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Council pauses $120,000 audio‑visual increase as members press to use in-house staff and local vendors
Summary
Councilors asked the administration to justify a $120,000 increase to an outside audiovisual contract to cover March Board of Review hearings and urged use of in-house staff and local vendors while procurement prepares a new RFP.
Councilors pressed the administration on a requested $120,000 increase to a city audiovisual contract that the media-services director said is needed to cover the March Board of Review schedule and other large productions.
Vicky Thomas, the department official overseeing media services, told the committee that the contract with Creative Day Technologies covers large events such as the state of the city and mayoral events and that the requested increase would cover additional days and locations required by a recent charter change for Board of Review hearings. "They are doing the March board of review meetings where people can challenge their assessments — over 20 meetings beginning March 5," Thomas said.
Several council members urged the administration to use existing city equipment and local suppliers where possible. Council Member Angela Calloway called for more local hiring and apprenticeship opportunities: "We have the talent here — go to DSA, Cass Tech, Wayne State — the talent is in the city," she said, urging internships and training so local students can operate equipment.
Member Mary Waters pressed for an explanation of the contract's costs and asked why the work could not be done in-house, noting recent equipment purchases for the media services unit. Assistant procurement staff and the media director said a request for proposals is being prepared and more outreach will be done to encourage local firms to bid. The administration said it wanted to exhaust the current contract, which runs through February of next year, before transitioning to a new contract.
Council moved to bring the item back next week so the administration can provide alternative plans for handling the Board of Review recordings, itemize past use of the outside vendor and respond to cost questions. The committee recorded no formal roll-call vote on advancing the amendment at this hearing; the item was returned for additional documentation.
