HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - FEDERAL ADVOCACY SERVICES (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approv
Item to be presented by: Michael P. Mur h
DATE: February 11, 2003
SUBJECT: CONTRACT RENEWAL: FEDERAL ADVOCACY SERVICES
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize City Manager or his designee 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 annually for expense reimbursement for
the period January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2004, concurrent with the session
of the 108th Congress, subject to City Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
Since 1995, the City of Santa Clarita has retained the professional services of John
H. Montgomery and John R. O'Donnell for purposes of federal legislative advocacy.
Mr. Montgomery and Mr. O'Donnell represent the City's interests regarding federal
matters on all issues with the exception of the Transit Mixed Concrete opposition
effort. The renewal period for this contract would be retroactive to January 1, 2003
and terminate on December 31, 2004, concurrent with the session of the 108th
Congress.
During the coming year, there are several areas of federal focus that will be
important to the City of Santa Clarita. The largest issue will be the reauthorization
of the federal surface transportation act, currently known as the Transportation
Equity Act for the 218t Century. The reauthorization will lay out the federal
transportation blueprint for the next six years. Specifically, Santa Clarita will be
seeking to have the Cross Valley Connector authorized in the legislation to ensure a
continued flow of federal funding for the project. Other areas important to the City
as part of the reauthorization will likely include, project authorizations relating to
Interstate 5 improvements, transit related authorizations for facilities and buses,
high speed rail, good movement, and transportation related security issues. As the
reauthorization process is highly competitive, it is critical that Santa Clarita have
federal representation in the nation's capital to assist our delegation members in
obtaining the project authorizations critical for our community. Mr. Montgomery
Agenda Item:
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CONTRACT RENEWAL: FEDERAL ADVOCACY SERVICES
February 11, 2003 — Page 2
and Mr. O'Donnell have already started dialogue with key committee staff and
Members of Congress to ensure that Santa Clarita's interests are reflected in the
reauthorization legislation.
Other issues will include continuing to work with the Army Corps of Engineers
regarding implementation of the Santa Clara River Reconnaissance Study and
issues related to the Whittaker-Bermite site clean-up. Open space preservation
through the proposed California Wild Heritage Act and other Department of
Agriculture and Department of Interior opportunities will need to be monitored and
acted upon, as appropriate. Finally, the establishment of the Department of
Homeland Security as a cabinet level department is anticipated to yield new
program and funding options for local governments in meeting the challenges
associated with security.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
1. Not award a contract to Montgomery and O'Donnell and issue a Request for
Proposals for federal advocacy services.
2. Other direction as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL
The monthly retainer fee is $4,000 per month with a maximum expense
reimbursement of $4,000 annually. This is the same amount charged by
Montgomery and O'Donnell during their entire term of service with the City of
Santa Clarita, thus representing no increase in fee. Overall funding for federal
advocacy services has been budgeted in account 1210-8110 for FY 02/03. Funds for
continuation of the contract beyond July 1, 2003 are subject to inclusion of funds in
the approved budget for FY 03/04.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MPM:srl
Ma/ccagenda 2003Reb lldf d advocacy montgomery&odonne103-04