pages: CityCouncil/2021-09-07.pdf, 38
This data as json
body | date | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|
CityCouncil | 2021-09-07 | 38 | Councilmember Knox White stated the matter is not related to two small, hometown newspapers; the Alameda Journal is owned by a Denver hedge-fund with 100 papers and 200 other publications nationwide; the Alameda Sun is a local newspaper; expressed support for Alameda Sun; stated if Council wishes to continue running ads in the Alameda Journal, the number in the original staff report listed $46,000 and Council can commit to funding $46,000 for the Alameda Sun; he did not originally vote to move the legal notices to the Alameda Journal; however, he can support a form of keeping legal ads published in the Alameda Journal as well as providing funding for the Alameda Sun; expressed support for the proposed motion. Vice Mayor Vella expressed concern about circulation, which remains the point of legal notices; stated that she would like to see a way to expand circulation for Alameda Sun; expressed support for looking at other options relative to grants and advertising; stated her position has not changed; both newspapers are not hometown papers; the desire to provide aid to Alameda Sun is separate from the desire to provide adequate legal notices; she does not support moving legal notices to the Alameda Sun in addition to providing financial aid; expressed support for adding the options proposed by staff. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the matter should be bifurcated; stated that she does not support awarding the contract to the Alameda Sun and providing financial aid; questioned whether the City would eventually be the major funder of the Alameda Sun; expressed concern about the concept of the City majorly funding the newspaper. Councilmember Daysog stated the cleanest approach is to terminate the contract with Alameda Journal and award the contract to the Alameda Sun without providing additional funding to Alameda Sun; the contract provides funding; expressed support for the use of one legal notice provider; expressed support for selecting the Alameda Sun to provide legal notices. Councilmember Daysog amended his motion to approve termination of the contract with the Alameda Journal and awarding the contract to the Alameda Sun. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the matter relates to supporting a local newspaper; inquired whether the seconder of the motion is in agreement with the amended motion. Councilmember Herrera Spencer seconded the amended motion. On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5. After the vote, Councilmember Knox White stated the reason for the matter is due to City Charter requirement which is outdated and does not allow Council to utilize online sources; questioned whether Council can provide direction to consider a 2022 general election ballot measure to amend the City Charter section for legal notices. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council September 7, 2021 30 | CityCouncil/2021-09-07.pdf |