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Council approves short-term extensions and upgrades to El Paseo merchant-relations and tourism contracts
Summary
Council approved awarding a merchant-relations agreement to FG Creative and authorized amendments and contract alignment for marketing vendors — moves staff said were needed to preserve continuity while multiple RFP responses are vetted.
City staff and council debated timing and scope for several marketing and merchant-relations contracts tied to El Paseo, the aquatic center and citywide tourism before approving three related actions.
The council voted 5–0 to award a service agreement to FG Creative for merchant relations services along El Paseo in an amount not to exceed $40,000. Vanessa Maker of the economic development department presented the item and answered council questions about the work scope.
Council also approved, 5–0, Amendment No. 4 to agreement A43790 with FG Creative to extend the contract and add $36,600 in compensation. Thomas Sowell, public affairs manager, said an RFP process drew 27 substantial responses and staff needed extra time to vet proposals. Sowell told the council the existing vendor was retained for a limited extension to avoid a mid-season transition for the aquatic center’s marketing and to allow staff to return with a recommendation in September.
Separately, the council approved, 5–0, Amendment No. 4 to contract C43390 with Idea Peddler LLC to align FY 2024–25 compensation with the previously approved scope of services. Staff said that paperwork had not consistently reflected the services already provided (including an out-of-market tourism pilot) and the amendment aligns contract language with the city’s budget and audit requirements.
Council discussion focused on procurement timing, perceived duplication across vendors, and whether some marketing work should be done in-house. Thomas Sowell and other staff explained the city’s choice to use agencies was driven by capacity constraints and the flexibility to avoid permanent increases in full-time headcount. Councilmember McKeithenia asked why the contract lapsed before the RFP and whether staff could have flagged the expiration sooner; staff acknowledged an oversight and said finance had directed the items to return for council approval because the combined use exceeded departmental thresholds.
Votes recorded: award to FG Creative (merchant relations) — motion passed 5–0; Amendment A43790 to FG Creative (extension, $36,600) — passed 5–0; Amendment C43390 to Idea Peddler (alignment) — passed 5–0. Each motion was presented and voted on separately.
