Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with American Eagle Co, Inc. d/b/a Q+M for Media and Creative Services in Support of the City's Updated On-Street Snow Parking Ban ($271,000.00) (RFP No. 25-22)
Memorandum
Background: The City of Ann Arbor recently adopted and clarified rules regarding its on-street snow parking ban ordinance to ensure streets can be plowed efficiently and safely during significant snow events. Because this policy has not been implemented in over two decades, many residents, students, commuters, and other community members may be unaware of the ordinance, how they would be alerted or what is required to comply.
To ensure effective communication before and during ban implementation, a comprehensive public education campaign is necessary. The campaign will address the needs of specific audiences, including:
* Residents
* College students with vehicles parked off-property
* Commuters using on-street parking
* Parents, teachers, and students in the Ann Arbor Public Schools community
In May 2025, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 25-22 for media and creative services to support a public education and media campaign for the on-street snow parking ban. On May 16th, the City received 13 proposals. A staff selection committee reviewed the proposals and determined the firms most qualified for the work according to several criteria:
* Professional Qualifications (20%)
* Past involvement with similar projects (30%)
* Proposed work plan (30%)
* Fee proposal (20%)
The staff selection committee decided to interview five firms based on the quality of the proposals. Staff ranked the interviewed firms in the following order:
1. Q+M
2. Crystal Cranes Media
3. Factory Detroit Inc.
4. Piper Gold
5. A5
Following the interviews, the staff selection committee selected Q + M based upon their professional qualifications, past involvement with similar projects, work plan, and fee proposal.
Scope of Services: Under this agreement, American Eagle Co. Inc. d/b/a Q+M will provide:
1. Campaign Development - Collaborating with City staff to develop messaging and creative concepts tailored to targeted audiences.
2. Media Planning & Buying - Developing a strategy to utilize digital and traditional channels in the Southeast Michigan market, and procuring approved advertising placements.
3. Creative Services - Producing campaign materials (video, graphics, print, etc.) in various formats for outreach and advertising.
4. Public Education & Outreach - Designing materials that inform the public about how and when the ban is implemented, how to comply, and the importance of signing up for alerts.
5. Coordination & Reporting - Maintaining regular updates with the City's Contract Administrator and providing campaign performance reports.
All work will be conducted in accordance with professional marketing standards, applicable laws, and City policies.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The following multi-year funding plan has been established to fund this agreement: FY 2026 $50,00.000, FY 2027 $120,000.00, FY 2028 $100,000.00, and $25,000.00 annually thereafter. Funding for year one of $50,000.00 is included in the approved the FY 26 Local Streets Fund operations and maintenance budget; future funding will be available in future fiscal years, if so, approved by Council. The total amount of the agreement shall not exceed $271,000. This amount includes $70,000 in estimated fees for professional services, with the remaining $201,000 reserved for the purchase of advertising and educational materials, invoiced separately through the contractor.
Staff
Prepared by: Robert Kellar, Communication Specialist
Reviewed by: Tim Wilhelm, Deputy City Attorney
Jordan Roberts, Public Service Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Ann Arbor City Council in the Fall of 2024 adopted and clarified rules regarding its on-street snow parking ban ordinance (R#:24-2092) to ensure streets can be plowed efficiently and safely during significant snow events;
Whereas, An on-street snow parking ban has not been declared in over two decades, many residents, students, commuters, and other community members may be unaware of the ordinance, how they would be alerted or what is required to comply;
Whereas, City Council approved funding in the amount of $50,000.00 in the FY 2026 budget to implement a comprehensive, multi-year public education campaign regarding the policy to inform residents, students, commuters, and other key stakeholders about the policy's purpose, procedures, alert system, and compliance requirements;
Whereas, City staff planned for professional marketing, creative, and media placement services to assist staff to effectively develop and deliver campaign messaging to targeted audiences through both digital and traditional marketing channels;
Whereas, American Eagle Co, Inc. d/b/a Q+M ("Q+M") was chosen through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process, and demonstrated it has the expertise, experience, and capacity to provide these services, including campaign development, media planning and buying, creative production, and public education and outreach, as well as coordination and reporting in alignment with the City's policies and objectives;
Whereas, The total compensation under this Professional Services Agreement shall not exceed $271,000, which includes $70,000 in estimated fees for professional services, with the remaining $201,000 reserved for the purchasing of advertising and educational materials, to be invoiced separately through the Contractor; and
Whereas, Partial funding for this agreement is available in the approved FY2026 Local Streets Fund Operations and Maintenance budget, and will available in future fiscal years if so, approved by Council;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves the Professional Services Agreement with American Eagle Co, Inc. d/b/a Q+M in an amount of $271,000 for media and creative services in support of the City's on-street snow parking ban campaign (RFP No. 25-22);
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the Agreement after approval as to form by the City Attorney and as to substance by the City Administrator; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary actions to implement this resolution, including approval of expenditures in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.