HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-11-07 - AGENDA REPORTS - FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY (2)AGENDA REPORT
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City Manager Approval /
I.
Item to be presented by:
Michael P. Murphy
NEW BUSINESS
DATE: November 7, 1995
SUBJECT: FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
BACKGROUND
Earlier this year, the City Council retained the services of Montgomery and O'Donnell for purposes
of federal advocacy relative to the. Elsmere Canyon landfill proposal. The primary lobbying activities
relate to H.R. 924 and S. 393, the bills prohibiting conveyance of Angeles National Forest lands out
of federal ownership for use as a solid waste landfill. The Council also authorized retention of Jerry
M. Patterson, of Burke Williams and Sorensen to selectively assist the federal advocacy efforts with
respect to the Elsmere Canyon landfill issue.
The original contract and authorization for services covered the period April 1, 1995 through October
31, 1995. Delays in the U.S. Forest Service administrative process has created delays in the
anticipated legislative process.
Therefore, the Council is requested to renew Montgomery and O'Donnell's contract in the amount
of $4000 per month ($48,000 annually) plus a maximum of $4,000 for expenses, for the period of
November 1, 1995 through October 31, 1996. This rate represents an increase of $1,000 per month
over the current rate. The Council is further requested to approve an additional maximum
expenditure of $8,000 for the continuing services of Mr. Patterson. The total requested amount for
federal advocacy services is $60,000.
The following tasks are representative of services performed by Montgomery and O'Donnell during
the seven months the firm has been under contract with the City:
• Provide weekly telephone briefings to Intergovernmental Relations Officer.
• Conduct regular meetings with Representative McKeon's legislative staff.
APPROVED Agenda Item:lsz
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• Participate in briefings with representatives of other parties
supporting City's Elsmere related efforts.
• Meet regularly with Members of Congress andlor legislative staff of House
Subcommittee on National Parks, Forest and Lands.
• Provided guidance and reviewed presentation of Councilmember Pederson
and others to the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and
Lands;
• Arranged schedule and participated in full-day briefings for City
representatives to meet with Members of Congress and/or staff relative to
H.R. 924 prior to September 19, 1995 congressional subcommittee hearing.
• Meet with representatives of United States Department of Agriculture
and U.S. Forest Service relative to legislation and overall Elsmere issue.
• Provide informational materials and updates on other issues of concern to the
City, including transportation, housing and telecommunications legislation.
Representative McKeon and Senator Boxer have indicated a desire to move their respective bills at
the earliest opportunities. However, the legislative process is somewhat contingent upon the
administrative process, which is unpredictable. As the administrative process is currently projected
to continue into summer 1996; the legislative process may follow a similar time line.
The recent arrangement between BKK Corporation and Browning Ferris Industries (BFI) could
further delay the administrative process. Furthermore, any appeal of a U.S. Forest Service Record
of Decision or other administrative action will likely require Washington review.
Montgomery and O'Donnell are also including in their recommended scope of work for the following
year an enhanced level of activity with respect to other federal areas, including funding opportunities
in the criminal justice, transportation and community development arenas and regulatory impacts
particularly in the area of environmental regulations.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract of John H. Montgomery and John R. O'Donnell
for federal legislative advocacy services in the amount of $4,000 per month plus $4,000 maximum
for expenses, for the period November 1, 1995 though October 31, 1996.
Authorize a maximum expenditure of $8,000 for the federal advocacy services of Jerry M. Patterson
for the same period as part of the existing agreement for services with Burke, Williams and Sorensen.
Authorize the transfer of $44,000 from Contingency Reserve Account 01-4102-290 to Elsmere
Account 01-4103-203. The remaining $16,000 shall be included as part of the 1996/97 budget.
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