Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS OR A FINAL ONE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
On June 8, 2016, the City Council was made aware by staff that the two-year agreement for legislative advocacy services with Townsend Public Affairs (Townsend) would be expiring in October 2016. At that time the Council voted to discuss this issue in more detail at the Legal / Legislative sub-committee. The sub-committee met on September 7, 2016 with a recommendation to renew the contract for another year with Townsend’s scope consisting of monitoring, advocating and lobbying for legislation. They will assist with crafting language in grant applications and other projects agreed to by both parties.
Townsend has expressed their interest in remaining Carson’s legislative advocate to continue the work they have been doing for the city. They have verbally agreed to extend state and federal services for another two years at the same rate.
In October 2014, the City entered into a two-year agreement with Townsend for legislative advocacy services. The agreement is for both state and federal advocacy services and expired on October 7, 2016. Staff brings this matter to the Council to provide notice that the contract has expired and staff requests direction as to how to proceed (Exhibit No. 1).
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
CONSIDER and PROVIDE direction.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
1. EXTEND the contract services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for state and federal legislative advocacy services, in the amount of $8,000.00 per month for a period of 1 year expiring in October 2018, subject to negotiation of terms and scope of services by staff and the City Attorney’s office, OR
2. REQUEST staff initiate a request for proposals for both state and federal legislative advocacy services, OR
3. TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
In Townsend’s capacity as our legislative advocate they have lobbied on many of bills at both state and federal levels that the City has supported or opposed. Townsend has also worked to secure funding for the city through legislation or competitive grant writing, securing $368,350 to date. Townsend assisted the City in obtaining an extension on a $5 million grant from the California Pollution Control Authority for the purchase of the land fill liner for the 157-acre project. Townsend assisted the City in the drafting and successful passage of special legislation, AB 1144 (Hall), which addressed $48 million in unfunded liability from the City of Carson’s post-retirement medical benefit program. Townsend is currently working with staff on nine active grant applications which are detailed in the attached memo from Townsend (Exhibit No. 2). They are also working with the City on special legislation dealing with obtaining a direct allocation of cap and trade funds to Carson, based on the location of two refineries and other GHG producing industries in the City.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None at this time.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Current agreement with Townsend Public Affairs. (pgs. 3-22)
2. Memo dated May 9, 2016 from Townsend. (pgs. 23-25)
Prepared by: Lisa Berglund, Principal Administrative Analyst