The city is requesting proposals for videography, photography and media services, due at the Purchasing Division on Dec. 14. NOTE: All info is on the city web site here
I am not sure whether contracts were ever approved for media and photography in the 2010-11 fiscal year, but BC Productions did receive a contract for $100 per hour for videography. This meant, for example, that it cost $500 to videotape a five-hour City Council meeting for viewing on the local cable channels, with the same hourly rate applicable for numerous other events throughout the year.
The total was not to exceed $30,000 for the year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011. However, the videographer continued to work after the six-month transition year began on July 1. As I recall, the explanation was that the contract would simply continue at the same rate through the end of the year.
It is good to see that the RFP process will be followed in 2012, the first year in a reversion to a calendar-year budget. One hopes that some enterprising person with a camera will come up with a less costly proposal, as the current videographer earns more than the hourly rate for special counsel to provide legal services.
"Media" was listed as part of Chris Payne's purview along with Information Technology when he was hired, but as I recall, it was never defined. Does it mean TV production? Public information? Web site notices? All of the above?
There has not been a staff photographer at City Hall since the former one was laid off many months ago. Does the city need a full-time photographer?
Plaintalker will be looking for the results of these RFPs for 2012. Perhaps the City Council will get an explanation of the scope of services needed in these categories before being asked to vote on contracts.
--Bernice
Let me understand: BC Productions is a lawn mowing and snow removal company who gets paid $100 per hour to film people who sit in chairs and talk?
ReplyDeleteThis is just another example of an administration that doesn't seek out alternatives (seniors and students, as I've pointed out previously, could handle this perfectly well), looks to spend top dollar, and shunts the money to the politically connected.
ReplyDeleteA little innovation and some planning would work wonders, in this case as with many others.
But it's not just the Administration, it's also a City Council that approves it all and often appears more interested in tripping-up the mayor than preventing her from wasting our tax dollars.
Just saying "No" beforehand might work wonders.
It seems that the town tries to do everything BUT make it safee to walk around. Who would let their mother stroll to a market down the street now a days? P.S. The Mayor always takes her City car when she goes.
ReplyDeletesome enterprising person ought to offer to do it for $75-$80hr and make some bank!
ReplyDelete