Instead, after Garcia was elected (June 2014) and took office (July 15, 2014), his campaign submitted a post-election campaign report (filed Feb. 3, 2015) indicating the $10,907 sum was zero'd out -- a "minus" sign placed next to the $10,907 sum -- without further explanation.

Garcia for Mayor 2014 campaign finance report (July 1-Dec. 31, 2014), filed Feb. 3, 2015

A few months later, the Garcia campaign filed an amended version of its post-election report (filed July 31, 2015) that added the word "overestimate."

Garcia for Mayor 2014 amended campaign finance report (July 1-Dec. 31, 2014), filed July 31, 2015

The Garcia campaign did pay ETA $5,907 for services marked "TEL / TV or cable airtime and production costs" but the $10,907 sum was no longer listed as an accrued expense/unpaid bill for the Garcia campaign. It wasn't the only sum Garcia's 2014 campaign listed after the election as an "overestimate"; one "overestimate" amounted to less than $10 to a printing firm; another for $123 was zero'd out to SG Consulting. But the ETA "overestimate" was order of magnitudes larger than the others.

At 2:40 p.m. Feb. 24, LBREPORT.com emailed Ms. Allen by email inviting her to provide an explanation for our readers of what happened regarding the zero'd out $10,907 sum. As of 8:15 p.m. we hadn't received a response.

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In other public record materials, LBREPORT.com notes (in terms of time context) that in June 2015, city management publicly announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking firms wishing to provide services to City Hall such as graphic design, copy development, copy editing, and production for a variety of print materials/public information pieces, interactive media and other related products, Among 21 firms submitting proposals to do so was ETA Advertising.

On October 20, 2015, city staff agendized a City Council item recommending Council approval of eight firms, one of which was ETA Advertising. City staff's agendizing memo indicated ETA met four of staff's five qualifying criteria (more than any of the other seven staff-recommended firms.)

The Council voted 9-0 to approve city staff's recommended eight firms. ETA Advertising received a contract (Dec. 1, 2015-November 30, 2017) for up to $160,000. The contract has since been amended three times and on January 7. 2020 was extended (staff indicated to complete some projects still pending) via a "consent calendar" (no discussion") Council item.

Sponsor

Sponsor

In terms of the contract's "scope of work," the City's 2015 contract attached what appears to be the RFP text:

The City of Long Beach (City), Department of Development Services (Department) is seeking proposals from one or more qualified professional Consultant( s) to provide creative services i. e., graphic design, copy development, copy editing, and production) for a variety of print materials / public information pieces and - interactive media on an as- needed basis. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Year in Review / Annual Reports
• Permitting Guidelines Brochures
• Land Use Policy Documents
  • General Plan Elements, Specific Plans
• Collateral material and web content for grant- funded projects, programs and services
• Collateral material for new and existing programs and services
• Promotional materials related to special events and community meetings
• Postcards
• Flyers
• Infographics
• Artwork for promotional items
• Advertising

Existing color palettes and templates will be used for some services. Examples of reports, brochures, newsletters, and land use policy documents can be found on the Publications page of the LBDS web site (http://www. lbds. info), The Consultant will work one-on-one with key Department personnel to achieve. cost effective, visually appealing results.

Consultant should demonstrate an understanding of the City of Long Beach and Long Beach Development Services goals and objectives. Experience working with government agencies is desirable, but not required. Consultant must submit three (3) samples of materials similar to those listed above or three samples of materials that best represents the agency' s creative identity.

Sponsor

Sponsor

At the time ETA Advertising sought to provide all or some of these services and ultimately received a City contract to do so, it also owned/operated "LBPost.com" with Ms. Allen as its named publisher.

In mid-June 2018, Pacific6,through a subsidiary acquired and now operates "LBPost.com."

In October 2019, Ms. Allen announced she had sold ETA Advertising and declared her candidacy for LB's 2nd district City Council seat.

Sponsor

Support really independent news in Long Beach. No one in LBREPORT.com's ownership, reporting or editorial decision-making has ties to development interests, advocacy groups or other special interests; or is seeking or receiving benefits of City development-related decisions; or holds a City Hall appointive position; or has contributed sums to political campaigns for Long Beach incumbents or challengers. LBREPORT.com isn't part of an out of town corporate cluster and no one its ownership, editorial or publishing decisionmaking has been part of the governing board of any City government body or other entity on whose policies we report. LBREPORT.com is reader and advertiser supported. You can help keep really independent news in LB similar to the way people support NPR and PBS stations. We're not non-profit so it's not tax deductible but $49.95 (less than an annual dollar a week) helps keep us online.