I. RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
- Authorize the City Manager to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Public Information Consulting Services; and
- Authorize the City Manager to evaluate responses and return to the City Council with a recommended consultant and professional services agreement for approval.
II. BACKGROUND:
The City of Coalinga regularly communicates with the public regarding municipal services, infrastructure projects, fiscal conditions, and community initiatives. As part of these efforts, the City occasionally requires specialized professional support to ensure that information is communicated clearly, effectively, and in compliance with applicable legal requirements.
The City is currently evaluating various citywide informational needs, including potential future discussions related to municipal services, fiscal sustainability, and possible revenue measures. To support these efforts, staff has prepared a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit qualified firms with expertise in municipal public information and communications.
The RFQ is intended to establish a pool of qualified consultants capable of assisting the City in delivering objective, factual, and legally compliant public information.
III. DISCUSSION:
The proposed RFQ seeks qualified firms with demonstrated experience working with California municipalities, particularly in the areas of:
- Public information strategy and outreach
- Community engagement and stakeholder communication
- Development of informational materials (fact sheets, FAQs, presentations, etc.)
- Fiscal and municipal service communication
- Public opinion research (optional, as directed)
- Compliance with laws governing public agency communications
The selected consultant(s) may assist the City with:
- Developing a comprehensive public information and outreach plan
- Preparing clear and accessible informational materials for residents
- Supporting community engagement efforts, including workshops and presentations
- Providing objective information related to City services and fiscal conditions
- Assisting, if directed, with informational materials related to potential revenue measures
All services performed will be strictly informational in nature and must comply with applicable legal requirements, including restrictions on the use of public resources for advocacy.
The RFQ also outlines anticipated deliverables such as informational materials, outreach plans, presentations, and optional survey or polling reports. The contract term is anticipated to be up to 12 months, with options for extension based on City needs.
Issuing this RFQ does not commit the City to any specific project or ballot measure. Rather, it allows the City to identify qualified professionals who can support future informational efforts as directed by the City Council.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may:
- Decline to authorize issuance of the RFQ and direct staff to explore alternative approaches; or
- Provide additional direction or modifications to the RFQ prior to issuance.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with issuing the RFQ. Any future contract will be brought back to the City Council for approval and will include a not-to-exceed amount. Funding for services, if approved, will be identified within the appropriate budget or funding source at that time. |