Submitted By: Tom Duncan
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Presentation By: Tom Duncan
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve an agreement between the City of Ocala and Creative Outdoor Advertising, Inc. for the placement, maintenance, and advertising of transit benches
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND: Effective May 1, 2025, staff requests authority to enter into a new agreement with Creative Outdoor Advertising of America, Inc. (COA) for the continued placement, maintenance, and advertising of transit benches throughout the City of Ocala. This Agreement replaces the outdated 1981 license granted to COA’s predecessor, Metropolitan Systems, and marks a significant improvement in structure, oversight, and accountability. Unlike the previous open-ended license, the new contract establishes a ten-year term with two optional five-year renewals, enforces ADA compliance, and clearly outlines maintenance expectations, insurance requirements, and default remedies.
Under the terms of the Agreement, COA will be responsible for furnishing, installing, maintaining, and removing benches at city-approved locations along SunTran routes. All installations must meet ADA requirements and be mounted on city-approved pads. While COA retains ownership of the benches, it must always keep them clean, safe, and operable.
COA will hold exclusive advertising rights on the benches, with restrictions prohibiting certain content, including political, tobacco, and sexually explicit material. The City retains the right to reject or request the removal of any inappropriate advertising. Additionally, COA must allocate up to 10 percent of unsold advertising space for City use at production cost.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The Agreement outlines conditions under which either party may terminate the contract, with a 90-day window for COA to remove all benches upon termination. Additional provisions address insurance, indemnification, compliance with public records, non-discrimination, emergency protocols, and independent contractor status. This Agreement will not include any connection to the existing or proposed transit shelters.
This Agreement supports the City’s commitment to accessible, well-maintained public transit infrastructure while ensuring a fair share of advertising revenue and maintaining oversight of messaging and placement.
FISCAL IMPACT: The City will receive 18 percent of the monthly net advertising revenue. COA must maintain detailed financial records and comply with audit requirements as necessary. The funding will be credited to revenue account 494-344-000-000-02-34436 and will help offset transit operating costs.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: This Agreement has been reviewed by the Contracting Officer in compliance with City policy.
LEGAL REVIEW: This Agreement has been reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with changes.
• Table
• Deny