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File #: HCC-20-FY23    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Discussion Item Status: Passed
File created: 7/8/2022 In control: City Council
On agenda: 7/18/2022 Final action: 7/18/2022
Title: FY23 Hyattsville Life and Times Contract
Sponsors: City Administrator
Indexes: Contract
Submitted by: Laura Reams
Submitting Department: Communications
Agenda Section: Discussion

Item Title:
title
FY23 Hyattsville Life and Times Contract
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
For discussion. Proposed motion below.

I move the Mayor and Council authorize the City Administrator to enter a three-year contract with Streetcar Suburbs for City advertising in the Hyattsville Life & Times at a cost not to exceed $38,770 for FY23, with a total cost not to exceed $124,650 for the three-year term. This contract is subject to the review and approval by the City Attorney for legal sufficiency. I further move the Mayor and Council amend the FY23 Communications Budget in the amount of $6,850 to support the increase in contractual value for this contract.
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Summary Background:
The City has purchased advertising space in the Hyattsville Life and Times to promote City news and activities for many years. The current ad purchase includes two (2) center pages, an additional page of advertisement which is split into two 1/2 pages, and a front-page ad noting that the Hyattsville Reporter is inside. Design services for the page layout are included. In FY22, the Council approved a 3% cost increase for this contract. The year prior in FY21, the Council authorized an increase of 6%.

The Life and Times requested an increase of 48% for FY23 citing increased costs for paper, printing, postage, and inflation for a total annual contractual value of $49,000. The contractor offered to consider the inclusion of new services or changes to the City's contract as part of this request. Staff reviewed the request internally and with the Executive Committee and declined to support at the level requested. However, staff recognizes the value of the newspaper to the community and believes the City's contract provides an effective vehicle to convey City news to the public. An evaluation of the existing contract was conducted, and staff considered changes and new services to enhance t...

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