HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-28 - AGENDA REPORTS - CONTR RENEWAL FED ADVOCACY (2)CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE: October 28, 1997
City Manan
Item to be
Michael P. Murphy
SUBJECT: CONTRACT RENEWAL: FEDERAL ADVOCACY
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
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 for expenses, for a total amount of $52,000, for the period November 1, 1997 through
October 31, 1998.
Since 1995, the City of Santa Clarita has retained the services of John Montgomery and John
O'Donnell for purposes of federal legislative advocacy. Montgomery and O'Donnell's current
contract with the City expires on October 31, 1997. The City Council is requested to renew the
contract for the period November 1, 1997 through October 31, 1998.
During the past year, Montgomery and O'Donnell have worked on a variety of issues on behalf
of the City including: reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
(ISTEA), transportation appropriations bill, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
earthquake supplemental appropriations extension, Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) legislation relative to eligible disaster expenditures and reimbursements, various
federal grant opportunities and United States Forest Service activities relative to both the
original proposal and subsequent discussions concerning a potential Elsmere Canyon landfill.
For the upcoming contract year, several issues have already been identified as work program
areas for our federal advocates:
Obtain funding for a new transit maintenance facility in the transportation
appropriations bill. Extensive work has been done with our federal representatives and
Senate and House committee staff during this past year to ensure a high priority
position in the coming year.
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• Obtain funding for new buses through either ISTEA process or via transportation
appropriations bill. While extensive work has already been done toward meeting this
goal, this is a highly competitive area.
• Assist federal representatives in obtaining local project funding through ISTEA
reauthorization.
• Address truck safety issues growing out of North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) as they impact the Interstate 5/State Route 14 corridors.
• Work with Federal Emergency Management Agency and Army Corps of Engineers on
El Nino related disaster preparation and response issues.
• Represent City concerns about proposed legislative and administrative changes in the
Stafford Act, governing changes in federal law relative to disaster eligible costs and
reimbursement.
• Continue contacts with United States Forest Service regarding potential use of Elsmere
Canyon property and appropriate land uses adjacent to the Angeles National Forest.
• Track and comment on anticipated telecommunications legislation slated for next year
which seeks to eliminate all local control or regulation.
• Track and comment on anticipated water quality legislation which may seek additional
controls on source point pollution focusing on municipal, industrial and agricultural
uses.
• Continue assisting with identifying federal grant opportunities and seeking to influence
grant awards, as appropriate.
1. Determine that Montgomery and O'Donnell have provided excellent federal advocacy
services and renew contract for an additional year.
2. Determine that federal advocacy professional services contract should be put out to bid.
3. Terminate all contract federal advocacy services and determine that all federal advocacy
services should be handled by staff or in conjunction with Burke, Williams and Sorensen.
4. Other direction as determined by the City Council.
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FISCAL IMPACT
$52,000 has already been budgeted in account 1210-8110 for FY 1997/98. This represents a
monthly retainer of $4,000 per month with a maximum of $4,000 expense reimbursement. This
is the same amount changed by Montgomery and O'Donnell for services in each of the past two
years, thus representing no increase in fee.
MPM.j.97981.097