Laserfiche WebLink
t51 <br /> <br /> BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, that the <br />City Manager is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the City the following document, <br />in form approved by the City Attorney: <br /> <br />Lease between Danny Roach (Tenant) and the City of Charlottesville <br />and County of Albemarle (Lessor) for the lease of property known as <br />the Towe Park Tenant House <br /> <br />APPROPRIATION: $300,000 - VISITORS CENTER <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell explained that the Visitors Center budget is divided into two sections: <br />the traditional Visitors Bureau and the new marketing venture. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that she is concerned about the marketing contract being awarded to <br />a firm from Virginia Beach. Ms. Richards said that there are excellent local advertising firms <br />with experience in this field and she will withold her vote until she has a better understanding <br />of the process. Ms, Richards said it makes no sense to send money elsewhere and she is not <br />in agreement with the criteria used to judge the contract. Ms. Richards added that she feels <br />this is a major misstep on the part of the Visitors Center and an inauspicious beginning. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter said that proposals have to be judged on a list of criteria without <br />preference to local firms. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that she feels subjective criteria about creativity were used and no <br />comparative bids were submitted. Ms. Richards said that she recognizes that the contract has <br />been signed, but is not satisfied that it was pursued in a systematic way. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that notices were sent for proposals and the criteria and process has <br />been reviewed to assure that appropriate processes were followed. Mr. O'Connell noted that <br />the Tourism Council is looking for new energy in their marking effort. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gouldman explained that there are two types of processes used, competitive <br />bidding where price is the deciding factor, and competitive negotiation, where a firm is <br />chosen based on a list of criteria and then price is negotiated with the chosen firm. <br /> <br /> Mr, O'Connell said that four firms were reviewed by the committee, and examples of <br />work done, work proposed and basic hourly rates were provided by each firm. Following <br />selection of the firm ranked number one, negotiations on the price will be held. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter suggested that Ms. Richards talk directly with the marketing director <br />about her concern. <br /> <br /> Ms, Daugherty noted that this problem is not limited to this one situation. Ms. <br />Daugherty said she feels it would be great to do business locally, but the law does not allo~v <br />this restriction. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter said she feels the Tourism Council has taken a giant step to promote the <br />area and sought to find the best marketing firm. Ms. Slaughter said that while she thinks <br />legitimate questions have been raised, she feels there is a lot of energy and excitement about <br />the new marketing effort. <br /> <br /> On motion by Ms. Daugherty, seconded by 1Mr. Cox, the appropriation of $300,000 for <br />the Visitors Center was offered and carded over to the next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br />ORDINANCE: EXPANDING PERMIT pAcKING ZONE - VENABLE <br />NEIGHBORI-IOOD (2nd reading) <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that the parking issue is before Council as a resuk of <br />recommendations by the Neighborhood Task Force, parking concerns by residents of <br />University Circle, removal of parking on University Circle, and the request for permit parking <br /> <br /> <br />