Title
Staff Report for Council Ad Hoc Committee on State Legislative Platform and Advocacy Services
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that Council authorize the creation of an ad hoc committee to provide recommendations on the development of a state legislative platform as well as a process through which a contractor will be selected to provide state-level advocacy services on behalf of the City.
BACKGROUND & ANALYSIS
The City of San Leandro for many years has maintained a contract with Simon and Company, Inc. of Washington D.C. for federal advocacy services. However, the City does not presently maintain a contract for similar services at the state level.
Due to an improving economy and an increasingly stable state budget, the State of California is presented with many new opportunities. Nevertheless, the State is still burdened with many legacy challenges as well, including ongoing efforts related to the dissolution of redevelopment agencies statewide. Staff believes that the City could better position itself to harness these opportunities and adapt to these challenges by adopting a state legislative platform and securing the services of a private firm who specializes in state-level advocacy. State advocacy services for the City have traditionally been handled by the League of California Cities, however, due to the sheer volume and diversity of constituent cities served by this organization, their ability to provide focused and timely assistance to San Leandro is severely constrained. As a result, staff believes the City could more effectively tailor its approach and interactions with state agencies with the assistance of an independent contractor working directly on behalf of the City.
Issues of Concern
Staff recommends that the following ongoing issues of concern at the state level be incorporated into the legislative priorities that are developed by the proposed City Council ad hoc committee for the re...
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