Title
Adopt a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Consulting Services Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for State Legislative Advocacy Services through June 30, 2024 for a Total Not to Exceed Amount of $96,000
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITIES
* Public Safety
* Housing and Homelessness
* Infrastructure
* Sustainability & Resiliency
* Fiscal Sustainability and Transparency
* Community Engagement and Outreach
* Race and Equity Initiatives
* Community & Business Development
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) for state legislative advocacy and grant writing support services through June 30, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $96,000.
BACKGROUND
In October 2013, the City Council authorized the creation of a City Council ad-hoc committee to provide guidance on the development of a state legislative platform as well as a process through which a consultant could be selected to provide state-level advocacy services on behalf of the City.
Following a competitive request-for-proposals (RFP) process, on February 18, 2014, the City Council directed the City Manager to enter into a one-year consulting services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for state level advocacy services, at a rate of $60,000 per year. Based upon the City's satisfaction with Townsend's performance, that contract was extended by the City Council each subsequent year at the same rate. Beginning two years ago, the City expanded the scope of services with TPA to also include grant writing support services, in the amount of $3,000 per month, for a grand total contract cost of $96,000 per year.
Over the course of its contract with the City, Townsend Public Affairs and its current Vice President, Niccolo De Luca, have continued to provide highly effective services to the City on a wide range of legislative matters.
Some recent examples of...
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