The Idea Cooperative 1
CITY OF FORT BRAGG
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH
CREATIVE THINKING, INC. DBA THE IDEA COOPERATIVE
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this ____ day of August, 2025 (“Effective Date”), by and between the CITY OF FORT BRAGG, a municipal corporation, 416 N. Franklin Street, Fort Bragg, California 95437 (“City”), and CREATIVE THINKING, INC. DBA THE IDEA COOPERATIVE, a California corporation, 835 5th Avenue, Suite C, San Rafael, California 94901 (“Consultant”).
W I T N E S S E T H :
A. WHEREAS, City proposes to utilize the services of Consultant as an independent contractor to provide strategic and creative marketing services for Visit Fort Bragg, as more fully described herein; and
B. WHEREAS, City and Consultant desire to contract for the specific services described in Exhibit A (the “Project”) and desire to set forth their rights, duties and liabilities in connection with the services to be performed; and
C. WHEREAS, no official or employee of City has a financial interest, within the provisions of Sections 1090-1092 of the California Government Code, in the subject matter of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1.0. SERVICES PROVIDED BY CONSULTANT
1.1. Scope of Work. Consultant shall provide the professional services described in the Consultant’s Proposal (“Proposal”), attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference.
1.2. Professional Practices. All professional services to be provided by Consultant pursuant to this Agreement shall be provided by personnel experienced in their respective fields and in a manner consistent with the standards of care, diligence and skill ordinarily exercised by professional consultants in similar fields and circumstances in accordance with sound professional practices. Consultant also warrants that it is familiar with all laws that may affect its performance of this Agreement and shall advise City of any changes in any laws that may affect Consultant’s performance of this Agreement. Consultant shall keep itself informed of State and Federal laws and regulations which in any manner affect those employed by it or in any way affect the performance of its service pursuant to this Agreement. The Consultant shall at all times observe and comply with all such laws and regulations. City officers and employees shall not be liable at law or in equity occasioned by failure of the Consultant to comply with this section.
1.3. Performance to Satisfaction of City. Consultant agrees to perform all the work to the complete satisfaction of the City as hereinafter specified. Evaluations of the work will be done by the City Manager or his or her designee. If the quality of work is not satisfactory, City in its discretion has the right to:
(a) Meet with Consultant to review the quality of the work and resolve the The Idea Cooperative 2
matters of concern;
(b) Require Consultant to repeat the work at no additional fee until it is satisfactory; and/or
(c) Terminate the Agreement as hereinafter set forth.
1.4. Warranty. Consultant warrants that it shall perform the services required by this Agreement in compliance with all applicable Federal and California employment laws, including, but not limited to, those laws related to minimum hours and wages; occupational health and safety; fair employment and employment practices; workers’ compensation insurance and safety in employment; and all other Federal, State and local laws and ordinances applicable to the services required under this Agreement. Consultant shall indemnify and hold harmless City from and against all claims, demands, payments, suits, actions, proceedings, and judgments of every nature and description including attorneys’ fees and costs, presented, brought, or recovered against City for or on account of any liability under any of the above-mentioned laws, which may be incurred by reason of Consultant’s performance under this Agreement. To the extent that this Agreement may be funded by fiscal assistance from another governmental entity, Consultant and any subcontractors shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations to which City is bound by the terms of such fiscal assistance program.
1.5. Non-discrimination. In performing this Agreement, Consultant shall not engage in, nor permit its agents to engage in, discrimination in employment of persons because of their race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical handicap, medical condition, marital status, sexual gender, sexual orientation, or disability except as permitted pursuant to Section 12940 of the Government Code. Such actions shall include, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship.
Consultant agrees to post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment, a notice setting forth provisions of this non-discrimination clause.
Consultant shall, in all solicitations and advertisements for employees placed by, or on behalf of Consultant, state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical handicap, medical condition, marital status, sexual gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Consultant shall cause the paragraphs contained in this Section to be inserted in all subcontracts for any work covered by the Agreement, provided that the foregoing provisions shall not apply to subcontracts for standard commercial supplies or raw materials.
1.6. Non-Exclusive Agreement. Consultant acknowledges that City may enter into agreements with other consultants for services similar to the services that are subject to this Agreement or may have its own employees perform services similar to those services contemplated by this Agreement.
1.7. Delegation and Assignment. This is a personal service contract, and the duties set forth herein shall not be delegated or assigned to any person or entity without the prior written consent of City. Consultant may engage a subcontractor(s) as permitted by law and may employ other personnel to perform services contemplated by this Agreement at Consultant’s sole cost and expense. All insurance requirements contained in this Agreement are independently applicable to any and all subcontractors that Consultant may engage during the term of this Agreement.
1.8. Confidentiality. Employees of Consultant in the course of their duties may have The Idea Cooperative 3
access to financial, accounting, statistical, and personnel data of private individuals and employees of City. Consultant covenants that all data, documents, discussion, or other information developed or received by Consultant or provided for performance of this Agreement are deemed confidential and shall not be disclosed by Consultant without written authorization by City. City shall grant such authorization if disclosure is required by law. All City data shall be returned to City upon the termination of this Agreement. Consultant's covenant under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
2.0. COMPENSATION AND BILLING
2.1. Compensation. Consultant’s total compensation shall not exceed One Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($175,000.00).
2.2. Additional Services. Consultant shall not receive compensation for any services provided outside the scope of work specified in the Consultant’s Proposal or which is inconsistent with or in violation of the provisions of this Agreement unless the City or the Project Manager for this Project, prior to Consultant performing the additional services, approves such additional services in writing. It is specifically understood that oral requests and/or approvals of such additional services or additional compensation shall be barred and are unenforceable. Should the City request in writing additional services that increase the hereinabove described "Scope of Work," an additional fee based upon the Consultant's standard hourly rates shall be paid to the Consultant for such additional services. The City Manager may approve contract change orders not exceeding a total of 10% of the approved contract or up to the contingency amount whichever amount is less for any one project.
2.3. Method of Billing. Consultant may submit invoices to the City for approval on a progress basis, but not more often than monthly. Said invoice shall be based on the total of all Consultant’s services which have been completed to City’s sole satisfaction. City shall pay Consultant’s invoice within forty-five (45) days from the date City receives said invoice. Each invoice shall describe in detail, the services performed, the date of performance, and the associated time for completion. Any additional services approved and performed pursuant to this Agreement shall be designated as “Additional Services” and shall identify the number of the authorized change order, where applicable, on all invoices.
2.4. Records and Audits. Records of Consultant’s services relating to this Agreement shall be maintained in accordance with generally recognized accounting principles and shall be made available to City or its Project Manager for inspection and/or audit at mutually convenient times for a period of three (3) years from the date of final payment.
3.0. TIME OF PERFORMANCE
3.1. Commencement and Completion of Work. The professional services to be performed pursuant to this Agreement shall commence within five (5) days from the issuance of Notice to Proceed. Said services shall be performed in strict compliance with the schedule set forth in the Scope of Work attached hereto as Exhibit A. Consultant will complete the services in accordance with this Agreement by June 30, 2026. The Time of Completion may only be modified by a written amendment of the Agreement signed by both the City and the Consultant and in accordance with its terms.
3.2. Excusable Delays. Neither party shall be responsible for delays or lack of performance resulting from acts beyond the reasonable control of the party or parties. Such acts shall include, but not be limited to, acts of God, fire, strikes, material shortages, compliance with laws or regulations, riots, acts of war, or any other conditions beyond the reasonable control of a The Idea Cooperative 4
party. If a delay beyond the control of the Consultant is encountered, a time extension may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the City and the Consultant. The Consultant shall present documentation satisfactory to the City to substantiate any request for a time extension.
4.0. TERM AND TERMINATION
4.1. Term. This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and expire on Septmeber 30, 2026 unless previously terminated as provided herein or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties.
4.2. Notice of Termination. The City reserves and has the right and privilege of canceling, suspending or abandoning the execution of all or any part of the work contemplated by this Agreement, with or without cause, at any time, by providing at least ten (10) days prior written notice to Consultant. The termination of this Agreement shall be deemed effective upon receipt of the notice of termination. In the event of such termination, Consultant shall immediately stop rendering services under this Agreement unless directed otherwise by the City. If the City suspends, terminates or abandons a portion of this Agreement, such suspension, termination or abandonment shall not make void or invalidate the remainder of this Agreement.
If the Consultant defaults in the performance of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, it shall have ten (10) days after service upon it of written notice of such default in which to cure the default by rendering a satisfactory performance. In the event that the Consultant fails to cure its default within such period of time, the City shall have the right, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to terminate this Agreement without further notice and without prejudice to any other remedy to which it may be entitled at law, in equity or under this Agreement.
The City shall have the right, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to terminate this Agreement, at its option and without prejudice to any other remedy to which it may be entitled at law, in equity or under this Agreement, immediately upon service of written notice of termination on the Consultant, if the latter should:
a. Be adjudged a bankrupt;
b. Become insolvent or have a receiver of its assets or property appointed because of insolvency;
c. Make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; d. Default in the performance of any obligation or payment of any indebtedness under this Agreement;
e. Suffer any judgment against it to remain unsatisfied or unbonded of record for thirty (30) days or longer; or
f. Institute or suffer to be instituted any procedures for reorganization or rearrangement of its affairs.
4.3. Compensation. In the event of termination, City shall pay Consultant for reasonable costs incurred and professional services satisfactorily performed up to and including the date of City’s written notice of termination within thirty-five (35) days after service of the notice of termination. Compensation for work in progress shall be prorated based on the percentage of work completed as of the effective date of termination in accordance with the fees set forth herein.
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In ascertaining the professional services actually rendered hereunder up to the effective date of termination of this Agreement, consideration shall be given to both completed work and work in progress, to complete and incomplete drawings, and to other documents pertaining to the services contemplated herein whether delivered to the City or in the possession of the Consultant. City shall not be liable for any claim of lost profits.
4.4. Documents. In the event of termination of this Agreement, all documents prepared by Consultant in its performance of this Agreement including, but not limited to, finished or unfinished design, development and construction documents, data studies, drawings, maps and reports, shall be delivered to the City within ten (10) days of delivery of termination notice to Consultant, at no cost to City. Any use of uncompleted documents without specific written authorization from Consultant shall be at City's sole risk and without liability or legal expense to Consultant.
5.0. INSURANCE
5.1. Minimum Scope and Limits of Insurance. Consultant shall obtain, maintain, and keep in full force and effect during the life of this Agreement all of the following minimum scope of insurance coverages with an insurance company admitted to do business in California, rated “A,” Class X, or better in the most recent Best’s Key Insurance Rating Guide, and approved by City:
(a) Broad-form commercial general liability, in a form at least as broad as ISO form #CG 20 01 04 13, including premises-operations, products/ completed operations, broad form property damage, blanket contractual liability, independent contractors, personal injury or bodily injury with a policy limit of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence, Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) aggregate, combined single limits. If such insurance contains a general aggregate limit, it shall apply separately to this Agreement or shall be twice the required occurrence limit. If Consultant maintains higher limits than the specified minimum limits, City requires and shall be entitled to coverage for the high limits maintained by the Consultant.
(b) Business automobile liability for owned vehicles, hired, and non-owned vehicles, with a policy limit of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), combined single limits, each incident for bodily injury and property damage.
(c) Workers' compensation insurance as required by the State of California and Employers Liability Insurance with a minimum limit of $1,000,000 per accident for any employee or employees of Consultant. Consultant agrees to waive, and to obtain endorsements from its workers’ compensation insurer waiving subrogation rights under its workers’ compensation insurance policy against the City, its officials, officers, agents, employees, and volunteers for losses arising from work performed by Consultant for the City and to require each of its subcontractors, if any, to do likewise under their workers’ compensation insurance policies.
Before execution of this Agreement by the City, the Consultant shall file with the City Clerk the following signed certification:
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I am aware of, and will comply with, Section 3700 of the Labor Code, requiring every employer to be insured against liability of Workers' Compensation or to undertake self-insurance before commencing any of the work.
The Consultant shall also comply with Section 3800 of the Labor Code by securing, paying for and maintaining in full force and effect for the duration of this Agreement, complete Workers' Compensation Insurance, and shall furnish a Certificate of Insurance to the City Clerk before execution of this Agreement by the City. The City, its officers and employees shall not be responsible for any claims in law or equity occasioned by failure of the consultant to comply with this section.
(d) Professional errors and omissions (“E&O”) liability insurance with policy limits of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00), combined single limits, per occurrence and aggregate. Architects’ and engineers’ coverage shall be endorsed to include contractual liability. If the policy is written as a “claims made” policy, the retro date shall be prior to the start of the contract work. Consultant shall obtain and maintain said E&O liability insurance during the life of this Agreement and for three years after completion of the work hereunder.
Neither the City nor any of its elected or appointed officials, officers, agents, employees, or volunteers makes any representation that the types of insurance and the limits specified to be carried by Consultant under this Agreement are adequate to protect Consultant. If Consultant believes that any such insurance coverage is insufficient, Consultant shall provide, at its own expense, such additional insurance as Consultant deems adequate.
5.2. Endorsements. The commercial general liability insurance policy and business automobile liability policy shall contain or be endorsed to contain the following provisions:
(a) Additional insureds: "The City of Fort Bragg and its elected and appointed boards, officers, officials, agents, employees, and volunteers are additional insureds with respect to: liability arising out of activities performed by or on behalf of the Consultant pursuant to its contract with the City; products and completed operations of the Consultant; premises owned, occupied or used by the Consultant; automobiles owned, leased, hired, or borrowed by the Consultant."
(b) Notice: "Consultant shall provide immediate written notice if (1) any of the required insurance policies is terminated; (2) the limits of any of the required polices are reduced; or (3) the deductible or self-insured retention is increased. In the event of any cancellation or reduction in coverage or limits of any insurance, Consultant shall forthwith obtain and submit proof of substitute insurance. Should Consultant fail to immediately procure other insurance, as specified, to substitute for any canceled policy, the City may procure such insurance at Consultant’s sole cost and expense.” (c) Other insurance: "The Consultant’s insurance coverage shall be primary insurance as respects the City of Fort Bragg, its officers, officials, agents, employees, and volunteers. Any other insurance maintained by the City of Fort Bragg shall be excess and not contributing with the insurance provided by this policy."
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(d) Any failure to comply with the reporting provisions of the policies shall not affect coverage provided to the City of Fort Bragg, its officers, officials, agents, employees, and volunteers.
(e) The Consultant’s insurance shall apply separately to each insured against whom claim is made or suit is brought, except with respect to the limits of the insurer’s liability.
5.3. Deductible or Self-Insured Retention. If any of such policies provide for a deductible or self-insured retention to provide such coverage, the amount of such deductible or self-insured retention shall be approved in advance by City. No policy of insurance issued as to which the City is an additional insured shall contain a provision which requires that no insured except the named insured can satisfy any such deductible or self-insured retention.
5.4. Certificates of Insurance. Consultant shall provide to City certificates of insurance showing the insurance coverages and required endorsements described above, in a form and content approved by City, prior to performing any services under this Agreement. The certificates of insurance and endorsements shall be attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated herein by this reference.
5.5. Non-limiting. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as limiting in any way, the indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, or the extent to which Consultant may be held responsible for payments of damages to persons or property.
6.0. GENERAL PROVISIONS
6.1. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to any matter referenced herein and supersedes any and all other prior writings and oral negotiations. This Agreement may be modified only in writing, and signed by the parties in interest at the time of such modification. The terms of this Agreement shall prevail over any inconsistent provision in any other contract document appurtenant hereto, including exhibits to this Agreement.
6.2. Representatives. The City Manager or his or her designee shall be the representative of City for purposes of this Agreement and may issue all consents, approvals, directives and agreements on behalf of the City, called for by this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement.
Consultant shall designate a representative for purposes of this Agreement who shall be authorized to issue all consents, approvals, directives and agreements on behalf of Consultant called for by this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement.
6.3. Project Managers. The Project Manager designated to work directly with Consultant in the performance of this Agreement will be Isaac Whippy, City Manager. It shall be the Consultant’s responsibility to assure that the Project Manager is kept informed of the progress of the performance of the services and the Consultant shall refer any decision, which must be made by City, to the Project Manager. Unless otherwise specified herein, any approval of City required hereunder shall mean the approval of the Project Manager.
Consultant designates Tom Kavanaugh, President, as its Project Manager, who shall represent it and be its agent in all consultations with City during the term of this Agreement The Idea Cooperative 8
and who shall not be changed by Consultant without the express written approval by the City.
Consultant or its Project Manager shall attend and assist in all coordination meetings called by City.
6.4. Notices. Any notices, documents, correspondence or other communications concerning this Agreement or the work hereunder may be provided by personal delivery, facsimile or if mailed, shall be addressed as set forth below and placed in a sealed envelope, postage prepaid, and deposited in the United States Postal Service. Such communication shall be deemed served or delivered: a) at the time of delivery if such communication is sent by personal delivery; b) at the time of transmission if such communication is sent by facsimile; and c) 72 hours after deposit in the U.S. Mail as reflected by the official U.S. postmark if such communication is sent through regular United States mail.
IF TO CONSULTANT: IF TO CITY:
Tom Kavanaugh, President
Creative Thinking, Inc.
City Clerk
DBA The Idea Cooperative
835 5th Avenue, Suite C
San Rafael, CA 94901
City of Fort Bragg
416 N. Franklin St.
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Tel: 415-377-6708 Tel: 707-961-2823
Fax: 707-961-2802
6.5. Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that litigation is brought by any party in connection with this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the opposing party all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the prevailing party in the exercise of any of its rights or remedies hereunder or the enforcement of any of the terms, conditions, or provisions hereof.
6.6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of California without giving effect to that body of laws pertaining to conflict of laws. In the event of any legal action to enforce or interpret this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that the sole and exclusive venue shall be a court of competent jurisdiction located in Mendocino County, California. Consultant agrees to submit to the personal jurisdiction of such court in the event of such action.
6.7. Assignment. Consultant shall not voluntarily or by operation of law assign, transfer, sublet or encumber all or any part of Consultant's interest in this Agreement without City's prior written consent. Any attempted assignment, transfer, subletting or encumbrance shall be void and shall constitute a breach of this Agreement and cause for termination of this Agreement.
Regardless of City's consent, no subletting or assignment shall release Consultant of Consultant's obligation to perform all other obligations to be performed by Consultant hereunder for the term of this Agreement.
6.8. Indemnification and Hold Harmless. If Consultant is not a design professional performing “design professional” services under this Agreement, as that term is defined in Civil Code Section 2782.8, Consultant agrees to defend, indemnify, hold free and harmless the City, its elected and appointed officials, officers, agents and employees, at Consultant’s sole expense, from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or other legal proceedings brought against the City, its elected and appointed officials, officers, agents and employees arising out of the performance of the Consultant, its employees, and/or authorized subcontractors, of the work undertaken pursuant to this Agreement. The defense obligation provided for hereunder shall apply whenever any claim, action, complaint or suit asserts liability against the City, its elected and The Idea Cooperative 9
appointed officials, officers, agents and employees based upon the work performed by the Consultant, its employees, and/or authorized subcontractors under this Agreement, whether or not the Consultant, its employees, and/or authorized subcontractors are specifically named or otherwise asserted to be liable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Consultant shall not be liable for the defense or indemnification of the City for claims, actions, complaints or suits arising out of the sole active negligence or willful misconduct of the City. This provision shall supersede and replace all other indemnity provisions contained either in the City’s specifications or Consultant’s Proposal, which shall be of no force and effect.
6.9. Independent Contractor. Consultant is and shall be acting at all times as an independent contractor and not as an employee of City. Consultant shall have no power to incur any debt, obligation, or liability on behalf of City or otherwise act on behalf of City as an agent.
Neither City nor any of its agents shall have control over the conduct of Consultant or any of Consultant’s employees, except as set forth in this Agreement. Consultant shall not, at any time, or in any manner, represent that it or any of its or employees are in any manner agents or employees of City. Consultant shall secure, at its sole expense, and be responsible for any and all payment of Income Tax, Social Security, State Disability Insurance Compensation, Unemployment Compensation, and other payroll deductions for Consultant and its officers, agents, and employees, and all business licenses, if any are required, in connection with the services to be performed hereunder. Consultant shall indemnify and hold City harmless from any and all taxes, assessments, penalties, and interest asserted against City by reason of the independent contractor relationship created by this Agreement. Consultant further agrees to indemnify and hold City harmless from any failure of Consultant to comply with the applicable worker’s compensation laws. City shall have the right to offset against the amount of any fees due to Consultant under this Agreement any amount due to City from Consultant as a result of Consultant’s failure to promptly pay to City any reimbursement or indemnification arising under this paragraph.
6.10. PERS Eligibility Indemnification. In the event that Consultant or any employee, agent, or subcontractor of Consultant providing services under this Agreement claims or is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) to be eligible for enrollment in PERS as an employee of the City, Consultant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless City for the payment of any employee and/or employer contributions for PERS benefits on behalf of Consultant or its employees, agents, or subcontractors, as well as for the payment of any penalties and interest on such contributions, which would otherwise be the responsibility of City.
Notwithstanding any other agency, state or federal policy, rule, regulation, law or ordinance to the contrary, Consultant and any of its employees, agents, and subcontractors providing service under this Agreement shall not qualify for or become entitled to, and hereby agree to waive any claims to, any compensation, benefit, or any incident of employment by City, including but not limited to eligibility to enroll in PERS as an employee of City and entitlement to any contribution to be paid by City for employer contribution and/or employee contributions for PERS benefits.
6.11. Cooperation. In the event any claim or action is brought against City relating to Consultant’s performance or services rendered under this Agreement, Consultant shall render any reasonable assistance and cooperation which City might require.
6.12. Ownership of Documents. All findings, reports, documents, information and data including, but not limited to, computer tapes or discs, preliminary notes, working documents, files and tapes furnished or prepared by Consultant or any of its subcontractors in the course of performance of this Agreement, shall be and remain the sole property of City. Consultant agrees The Idea Cooperative 10
that any such documents or information shall not be made available to any individual or organization without the prior consent of City, but shall be made available to the City within ten (10) days of request or within ten (10) days of termination. Any use of such documents for other projects not contemplated by this Agreement, and any use of incomplete documents, shall be at the sole risk of City and without liability or legal exposure to Consultant. City shall indemnify and hold harmless Consultant from all claims, damages, losses, and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, arising out of or resulting from City’s use of such documents for other projects not contemplated by this Agreement or use of incomplete documents furnished by Consultant.
Consultant shall deliver to City any findings, reports, documents, information, data, preliminary notes and working documents, in any form, including but not limited to, computer tapes, discs, files audio tapes or any other Project related items as requested by City or its authorized representative, at no additional cost to the City. Consultant or Consultant’s agents shall execute such documents as may be necessary from time to time to confirm City’s ownership of the copyright in such documents.
6.13. Public Records Act Disclosure. Consultant has been advised and is aware that this Agreement and all reports, documents, information and data, including, but not limited to, computer tapes, discs or files furnished or prepared by Consultant, or any of its subcontractors, pursuant to this Agreement and provided to City may be subject to public disclosure as required by the California Public Records Act (California Government Code Section 6250 et seq.).
Exceptions to public disclosure may be those documents or information that qualify as trade secrets, as that term is defined in the California Government Code Section 6254.7, and of which Consultant informs City of such trade secret. The City will endeavor to maintain as confidential all information obtained by it that is designated as a trade secret. The City shall not, in any way, be liable or responsible for the disclosure of any trade secret including, without limitation, those records so marked if disclosure is deemed to be required by law or by order of the Court.
6.14. Conflict of Interest. Consultant and its officers, employees, associates and subconsultants, if any, will comply with all conflict of interest statutes of the State of California applicable to Consultant's services under this agreement, including, but not limited to, the Political Reform Act (Government Code Sections 81000, et seq.) and Government Code Section 1090.
During the term of this Agreement, Consultant and its officers, employees, associates and subconsultants shall not, without the prior written approval of the City Representative, perform work for another person or entity for whom Consultant is not currently performing work that would require Consultant or one of its officers, employees, associates or subconsultants to abstain from a decision under this Agreement pursuant to a conflict of interest statute.
6.15. Responsibility for Errors. Consultant shall be responsible for its work and results under this Agreement. Consultant, when requested, shall furnish clarification and/or explanation as may be required by the City’s representative, regarding any services rendered under this Agreement at no additional cost to City. In the event that an error or omission attributable to Consultant occurs, then Consultant shall, at no cost to City, provide all necessary design drawings, estimates and other Consultant professional services necessary to rectify and correct the matter to the sole satisfaction of City and to participate in any meeting required with regard to the correction.
6.16. Prohibited Employment. Consultant will not employ any regular employee of City while this Agreement is in effect.
6.17. Order of Precedence. In the event of an inconsistency in this Agreement and any of the attached Exhibits, the terms set forth in this Agreement shall prevail. If, and to the extent this Agreement incorporates by reference any provision of any document, such provision shall be deemed a part of this Agreement. Nevertheless, if there is any conflict among the terms and The Idea Cooperative 11
conditions of this Agreement and those of any such provision or provisions so incorporated by reference, the conflict shall be resolved by giving precedence in the following order, if applicable:
This Agreement, the City’s Request for Proposals, the Consultant’s Proposal.
6.18. Costs. Each party shall bear its own costs and fees incurred in the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement and in the performance of its obligations hereunder except as expressly provided herein.
6.19. No Third Party Beneficiary Rights. This Agreement is entered into for the sole benefit of City and Consultant and no other parties are intended to be direct or incidental beneficiaries of this Agreement and no third party shall have any right in, under or to this Agreement.
6.20. Headings. Paragraph and subparagraph headings contained in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and are not intended to modify, explain or to be a full or accurate description of the content thereof and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
6.21. Construction. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises with respect to this Agreement, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and in accordance with its fair meaning. There shall be no presumption or burden of proof favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
6.22. Amendments. Only a writing executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns may amend this Agreement.
6.23. Waiver. The delay or failure of either party at any time to require performance or compliance by the other of any of its obligations or agreements shall in no way be deemed a waiver of those rights to require such performance or compliance. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of the party against whom enforcement of a waiver is sought. The waiver of any right or remedy in respect to any occurrence or event shall not be deemed a waiver of any right or remedy in respect to any other occurrence or event, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
6.24. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable in any circumstance, such determination shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or of the offending provision in any other circumstance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the value of this Agreement, based upon the substantial benefit of the bargain for any party, is materially impaired, which determination made by the presiding court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction shall be binding, then both parties agree to substitute such provision(s) through good faith negotiations.
6.25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one agreement.
6.26. Corporate Authority. The persons executing this Agreement on behalf of the parties hereto warrant that they are duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of said parties and that by doing so the parties hereto are formally bound to the provisions of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed The Idea Cooperative 12
by and through their respective authorized officers, as of the date first above written.
CITY CONSULTANT
By: ____________________________ By: _____________________________ Isaac Whippy Tom Kavanaugh
Its: City Manager Its: President
ATTEST:
By: ____________________________
Diana Paoli
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By: _____________________________
Baron J. Bettenhausen
City Attorney
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EXHIBIT A
CONSULTANT’S PROPOSAL
(Scope of Work, Fee Schedule and Time Table)
835 5 th Avenue, Suite C, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 415.377.6708 | TheIdeaC ooperative.com Proposal & Scope of Work
July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026
August 6, 2025
CONTRACT TERMS
The Idea Cooperative has been identified as the Visit Fort Bragg Creative Communications Agency of Record for Destination Marketing, rolling their current contract, expiring on June 30, 2025, into a 12-month contract term from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
A budget of $175,000 has been approved by Fort Bragg City Council for this contract.
SCOPE OF WORK
Task 1: Strategic & Promotion Confirmation
Working from last year’s Strategic Plan, The Idea Cooperative will review the results from each and develop a 2025 > 2026 Promotional Calendar and Working Budget to outline specific activities and monthly budgets throughout the contract term.
Timing: July 1 > 31, 2025
Task 2: Promotional Development, Execution & Analytics
Working from the approved 2025 > 2026 Promotional Calendar and Working Budget, The Idea Cooperative will implement all promotional activities. Initial promotional activities will likely include the following, but will be confirmed in Task 1:
• Ongoing Summer and Fall Seasonal Event Promotion
• Fort Bragg Photo Contest
• Fort Bragg Beer Month with Hotel Promotion
• Winter Visit Campaign with Hotel Promotion
• Blues Fest
• Whale Fest/Wine Walk with Hotel Promotion
• Music Fest Preparation, Organization and Planning (See Funding Not Included – Above) • Major Event Preparation and Planning + Concept/Promotion Task 3: Ongoing Content Development, Social Media & E-newsletter The Idea Cooperative will develop ongoing original content for use in all outbound communications, using original photography, video, interviews with locals and featuring ongoing month to month promotions. Two trips to Fort Bragg will be made by The Idea Cooperative for content gathering during the contract term.
An ongoing social media calendar will be maintained by The Idea Cooperative with help with ongoing local content from Fort Bragg resident Barbara Bruce. Facebook and Instagram will be used, with goals of a) increasing engagement and building web traffic and b) increasing followers.
The monthly Visit Fort Bragg e-newsletter will continue to deliver news, stories, insights and details about local events to a highly engaged audience. Newsletter goals are a) subscriber growth and b) subscriber engagement measured through opens, clicks and conversions on promotions.
BUDGET AND SCHEDULE OF CHARGES
Working from the designated annual not to exceed budget of $175,000 The Idea Cooperative recommends a similar structure and schedule of charges from previous years, with $12,000 per month Retainer Costs to cover time of staff costs and $31,000 annual total for hard costs including printing, content creation (including travel), social media, interactive and SEO services to be adjusted each month based on needs.
Budget:
Monthly Retainer: $12,000/Month x 12 = $144,000 for year Variable Hard Costs = $31,000 for year
$175,000 12 Month Total
• Hard Costs totals may vary month to month but will equal the total at the end of contract. • A fixed cost of $500 will be taken out of monthly hard costs to cover Web Hosting + Online Services 835 5 th Avenue, Suite C, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 415.377.6708 | TheIdeaC ooperative.com Retainer Costs Monthly Break Out
Work Specification Hours Rate Fee
Strategic Marketing Consultation 1 $200 $200
Creative Direction 5 $200 $1,000
Art Direction/Creative Concept 9 $150 $1,350
Copywriting/Creative Concept 9 $150 $1,350
Account Direction 8 $125 $1,000
Project Management 16 $100 $1,600
Production Management 8 $100 $800
Digital Production Art / Production Design 16 $100 $1,600 Interactive Strategy and Consultation 3 $100 $300
Interactive Development & Programming 16 $100 $1,600
Social Media & Content Execution 12 $100 $1,200
TOTAL $12,000.00
Schedule of Charges
Month Fee Hard Costs TOTAL
July, 2025 $12,000 $4,000 $16,000
August, 2025 $12,000 $1,000 $13,000
September, 2025 $12,000 $4,000 $16,000
October, 2025 $12,000 $4,000 $16,000
November, 2025 $12,000 $1,000 $13,000
December, 2025 $12,000 $1,000 $13,000
January, 2026 $12,000 $4,000 $16,000
February, 2026 $12,000 $6,000 $18,000
March, 2026 $12,000 $5,000 $17,000
April, 2026 $12,000 $4,000 $16,000
May, 2026 $12,000 $1,000 $13,000
June, 2026 $12,000 $1,000 $13,000
Totals: $144,000 $36,000.00 $180,000.00
Authorization To Proceed: ___________________________________________ Date: ___________________ Notes:
Media ant content costs may not be allocated evenly each month. A running accounting of all media and content costs will be included with each invoice. The Idea Cooperative will bill $12,000 at the end of each month to cover work performed during that month, plus applicable media and content costs.
This estimate is based on a preliminary understanding of services to be delivered. If any aspect of the project changes, this estimate will be subject to revision or addendum. This estimate does not include CA sales tax, if applicable.
The Idea Cooperative 14
EXHIBIT B
CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE AND ENDORSEMENTS
ANY PROPRIETOR/PARTNER/EXECUTIVE OFFICER/MEMBER EXCLUDED?
INSR ADDL SUBR
LTR INSD WVD
PRODUCER CONTACT NAME: PHONE FAX
(A/C, No, Ext): (A/C, No): E-MAIL ADDRESS:
INSURER A :
INSURED INSURER B :
INSURER C :
INSURER D :
INSURER E :
INSURER F :
POLICY NUMBER POLICY EFF POLICY EXP TYPE OF INSURANCE (MM/DD/YYYY) (MM/DD/YYYY) LIMITS
AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY
UMBRELLA LIAB
EXCESS LIAB WORKERS COMPENSATION
AND EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIONS / LOCATIONS / VEHICLES (ACORD 101, Additional Remarks Schedule, may be attached if more space is required)
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
EACH OCCURRENCE $ DAMAGE TO RENTED CLAIMS-MADE OCCUR PREMISES (Ea occurrence) $ MED EXP (Any one person) $ PERSONAL & ADV INJURY $ GEN'L AGGREGATE LIMIT APPLIES PER: GENERAL AGGREGATE $ PRO- POLICY JECT LOC PRODUCTS - COMP/OP AGG OTHER: $ COMBINED SINGLE LIMIT
(Ea accident) $ ANY AUTO BODILY INJURY (Per person) $ OWNED SCHEDULED AUTOS ONLY AUTOS BODILY INJURY (Per accident) $ HIRED NON-OWNED PROPERTY DAMAGE AUTOS ONLY AUTOS ONLY (Per accident) $
$ OCCUR EACH OCCURRENCE CLAIMS-MADE AGGREGATE $ DED RETENTION $ PER OTH- STATUTE ER E.L. EACH ACCIDENT E.L. DISEASE - EA EMPLOYEE $
If yes, describe under DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIONS below E.L. DISEASE - POLICY LIMIT INSURER(S) AFFORDING COVERAGE NAIC #
COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY
Y / N
N / A
(Mandatory in NH)
SHOULD ANY OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED POLICIES BE CANCELLED BEFORE
THE EXPIRATION DATE THEREOF, NOTICE WILL BE DELIVERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE POLICY PROVISIONS.
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE POLICIES OF INSURANCE LISTED BELOW HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THE INSURED NAMED ABOVE FOR THE POLICY PERIOD INDICATED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REQUIREMENT, TERM OR CONDITION OF ANY CONTRACT OR OTHER DOCUMENT WITH RESPECT TO WHICH THIS
CERTIFICATE MAY BE ISSUED OR MAY PERTAIN, THE INSURANCE AFFORDED BY THE POLICIES DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO ALL THE TERMS, EXCLUSIONS AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH POLICIES. LIMITS SHOWN MAY HAVE BEEN REDUCED BY PAID CLAIMS.
THIS CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED AS A MATTER OF INFORMATION ONLY AND CONFERS NO RIGHTS UPON THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER. THIS
CERTIFICATE DOES NOT AFFIRMATIVELY OR NEGATIVELY AMEND, EXTEND OR ALTER THE COVERAGE AFFORDED BY THE POLICIES BELOW. THIS CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE ISSUING INSURER(S), AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OR PRODUCER, AND THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER.
IMPORTANT: If the certificate holder is an ADDITIONAL INSURED, the policy(ies) must have ADDITIONAL INSURED provisions or be endorsed.
If SUBROGATION IS WAIVED, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, certain policies may require an endorsement. A statement on this certificate does not confer rights to the certificate holder in lieu of such endorsement(s).
COVERAGES CERTIFICATE NUMBER: REVISION NUMBER:
CERTIFICATE HOLDER CANCELLATION
ACORD 25 (2016/03) © 1988-2015 ACORD CORPORATION. All rights reserved.
CERTIFICATE OF LIABILITY INSURANCE DATE (MM/DD/YYYY)
$
$
$
$
$
The ACORD name and logo are registered marks of ACORD
6/30/2025
License # 0757776
31534
Creative Thinking, Inc dba The Idea Cooperative.
835 5th Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
41840
20281
A 1,000,000
X OBFD649507 7/18/2025 7/18/2026
10,000
1,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
A 1,000,000
OBFD649507 7/18/2025 7/18/2026
B
W2FD649506 7/18/2025 7/18/2026 1,000,000 N 1,000,000
1,000,000
C Errors & Omissions 8234-6490 7/18/2025 Per Claim/Aggregate 1,000,000 C Errors & Omissions 8234-6490 7/18/2025 7/18/2026 Retention 5,000 Employment Practices Liability: limit: $25,000, Deductible: $5,000. - Original Inception Date: 07/18/2018.
City of Fort Bragg is Additional Insured with regard to the General Liability policy, per the attached endorsement form 3911941 08/16.
City of Fort Bragg
416 N. Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
THEIDEA-04 TCARPIO
HUB International Insurance Services Inc.
40 E Alamar Ave
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Michele Ricca
[email protected]
Citizens Insurance Company of America
Allmerica Financial Benefit Insurance Company
Federal Insurance Company
X
7/18/2026
X
X
X
X X
Policy Number: OBFD649507
Policy Term: 7/18/2025 - 7/18/2026