At the City Council meeting on the evening of Monday, October 28, Action Item 1 (A1) called for, “Consideration of an Interactive Digital Kiosk Program with Commercial Advertising, along City Sidewalks and Public Right-of-Way (Program), Including Consideration of Submitted Responses to the City’s Request for Proposals for a Potential Vendor for the Program,” and “If Desired, Approval of an Agreement with the Selected Vendor for the Program.”
Back in July, the council voted 3-0 to amend the appropriate zoning code to allow for the placement of digital kiosks in the city. Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Council Member Freddy Puza abstained. Vice Mayor Dan O’Brien, and Council Members Albert Vera and Goran Eriksson voted yes.
Concerns were raised back then that this opens the door for previously restricted billboards and other forms of street advertising.
On Monday, two proposals were put forward, from IKE Smart City, and Success Mantra. It is the IKE proposal that the council eventually approved for progression. The 3-1 vote was similar to July, with McMorrin abstaining and Puza voting no, while O’Brien, Vera and Eriksson voted yes.
“IKE Smart City is proposing to construct and install 15 Kiosks in a first phase, and an
additional 15 Kiosks in a second phase at the City’s and IKE Smart City’s mutual
Discretion,” according to the staff note. “IKE Smart City is proposing to construct and install the Kiosks at no cost to the City. IKE Smart City is proposing that the agreement with the City remain in place over a 10-year term, with a 10-year renewal option if they remain in good standing at the end of the initial term.”