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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - FED ADVOCACY CONTR RENEWAL (2)Agenda Item: OL CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: Michael P. Murphy DATE: February 13, 2007 SUBJECT: FEDERAL ADVOCACY SERVICES: CONTRACT RENEWAL DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office 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 advocacy services in the amount of $6,000 per month, plus up to $5,000 annually for expense reimbursements, for the period January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2008, subject to City Attorney approval. Funds for the continuation of the contract beyond June 30, 2007 are subject to the inclusion of funds in the City approved budget for FY 2007/08. Overall funding for federal legislative advocacy services has been budgeted in account 1210-8110 for FY 06/07. BACKGROUND The City retains 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 all federal matters, except for activities relating to the Soledad Canyon sand and gravel mining proposal. Their most recent contract ran concurrent with the 109th Session of Congress and expired on December 31, 2006. During the 109th Congress, Mr. Montgomery and Mr. O'Donnell secured funding for two major projects of importance to the City of Santa Clarita, the Cross Valley Connector and the Santa Clara River Reconnaissance Study. They successfully lobbied on the City's behalf for $5 million in the FY 2005 transportation appropriations bill and $1 million in FY 06 for the Cross Valley Connector Project. Additionally, they worked with Santa Clarita's Congressional Delegation to secure a $9 million Cross Valley Connector authorization as part of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) transportation reauthorization measure. Without this authorization, Congress would not have the VIP ffiE� ability to further appropriate federal funds for the project. The City currently has a $7 million request pending for additional federal funding to be used toward the construction of the last segment of the Cross Valley Connector over the Santa Clara River. During the last contract period, Mr. Montgomery and Mr. O'Donnell secured $300,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers to utilize in the Feasibility Phase of the Santa Clara River Reconnaissance Study. This study is focused on potential habitat restoration, flood protection and ancillary recreational opportunities in and along the Santa Clara River as it traverses the City of Santa Clarita. The City currently has a $500,000 request pending for additional federal funding to be used toward completion of the Feasibility Phase. Mr. Montgomery and Mr. O'Donnell also provided strategic counsel and lobbied on the City's behalf during the last contract period on a variety of other issues, including Community Development Block Grant funding reduction proposals, telecommunications pre-emption legislation, perchlorate clean-up and standards legislative proposals, and funding for Interstate 5 improvements as advocated under the leadership of the Golden State Gateway Coalition. They also arranged meetings 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. Mr. Montgomery and Mr. O'Donnell also provided assistance during the first and second Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Washington D.C. Fly -Ins in 2005 and 2006. This program brings local business, education, health care and local government communities together for advocacy of issues important to the entire Santa Clarita Valley, so the community is advocating its needs in Washington with one voice. The City's federal advocates arranged meetings for the Chamber of Commerce delegation with Members of Congress and congressional staff, including a meeting in the United States Capitol with Senator Barbara Boxer. They also hosted a reception for the Chamber delegation and congressional staff during the inaugural year of the program. During the 110th Congress, the City will be seeking continued funding for the Cross Valley Connector and the Santa Clara River Reconnaissance Study Feasibility Phase. The City will also be pursuing funding for homeland security, additional protections for the Santa Clara River, advocacy of federal investment in magnetic levitation technology, addressing issues relating to the Angeles National Forest, and discussing freight traffic impacts on Interstate 5 and State Route 14. The Community Development Block Grant program continues to be under attack and the City's advocates will be working to secure Santa Clarita's continued eligibility. The City will also be working with Senator Boxer, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, in addressing her concerns relative to perchlorate contamination at various sites in California, including the Whittaker-Bermite site. The City will also continue its efforts in support of Senator Feinstein's legislation calling for a study of the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor and potential federal funding opportunities and enhancements. The proposed contract period is from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2008, essentially concurrent with the 110th session of Congress. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Not award a contract to Montgomery and ODonnell and issue Request for Proposal for federal advocacy services. 2. Other direction as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The monthly retainer of $6,000 per month with a maximum expense reimbursement of $5,000 annually results in an overall annual commitment not to exceed $77,000. Overall funding for federal legislative advocacy services has been budgeted in account 1210-8110 for FY 06/07. Funds for continuation of the contract beyond July 1, 2007, are subject to the inclusion of funds in the City approved budget for FY 07/08.