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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Consideration of an Interactive Digital Kiosk Program with Commercial Advertising, along City Sidewalks and Public Right-of-Way (Program), Including Consideration of Submitted Responses to the City’s Request for Proposals for a Potential Vendor for the Program; (2) If Desired, Approval of an Agreement with the Selected Vendor for the Program; (3) If Desired, Creation of a City Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee for the Purpose of Negotiating the Terms of an Agreement with the Selected Vendor and Appointment of Two City Council Members Thereto; and (4) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: October 28, 2024
Contact Person/Dept: Elaine Warner/ Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-5777
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (10/23/2024), (Posted) City Website (10/14/2024); (Email) Public Notification, Culver City Business License List, Downtown Business Association, Culver City Arts District, Chamber of Commerce (10/14/2024), (Newspaper) Culver City News (10/24/2024)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (10/21/2024)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) consider implementation of an interactive digital kiosk program with commercial advertising (Program), along City sidewalks and public right-of-way, including consideration of submitted responses to the City’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for a potential vendor for the Program; (2) if desired, approve an agreement with the selected vendor for the Program; (3) If desired, create a City Council ad hoc subcommittee to work with City staff and the selected vendor to negotiate the terms of an agreement and appoint two City Council Members thereto; and (4) provide other direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
On November 8, 2021, the City Council directed staff to release a Request for Information (“RFI”) relative to the placement of Kiosks in various locations throughout the City. The purpose of the RFI was to understand the value of providing real-time interactive information such as transportation services, City meetings, special events, facilities, classes, local businesses, weather, and emergency updates. The RFI was released in January 2022. Four firms responded, with two providing prototypes suitable for an outdoor environment: Ike Smart City and Soofa.
In April 2023, the Economic Development Subcommittee, consisting of Council Members Eriksson and Vera (“Subcommittee”), reviewed the options and directed staff to invite both firms to present their prototypes via two community meetings. The purpose of the community meetings was not to identify a particular model or style but rather to invite a high-level discussion as to whether kiosks would be an asset to the City. Two community meetings were held in August 2023. Ike Smart City attended with a working prototype and provided information about their model. Soofa was unable to attend, but information about their unit was made available.
Staff presented an overview of the community feedback to the Subcommittee on October 3, 2023. Public comment during the meeting included requests that local businesses receive priority advertising via a tiered structure, that the kiosks display artwork by local artists, that maintenance considerations be included for the long term, and that kiosk locations be included near transit hubs. During the meeting, comments also included concerns regarding the number of potential kiosks installed and the impact on pedestrian and public spaces.
On October 23, 2023, the City Council directed staff to pursue an amendment to the Sign Ordinance to allow for a digital kiosk program on a separate track from the comprehensive update to the Sign Ordinance prior to issuing a formal RFP. The City Attorney’s Office reviewed pertinent sections of the Zoning Code and prepared limited proposed amendments to the Sign Ordinance to allow the City to consider an interactive digital wayfinding kiosk program on public property.
The Planning Commission considered the proposed amendments at its April 24, 2024, meeting and recommended that the City Council deny the amendment. The Planning Commission Resolution recommending denial was based on the unknown impacts, quantity, and siting of kiosks.
On June 10, 2024, the City Council considered and introduced the proposed Zoning Code Amendment, P2022-0357-ZCA by a 3-2 vote. The approved amendment permits digital kiosks in the public right-of way for the purposes of providing public information and other messaging selected by the City, including commercial advertising. The City Council also included a provision to limit each screen interface to a total of 15 square feet.
On July 8, 2024, the City Council approved an RFP for an interactive digital kiosk program with a related commercial advertising component. The proposal was released on July 18, 2024, with a submission date of August 15, 2024. The proposal was available through the City’s PlanetBids system and staff reached out to seven kiosk firms to advise on the bid opportunity.
DISCUSSION
The RFP requested information from qualified vendors regarding, the design, potential quantity and siting, infrastructure, installation, operation, maintenance, use, accessibility, financing, public outreach, successful case studies, advertising strategy, respondent qualifications, technology, and additional information related to the kiosks. The RFP also requested a proposed cost/advertising revenue sharing program that provides for the kiosk’s infrastructure, installation, utilities costs, and on-going maintenance at no cost to City.
Two proposals were received for this potential Program: Ike Smart City (Attachment 1) and Success Mantra LLC (Attachment 2). Soofa declined to respond based on feasibility concerns for the project. The City’s fiscal consultant, Keyser Marston Associates (KMA), reviewed the proposals and summarized the relevant terms of each proposal based on the following (Attachment 3):
• Experience implementing, operating, maintaining and managing similar kiosk projects;
• Case studies that demonstrate the company’s relevant experience;
• A description of the technology employed by the company in the development and operation of the kiosks; and
• Other pertinent information provided by the proposers.
Interviews with each proposer were conducted on September 5, 2024, to clarify their response and approach. A comparison of both proposals is noted below: