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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - FED ADVOCACY SOLEDAD CYN MINE (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: 3 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: January 22, 2008 Michael P. Murphy FEDERAL ADVOCACY: SOLEDAD CANYON MINING PROPOSAL City Manager's Office RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council authorize the City Manager or designee to execute, subject to City Attorney approval, a contract for continuation of professional services with Jamison and Sullivan, Inc. for the period January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008. BACKGROUND Since 2001, the City has retained the professional services of Jamison and Sullivan, Inc. for federal advocacy services specifically relating to the CEMEX mining proposal in Soledad Canyon. Jamison and Sullivan's most recent contract expired on December 31, 2007. The City Council is requested to authorize continuation of professional services with Jamison and Sullivan, Inc. for the period January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008. Jamison and Sullivan provides federal advocacy services for the City of Santa Clarita exclusively for issues directly relating to CEMEX's Soledad Canyon mining proposal. Jamison and Sullivan's monthly retainer is $7,500 plus reimbursement for reasonable out-of- pocket expenses. The expense portion is anticipated to be a maximum of $5,000. The total maximum for this proposed contract extension is anticipated not to exceed $50,000. Funding is already included in the adopted 2007/08 City budget. During the past year, the City of Santa Clarita and CEMEX have been working toward development of federal legislative language as a resolution to the ongoing dispute between the two parties. Mr. Cy Jamison, a principal in the firm of Jamison and Sullivan, has been an integral part of the negotiations. Mr. Jamison has also been working with Members of Congress, congressional staff, representatives of the Department of Interior, and other key parties in the development of the proposed legislation. United States Representative Howard P. "Buck" McKeon is committed to introducing a bill in Congress early this year. Upon introduction of the measure, Jamison and Sullivan will continue to be a critical player in the cooperative advocacy efforts to secure the bill's passage by Congress and enactment into law. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Award contract for a period of time other than six months in duration. 2. Not award a contract to Jamison and Sullivan, Inc. and issue a request for proposals for federal advocacy services related to the proposed mining project. 3. Other direction as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT Approval of the recommended action will result in a total maximum expenditure of $50,000, which is already included in the adopted 2007/08 budget.