Item 5.4 on the Tuesday, February 7, 2017 city council agenda was posted as:
Someone evidently feels that the taxpayers need some education.
Some of the members of city council will stand for re-election this May and probably think that some advertising could help their chances for re-election.
We doubt that the campaign will draw public attention to the cost of the projects.
Spending a quarter of a million dollars to help their campaigns is shameful.
No Bids
Once again the city seems to be trying to stretch the rules.
From what we can see the contract was not put out to competitive bid. The agenda posting included this note:
This is a purchase pursuant to the General Exemptions advertising, other than legal notices, Section 252.022(a) (16) under Chapter 252 of the Texas Local Government Code.
Section 252.022(a)(16) exempts advertising from the state’s competitive bidding requirements.
This contract was for advertising services–deciding what advertising to do, not advertising itself.
We deserve better
Brutus
elpasospeak 
Or maybe it is just damage control because too many of us are looking at potholes and high taxes and saying rude things about the intelligence level of our city leaders. Imagine if El Paso actually spent this money on tourism or economic development advertising instead?
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The City and groups like Redco, PDNG, and Borderplex have spent lots money over the past 20 years to promote economic development and we have little to show for it. The City has deferred and outsourced economic development to these groups, which are controlled by a few individuals who have their own personal agendas.
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They spend money, but it isn’t on advertising. I see other cities promoting themselves in economic development magazines and trade shows when I travel, but not El Paso. Same for tourism. The only serious PR campaign I’ve seen them do at a national level was focused on glorifying the ballpark back when they were trying to pretend it would drive economic development. Money is spent on slogans like It’s All Good, El Paso and there is a lot of advertising in airport boarding areas here, but those folks are already here.
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More waste. Instead of pushing forward with these ridiculous and unnecessary projects, why not grow up – as in, become adults – and look into canceling the remainder of the uncompleted projects?! Especially that unnecessary arena! And, save us the cost of your even more ridiculous advertising campaign!
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Did you mean to say March 7?
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This is a perfect example of the pervasive stupidity and self-serving wastefulness at city hall. They and their special interest friends spent big money to promote the QOL bond, they have delivered only a small part of what was promised, most of the projects completed are probably over budget, and now they want to spend more money to brag about what they have done. You’re right. This is simply free campaign advertising for the incumbent members of council.
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Don’t worry. Laster will screw it up. Their advertising is famous for not getting to the point.
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Please note that this item was deleted from the agenda. Lily Limón.
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Ms. Limon,
So who was the knucklehead who thought this was a good idea and requested that this be put on the agenda? What prompted its removal?
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Thank you.
We have to wonder how it got on the agenda, but thankfully it was caught.
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To me, the big point here is that it was not bid out. Inside influence finds a way to get money to insiders, i.e. themselves, in a round about way.
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It came from the city manager. We did not even discuss it because it was deleted prior to agenda review.
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