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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - FED LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY (2)Agenda Item: _2. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: Michael P. Murphy DATE: September 23, 2003 SUBJECT: FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT: City Manager RECOMMENDED ACTION Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute, subject to City Attorney approval, a continuation of the professional services agreement with Jamison and Sullivan, Inc. for the period October 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003. Continuation of the contract is contingent upon City Council authorization of funding for legislative advocacy under the Transit Mixed Concrete opposition effort, contained within a separate agenda item for the September 23, 2003 City Council meeting. BACKGROUND Since February 2001 the City has retained the professional services of Jamison and Sullivan, Inc. for federal advocacy efforts specifically relating to the proposed Transit Mixed Concrete (TMC) mining project. In April 2003, the Council expanded the scope of the contract to include advocacy services related to reauthorization of the federal surface transportation act, land protection legislation and selected other federal issues. Jamison and Sullivan's current contract is for the period April 1, 2003 through September 30, 2003. Jamison and Sullivan's current monthly retainer is $13,000 per month, plus reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, up to a maximum of $2000 during the term of the agreement. Continuation of the contract for the three month period, October 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003 would total $41,000. The Transit Mixed Concrete opposition effort contains a new element with the pending introduction of federal legislation by Congressman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon. Mr. McKeon's APPROTE-20 legislation has not yet been introduced at the writing of this report but is expected during the month of September. In short, the bill seeks to allow continuation of mining in the Santa Clarita Valley at historical levels and seeks to transfer Cemex's (owner of Transit Mixed Concrete) contractual mining entitlement with the federal Bureau of Land Management to a yet -to -be -determined location, elsewhere in California. Activities during the next three months include securing support for the measure, working with the House Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee and full House Resources Committee, meeting with administration officials, and securing a meeting between Congressman McKeon and Cemex, Inc. senior officials. The federal surface transportation act reauthorization was scheduled to be completed by September 30, 2003, the expiration of the existing Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Due to competing approaches and levels of funding commitment between the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Bush Administration, the reauthorization will not likely be enacted until Spring 2004. Discussions are currently underway to continue the existing program for a limited duration until the more extensive reauthorization bill can be enacted. The City submitted a $66 million request package for inclusion in the six-year transportation blueprint. The specific projects include a $54 million authorization for the Cross Valley Connector, a $7 million authorization for the Santa Clarita Transit Fleet Expansion Program, and a $5 million reauthorization request for the Santa Clarita Transit Maintenance Facility Phase II. The continuation of this professional services agreement is contingent upon City Council approval of funding for legislative advocacy services for TMC activities. A separate report relating to the TMC budget appears on the September 23, 2003 City Council agenda. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Award contract for period of time other than three months in duration. 2. Not award contract to Jamison and Sullivan, Inc. and issue a Request for Proposals for federal advocacy services relating to the proposed TMC mining project opposition and federal surface transportation act reauthorization. 3. Other direction as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The approved FY 2003/04 City Budget contains $18,500 in account 1210-8110 for federal advocacy services for non -TMC related activities, resulting in no additional impact to the City budget. The remaining $22,500 is subject to City Council approval on September 23, 2003, under a separate agenda item specifically relating to the TMC budget.