CC Min 2003-04-28 Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

under bid by 40 %. He urged Council to remove from consideration and have it re- evaluated. Tony Gay stated he is a resident of Redwood City, affiliated with the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Group and sells advertising for the Redwood City Daily News. He stated that the newspaper is well read and their advertisers get results because of the paper. He further stated that they bring more customers and traffic for the stores and make their phones ring. He stated that there is no better way to reach the people in this town than the Daily News. Dave Price referred to his letter previously submitted that answered some of the questions raised in the January meeting. He also stated he had submitted the distribution list that shows 700 spots where the distribution crew delivers to six days a week. The circulation is audited, contrary to the statement made in January, and is done by one of the major national newspaper auditing firms. He stated that the newspaper started three years ago with a circulation of 1,000 and has increased as demand has warranted. After the most recent audit, Redwood City circulation was 6,600 with a total circulation in San Mateo County at 20,000. Since that audit, the Redwood City circulation has increased to 7,100. He stated that the last newspaper the City published its legal notices in before the Independent, was the Almanac, with a circulation of 4,000. Relative to the difference in cost between the Independent and the Daily News, he stated that the Independent was actually charging the City more for advertising just a couple of years back, but because of the bidding process they came down in price and within $.03 of the Daily News per column inch. Mr. Price stated that when rewriting the solicitation process for bids the City should be sure that the policy continues competition between newspapers rather than limiting it to only one newspaper qualifying to bid. The Redwood City Daily News has been adjudicated twice as a newspaper of general circulation, has met the requirements in both the City of Redwood City and the County of San Mateo. Rudy Luca asked if Council Member Hartnett's motion means that the bid will be reopened. Vice Mayor Ira stated that an ad hoc committee would be appointed by him to report back to Council with recommendations. Steve Penna stated that it seems every single year that the legals bid becomes a lot more political than it should. He stated that the bottom line is that the City is publishing the legals and going with the lowest possible bid to save the taxpayers in this community money. He further stated that under the current Charter provision, the Daily News is completely the winner and it reeks of politics when the Council wants to go back and redesign the Charter because maybe it didn't work REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 2003 MINUTES PAGE 7 MINUTES Book No. 59 Page No. 448