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there were two bids to be considered separately only one of which can be the responsible bid. How big a spread was there necessary to be before there were two lowest responsible bids is up to the Council to determine. If both were close enough to be considered as two lowest bids then the Charter required awarding the contact to the bidder with the higher paid circulation. However, if the Council determined there was one lowest apparent bid, the Council must determine if that bid meets the criteria, aside from cost, to be determined as the lowest responsible bidder. To make that determination the Council would go to those items set forth in the Code Section 2.69. If the Council determined there were two lowest bids, then the contract must be awarded to the bidder with the highest paid circulation, the Redwood City Almanac. The Council must look at the Almanac's bid to see if it meets the criteria to be a responsible bidder. If the Almanac's bid did not meet those criteria, then the Council could exercise its discretion and award it to the next higher bidder. Councilwoman Steinfeld stated that two years ago when designating the official newspaper, the Council had to look at the word responsible and it was clear at that time that the Times Tribune was in financial difficulty, and although they had a lower bid and a greater paid circulation, the Council made an exception due to the word responsible. Councilwoman Steinfeld stated that both the Almanac and the Tribune are fine newspapers and equally responsible, but it comes back to a dollar is a dollar. Councilwoman La Berge asked if the objectivity of a newspaper should playa role in the selection process. City Attorney Schricker said the Council would look at Section 2.69 (b) as to how those aspects might reflect upon the image of the City in selecting an official newspaper. The question arises if there is a particular aspect about the newspapers involved that would detract from the efficiency of that newspaper to act as the media for official announcements. Councilwoman Howard expressed her concern regarding the situation where the owner of the Almanac ran for City Council last year and in so doing he was permitted to present his platform through that paper. Councilwoman Howard asked the City Attorney, if the owner of the paper decides to run for Council this year would that be perceived by the public that the Council is endorsing his candidacy? Councilwoman Howard stated that this was a very difficult decision to make, and the people in the community expressed to her that by giving a contract to the Almanac, they perceived it as an endorsement of the official Redwood City newspaper. City Attorney Schricker advised that there are a couple of issues which arise that could be problematical with respect to the candidacy of a publisher of a newspaper if at the same time the paper serves as the official newspaper ofthe City. The Council is entitled to consider and exercise discretion as to whether or not there is sufficient identity with the publisher of the newspaper and the official status of the newspaper as to confuse the voters or give some implied consent or endorsement to that candidacy. That might be a concern Regular Meeting Minutes MINUTE BOOK NO. 52 December 19, 1994 Page No. 473 Page 10 .. """"-' ._--._._.~---------------_._,-_._,~--