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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-11-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - FED ADVOCACY CONTR RENEWAL (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: — J+ CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: November 23, 2004 Michael P. Murphy FEDERAL ADVOCACY SERVICES: CONTRACT RENEWAL City Manager RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council authorize the City Manager or designee to renew the contract of John H. Montgomery and John R. O'Donnell for federal legislative advocacy services in the amount of $5,000 per month, plus up to $5,000 annually for expense reimbu - rsements, for the period January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2006, subject to City Attorney approval. Funds for continuation of the contract beyond June 30, 2005 subject to the inclusion of funds in the City approved budget for FY 05/06. BACKGROUND The City retains the 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 except the Transit Mixed Concrete/Cemex mining proposal opposition effort. Their current two-year contract expires on December 31, 2004. During the 108th Congress Mr. Montgomery and Mr. O'Donnell secured funding for two major projects of importance to the City; the Cross Valley Connector and the Santa Clara River Reconnaissance Study. They successfully lobbied on the City's behalf for $3 million in FY 04 transportation appropriations and are currently working toward inclusion of up to $5 million as part of the FY 05 omnibus federal appropriations legislation currently under consideration by Congress. They arranged for City officials to meet with House Transportation Appropriations Chairman Ernest Istook on three occasions, including assisting Mr. McKeon in arTanging a Cross Valley Connector site tour for the Chairman. Since the Army Corps of Engineers approval of the Santa Clara River Reconnaissance Study, Mr. � affl R Montgomery and Mr. O'Donnell have successfully lobbied Congress for inclusion of funding for the feasibility phase of the study in both of the past two years; $141,000 in FY 04 and $400,000 in the FY 05 House Energy and Water Appropriations measure. They have met with Army Corps of Engineers staff in Washington and California to ensure that the Santa Clara River project remains a top priority. This was particularly critical in this last year as election year pressures threatened to derail the project funding. In addition to obtaining funding for specific City projects, Mr. Montgomery and Mr. O'Donnell coordinate with other Santa Clarita Valley federal lobbying interests on other community projects such as the Whittaker-Bermite groundwater clean-up effort being led by the Castaic Lake Water Agency. This helps to ensure that Congress and administration officials are receiving a single, coordinated message from our community. They have also assisted in securing appointments for Councilmembers and staff to meet with White House officials and other political interests to discuss approaches to changing policies relating to extradition of Mexican nationals accused of capital crimes in the United States and enjoying safe haven in Mexico. Finally, staff frequently asked our lobbyists to research a variety of topics of interest to the City, including homeland security, workforce investment act, education, U.S. Forest Service, magnetic levitation train transportation, and freight traffic impacts on Interstate 5 and State Route 14. During the next Congressional session, the City will be seeking continued funding for the Cross Valley Connector, Santa Clara River Reconnaissance Study Feasibility Phase and more opportunities for homeland security funding. Congress is expected to act on the long delayed federal surface transportation act reauthorization in Spring 2005. The Cross Valley Connector, local Interstate 5 improvements, magnetic levitation technology funding, goods movement and transit related security issues will will be part of the federal transportation package where the City's lobbyists will devote substantial time in 2005. Representative McKeon introduced legislation late in the 108th Congress which will likely be reintroduced next year to obtain $10 million in funding to clean-up the Whittaker-Bermite property. The City of Santa Clarita will be working with Castaic Lake Water Agency's federal advocates and Mr. McKeon to ensure that our community has a united voice in Washington on this critical issue. The contract period will be January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2006, with a review to be conducted at the end of the first year. The City currently pays Montgomery and O'Donnell $4,000 per month retainer plus an annual expense reimbursement of $4,000 annually. The contract amount has not been increased in the ten years which they have served as the City's legislative advocates. Staff recommends that their monthly retainer be increased to $5,000 per month, with an annual expense reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually, resulting in an overall annual commitment not to exceed $65,000. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Not award a contract to Montgomery and O'Donnell and issue a Request for Proposal for federal advocacy services. 2. Other direction as determined by the City Council. FISCAL RAPACT The monthly retainer fee of $5,000 per month with a maximum expense reimbursement of $5,000 annually results in an overall annual commitment not to exceed $65,000. Overall funding for federal legislative advocacy services has been budgeted in account 1210-8110 for FY 04/05. Funds for continuation of the contract beyond July 1, 2005, are subject to the inclusion of funds in the City approved budget for FY 05/06.