Item #03
Date: January 6, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Anissa Leung, Finance Director
Jim Schaad, City Manager
Subject: Award of Professional Services Agreement to Sapphire Marketing & Sign Co. for EEI Grant - Marysville Chinatown Blueprint Project
Recommendation:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Sapphire Marketing & Sign Co. for marketing, outreach, and community engagement services in support of the Marysville Chinatown Blueprint Project funded through the Environmental Equity Initiative (EEI) Grant, in an amount not-toexceed $98,928.00 for FY 2025/26 to FY 2026/27 and authorizing related administrative actions.
Rationale for Recommendation:
The City of Marysville, in partnership with the Marysville Chinese Community, was awarded an Environmental Equity Initiative (EEI) grant to prepare the Marysville Chinatown Blueprint, a community-driven planning effort focused on defining Chinatown boundaries, revitalizing public spaces, improving access and transportation, and positioning the community for future implementation funding.
Sapphire Marketing & Sign Co. was identified in the EEI grant application as the consultant responsible for marketing, outreach, and engagement services. Approval of this agreement will allow the City to proceed with grant-funded community engagement activities and remain compliant with EEI grant requirements and timelines.
Discussion & Analysis:
The Marysville Chinatown Blueprint Project emphasizes meaningful engagement of historically disadvantaged communities through multilingual and culturally responsive outreach. Sapphire Marketing & Sign Co. is a locally based, woman-owned California microbusiness with extensive experience providing marketing, public relations, and community engagement services in Marysville, including long-standing involvement with the Chinatown community and Bok Kai Festival activities.
Under the proposed Professional Services Agreement, Sapphire Marketing & Sign Co. will provide marketing, outreach, and engagement services consistent with the EEI grant-approved scope, including development and implementation of a community engagement plan, preparation of outreach and advertising materials, facilitation of surveys and stakeholder meetings, support for public events, and documentation of outreach efforts and findings for inclusion in the final Chinatown Blueprint.
Item #03
The agreement term will extend through April 30, 2027, consistent with the EEI grant performance period.
Compensation will be provided on a time-and-materials basis in accordance with the grant-approved budget and payment schedule, with expenditures capped at the not-to-exceed amount.
Environmental Impact:
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this action is not considered a project under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), which excludes organizational or administrative activities of government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
Legal Review:
The City Attorney’s office has reviewed and approved as to form.
Alignment with City Council Goal(s):
Approval of this action aligns with City Council Goal #2: Expand Economic Development.
Fiscal Analysis:
The total project budget for the Marysville Chinatown Blueprint Project is approximately $498,049, with costs split approximately 70 percent by the Community-Based Organization and 30 percent by the City. The City’s share of costs associated with this agreement is fully funded through the EEI grant. No General Fund impact is anticipated and all expenses incurred will be reimbursed on an on-going basis.
Attachment(s):
1) Resolution 2026 -XX
2) EEI Consultant Contract
3) Proposal
4) Cost Estimate