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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB 6 SHOPPING INSERTS 01-07-914 �. DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT JANUARY 2, 1991 WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT NEW BUSINESS NO. 6 1-7-91 Inter - Com BUSINESS AND SHOPPING GUIDE INSERTS FOR "TUSTIN TODAY" BROCHURE RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Direct staff to proceed with design and production of the first guide with the primary target date for February publication, and the secondary target an April date. 2. Authorize staff to fund the first guide from the existing Community Promotion budget. 3. Direct staff to address the second or further guides during the budget process for fiscal 1991/92. BACKGROUND At the December 17, 1990, City Council meeting Councilman Potts asked staff to research the possibility of guides to shopping centers and dining in Tustin which could be inserted into the "Tustin Today." "Tustin Today" is published four times per year at no cost to the City. The contractor produces the brochure for the City in exchange for advertising revenues. The City pays postage costs, and would be liable for the cost of any inserts or "extras." Staff has done some preliminary research and has identified the following relevant issues. Cost The cost is composed of three items: 1. the cost to insert the item into "Tustin Today;" 2. the cost to print and produce the guide; and 3. the cost for additional postage if necessary. Staff has determined that the cost to insert printed material is $18 per thousand. Printing costs per quarter range from $1500 for a one page insert to $8500 for a folded, stapled, five page booklet. The cost of postage depends upon the weight of the insert; as long as the total weight does not exceed 3 1/3 ounces, postage costs remain the same. Staff has determined that there is $15,000 in the Community Promotion budget which could be earmarked for the first quarter costs. Distribution The "Tustin Today" has a production run of 32,000 per quarter. Of these, 25,000 are mailed to Tustin residents, 3,000 are distributed to Tustin schools, and approximately seven hundred are mailed on request to those who are residents but are in the 92705 zip code and others who request brochures. The remaining brochures are distributed at the Senior Center, and Civic Center complex. The brochure is mailed four times per year. BUSINESS AND SHOPPING GUIDE INSERTS January 2, 1991 Page 2 Timing The next brochure is due to be printed February 14; if direction is given this evening and a priority is put on this work, the staff may be able to meet print deadlines for this issue. If that is not possible, the next issue is published in April and April would be the next alternative. Since the brochure is published four times a year, staff feels that one issue regarding shopping centers and one issue regarding dining would be sufficient. The insert would be published twice per year, not every quarter. Staff recommends that the first issue address dining and the second address shopping centers. Which Businesses to Include Staff recommends that businesses which have valid business licenses should be included in the publication. In the first issue regarding dining, staff would require direction from the Council whether to include every restaurant with a business license, or to make some other distinction. For the second issue regarding shopping centers, staff could determine whether it would be more efficient to group by specialty, by shopping center, or some other criteria. Should the City Council wish to participate in these decisions, staff could return to the City Council at a later date regarding a format for the second issue. Staff would caution that this is not a "Business Directory" which is normally used by a Chamber of Commerce to create revenue. The addition of advertisements and the concomitant production work would make the job much more complex and lengthy. An elegant, simple brochure as staff proposes could be completed with the time requested. A more complex "Directory" would be better turned over to the Chamber of Commerce; it should not be included in the "Tustin Today," which has its own set of advertisers and regulations. Staff recommends that this project be undertaken by a team of staff members from the Administrative Services, Community Services, and Community Development Departments. Staff awaits Council direction. Royleen A. White, Director Community and Administrative Services RAW/md RAW3:SHPGIDE