1 TO: City Council
FROM: Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Lina Hernandez, Assistant City Manager
Juan Ibarra, Senior Management Analyst
MEETING DATE: August 19, 2025
SUBJECT: City of Lomita Communications Platforms Assessment
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file the City of Lomita Communications Platform Assessment prepared by the City’s communications consultant Tripepi Smith.
BACKGROUND
Tripepi Smith has been providing various public information and general communications services to the City of Lomita since 2016.
On August 15, 2023, the City Council approved a renewal of the City’s agreement with Tripepi Smith consolidating various communication support services under a single contract. The scope of services includes general communications support, website content management and technical assistance, audio/visual broadcasting for City Council and Commission Meetings, video production, and citywide outreach and communications.
On July 1, 2025, the City Council approved the first amendment to the agreement with Tripepi Smith to appropriate funds to continue these services to cover an additional three months until staff could return with a comprehensive communications assessment and a revised multi-year agreement with Tripepi Smith.
DISCUSSION
With the numerous projects underway in recent months, the City has significantly expanded its communication efforts to ensure the public remains informed and engaged.
These projects include the 60th Anniversary events, major capital improvement projects,
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Item No. 8a
2 the addition of special events, City branding efforts, and enhanced community outreach.
Additionally, the City’s communications efforts include a drastic expansion in utilizing social media channels with an increased number of posts in Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor. As Lomita experiences growth, an evolved approach is necessary to ensure the community is informed about on-going City business, programs, and services.
To help guide and strengthen these efforts, Tripepi Smith recently completed a comprehensive communications assessment for the City, which identified opportunities to expand outreach, improve consistency across platforms, and align messaging with community expectations.
Recommendations from the assessment to enhance the City’s approach to communications and community engagement include:
• Enhance cross-departmental and community collaboration • Create a structured social media schedule with increase video and reels content, investing in digital advertising, verifying all social media platforms, among other platform specific recommendations
• Establish clear website processes for www.LomitaCity.com and www.LomitaWater.com, implementing a monthly review process, regular analysis of website metrics, ensure American With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, and consistently linking to Lomita’s website from all communication materials. • Expand email notifications and conduct regular opt-in campaigns to increase enewsletter subscriptions and reach a wider audience. • Optimize formatting the e-newsletter, increase accessibility in printed newsletters, and rebrand the printed newsletter to ensure it integrates with the City’s current branding and marketing materials.
The complete assessment is attached to this report (Attachment A). Applying the recommended best practices and policies will place Lomita in a better position to communicate its story to residents, businesses, visitors and increasing public trust, along with encouraging civic involvement and participation in special events.
The current three-year term of agreement with Tripepi Smith is set to expire on August 15, 2026. It is anticipated that a proposed contract amendment and budget adjustment will be presented for the City Council’s consideration to allow for the incorporation of the recommendations from the assessment at an upcoming City Council meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
OPTIONS
Receive and file the report.
3 ATTACHMENTS
1. City of Lomita Communications Platforms Review
Approved by:
_______________________
Andrew Vialpando
City Manager
Prepared by:
__________________________
Lina Hernandez
Assistant City Manager