REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of February 13, 2024
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
SUBMITTED BY: Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager To Execute An Agreement With Tripepi Smith and Associates For An Amount Not To Exceed $22,000 For City Branding Services RECOMMENED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Tripepi Smith and Associates for an amount not to exceed $22,000 for City branding services.
BACKGROUND:
Hercules has evolved over the last few decades to become a more vibrant and inclusive community with many new developments. More families, professionals, and businesses are attracted to the City due to its growth into a transit-oriented community, convenient location to major job centers, and lifestyle opportunities. Therefore, staff believes the City of Hercules could benefit from building brand awareness by utilizing various public relations strategies and activities. A public relations firm could perform a range of duties that will familiarize residents, visitors, and the region with the distinctive qualities of the City and the opportunities that come with residing, visiting, and investing in the City.
ANALYSIS:
In late 2021, the City engaged Tripepi Smith and Associates for a two-phase project regarding the City’s communications process and effectiveness with respect to community engagement. A comprehensive analysis of the City’s strategic communications with improvement recommendations was completed in the first phase. The second phase is built on those recommendations by assisting with the implementation of desired improvements. Tripepi Smith has worked with the City of Hercules to provide communication services over the past few years with great success. Their ability to provide branding services for the City would build on the existing communication achievements and provide continuity to further establish a unique brand.
The initial focus of this branding initiative is on internal and external collateral and signage that could include future items such as employee business cards and identification cards, email signatures, memos, letters, website, vehicle decals, uniforms, promotional items, event marketing/cross-promotion, and some city signage.
The proposed scope of work includes the following:
Logo Development
Brand Research & Report
Kickoff interview with committee and stakeholder outreach Providing drafts for review
Finalize Design
Providing a logo library
Branding Guidelines – Developing a Style Guide
Developing Templates
Business cards
Email signature blocks
Presentation backgrounds (zoom/teams)
Word templates
Flyer template
Tripepi Smith has provided similar branding services for cities like Livermore, San Leandro, and Norwalk to name a few.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for this agreement have been appropriated in the FY 2023-2024 Budget - City Council Professional Services Fund (100-4010-611.90-00). No additional funding is being requested.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Tripepi Smith for An Amount Not To Exceed $22,000 for City Branding Services Exhibit A – Proposal: Branding for the City of Hercules