web Link)
B. Attachment B: 7/24/18 City Council Report for 1 Year Agreement with SMCCD
REFERENCE:
Agreement No. 10814
(CCS)