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Mayor Gasparini called on those people who had submitted speaker's cards. Leonard Sbrocco, Publisher of the Redwood City Tribune, stated that the Council had a clear choice between the two bids. Mr. Sbrocco advised that what the Redwood City Tribune had to offer was: 1) the same prices as the previous year causing no increase in the City's budget; 2) the Tribune's circulation is 10 times greater than the Almanac (although the paid circulation is only 350-1,100); and 3) the Tribune is an audited newspaper. Mr. Sbrocco stated that the Tribune had expanded into Redwood Shores; since April the Tribune had made three solicitations in Redwood Shores inviting anyone who wanted a Tribune to call the Tribune and a newspaper would be mailed to them free of charge and there will be another in January; the Tribune is available at no cost; and the Tribune provides full coverage of all Redwood City news events in an honest, fair and objective manner as possible. Mr. Sbrocco said the purpose of advertising legal notices is to inform and educate the public and encourage participation and awareness in government, and the Council has a clear choice: go with the low bid and fulfill a minimal obligation or go with the Tribune which costs a little bit more but reaches an overwhelming majority of residences. Mr. Sbrocco stated that the difference in the bid is about $3,000 to $4,000 and said it was largely worth it when considering the best interests of the citizens of Redwood City. Mr. Sbrocco asked the Council to renew its agreement with the Tribune. Councilwoman Steinfeld stated she had brought it up two years ago and last year and will bring it up this year - a dollar is still a dollar. The chief purpose for official advertising is request for qualifications, contractors notices etc., and those items of general community concern such as committee notices are always advertised in both papers. The issue is not if cost is offset by volume, but do the contractors and bidders know where to find notices and can they afford the $6.00 (annual subscription of the Redwood City Almanac). Councilwoman Steinfeld stated the Almanac's bid was $3.00 per column inch and the Tribune's was $4.00 per column inch on legal ads and $3.50 versus $4.50 for display ads - a dollar is still a dollar. MIS: STEINFELD/SANFILIPO RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BID OF THE REDWOOD CITY ALMANAC FOR OFFICIAL ADVERTISING; DESIGNATING SAID NEWSPAPER AS THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY; AND REJECTING ALL OTHER BIDS (Later withdrawn.) In answer to Council questions regarding the situation if two lowest bids had been submitted and the Charter's requirement of making the selection based on the newspaper with the highest paid circulation, City Attorney Schricker advised that the law had not changed, but the Charter did not define "two lowest responsible bids." The Council had to make a determination as to whether or not there really were two lowest responsible bids or MINUTE BOOK NO. 52 Regular Meeting Minutes Page No. 472 December 19, 1994 Page 9