Lomita City Council
August 15, 2023

1 TO: City Council
FROM: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Lina Hernandez, Senior Management Analyst
MEETING DATE: August 15, 2023
SUBJECT: Agreement with Tripepi Smith to Provide General Communications Support

RECOMMENDATION
Approve the agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.

BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
Since 2016, Tripepi Smith has been providing various services to the City of Lomita in public outreach and engagement (with particular focus on water and the benzene detection, organic waste requirements, and COVID-19 developments), website development, goal setting workshops, photos, and video production support during City Council meetings, among other services.

The current open contracts with Tripepi Smith for city website hosting/maintenance (agreement 2021-26), video service production (agreement 2021-41), and general citywide outreach/communications (agreement 2022-52) have differing contract terms and not-to-exceed amounts. To consolidate these services, offer better continuity on projects, secure a fixed monthly pre-negotiated rate, and allow for variances in timing of public meetings to be recorded, at the request of City staff, Tripepi Smith has provided a retainer agreement (attached as Exhibit A to this report) to continue supporting the city’s communication efforts under one consolidated umbrella agreement.

Under the combined agreement, Tripepi Smith would continue to provide general communications support, website content management and technical support, and City Council and Commission meeting audio/visual broadcasting support, including ad hoc services as needed. Ad Hoc projects include but are not limited to video production, photography services, virtual meetings/events, and a wide array of graphic design and branding services. Agreement 2022-36 will not be part of this bundle as work related to Item No. 7n

CITY OF LOMITA

CITY COUNCIL REPORT
2 organic waste requirements under SB 1383 is grant-funded and thus tracked and invoiced separately.

It is recommended that the city retain the services of a consulting firm with experience to help advance the city’s strategic communication goals and objectives. City staff would continue to provide support, learn the operations, and be available for back up as needed.

The attached agreement, if approved by the City Council, will combine three different existing Tripepi Smith agreements into one service contract for a three-year term with the option to extend for two additional one-year periods at the city’s discretion.

OPTIONS:
1) Authorize the execution of the agreement, or
2) Provide staff further direction.

FISCAL IMPACT
City staff have negotiated a reduced monthly retainer for services provided under the agreement for a total monthly amount of $6,792 ($81,504 annually) for the first year.

Subsequent years would be similar in cost with annual cost-of-living increases built-in as they are under the existing agreements. Based on this rate in addition to requested ad hoc work, equipment fees, and print costs/advertising purchase fees, staff is recommending an annual not-to-exceed amount of up to $130,000 annually to provide sufficient funding for annual projects, variances in video production hours, and various ad-hoc projects the City may wish to take on. Additional services beyond the $6,792 monthly retainer must be approved by the City in advance and will be billed at reduced hourly rates compared to the agreements in place currently. The term of the agreement is for 3 years with an optional two one-year extensions at the city’s discretion.

ATTACHMENT
1) Agreement with Proposal from Tripepi Smith (Exhibit A) Reviewed by: Approved by:
___________________________
Gary Y. Sugano Ryan Smoot
Assistant City Manager City Manager
Prepared by:
______
Lina Hernandez
Senior Management Analyst

CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

BETWEEN
THE CITY OF LOMITA AND TRIPEPI SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC.

This AGREEMENT for General Communications Support is entered into this 15 th day
of August 2023, by and between the CITY OF LOMITA, a general law city and municipal corporation (“CITY”) and TRIPEPI SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC., a California corporation (“CONSULTANT”).

R E C I T A L S
A. CITY does not have the personnel able and/or available to perform the services required under this agreement.

B. Therefore, CITY desires to contract out for General Communications Support.

C. CONSULTANT warrants to CITY that it has the qualifications, experience and facilities to perform properly and timely the services under this Agreement.

D. CITY desires to contract with CONSULTANT to perform the services as described in Exhibit A of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, based on the foregoing recitals, CITY and CONSULTANT agree as follows:

1. CONSIDERATION AND COMPENSATION.

A. As partial consideration, CONSULTANT agrees to perform the work listed in the SCOPE OF SERVICES, attached as Exhibit A;
B. As additional consideration, CONSULTANT and CITY agree to abide by the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement;
C. As additional consideration, CITY agrees to pay CONSULTANT an amount not to exceed $130,000 on an annual basis, for CONSULTANT’s services, unless otherwise specified by written amendment to this Agreement.

D. No additional compensation shall be paid for any other expenses incurred, unless first approved by the City Manager or his designee.

E. CONSULTANT shall submit to CITY, by not later than the 10th day of each month, its bill for services itemizing the fees and costs incurred during the previous Attachment No. 1

month. CITY shall pay CONSULTANT all uncontested amounts set forth in the CONSULTANT'S bill within 30 days after it is received.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES.

A. CONSULTANT will perform the services and activities set forth in the SCOPE OF SERVICES attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference.

If any part of Exhibit A is inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

B. Except as herein otherwise expressly specified to be furnished by CITY, CONSULTANT will, in a professional manner, furnish all of the labor, technical, administrative, professional and other personnel, all supplies and materials, equipment, printing, vehicles, transportation, office space, and facilities necessary or proper to perform and complete the work and provide the professional services required of CONSULTANT by this Agreement.

3. PAYMENTS. For CITY to pay CONSULTANT as specified by this Agreement, CONSULTANT must submit an invoice to CITY which lists the reimbursable costs, the specific tasks performed, and, for work that includes deliverables, the percentage of the task completed during the billing period.

4. TIME OF PERFORMANCE. The services of CONSULTANT are to commence upon receipt of a notice to proceed from CITY and shall continue until all authorized work is completed to CITY’s reasonable satisfaction, in accordance with the schedule incorporated in “Exhibit A,” unless extended in writing by CITY.

5. FAMILIARITY WITH WORK. By executing this Agreement, CONSULTANT represents that CONSULTANT has (a) thoroughly investigated and considered the scope of services to be performed; (b) carefully considered how the services should be performed; and (c) understands the facilities, difficulties, and restrictions attending performance of the services under this Agreement.

6. KEY PERSONNEL. CONSULTANT’s key persons assigned to perform work under this Agreement are Ryder Todd Smith, Sara Madsen, Kevork Kurdoghlian, Noelle Feaster and other members of CONSULTANT’s team as needed. CONSULTANT shall not assign another person to be in charge of the work contemplated by this Agreement without the prior written authorization of CITY.

7. TERM OF AGREEMENT. The term of this Agreement shall commence upon execution by both parties and shall expire on August 15, 2026, unless earlier termination occurs under Section 11 of this Agreement or extended in writing by both parties. The parties may agree to extend by two additional one-year periods, at the city’s sole discretion, upon consultant’s successful demonstration of exemplary contract performance. Any extensions shall be approved in writing in advance by both parties.

8. CHANGES. CITY may order changes in the services within the general scope of this Agreement, consisting of additions, deletions, or other revisions, and the contract sum and the contract time will be adjusted accordingly. All such changes must be authorized in writing, executed by CONSULTANT and CITY. The cost or credit to CITY resulting from changes in the services will be determined in accordance with written agreement between the parties.

9. TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. CONSULTANT will provide CITY with a Taxpayer Identification Number.

10. PERMITS AND LICENSES. CONSULTANT will obtain and maintain during the term of this Agreement all permits, licenses, and certificates that may be required by local, state and federal laws in connection with the performance of services under this Agreement, including a business license as specified in Title VI, Chapter 2 of the Lomita Municipal Code.

11. Laws and Regulations; Employee/Labor Certification. CONSULTANT shall keep itself fully informed of and in compliance with all local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations in any manner affecting the performance of the Project or the Services, including all Cal/OSHA requirements, and shall give all notices required by law.

CONSULTANT shall be liable for all violations of such laws and regulations in connection with the Services and this Agreement. All violations of such laws and regulations shall be grounds for CITY to terminate the Agreement for cause.

12. TERMINATION.

A. Except as otherwise provided, CITY may terminate this Agreement at any time with or without cause with a 10-day notice. Notice of termination shall be in writing.

B. CONSULTANT may terminate this Agreement. Notice will be in writing at least 30 days before the effective termination date.

C. In the event of such termination, CONSULTANT shall cease services as of the date of termination, all finished or unfinished documents, data, drawings, maps, and other materials prepared by CONSULTANT shall, at CITY’s option, become CITY’s property, and CONSULTANT will receive just and equitable compensation for any work satisfactorily completed up to the effective date of notice of termination.

D. Should the Agreement be terminated pursuant to this Section, CITY may procure on its own terms services similar to those terminated.

13. INDEMNIFICATION.

A. CONSULTANT shall indemnify, defend with counsel approved by CITY, and hold harmless CITY, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from and against all liability, loss, damage, expense, cost (including without limitation reasonable attorneys fees, expert fees and all other costs and fees of litigation) of every nature arising out of or in connection with CONSULTANT's

performance of work hereunder or its failure to comply with any of its obligations contained in this AGREEMENT, regardless of CITY’S passive negligence, but excepting such loss or damage which is caused by the sole active negligence or willful misconduct of CITY. Should CITY in its sole discretion find CONSULTANT’S legal counsel unacceptable, then CONSULTANT shall reimburse CITY its costs of defense, including without limitation reasonable attorneys fees, expert fees and all other costs and fees of litigation.

CONSULTANT shall promptly pay any final judgment rendered against CITY (and its officers, officials, employees and volunteers) covered by this indemnity obligation. It is expressly understood and agreed that the foregoing provisions are intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the law of the State of California and will survive termination of this Agreement.

B. The requirements as to the types and limits of insurance coverage to be maintained by CONSULTANT as required by Section 17, and any approval of said insurance by CITY, are not intended to and will not in any manner limit or qualify the liabilities and obligations otherwise assumed by CONSULTANT pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, to the provisions concerning indemnification.

14. ASSIGNABILITY. This Agreement is for CONSULTANT’s professional services.

CONSULTANT’s attempts to assign the benefits or burdens of this Agreement without CITY’s written approval are prohibited and will be null and void.

15. INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT. CITY and CONSULTANT agree that CONSULTANT will act as an independent CONSULTANT and will have control of all work and the manner in which is it performed. CONSULTANT will be free to contract for similar service to be performed for other employers while under contract with CITY. CONSULTANT is not an agent or employee of CITY and is not entitled to participate in any pension plan, insurance, bonus or similar benefits CITY provides for its employees. Any provision in this Agreement that may appear to give CITY the right to direct CONSULTANT as to the details of doing the work or to exercise a measure of control over the work means that CONSULTANT will follow the direction of the CITY as to end results of the work only.

16. AUDIT OF RECORDS.

A. CONSULTANT agrees that CITY, or designee, has the right to review, obtain, and copy all records pertaining to the performance of this Agreement.

CONSULTANT agrees to provide CITY, or designee, with any relevant information requested and will permit CITY, or designee, access to its premises, upon reasonable notice, during normal business hours for the purpose of interviewing employees and inspecting and copying such books, records, accounts, and other material that may be relevant to a matter under investigation for the purpose of determining compliance with this Agreement.

CONSULTANT further agrees to maintain such records for a period of three (3) years following final payment under this Agreement.

B. CONSULTANT will keep all books, records, accounts and documents pertaining to this Agreement separate from other activities unrelated to this Agreement.

17. CORRECTIVE MEASURES. CONSULTANT will promptly implement any corrective measures required by CITY regarding the requirements and obligations of this Agreement. CONSULTANT will be given a reasonable amount of time as determined by CITY to implement said corrective measures. Failure of CONSULTANT to implement required corrective measures shall result in immediate termination of this Agreement.

18. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.

A. CONSULTANT, at CONSULTANT’s own cost and expense, shall procure and maintain, for the duration of the contract, the following insurance policies:

1. Workers Compensation Insurance as required by law. CONSULTANT shall require all subconsultants similarly to provide such compensation insurance for their respective employees. Any notice of cancellation or non-renewal of all Workers’ Compensation policies must be received by CITY at least thirty (30) days prior to such change. The insurer shall agree to waive all rights of subrogation against CITY, its officers, agents, employees, and volunteers for losses arising from work performed by CONSULTANT for CITY.

2. General Liability Coverage. CONSULTANT shall maintain commercial general liability insurance in an amount of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage. If a commercial general liability insurance form or other form with a general aggregate limit is used, either the general aggregate limit shall apply separately to the work to be performed under this Agreement or the general aggregate limit shall be at least twice the required occurrence limit.

3. Automobile Liability Coverage. CONSULTANT shall maintain automobile liability insurance covering bodily injury and property damage for all activities of CONSULTANT arising out of or in connection with the work to be performed under this Agreement, in an amount of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) combined single limit for each occurrence.

Automobile coverage shall be at least as broad as Insurance Services Office Automobile Liability form CA 0001 covering any auto (Code 1), or if Consultant has no owned autos, hired (code 8) and non-owned autos (Code 9).

4. Professional Liability Coverage. CONSULTANT shall maintain professional errors and omissions liability insurance for protection against claims alleging negligent acts, errors, or omissions which may arise from CONSULTANT’S operations under this Agreement, whether such operations be by CONSULTANT or by its employees, subconsultants, or

subconsultants. The amount of this insurance shall not be less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) on a claims-made annual aggregate basis, or a combined single-limit-per-occurrence basis. When coverage is provided on a “claims made basis,” CONSULTANT will continue to renew the insurance for a period of three (3) years after this Agreement expires or is terminated.

Such insurance will have the same coverage and limits as the policy that was in effect during the term of this Agreement and will cover CONSULTANT for all claims made by CITY arising out of any errors or omissions of CONSULTANT, or its officers, employees or agents during the time this Agreement was in effect.

B. Endorsements. Each general liability, automobile liability and professional liability insurance policy shall be issued by a financially responsible insurance company or companies admitted and authorized to do business in the State of California, or which is approved in writing by CITY, and shall be endorsed as follows. CONSULTANT also agrees to require all CONSULTANTs, and subconsultants to do likewise.

1. “The CITY, its elected or appointed officers, officials, employees, agents, and volunteers are to be covered as additional insureds with respect to liability arising out of work performed by or on behalf of the CONSULTANT, including materials, parts, or equipment furnished in connection with such work or operations.”

2. This policy shall be considered primary insurance as respects CITY, its elected or appointed officers, officials, employees, agents, and volunteers.

Any insurance maintained by CITY, including any self-insured retention CITY may have, shall be considered excess insurance only and shall not contribute with this policy.

3. This insurance shall act for each insured and additional insured as though a separate policy had been written for each, except with respect to the limits of liability of the insuring company.

4. The insurer waives all rights of subrogation against CITY, its elected or appointed officers, officials, employees, or agents.

5. Any failure to comply with reporting provisions of the policies shall not affect coverage provided to CITY, its elected or appointed officers, officials, employees, agents, or volunteers.

6. The insurance provided by this policy shall not be suspended, voided, canceled, or reduced in coverage or in limits except after thirty (30) days’ written notice has been received by CITY.

C. CONSULTANT agrees to provide immediate notice to CITY of any claim or loss against CONSULTANT arising out of the work performed under this agreement.

CITY assumes no obligation or liability by such notice, but has the right (but not

the duty) to monitor the handling of any such claim or claims if they are likely to involve CITY.

D. Any deductibles or self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by CITY. At CITY’s option, CONSULTANT shall demonstrate financial capability for payment of such deductibles or self-insured retentions.

E. CONSULTANT shall provide certificates of insurance with original endorsements to CITY as evidence of the insurance coverage required herein.

Certificates of such insurance shall be filed with CITY on or before commencement of performance of this Agreement. Current certification of insurance shall be kept on file with CITY at all times during the term of this Agreement.

F. Failure on the part of CONSULTANT to procure or maintain required insurance shall constitute a material breach of contract under which CITY may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11 above.

G. The commercial general and automobile liability policies required by this Agreement shall allow CITY, as additional insured, to satisfy the self-insured retention (“SIR”) and/or deductible of the policy in lieu of the CONSULTANT (as the named insured) should CONSULTANT fail to pay the SIR or deductible requirements. The amount of the SIR or deductible shall be subject to the approval of the City Attorney and the Finance Director. CONSULTANT understands and agrees that satisfaction of this requirement is an express condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement. Failure by CONSULTANT as primary insured to pay its SIR or deductible constitutes a material breach of this Agreement. Should CITY pay the SIR or deductible on CONSULTANT’S behalf upon CONSULTANT’S failure or refusal to do so in order to secure defense and indemnification as an additional insured under the policy, CITY may include such amounts as damages in any action against CONSULTANT for breach of this Agreement in addition to any other damages incurred by CITY due to the breach.

19. USE OF OTHER CONSULTANTS. CONSULTANT must obtain CITY’s prior written approval to use any CONSULTANTs while performing any portion of this Agreement. Such approval must include approval of the proposed CONSULTANT and the terms of compensation.

20. FINAL PAYMENT ACCEPTANCE CONSTITUTES RELEASE. The acceptance by the CONSULTANT of the final payment made under this Agreement shall operate as and be a release of CITY from all claims and liabilities for compensation to the CONSULTANT for anything done, furnished or relating to the CONSULTANT’S work or services. Acceptance of payment shall be any negotiation of CITY’S check or the failure to make a written extra compensation claim within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of that check. However, approval or payment by CITY shall not constitute, nor be deemed, a release of the responsibility and liability of CONSULTANT, its employees, sub-CONSULTANTs

and agents for the accuracy and competency of the information provided and/or work performed; nor shall such approval or payment be deemed to be an assumption of such responsibility or liability by CITY for any defect or error in the work prepared by CONSULTANT, its employees, sub-CONSULTANTs and agents.

21. CORRECTIONS. In addition to the above indemnification obligations, the CONSULTANT shall correct, at its expense, all errors in the work which may be disclosed during CITY’S review of CONSULTANT’S report or plans. Should the CONSULTANT fail to make such correction in a reasonably timely manner, such correction shall be made by CITY, and the cost thereof shall be charged to CONSULTANT. In addition to all other available remedies, CITY may deduct the cost of such correction from any retention amount held by CITY or may withhold payment otherwise owed CONSULTANT under this Agreement up to the amount of the cost of correction.

22. NON-APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS. Payments to be made to CONSULTANT by CITY for services preformed within the current fiscal year are within the current fiscal budget and within an available, unexhausted fund. In the event that CITY does not appropriate sufficient funds for payment of CONSULTANT’S services beyond the current fiscal year, the Agreement shall cover payment for CONSULTANT’S only to the conclusion of the last fiscal year in which CITY appropriates sufficient funds and shall automatically terminate at the conclusion of such fiscal year.

23. NOTICES. All communications to either party by the other party will be deemed made when received by such party at its respective name and address as follows:

CITY CONSULTANT
City of Lomita
24300 Narbonne Avenue
Lomita, CA 90717
ATTN: City Manager
Tripepi Smith & Associates,
Inc.

PO Box 52152
Irvine, CA 92619
[email protected]
ATTN: Ryder Todd Smith
Any such written communications by mail will be conclusively deemed to have been received by the addressee upon deposit thereof in the United States Mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed as noted above. In all other instances, notices will be deemed given at the time of actual delivery. Changes may be made in the names or addresses of persons to whom notices are to be given by giving notice in the manner prescribed in this paragraph. Courtesy copies of notices may be sent via electronic mail, provided that the original notice is deposited in the U.S. mail or personally delivered as specified in this Section.

24. SOLICITATION. CONSULTANT maintains and warrants that it has not employed nor retained any company or person, other than CONSULTANT’s bona fide employee, to solicit or secure this Agreement. Further, CONSULTANT warrants that it has not paid nor has it agreed to pay any company or person, other than CONSULTANT’s bona fide employee, any fee, commission, percentage, brokerage fee, gift or other consideration contingent upon or resulting from the award or making of this Agreement. Should CONSULTANT breach or violate this warranty, CITY may rescind this Agreement without liability.

25. THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement and every provision herein is generally for the exclusive benefit of CONSULTANT and CITY and not for the benefit of any other party. There will be no incidental or other beneficiaries of any of CONSULTANT’s or CITY’s obligations under this Agreement.

26. INTERPRETATION. This Agreement was drafted in, and will be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, and exclusive venue for any action involving this agreement will be in Los Angeles County.

27. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, and its Attachments, sets forth the entire understanding of the parties. There are no other understandings, terms or other agreements expressed or implied, oral or written.

28. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. Each Party had the opportunity to independently review this Agreement with legal counsel. Accordingly, this Agreement will be construed simply, as a whole, and in accordance with its fair meaning; it will not be interpreted strictly for or against either Party.

29. AUTHORITY/MODIFICATION. The Parties represent and warrant that all necessary action has been taken by the Parties to authorize the undersigned to execute this Agreement and to engage in the actions described herein. This Agreement may be modified by written amendment with signatures of all parties to this Agreement. CITY’s city administrator, or designee, may execute any such amendment on behalf of CITY.

30. ACCEPTANCE OF FACSIMILE OR ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES. The Parties agree that this Agreement will be considered signed when the signature of a party is delivered by facsimile transmission, scanned and delivered via electronic mail, or delivered using digital signature technology approved by CITY. Such facsimile or electronic signatures will be treated in all respects as having the same effect as an original signature.

31. FORCE MAJEURE. Should performance of this Agreement be impossible due to fire, flood, explosion, war, embargo, government action, civil or military authority, the natural elements, or other similar causes beyond the Parties’ control, then the Agreement will immediately terminate without obligation of either party to the other.

32. TIME IS OF ESSENCE. Time is of the essence to comply with dates and schedules to be provided.

33. ATTORNEY’S FEES. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each will bear his or its own costs, expenses and attorneys' fees arising out of and/or connected with the negotiation, drafting and execution of the Agreement, and all matters arising out of or connected therewith except that, in the event any action is brought by any party hereto to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and costs in addition to all other relief to which that party or those parties may be entitled.

34. STATEMENT OF EXPERIENCE. By executing this Agreement, CONSULTANT represents that it has demonstrated trustworthiness and possesses the quality, fitness and capacity to perform the Agreement in a manner satisfactory to CITY.

CONSULTANT represents that its financial resources, surety and insurance experience, service experience, completion ability, personnel, current workload, experience in dealing with private CONSULTANTs, and experience in dealing with public agencies all suggest that CONSULTANT is capable of performing the proposed contract and has a demonstrated capacity to deal fairly and effectively with and to satisfy a public agency.

35. DISCLOSURE REQUIRED. (CITY and CONSULTANT initials required at one of the following paragraphs)
By their respective initials next to this paragraph, CITY and CONSULTANT hereby acknowledge that CONSULTANT is a “CONSULTANT” for the purposes of the California Political Reform Act because CONSULTANT’S duties would require him or her to make one or more of the governmental decisions set forth in Fair Political Practices Commission Regulation 18700.3(a)(2) or otherwise serves in a staff capacity for which disclosure would otherwise be required were CONSULTANT employed by CITY. CONSULTANT hereby acknowledges his or her assumingoffice, annual, and leaving-office financial reporting obligations under the California Political Reform Act and the CITY’S Conflict of Interest Code and agrees to comply with those obligations at his or her expense. Prior to CONSULTANT commencing services hereunder, the City’s Manager shall prepare and deliver to CONSULTANT a memorandum detailing the extent of CONSULTANT’S disclosure obligations in accordance with the CITY’S Conflict of Interest Code.

City Initials ______
CONSULTANT Initials ______
OR
By their initials next to this paragraph, CITY and CONSULTANT hereby acknowledge that CONSULTANT is not a “CONSULTANT” for the purpose of the California Political Reform Act because CONSULTANT’S duties and responsibilities are not within the scope of the definition of CONSULTANT in Fair Political Practice Commission Regulation 18700.3(a)(2) and is otherwise not serving in staff capacity in accordance with CITY’S Conflict of Interest Code.

City Initials ______
CONSULTANT Initials ______

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this contract the day and year first hereinabove written.

CITY OF LOMITA CONSULTANT
Ryan Smoot, City Manager By: Ryder Todd Smith, President ATTEST:

Kathleen Horn Gregory, City
Clerk
Taxpayer ID No.

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

City Attorney
RFP response submitted for:

CITY OF LOMITA
General Communications Support
Submitted: July 12, 2023
By: Ryder Todd Smith, Co-Founder & President
Sara Madsen, Senior Business Analyst
Exhibit A
City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................ 3 DECLARATIONS ................................................................................................................................................ 4 COMPANY OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................... 4 PROPOSED SCOPE OF RETAINER ................................................................................................................... 11 ESTIMATED COST OF ENGAGEMENT............................................................................................................. 13 APPENDIX: RESUMES..................................................................................................................................... 18 City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
3 INTRODUCTION
Thank you for the opportunity to continue our relationship with the City of Lomita as its trusted partner in communications. As your partner for public outreach and engagement for the past four years, our team is wellpositioned to help advance the City’s strategic communications goals and objectives. This new agreement will combine three different agreements we currently have open with the City of Lomita, including general communications support, website content management and technical support, and City Council and Commission meeting audio/visual broadcasting support.

Tripepi Smith is a unique firm. Our mix of technical prowess and policy competency results in the advantages outlined below. In addition to our demonstrated experience and solid references, these four advantages differentiate Tripepi Smith from other firms.

1. No other public affairs firm in California (that we can find) has the certifications in social media and digital platforms that Tripepi Smith has. These certifications evidence our superior understanding of these platforms.

2. The breadth of Tripepi Smith’s team—from policy to photography and videography—is rare. This provides a cohesive, single team that simplifies management for your staff and ensures delivery of a consistent, quality product.

3. Tripepi Smith’s work with dozens of public agencies and municipal partners positions our team to communicate about the spectrum of issues known to local governments. Moreover, team members understand how to relate these issues to all stakeholders, including City staff, City council members, residents, businesses and other public agencies.

4. Though we have a set number of hours proposed in our contract, Tripepi Smith is available to our clients 24 hours per day. There is no “bad time” to call or email us, and our response will be immediate and engaged on the issue at hand.

We appreciate this opportunity to continue to serve the Lomita community and look forward to collaborating with the City on its communications efforts.

Tripepi Smith’s proposal price is valid for ninety (90) days after submission to you via email.

Regards,
Ryder Todd Smith
Co-Founder & President
Tripepi Smith
[email protected] • (626) 536-2173 • Fax: (949) 679-8371 PO Box 52152, Irvine, CA 92619
Ryder is the contact person throughout the proposal evaluation period.

City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
4 COMPANY OVERVIEW
A Public Affairs Firm that Understands Local Government Tripepi Smith excels at public affairs. We work in a complex environment where successful communications go hand-in-hand with marketing and technical expertise. As a full-service marketing and creative services firm, Tripepi Smith delivers content and design tailored for local government, public agencies, nonprofits and private companies—each strongly represented in our client list.

Grounded in Civic Affairs
Co-Founder and CFO Nicole Tripepi Smith is a second-generation civic affairs professional (her father was a city manager for 28 years), and Co-Founder and President Ryder Todd Smith brings over a decade of public agency marketing and communications experience to the table.

Implementing Strategy and Engaging Audiences
Tripepi Smith recognizes the important interplay of public affairs and design. It’s about presenting ideas that advance communities and public institutions. An important corollary to this is providing the creative services that can build materials to engage audiences and make ideas resonate. Tripepi Smith’s multi-faceted design team enables us to reach these goals and lead effective creative strategy.

Strategic
Tripepi Smith is a provider of technology, communications and public affairs services. We leverage our skills and experiences in each of these areas to deliver efficient, technologically driven communication solutions that reflect our deep understanding of local government. Our team
has a strong record of working with public agencies, joint powers authorities and not-for-profit organizations throughout California to better engage and connect with their stakeholders and community.
“…solutions that reflect our
deep understanding of local
government.”
City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
5 Creative
Tripepi Smith’s creative professionals have worked with public and private clients on imagery, colors and graphic design in an array of projects. Our firm offers creative services that address not only traditional media such as print, websites, logo design and advertising but also non-traditional marketing services around email campaigns, social media, blogging, SEO, video production and more.

This integrated approach to content development makes the process more efficient and more effective for clients.

Content x Distribution = IMPACT
Tripepi Smith was born in the digital era and brings
significant technical skills to the table. Members of our team carry technical certifications in Hootsuite Social Media Marketing, Facebook Blueprint, Google
Advertising, Google Analytics and Twitter Flight School, among others. We take digital seriously and recognize
how critical it is to not only develop great visuals and messaging, but to ensure the audiences we want to
reach actually see that content. Without content
distribution there is no IMPACT.

City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
6 Client Roster
Tripepi Smith has been selected to work with over 60 local government agencies to help with their communications. We can provide you with contacts at any of these clients and are confident you will find them to be quite happy with our services. City or city-related clients we are actively supporting are bolded.

California City Management
Foundation
City of Aliso Viejo
City of American Canyon
City of Azusa
City of Bellflower
City of Burlingame
City of Claremont
City of Coronado
(City of) Culver City
City of Cupertino
(City of) Daly City
City of Danville
City of Duarte
City of El Cerrito
City of Fountain Valley
City of Foster City
City of Fullerton
City of Gilroy
City of Grover Beach
City of Hawaiian Gardens
City of Huntington Beach
City of Indian Wells
City of Industry
City of Irvine
City of La Cañada Flintridge
City of La Palma
City of La Puente
City of La Verne
City of Lake Forest
City of Laguna Hills
City of Laguna Niguel
City of Lancaster
City of Livermore
City of Lomita
City of Lynwood
City of Manhattan Beach
City of Manteca
City of Martinez
City of Millbrae
City of Morgan Hill
City of Murrieta
City of Napa
City of Norwalk
City of Orange
City of Orinda
City of Palm Desert
City of Palmdale
City of Paramount
City of Pismo Beach
City of Placentia
City of Pomona
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
City of Rancho Mirage
City of Riverbank
City of Rolling Hills Estates
City of Santa Ana
City of Santa Clarita
City of Santa Cruz
City of Santa Paula
City of Saratoga
City of Stanton
City of South Gate
City of Tracy
City of Vallejo
City of Vista
City of Walnut
(City of) Yuba City
Town of Windsor
County of Merced
County of Fresno
County of Sonoma
County of Santa Barbara
County of Kings
California Contract Cities Association
CalChoice Energy CCA
California Joint Powers Insurance
Authority
Citrus Heights Water District
Claremont McKenna College
Costa Mesa Sanitary District
El Toro Water District
Independent Cities Association
Independent Cities
Finance Authority
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Institute for Local Government
League of California Cities
Municipal Management Association
of
Northern California
Municipal Management Association
of
Southern California
Orange County City
Manager Association
Orange County
Sanitation District
Palmdale Water District
Rowland Water District
San Gabriel Valley City
Managers’ Association
South Orange County Wastewater
Authority
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7 Local Government Affiliation and Support
Tripepi Smith is firmly committed to the local government world and actively supports the local government association and professional staff who make cities work. Our sponsorship and affiliation with professional industry groups includes:

California City Management
Foundation
California Association of Public
Information Officials
League of California Cities
California Contract Cities
Association
Independent Cities Association
Orange County City Manager
Association
Cal-ICMA
San Gabriel Valley City
Managers’ Association
Municipal Management Association
of Northern California
Municipal Management Association
of Southern California
Institute for Local Government
University of Southern California
City/County Management
Fellowship
California Special District
Association
Work Samples
We encourage you to see all the work we have done for clients through our online portfolio at https://www.tripepismith.com/work
City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
8 Team Tripepi Smith
Tripepi Smith’s team of 54 communications experts offers the right professionals for the job while being small enough to be nimble and responsive. Tripepi Smith has a spectrum of experience and skills that allows us to apply the appropriate resource to the appropriate tasks to both execute faster and reduce engagement costs. These skills vary by both years of experience and core hard skills (graphic design, videography, writing, and social media, for examples). At Tripepi Smith, experienced directors and analysts drive strategy and implement messaging with support from two in-house accredited public relations professionals. Government affairs experts and policy wonks innovate for our dozens of municipal clients. Fourteen creative professionals generate compelling branding, websites, design, social media, photography and video. The result: we have an ability to tell a complete story across mediums all within our one team.

Our firm operates in a virtual office environment. Being virtual allows us to engage the right talent at the right time, and it enables us to operate more efficiently to save money for clients. That said, the team—composed of policy wonks, creative message developers, technology gurus and graphic and fine artists—is centered in Southern California, with representatives in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.

KEY PERSONNEL
It is anticipated that Business Analyst Kevork Kurdoghlian will be the team lead for the proposed engagement.

Kevork will handle project management, logistics, coordination and creative direction. Junior Business Analyst Noelle Feaster will provide support for content development, and Graphic Artist Sophie Doane will provide graphic design City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
9 services. Sara Madsen will handle account management and be available as needed for strategic direction and support. The full Tripepi Smith team, which is large and growing, will also be available to provide specific support throughout the engagement as needed.
(Learn more about the Key Personnel in the Resume section of this proposal.) Team Member Role Description
Sara Madsen
Senior Business
Analyst
Sara Madsen has a skill set that is simultaneously wide and deep, ranging from graphic design to website development to account and project management; she is one of Tripepi Smith's most trusted 'Swiss Army knives.' With a formal education in marketing and environmental sustainability from San Diego State University, Sara brings technical prowess and creative savvy to the clients she serves. Her work as a Senior Business Analyst includes providing key account management support and project leadership, while concurrently delivering on a variety of creative projects.

Her clients include City of Laguna Hills, City of Lomita, City of Paramount, City of Orange, City of Yucca Valley, City of Blythe, Clean Energy Alliance, CalChoice, Pomona Choice Energy, Palmdale Energy, Pivot Charter Schools, California Urban Forest Council, Renne Public Law Group and TS Talent Solutions.

Sara is certified in Google Analytics and is a Constant Contact Certified Solutions Provider and Hootsuite Social Marketing Professional. She has also completed the Public Policy Making Academy II at the University of California, Irvine and the Executive Education Forum for Local Leaders at the University of Southern California.

Kevork Kurdoghlian
Business Analyst
Kevork Kurdoghlian is a concise communicator with experience in the journalism, public relations and local government industries. He brings insights from each of those experiences to provide holistic solutions for clients. He developed a passion for public service as a Youth Council member for his hometown of La Cañada Flintridge. As a young reporter, he was assigned to the city hall beat for a local newspaper, taking a greater interest in local government. Consequently, he decided to study public administration at the University of Southern California, where he was a City/County Management Fellow. As a public relations professional serving charter public schools, Kevork sharpened his skills in content development, internal communications, and graphic design, while developing skills in media relations and digital marketing.

Kevork is a certified Hootsuite Social Marketing Professional. He also holds certifications in launching and supporting Twitter Ads campaigns from Twitter Flight School and social listening and developing Boolean searches from Meltwater Academy. His clients include the City of Westlake Village, City of Baldwin Park, HdL Companies, Culver City Transportation Department, City of Fontana, City of Renton and Pivot Charter Schools.

Noelle Feaster
Junior Business
Analyst
Noelle is a highly creative individual that brings a plethora of experience to the Tripepi Smith team. She graduated from California State Polytechnic University of Pomona, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. Her undergraduate knowledge of graphic design, professional writing and public relations launched her to further enhancement of her marketing skills through her internship with Caltrans. Upon graduation, she began her internship with the City of Yorba Linda introducing her to the communications side of local government. She gained experience with managing city social media, writing monthly e-newsletters and planning events. Tripepi Smith provides the perfect place for her two interests of communications and local government to collide.

Noelle is a certified Hootsuite Social Marketing Professional.

City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
10 Services Offered
Strategy, Marketing, Communications
 Strategic development, research, surveys,
messaging
 Social media management
 Web and social media strategy,
optimization (SEO), metrics
 Web hosting and support
 Email campaigns
 Relations (media, stakeholders, public,
government)
 Support and training for events,
presentations and virtual gatherings
 Google AdWords, LinkedIn and Facebook
advertising
Creative Services
 Full-service graphic design for digital, print
and outdoor
 Brand and logo development
 Content generation, writing and editorial
 Output services (digital distribution, print
management, mail management)
 Photography, illustration and information
graphics
 Video and animation
 Web design and implementation
City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
11 PROPOSED SCOPE OF RETAINER
Bi-Weekly Check-In Calls & Content Planning
To coordinate our efforts with City Staff and sustain momentum on projects, Tripepi Smith will schedule a recurring, one-hour bi-weekly phone call that will include a City-designated lead for our engagement. These weekly calls will help drive content planning for various communications channels, including website articles, press releases and social media posts and stories. Call content will focus on story plans, new issues or concerns that need to be communicated, identification of major themes or ideas to address in the coming weeks, review of recent media mentions and social media comments and sharing of communication opportunities uncovered from scanning city council agendas. This will be a working call during which Tripepi Smith will manage an agenda and provide notes for each call.

After each call, the client will receive an action summary email about decisions made on the phone call and related action steps. We will produce work, such as press releases and article drafts, in a shared workspace where the City can see our progress in real time and provide instant feedback as needed.

These tools allow for enhanced collaboration and expedite the production process.

News Articles
Tripepi Smith will draft up to two (2) news articles for use in the “Latest News” section of the website, social media and newsletters which are typically up to five hundred (500) words in length, per month.

The City would direct the allocation of stories with Tripepi Smith’s suggestions, making internal subject matter experts available to aid the development of the stories when needed. Additionally, this assumes the City would provide a media and external agencies notification list for use by Tripepi Smith where a press release scenario is desired. The City would also facilitate timely approval of quotes in the release when connected with City Staff or City Councilmembers.

Social Media Management
Content Creation: Social media content creation involves: planning, fact-checking, sourcing graphics, grammar checking and scheduling the post. Tripepi Smith will create up to fifteen (15) posts over the course of a quarter and distribute them on up to five (5) platforms (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Nextdoor).

Monitoring: Tripepi Smith will continue social media monitoring on the City’s Facebook page and designated Facebook groups/pages one day per week. Staff will raise flagged posts to staff and configure a plan of action. When appropriate, Tripepi Smith is available to draft responses, which will require fact-checking and guidance from the City.

Additional: Our work also includes optimizing social media accounts to boost performance and keeping up to date on the latest social media platform updates and options. Boosted posts and targeted ads are also helpful in disseminating information to community members, and Tripepi Smith is fully capable of running and tracking these paid campaigns (fees to be agreed upon and paid by the City).

Bi-Annual Communications Strategy & Calendar Planning Sessions The main goal during these two-hour meetings is that each department identifies key communication opportunities and wins to celebrate in the next 6-12 months. We document all this into a shared spreadsheet/editorial calendar that can then serve as a roadmap for the organization to track communications opportunities–or to hand off to the communications team to execute. The exercise breaks down barriers between departments and often helps senior staff recognize communications opportunities they were simply unaware of before. The process also includes Tripepi Smith preparing and giving a presentation that covers notable communications wins to review what has worked well.

We conduct these meetings on a bi-annual basis to refresh our 12-month calendar and stay apprised City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
12 of the upcoming communication priorities. Additionally, Tripepi Smith will curate a content calendar with staff that can be shared with media contacts.

Unlimited Website Content and Technical Updates
Tripepi Smith will perform unlimited website content and technical updates for the City of Lomita and Lomita Water websites. Both websites’ annual hosting fees will also be covered under this retainer.

Ad Hoc Work (if needed)
If the need arises for any additional ad hoc services, Tripepi Smith is ready to provide those services and is providing our hourly rates for the full array of our resources to support City communication efforts. Examples of these ad hoc projects include but are not limited to video production, photography services, virtual meetings/events, website support and content management for City website and a wide array of graphic design and branding services.

City Meeting A/V Support and Cable Channel Content Management Tripepi Smith provides expertise in council meeting video production. We deliver high-level A/V technical expertise and full-scale, multi-camera event production with livestreaming and cablecasting capabilities. We handle everything from mixing, operating and scheduling recordings. Our team can also review your existing video equipment and suggest pathways to improve efficiency and quality.

Tripepi Smith is ready to help ensure your next meeting is accessible to all of your constituents.

Content Writing for Benzene and Skypark Geotracker Updates Tripepi Smith will draft a condensed, easy to understand snippet of updates as they are published to the Benzene and Skypark Geotracker websites. This is meant to make this complex, technical information easy to understand for residents and other stakeholders. Benzene and Skypark Geotracker updates will be posted to the Lomita Water and City of Lomita websites respectively.

Video Production
This is the era of video, and every agency has the opportunity to have their own TV station. By enlisting the Tripepi Smith video team, you can elevate your image, showcase the personalities of your organization, and distill complex information into content that is easy to understand and optimized for various channels. Video services include State of the City videos, animated explainer videos, interviews, livestreams, public service announcements, event promotion and recap videos, marketing/promotional videos, drone footage and more.

Photography
Photos capture the moments that matter and tell a story that words can sometimes never match.

Tripepi Smith’s team of professional photographers and pro-level equipment delivers an array of photography needs. Our services include stock photography, headshot and portrait photography, aerial imagery and event photography.

Graphic Design
In today’s stream of media, it can be challenging to make local government messaging stand out. So it’s more important than ever to design materials that are attractive and interesting, and reflect the professionalism and importance of the content.

Our creative experts design across the board, from the simplest postcard to entire rebrands. Working with various agencies everyday leaves our designers as experts in local government messaging. So not only do they make materials look great, but also understand how to configure content to make it engaging, informative and effective.

City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
13 ESTIMATED COST OF ENGAGEMENT
Deliverable Quantity/Notes
Project Management Leverages Senior Business Analyst, Business Analyst and Junior Business Analyst
Conduct bi-weekly client check-in calls, provide check-in call recap outlining action items and deadlines, advise on media relations and strategy
Max. of 60 minutes per call
MONTHLY TOTAL TASK COST $1,951.00
Social Media Management Leverages Junior Business Analyst with support from Senior Business Analyst
Create and publish social media post content.

Monitor the City’s Facebook page and designated
Facebook groups/pages seven days a week in the
morning and evening.
15 posts/quarter
Social media graphic design included
Monitoring 1 day a week for 30 minutes
MONTHLY TOTAL TASK COST $1,274.00
News Articles Leverages Junior Business Analyst
with support from Business Analyst with media relations expertise Create and publish website news articles.

Council Agenda Review to mine opportunities for
articles.
2 press release or news article per month
MONTHLY TOTAL TASK COST $1,210.00
Bi-annual Strategic Communications Planning Leverages Senior Business Analyst, Business Analyst and Junior Business Analysts
Bi-annual meeting with Dept. heads to plan next year of communication opportunities
1 meeting every 6 months
Max. of 2 hours per meeting
Keeping centralized “Content Calendar” updated
throughout the year for staff’s reference
Via Google Sheets
MONTHLY TOTAL TASK COST $499.00
Website Management and Hosting Leverages a Junior Business Analyst Website content updates and technical support for the
City of Lomita and Lomita Water websites. Annual
hosting fees included.

Annual hosting fees for two websites (City and Lomita Water) Tech and content support for both websites (City and Lomita Water)
MONTHLY TOTAL TASK COST $1,858.00
TOTAL MONTHLY RETAINER COST $6,792.00
ANNUAL RETAINER COST $81,504.00
City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
14 RATES AND BILLING
Hourly - Standard Hourly - Retainer
Principal $350 $295
Director $240 $215
Art/Creative Director $240 $215
Senior Business Analyst $190 $165
Business Analyst $130 $110
Junior Business Analyst $105 $90
Senior Videographer/Animator $190 $165
Senior Photographer $160 $135
Videographer/Photographer $120 $100
Senior Graphic Designer $175 $145
Graphic Designer $120 $100
Junior Graphic Designer $105 $90
Web Developer $195 $165
Drone Operator $195 $165
Council Chamber A/V Operator $105 $90
Retainer Agreements
Many Tripepi Smith clients have a fixed baseline of work they need done every month, and then they layer in time & materials work on top of that. These clients, when their retainers exceed $6,750 a month, can have access to our reduced Hourly – Retainer rates noted above.

Billing
Time at Tripepi Smith is billed in 15-minute increments – i.e. we invoice our time in the following examples: 1.25, .75, 4 or 6.5 hours.

For Retainer work, we invoice at mid-month. For Ad Hoc work, we invoice at the end of each month for that month’s services. Terms are NET 30 days.

If Tripepi Smith is requested to be onsite, we will invoice for travel time at half rate of the resource’s Standard Rate. Travel costs will be reimbursed when agreed upon by the client.

Annual Increase
Tripepi Smith will increase the hourly rates and retainer fees for all resources by five percent (5%) or the national BLS Consumer Price Index — whichever is higher — each year on the anniversary of the contract, starting on the first anniversary of any contract when the contract duration is longer than one year. Otherwise, new rates will be negotiated with each new contract renewal period.

City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
15 Other Costs
Because Tripepi Smith offers a broad set of services, including extensive content production, we have some other content production-related fees that may come up during the course of our engagement that we want to tell you about.

Equipment Fees
Tripepi Smith offers some services that require equipment, such as drone operations and video production. As such, in those cases, the following rates apply:

Title Half Day Full Day
Video Equipment $400 $600
Drone Equipment N/A $500
$600 for a full day of video equipment use (includes full set of video equipment). Full day is defined as a shoot lasting four (4) or more hours. $400 for a half day of video equipment use. Half day is defined as anything up to four hours of video production. All such expenses will be authorized by the organization prior to fee being assessed. $500/day drone fee applies and is not inclusive of the drone operator time (Drone Operator rate).

Print & Advertising Fees
Title Client Pays Directly Client Reimburses TS
Print costs, digital promotion, media placement No Fees 10% Print Costs: Tripepi Smith is happy to use a printer of the client’s choosing for print production work, or to recommend a printer with whom we have experience. Tripepi Smith typically has the printer bill the client directly for work. Tripepi Smith makes no money on print services and has no economic interest in the selected print vendor other than ensuring quality and fair pricing for our clients. If Tripepi Smith is asked to pay the bill for the client, we will apply a 10% agency fee to the reimbursement expense.

Digital Advertising: Tripepi Smith is a Google Partner and Constant Contact Solution Provider and has Facebook Certified staff. We consider digital platforms to be a cornerstone element of any outreach strategy; often this comes with digital advertising fees. Tripepi Smith typically uses a client’s credit card to cover such fees, and those fees are impossible to estimate at this time without our firm being engaged in the work with the team. If a Tripepi Smith credit card is used to run the advertising campaign, then we will charge an additional 10% agency fee on all advertising charges to compensate for the administrative overhead.

Media Placement: Purchase fees for advertising media space is not included on Tripepi Smith advertising proposals. Usually, clients contract directly with media, but in the event Tripepi Smith covers these fees, then we will charge an additional 10% agency fee on all advertising charges to compensate for the administrative overhead.

Tripepi Smith Partnership Discounts
Tripepi Smith has financial interest in certain related entities. These partnerships allow Tripepi Smith to offer clients extra media reach or additional services at partner pricing. Partnerships include:

PublicCEO
– digital news about public affairs, reaching over 10,000 California government executives https://www.publicceo.com
City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
16 Civic Business Journal
– digital interest stories about the people in local government https://www.civicbusinessjournal.com
FlashVote
– planning, implementing, measuring civic surveys
https://www.flashvote.com
TS Talent Solutions
– talent search services for local government and related agencies https://tstalentsolutions.com
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17 References
Contact Description
City of Paramount
John Moreno
City Manager
562.220.2225
[email protected]
Communication and public outreach for
environmental initiatives and other
general City communications. Includes
website management, social media
content development, graphic design
support, and other content development
Pivot Charter School
Jayna Gaskell
Executive Director
530.550.7616
[email protected]
Online advertising campaigns, social
media management, collateral
development, web content and
maintenance, photography and
videography, print advertising
California City Management Foundation
Ken Pulskamp
Executive Director
661.510.0888
[email protected]
Communications planning, membership
support, website design, website support,
graphic design, event staffing, event
planning, photography, videography,
program management
Clean Energy Alliance
Barbara Boswell
CEO
661.510.0425
[email protected]
Originate brand (brand statement,
tagline, logo design, brand guidelines),
communications support retainer
City of Tracy
Barbara Harb
EDFP, Economic Development Analyst
209.831.6491
[email protected]
Message development, audience
identification, graphic design, and digital
advertising campaign management
City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
18 APPENDIX: RESUMES

SARA MADSEN
TRIPEPI SMITH – SENIOR BUSINESS ANALYST/SENIOR GRAPHIC ARTIST 08/22 – PRESENT ● Manage account strategy, budget, analytics, logistics, and direct staff in execution of communication initiatives. ● Serve as project manager lead across multiple clients; execute project management tasks and ensure deliverables are completed efficiently and meet and exceed client quality expectations
● Manage creative strategy and execute graphic design on assignments such as logo development, infographic design, print and digital design ● Manage website design process, content transfer, modification and maintenance ● Produce and distribute newsletters, press releases, social media and website content TRIPEPI SMITH – BUSINESS ANALYST/GRAPHIC ARTIST 01/21 – 08/22 TRIPEPI SMITH – JUNIOR BUSINESS ANALYST/GRAPHIC ARTIST 07/18 – 12/20

EDUCATION
● Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Concentration: Integrated Marketing Communications, Minor in Sustainability – San Diego State University – San Diego, CA – Cum Laude
● Associate of Arts in Visual Communications – Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising – Los Angeles, CA – Magna Cum Laude

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
● UCI Public Policy Making Academy II 03/20
● CAPIO “Facebook and Instagram for Government” Workshop 12/19 ● USC Executive Education Forum for Policy and Administration 10/19

CERTIFICATIONS
● Hootsuite Social Marketing 06/19
● Google Analytics 06/22
● Constant Contact Certified Solutions Provider 07/22

SOFTWARE
● Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign
and Lightroom
● ArcGIS StoryMaps
● Constant Contact and Mailchimp
● Hootsuite
● Microsoft Office
● WordPress
● Canva
City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
19 KEVORK KURDOGHLIAN
TRIPEPI SMITH – BUSINESS ANALYST 09/21 – PRESENT
● Produce press releases, thought leadership articles, video scripts and newsletter articles ● Manage media relations, projects and social media platforms ● Conduct market research to provide client insights
THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SIGNAL – POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT REPORTER 03/21 – 09/21 ● Wrote informative stories about topics in local, state and federal government ● Developed story ideas based on strong relationships with the community, elected officials and city staff ● Captured photos for stories and created digital content for the news website and social media platforms LARSON COMMUNICATIONS – ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE 09/19 – 03/21 ● Produced social media assets and video content that facilitated high follower engagement ● Executed proactive communications campaigns, writing press releases and conducting media outreach ● Designed graphics and edited video for social media and created layouts for reports and flyers CITY OF GLENDALE – MANAGEMENT INTERN 07/17 – 08/19
● Developed and managed digital content for city platforms, including city website and microsites, newsletters and social media accounts ● Led city website content process optimization to improve workflow and user experience ● Composed scripts for and co-hosted a public-access television show and hosted a technology podcast SAN MARINO TRIBUNE – ASSISTANT EDITOR, NEWS 04/16 – 07/17 ● Organized social media calendars and campaign concepts ● Authored news articles, press releases and media alerts on behalf of the Orange County Chapter ● Provided social and print media support for all annual events

EDUCATION
● Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – University of California, Los Angeles – Los Angeles, CA ● Master of Public Administration – University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA

CERTIFICATIONS
● Hootsuite Social Marketing 09/21
● Meltwater Academy 10/21
● Twitter Flight School 03/22

SOFTWARE
● Adobe Premiere Pro
● Adobe InDesign
● Adobe Spark
● Microsoft Office
● WordPress
● Canva
● Google Suite
● MailChimp
● Instapage

NOELLE FEASTER
TRIPEPI SMITH – JUNIOR BUSINESS ANALYST 1/23 – PRESENT
● Conduct market research to provide client insights
● Manage social media and respond to public questions
City of Lomita / General Communications / Version 3.0
20 ● Write stories and press releases for the firm’s website and city clients PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERN – CITY OF YORBA LINDA 6/21 – 12/22 ● Managed and created detailed and engaging written and visual content for the City’s social media channels ● Wrote and published monthly City e-newsletter publications for residents ● Prepared letters, databases, surveys, reports and presentations for internal and external outreach purposes ASSISTANT TO EXECUTIVE SECRETARY – CITY OF YORBA LINDA 6/21 – 12/22 ● Received professional mentorship from the city manager’s executive secretary ● Acted as executive secretary and conducted research, scheduling, customer service and communication with city council members for the city manager
SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATOR – EVFREE CHURCH DIAMOND BAR 06/20 – 02/22 ● Designed social media assets, digital bulletins and printed signage for the exterior of the church ● Assisted in rebrand and modernization of the church’s style with updated logos, colors, watermarks and merchandise ● Presented weekly demonstrations to enhance design techniques and refine skills PUBLIC AFFAIRS INTERN - CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 05/19 – 12/19 ● Managed social media accounts and prioritized disseminating Orange County traffic updates to the public ● Designed and distributed fact sheets and infographics for upcoming transportation projects ● Planned groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting events for traffic improvement projects

EDUCATION
● Bachelor of Science in Communications, Public Relations – California State Polytechnic University, Pomona – Pomona, CA

CERTIFICATIONS
● Hootsuite Social Marketing 01/21
● Hootsuite Platform Certification 01/22

SOFTWARE
● Google Suite
● Adobe Suite
● WordPress
● Microsoft Office
● Canva
● Shopify
● CSS
● JavaScript
● HTML