Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement Branding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Huntington Beach pulls $720,000 branding contract; council orders formal RFP after public outcry
Summary
After heated public comment alleging vagueness, cronyism and missing deliverables, the City Council pulled a proposed $720,000 branding and marketing contract and directed staff to issue a formal RFP that will clarify scope, milestones and local participation requirements.
Mayor Casey McKeehan announced the removal of agenda item 22 — a proposed professional services contract with Wolf House — and said the city will issue a formal request for proposals to secure branding, marketing and film-permitting services.
"Therefore, we will pull item 22 from the agenda and open an RFP process," McKeehan said, outlining the scope the city will seek: a city-controlled merchandising program, film and digital media permitting, partnerships with schools for internships, cultural programming and milestone-based deliverables.
Public speakers at the meeting pressed the council for transparency and for stronger contract terms. Brenda Glynn, a council candidate, called the Wolf House agreement "vague, filled with buzzwords" and questioned whether references and measurable deliverables had been verified. "This contract is vague, filled with buzzwords that mean nothing measurable," Glynn said.
Business owners whose operations were cited in the consultant's materials also spoke. Sally Westcott, co-owner of a Pier gift shop, said she was not consulted and disputed figures shown in the audit. Her partner supplied sales-and-expense figures to show net profit over two years, calling the presentation misleading.
Others urged process safeguards rather than a single award. "An RFP is the right step," Councilman Kennedy said, while warning that a competitive procurement does not, by itself, guarantee quality or outcomes. Several speakers recommended that the RFP include clear milestones, an advisory committee of local business owners and full conflict-disclosure provisions under the Political Reform Act.
Supporters of pursuing a branding strategy argued the city needs new revenue streams. Kathy Kerrick urged the council to consider innovative revenue rather than tax increases, saying such approaches could help preserve services.
The council did not approve any contract at the meeting; instead it directed staff to prepare an RFP that clarifies deliverables, identifies implementation responsibilities, and encourages local participation. Mayor McKeehan said the city prefers local bids and expects milestone-based verification before contract payments.
The city clerk's supplemental communications log showed multiple emails about item 22 had been received before the meeting; councilmembers also pledged to ensure any future contract includes enforceable performance metrics and clarity about trademark or intellectual property implications raised in public comments.
Next steps: staff will draft an RFP and return with the timeline and draft terms for council review. No contract or firm was approved at this meeting.
