HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-12-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - FED ADVOCACY SERVICES - MMO PARTNERS (2)Agenda Item: 5
DATE: December 11, 2018
SUBJECT: FEDERAL ADVOCACY SERVICES: MMO PARTNERS
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Michael Murphy
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council authorize the City Manager or designee to execute, subject to City Attorney
approval, a contract for the continuation of professional services with MMO Partners for the
period of January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2020, concurrent with the term of the 1161'
Congress.
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clarita retains the Washington, D.C. based firm of MMO Partners, formerly
known as Murray, Montgomery and O'Donnell, for federal advocacy services. MMO Partners'
current contract with the City of Santa Clarita (City) expires on December 31, 2018, concurrent
with the conclusion of the 1151i Congress.
The City Council is requested to approve continuation of professional services with MMO
Partners for the period of January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2020, concurrent with the term
of the upcoming 1161i Congress.
MMO Partners' retainer will remain at the same compensation level as their current contract:
$6,000 per month plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, which are not to
exceed $5,000 annually. This results in an annual contract maximum of $77,000. The overall
contract authorization for the two-year period is $154,000. Funds are currently contained within
the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19 budget through June 30, 2019. Continuation of the contract
beyond June 30, 2019, is subject to future budget allocations by the City Council.
During the upcoming session of Congress, federal advocacy activities will focus on working with
newly elected Representative Katie Hill (D -CA -25) and her staff to inform them of the City
Council's federal priorities and continuing to work with Senator Dianne Feinstein (D -CA),
Senator Kamala Harris (D -CA), and administration officials regarding the City Council's
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legislative priorities, particularly as outlined in the adopted 2019 Legislative Platform.
With change in majority control from Republicans to Democrats in the House of Representatives
in the 116th Congress and continuing Republican leadership in the Senate and administration,
significant time will be spent on working with new Members of Congress and committee staff
and navigating modified relational dynamics between the two legislative houses and the
administration. Additionally, the City will be continuing to partner with Senator Dianne
Feinstein and Representative Adam Schiff (D -CA -28) to secure enactment of legislation
designating the Rim of the Valley Unit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation
Area. The City will continue to push back on efforts by the wireless communications industry to
further limit or eliminate local authority related to communications site and equipment within
local jurisdictions. It is also anticipated that Congress and the administration will move forward
with a comprehensive infrastructure proposal during the new Congress.
During the most recent contract period, MMO Partners worked with the City to establish positive
relationships with Senator Kamala Harris and members of the Trump administration. Specific
accomplishments include working with the City's federal delegation and Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) staff to successfully retain the Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) funding after the President's FY 2018 budget sought to eliminate the program;
securing $47 million of Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant funding through a
partnership with Metro for the I-5 Golden State Chokepoint Relief Program, including working
with Congressman Steve Knight (R -CA -25) and Department of Transportation staff regarding
Secretary Chao's recent trip to Santa Clarita to highlight the INFRA grant; arranging grant
application briefings with Department of Transportation (DOT) staff regarding the City's grant
submissions for the Vista Canyon Metrolink Station under both the Transportation Investment
Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program and its successor, Better Utilizing
Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD); and working with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) regarding potential funding opportunities relative to the new
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff s Station.
The firm also provided strategic advice on how to approach the dispute between the Army Corps
of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service relative to the gnatcatcher issue at the
Whittaker-Bermite site. MMO Partners has also worked with the City to inform the U.S. Forest
Service and Department of Agriculture of the City's concerns regarding mudslides and
continuing mudslide potential as a result of the 2016 Sand Fire.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
1. Award a contract for a period of time other than the recommended duration.
2. Not award a contract to MMO Partners and direct staff to issue a request for proposal for
federal advocacy services.
3. Other direction, as determined by the City Council.
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FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended action will result in a total maximum expenditure of $77,000
annually for an overall expenditure not to exceed $154,000 over the term of the contract. Funds
for federal advocacy services at that authorization level are contained within the approved FY
2018/19 City budget. Continuation beyond June 30, 2019, subject to inclusion of funding within
future adopted budgets.
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