CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: AUGUST 26, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO CONTRACT SERVICE AGREEMENT NO. 23I320 WITH AVIATRIX COMMUNICATIONS, LLC FOR WEBSITE
SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR PALM SPRINGS
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Department of Aviation
SUMMARY:
This action will approve Amendment No. 3 (Amendment) to Contract Services Agreement No. 23I320 (Agreement) with Aviatrix Communications, LLC (Aviatrix), to increase compensation in the amount $44,750, for a revised not to exceed amount of $227,342, and extend the term for an additional one year through August 31, 2027, to provide ongoing website support and maintenance while the Palm Springs International Airport (“Airport”) conducts a competitive procurement for future website maintenance and support services.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Approve Amendment No. 3 to Contract Services Agreement No. 23I320 (Attachment A) with Aviatrix Communications, LLC to increase compensation in the amount $44,750, for a revised not to exceed amount of $227,342, and extend the term for an additional one year through August 31, 2027, to provide ongoing website support and maintenance services for the Palm Springs International Airport.
2) Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents subject to such changes/revisions agreeable to the City Manager and City Attorney.
BUSINESS PRINCIPAL DISCLOSURE:
According to the Public Integrity Disclosure form (Attachment B) submitted on July 27, 2026, Aviatrix Communications, LLC is registered in the state of California.
City Council Staff Report
August 26, 2026 -- Page 2
Amendment No. 3 to Contract Service Agreement No. 23i320 with Aviatrix Communications, LLC BACKGROUND:
In January 2021, the Airport initiated an effort to develop a comprehensive three-year marketing and communication plan to strengthen the Airport’s market position and communications strategy. On January 20, 2021, the Airport Commission unanimously voted (18-0) to support the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of the plan and on May 6, 2021, the City Council approved a Contract Services Agreement (A8839) to research and develop the three-year marketing and communications plan.
The completed marketing and communications plan identified the need for a distinct brand identity to better position the Airport as the primary air service provider for the City and surrounding Coachella Valley communities. Accordingly, following an RFP process, on May 18, 2022, the Airport Commission voted unanimously (14-0) to recommend to the City Council the approval of an agreement for the development of the Airport’s first comprehensive brand and new website. City Council approved Contract Services Agreement No. A9117 on May 26, 2022, which included expanded community engagement efforts, refined branding strategies, enhanced website content and functionality, and supported the launch of the Airport’s new brand and logo.
In 2023, Airport staff obtained three competitive proposals for ongoing website content improvements and maintenance services. Aviatrix submitted the most cost-effective proposal. On October 26, 2023, City Council retroactively approved Contract Services Agreement No. 23I320 (Attachment C) with Aviatrix for a two-year term beginning September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2025, for a not to exceed amount of $65,258.
On September 1, 2025, Amendment No. 1 (Attachment D) was approved to increase compensation in the amount of $72,334, for a revised not to exceed amount of $137,592 to update the Airport’s website to comply with the updated Title II digital accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provide ongoing support.
The new ADA standards require public agency websites to meet modern accessibility guidelines that improve usability for people with disabilities through features such as enhanced color contrast, improved readability, keyboard navigation, and compatibility with assistive technologies like screen readers.
On February 18, 2026, Amendment No. 2 (Attachment E) was approved to increase compensation in the amount of $45,000, for a revised not to exceed amount of $182,592 for additional website accessibility services.
On July 27, 2026, the Airport launched its refreshed website, achieving compliance with the updated federal digital accessibility requirements two years ahead of the July 2028 deadline.
City Council Staff Report
August 26, 2026 -- Page 3
Amendment No. 3 to Contract Service Agreement No. 23i320 with Aviatrix Communications, LLC STAFF ANALYSIS:
Continuing to utilize Aviatrix for subsequent ADA-required improvements and website accessibility compliance presented a significant value to the City. As the original website developer and ongoing maintenance provider, Aviatrix possessed specialized knowledge of the website's architecture, content management system, custom functionality, and existing accessibility framework. This familiarity eliminated the need for a new consultant to spend additional time learning the website's structure, reducing onboarding costs, minimizing project delays, and allowing accessibility improvements to be implemented more efficiently.
Airport staff recommends a one-year extension. As the website developer and maintenance provider, Aviatrix is positioned to provide timely, cost-effective support while ensuring the Airport's website remains secure, accessible, and compliant with evolving federal accessibility requirements. Transitioning to a new consultant immediately following completion of those upgrades would increase costs and reduce efficiency. The one-year extension allows the Airport to maintain continuity of service while conducting a comprehensive competitive solicitation for future website maintenance services.
Maintaining a modern, accurate, and accessible website enhances the passenger experience by providing travelers with reliable, up-to-date information that improves trip planning, navigation, and access to Airport services while ensuring all users, including individuals with disabilities, can easily access essential information.
Specifically, Airport staff recommends the approval of Amendment No. 3 to Contract Services Agreement No. 23I320 with Aviatrix Communications, LLC, to increase compensation in the amount $44,750, for a revised not to exceed amount of $227,342, and extend the term for an additional one year through August 31, 2027, for website support and maintenance services.
Prior to the expiration of this agreement, Airport staff will coordinate with the Procurement Department to conduct a competitive solicitation for a new website support and maintenance services agreement.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The requested City Council action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The requested action is to approve contracts for the above-mentioned services, and is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15378(b), in that a “Project” does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
City Council Staff Report
August 26, 2026 -- Page 4
Amendment No. 3 to Contract Service Agreement No. 23i320 with Aviatrix Communications, LLC ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
Approval of this action supports the City of Palm Springs’ Strategic Plan Broad Goals of Infrastructure and Facilities, and it also supports the Airport’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan’s Strategic Priorities for Operational Excellence and Infrastructure.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Sufficient funds are budgeted in Fiscal Year 2026-2027 in the Department of Aviation, Advertising Account 4157020-50145.
REVIEWED BY:
Interim Executive Director of Aviation: Victoria Carpenter Procurement & Contracting Manager: Tabitha Richards
City Attorney: Geremy Holm
City Manager: Teresa Gallavan for Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Amendment No. 3 to Contract Services Agreement No. 23I320 B. Public Integrity Disclosure Form
C. Contract Services Agreement No. 23I320
D. Amendment No. 1 to Contract Services Agreement No. 23I320 E. Amendment No. 2 to Contract Services Agreement No. 23I320