Title
Staff Report for Adoption of 2019 Federal Legislative Platform and Annual Update from Federal Government Liaison Simon and Company
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND
Each year, a representative from the offices of Simon & Company (the City’s federal government liaison) travels to San Leandro to provide an update on the federal legislative landscape as well as potential funding opportunities that may be available over the course of the upcoming year. This visit is typically timed to take place in early January each year, prior to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in late January and the National League of Cities - Congressional Cities Conference in March, at which some members of the City Council may be in attendance.
Following the retirement of Len Simon in December 2018, the firm is now led by Jen Covino, who will be providing this year’s annual update to the City Council.
It is important to identify projects or policy areas that are germane to the City of San Leandro’s interests so that members of the City Council, City staff, or the City’s federal advocates may issue letters, attend meetings, or otherwise take action as opportunities arise over the year ahead. To this end, a draft of the annual federal legislative platform is attached for the City Council’s consideration.
Fiscal Impacts
The costs for the City’s contract with Simon & Company for federal advocacy services, along with anticipated costs for attendance at U.S. Conference of Mayors and National League of Cities events are already appropriated in the adopted City budget. Should any of the projects identified in the federal platform ultimately receive federal grant assistance, some local matching funds could be required. Such costs would be further evaluated and presented for the City Council’s consideration as needed prior to acceptance of any grant awards.
PREPARED BY: Eric Engelbart, Deputy City Manager, City Manager’s Office