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stated that if there was not a RFP, he asked how the City learned of the Avant Marketing <br />group. Mr. Crow stated he would like to have a copy of the contract with the Avant <br />group and asked what success they have had with other cities. He also asked for a <br />copy of the scope of work for the marketing group. Mr. Crow’s additional requests were <br />for a list of the bids received, and the charges for the value of the contract. He said a <br />couple of the Council are concerned and would like to know City’s statement for the <br />scope of work, the objectives given, quantitative results provided, the fees, and that <br />there will be regular reports to Council. <br /> <br />In clarification, Mr. Walker stated he put out a RFP back in February in order to have <br />preliminary work completed if Council approved the budget. Mr. Walker said he <br />proceeded when Council voted for money for Public Relations in the budget for FY <br />2012. Secondly Mr. Walker noted that the City does not have a contract with Avant. He <br />said they are dong preliminary work on the communication’s plan for the City in which <br />Councilmembers have been contacted. Mr. Walker stated they sent him a preliminary <br />invoice for $14,700 but the City has not entered into a contract. He said if an invoice <br />exceeds the City Manager’s authority he would bring it to Council for review and <br />consideration. <br /> <br />Mr. Price asked the City Manager to get with the City Attorney to provide a response on <br />rental property and nuisance activity and if the laws allow the City to do what they need <br />to do. His concern is when property is rented just to be rented and criminal activities <br />start to take place and it appears that it takes forever to do anything while the <br />neighborhood gets destroyed. Mr. Price wanted to know if the City’s laws were sufficient <br />or if there was anything that could be done to strengthen it in order to reduce the turn- <br />around time if there was activity at this property. <br /> <br />Mayor Welsch agreed with Mr. Price on the tree situation. She said the City is losing <br />149 trees for every one tree that they plant. Mayor Welsch said the plan recommended <br />a seven year cycle for tree trimming and doesn’t believe that we are on target. She had <br />hoped that as finances get in better order, some adjustments can be made to have staff <br />from other departments assist. Mayor Welsch reminded people of her first regional <br />initiative meeting on youth to be held on July 12 at Heman Park Community Center at <br />6:00 p.m. She reminded Council that the marketing group PR firm Avant asked <br />members of Council to provide twenty-five names of residents who might want to be part <br />of Focus Groups as part of their communications planning for the City. <br /> <br />Mr. Glickert moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m., seconded by Mr. Crow and <br /> <br />carried unanimously. <br /> <br /> <br />Joyce Pumm, MRCC <br />City Clerk <br /> <br />