Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-12-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY (2)Agenda Item: CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: Michael P. Murphy DATE: December 9, 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 January 1, 2004 through June 30, 2004. 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 October 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003. Jamison and Sullivan's 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 six month period of January 1, 2004 through June 30, 2004 will total $80,000. This amount is already included in the adopted 2003/04 City Budget. The Transit Mixed Concrete opposition for the proposed contract period contains a new element with the introduction last month of H.R. 3529 by Congressman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon. In short, the bill cancels the contracts between Cemex (owner of Transit Mixed Concrete) and the United States Bureau of Land Management and allows continuation of mining in the Santa Clarita Valley at historical levels. Activities during the next six months include securing support for the measure from other Members of Congress and interested parties; working with the House Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee and full House Resources Committee to receive hearings on the measure; meeting with administration officials; and continuing the dialogue between Cemex, Bureau of Land Management, City of Santa Clarita, Representative McKeon and Senators Boxer and Feinstein to develop legislative language which will enable the bill to move successfully through the legislative process. The second major issue is the federal surface transportation act reauthorization, which was originally scheduled to be completed by September 30, 2003, the expiration date of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA -21). 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, a continuing resolution was enacted to carry the current provisions of TEA -21 through February 2004. Legislative proposals are beginning to surface which will form the basis for the enactment of the reauthorization legislation next year. 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 H. The specific activities which will be undertaken by our federal advocates will include securing inclusion of the City's requests in the reauthorization legislation at the desired levels. It is anticipated that the reauthorization legislation will be enacted sometime during spring 2004. Should the City's objectives be met prior to the expiration of the contract period, the contract will be worded in such a way as to retain the advocacy services only as long as required to meet the City's objectives. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Award contract for period of time other than six 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 No additional resources are required as the adopted 2003/04 City budget contains federal advocacy funding necessary to execute the activities contained within the staff recommendation.