Contract 2018-18 PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made this a day of March 2018, between the City of Clermont, a
Municipal Corporation of the State of Florida, (hereinafter referred to as the "CITY") and
Crosswords Communication Company, LLC whose address is 13119 Anderson Hill, Road,
Clermont, FL 34711 (hereinafter referred to as "CONSULTANT").
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, representations and agreements herein
contained,the parties agree as follows:
1. SCOPE OF SERVICES: The CONSULTANT shall furnish all labor, materials,
equipment, transportation and perform all of the work described in the scope of services as set
forth in Exhibit"A" attached hereto and incorporated herein.
2. COMPENSATION SCHEDULE: The CITY agrees to and does engage CONSULTANT
to perform the professional services for compensation described herein and as set forth in Exhibit
"A"attached hereto and incorporated herein and the parties do further agree:
a. As a condition precedent to receiving payment, CONSULTANT shall have been authorized
to proceed by CITY for the specific phase, shall not be in default of any of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and shall provide to CITY an invoice for services provided for
each thirty-day period commencing as of the effective date of this Agreement.
b. CITY shall pay all valid, approved and undisputed invoices as set forth in Exhibit "A"
within thirty (30) days of receipt from CONSULTANT. In the event that CITY disputes
any invoice submitted, it shall advise CONSULTANT in writing and said invoice shall not
be deemed due and payable under this agreement. Neither the CITY's review approval or
acceptance of, nor payment for, any services provided hereunder shall be construed to
operate as a waiver of any rights under this Agreement and the CONSULTANT shall be
liable to CITY for any and all damages to CITY caused by the CONSULTANT's negligent
or wrongful performance of any of the services furnished under this Agreement.
c. All services provided shall be performed in accordance with this Agreement and with any
and all applicable law, professional standards and guidelines. CITY may request
CONSULTANT to make changes in the scope of services or make revisions to the work
performed. Any changes or revisions requested by CITY that are not due to consultant
error, omission or negligence will be incorporated into the scope of services by written
amendment to this agreement and the consultant may be entitled to additional compensation
upon the agreement of the parties.
3. TERM. This Agreement shall take effect on March 1, 2018 and shall continue in effect
until the agreement is terminated as provided in Section 4 below.
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4. TERMINATION.
a. The non-breaching party upon breach of the terms and conditions contained herein
may terminate this Agreement.
b. Additionally, CITY shall have the right to terminate the agreement, for any reason,
upon fifteen (15) days written notice to the CONSULTANT. In the event of termination by the
CITY pursuant to this section 4b, CONSULTANT shall be compensated in accordance with the
services completed and accepted, as of the date of the termination and as set forth in the Scope of
Services
5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONSULTANT. In addition to all other responsibilities
provided herein, CONSULTANT expressly understands and agrees that, through the above-
referenced assigned personnel, it shall perform all of the services required in the Scope of Services,
and further agrees as follows:
a. CONSULTANT shall assign Doris Bloodsworth at all times during the term of this
Agreement to provide the services on behalf of CITY as contemplated herein.
b. CONSULTANT may retain subcontractors to provide any of the services
contemplated herein. Said subcontractors shall be used at the sole expense of CONSULTANT,
under the direct supervision of CONSULTANT and with the prior written approval of CITY.
c. CONSULTANT expressly acknowledges that any and all documents, logos,
marketing and advertising material, plans, designs, reports, and specifications related to the project
and acquired or created by CONSULTANT shall remain, at all times the property of CITY and
CONSULTANT. CONSULTANT, therefore, shall preserve and maintain said records and shall
immediately provide copies of them to CITY upon termination of this Agreement.
6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITY. The City shall provide full information, as reasonably
directed by CONSULTANT, regarding the requirements of the project.
7. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY. During the term of this
Agreement, the City Manager shall be the designated representative authorized to act on behalf of
the CITY, as provided by law,with respect to the project.
8. INSURANCE PROVIDED BY CONSULTANT.
a. Workers Compensation. CONSULTANT agrees to pay for and maintain in full
force and affect all applicable workers compensation insurance as required by Federal and Florida
Law.
b. Comprehensive Automobile Liability. CONSULTANT agrees to pay for and
maintain in full force and effect at all times during the term of this Agreement, bodily injury and
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property damage liability insurance. The limits of said policies shall be in an amount approved by
the CITY.
c. Proof of Insurance. Upon CITY's request, CONSULTANT agrees to provide to
CITY reasonable proof of the aforementioned policies of insurance, or certificates of the issuance
thereof, as evidence of the compliance by the CONSULTANT with the terms and provisions
contained herein.
d. Loss of Insurance. If during the period which an insurance company is providing the
coverage required by this Agreement, an insurance company shall lose its Certificate of Authority
under Florida Law CONSULTANT shall, as soon as it has knowledge of any such circumstance,
immediately notify CITY and immediately replace the insurance coverage provided by the
insurance company with a different insurance company meeting the requirements of this
Agreement. Until the CONSULTANT has replaced the unacceptable insurer with an insurer
acceptable to CITY,the CONSULTANT shall be deemed in default of this Agreement.
e. Insurance Coverage Not Limitation of Liability. The maintenance of insurance
coverage as provided herein shall not be construed to limit or have the effect of limiting
CONSULTANT's liability to CITY under the provision of any clause or paragraph contained in this
Agreement.
9. INDEMNIFICATION. CONSULTANT agrees to hold harmless and indemnify,
including attorney fees, CITY, its officers, employees and agents against any and all claims, losses,
damages or lawsuits for damages, arising from or related to negligent acts, errors or omissions of
the CONSULTANT.
10. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. The parties agree that at all times and for all
purposes within the scope of this Agreement, the relationship of CONSULTANT and CITY is that
of an independent contractor.
11. FORCE MAJEURE. With regard to the performance hereunder, CONSULTANT shall
not be deemed to be in default of this agreement, or have to failed to comply with any term or
conditions herein if, for reasons beyond CONSULTANT's reasonable control (including, without
limitation, acts of God, natural disaster, labor unrest, war, declared or undeclared, the existence of
injunctions or requirements for obtaining licenses, permits or other compliance with applicable
laws, rules and regulations), such performance is not reasonably possible within such time periods,
then the time for such performance shall be extended until removal of such reasons beyond
CONSULTANT's reasonable control,provided that CONSULTANT commences such performance
as soon as reasonably possible and diligently pursues such performance.
12. NOTICES. All notices shall be in writing and sent by United States mail, certified or
registered, with return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or by nationally recognized overnight
courier service to the address of the party set forth below. Any such notice shall be deemed given
when received by the party to whom it is intended.
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CONSULTANT: Doris Bloodsworth
13119 Anderson Hill Road
Clermont, FL 34711
CITY: Darren Gray, City Manager
City of Clermont
685 W. Montrose Street
Clermont, FL 34711
13. PROHIBITION AGAINST CONTINGENT FEES.
CONSULTANT warrants that it has not employed or retained any company or person, other than a
bona fide employee working solely for CONSULTANT, to solicit or secure this agreement and that
it has not paid or agreed to pay any person, company, corporation, individual, or firm, other than a
bona fide employee/contractor working solely for CONSULTANT any fee, commission,
percentage, gift or other consideration contingent upon or resulting from the award of making of
this agreement. For breach or violation of this provision, in addition to any and all remedies
available to CITY, CITY shall have the right to terminate this agreement without liability and to
deduct from the contract price, or otherwise recover, the full amount of such fee, commission,
percentage, gift or consideration.
14. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
a. Assignment and Disclosure of Intellectual Property. All original works of
authorship that are made by the CONSULTANT or its representatives (solely or jointly with
others), within the scope of, those described as works for hire and during the period of CITY'S
agreement with the CONSULTANT and that are protectable by copyright as that term is defined
in the United States Copyright Act and that the CONSULTANT will be considered the author
thereof and shall have expressly authorized the use thereof by CITY for all purposes consistent
with this Agreement.
b. Pre-suit Mediation. Prior to, and as a condition precedent to the commencement of
any lawsuit or administrative proceeding to resolve any disputes arising out of this Agreement the
parties agree that the dispute first shall be summited to non-binding mediation for a minimum of
eight hours before a business mediation organization approved by the parties. Such mediation shall
be held at the CITY's offices at the address set forth in this Agreement. The part shall bear the
costs of the mediation equally.
c. Waiver. The waiver by CITY of breach of any provision of this Agreement shall
not be construed or operate as a waiver of any subsequent breach of such provision or of such
provision itself and shall in no way affect the enforcement of any other provisions of this
Agreement.
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d. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any
person or circumstance is to any extent invalid or unenforceable, such provision, or part thereof,
shall be deleted or modified in such a manner as to make the Agreement valid and enforceable
under applicable law, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such a provision to
other persons or circumstances shall be unaffected, and this Agreement shall be valid and
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
e. Amendment. Except for as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement may not be
modified or amended except by an Agreement in writing signed by both parties.
f. Entire Agreement. This Agreement including the documents incorporated by
reference contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto and supersedes all prior and
contemporaneous agreements between the parties with respect to the performance of services by
CONSULTANT.
g. Assignment. This Agreement is personal to the parties hereto and may not be
assigned by CONSULTANT,in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of CITY.
h. Venue. The parties agree that the sole and exclusive venue for any cause of action
arising out of this Agreement shall be Lake County, Florida.
i. Applicable Law. This Agreement and any amendments hereto are executed and
delivered in the State of Florida and shall be governed, interpreted, construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Florida.
j. Records. CONSULTANT expressly understands and acknowledges that any and all
documents related to the services provided herein, may be considered records that are subject to
examination and production in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law. In accordance
therewith CONSULTANT agrees to act as follows:
1. Keep and maintain public records that ordinarily and necessarily would be
required by the CITY in order to perform the services contemplated
herein.
2. Provide the public with access to public records on the same terms and
conditions that the CITY would provide the records and at a cost that does
not exceed the cost provided in this Florida's Public Records Law or
as otherwise provided by law.
3. Ensure that public records that are exempt or confidential and exempt
from public records disclosure requirements are not disclosed except as
authorized by law.
4. Meet all requirements for retaining public records and transfer, at no cost,
to the public agency all public records in possession of the
CONSULTANT upon termination of the contract and destroy any
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duplicate public records that are exempt or confidential and exempt
from public records disclosure requirements. All records stored
electronically must be provided to the CITY in a format that is compatible
with the information technology systems of the public agency.
5. IF CONSULTANT HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING THE
APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 119, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO THE
CONSULTANT'S DUTY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC RECORDS
RELATING TO THIS CONTRACT, CONSULTANT SHALL CONTACT
THE CITY'S CUSTODIAN OF PUBLIC RECORDS AT CITY CLERK'S
OFFICE, 352-241-7331.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have made and executed this Agreement for
the purposes herein expressed on the date first above written.
Attest: CITY OF CLERMONT, FLORIDA
BBY: ��/, /A e/'
Tracy Ackroyd, City Clerk s.11 Ash, Mayor
Date: -1 S-12
•
CROSSWORDS COMMUNICATION
COMPANY, LL
Doris Bloodsworth, Manager
Date: 3 - (3 --
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C • 0 S S SCOPE OF WORK
W O D Strategic Communications
March 1 , 2018
Communications
EXHIBIT "A" TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
Overview
The City of Clermont has requested strategic communications services from Crosswords
Communications Co. The need is due in part to the City's robust growth and the Council's
ambitious timetable for its award-winning Master Plan. Doris Bloodsworth, APR, president of
Crosswords Communications Co., has the unique experience of having served as the City's
former communications director in addition to having a broad background in marketing, public
relations, media relations and social-media marketing.
Although the City currently has multiple marketing and communications initiatives, this Scope of
Work seeks to integrate, streamline and improve coordination of those operations.
The following strategic plan also proposes to augment traditional and social-media services to
promote greater awareness of the city's programs and achievements.
Project Description
• Assess strategic communications, including, but not limited to the following:
1) City Manager and Council priorities
2) Master Plan Communications
3) Clermont Performing Arts Center (CPAC)
4) Economic development and downtown — not directly covered by Master Plan
5) Clermont Parks & Recreation programs, including city-sponsored events
6) Public Safety programs
7) Other city departments' communications needs
8) City's communication resources (social media, email database, newsletter, etc.)
• Meet with city manager to discuss assessment and to prioritize the following:
1) Immediate and time-sensitive communications needs
a) Set objectives (goal, timeline, measurable results)
2) Strategic plan for ongoing communications
a) Set objectives (goal, timeline, measurable results)
• Provide the following services to augment city's other communications:
1) Regular roundup of news items related to Clermont distributed to the city manager,
city council and directors
2) One or more news releases a week
3) Social media posts several times a week
4) Newsletter — including writing, photos, layout, printing and distribution
5) City manager's e-newsletter and video message
6) Other services may be necessary -- to be determined after the assessment and
discussion with the city manager.
www.crosswordscommunications.com
Contact
Phone or text: 407-797-9393
Email: dorisbloodsworth@gmail.com
Address: 13119 Anderson Hill Road, Clermont, FL 34711
Special Notes
• Work will commence upon signing of this agreement or a contract provided by the city.
• The length of this agreement will be determined by mutual consent of the city manager
and Crosswords Communications Co.
• Doris Bloodsworth will make arrangements with the city manager for any time off due to
previous commitments, such as family vacation.
• The city manager and contractor (Doris Bloodsworth) agree that a successful
communications plan requires collaboration and access. Meetings will be scheduled on a
mutually agreed upon schedule and on an as-need basis.
Professional Fees
DESCRIPTION FEES
Assess current communications. $2,500
Develop an integrated, streamlined, strategic communications plan that includes monthly retainer
all major areas and marketing contractors.
Meet with the city manager on a regular basis. Invoiced at the first
Work with directors as needed. of each month.
Provide the following services:
• Provide key messages for new initiatives or in response to questions or Pro-rated for
concerns from citizens and the media. partial months.
• Capture news items related to Clermont and distribute to the city manager,
city council and directors.
• Research, write and distribute news releases at least once a week (more
often as needed) to inform the public about city achievements.
• Post items of community interest regularly on social media.
Newsletter $500
Provide content, design layout, arrange for printing and distribution.
City manager's e-newsletter "Hello, Clermont" and video updates (once $150
monthly for each)
Hard costs
These fees are for service only. Hard costs for the printed newsletter and for
boosting social media posts, in addition to other advertising, would be additional.
Other Services TBD
A complete marketing program often includes community relations, events,
speaking engagements, crisis communications and other tactics. The timing,
necessity and fees for these can be worked out by mutual consent of the city
manager and contractor.
www.crosswordscommunications.com