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lt ,- REN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: May 21, 2012 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Director �711 SUBJECT: On-line Video Tour Backiwound At a recent National League of Cities conference, a Councilmember spoke to representatives from CGI Communications (CGI). CGI offers to make free video tours for cities to post on their websites. The video tours can be used as an economic development tool and to promote the City to potential businesses and residents. CGI Communications In order to get a better understanding of the product that CGI offers and its relationship to municipalities, City staff has contacted other cities in the metro area who have worked with CGI and has reviewed a sample contract provided by CGI (attached). Following is a summary of the CGI on-line video project. • CGI provides on-line videos at no cost to cities, and CGI sells sponsorships (advertising) to local businesses. The sponsors' logo and e-mail links are displayed on the City's video tour page. CGI keeps all advertising revenue. • CGI requires the Mayor to sign a letter to local businesses asking them to consider sponsorships. (A sample letter was provided by CGI and is attached). The City can edit the letter to clarify that the City is not asking for a contribution and that whether businesses choose to be a sponsor is entirely their decision. • In several cities that have participated in CGI's program, staff has received a few calls from businesses either upset by strong-armed sales pitches from CGI, or simply calling to ask staff whether CGI is legitimate. In all of the cities that have been contacted, these issues have been resolved, and have not created lingering problems or ill-will with the business community. City of Arden Hills City Council Work Session Meeting May 21, 2012 Page 1 of 3