Title
Staff Report for a City of San Leandro City Council Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Consulting Services Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for State Legislative Advocacy Services, to Extend the Term of the Agreement through June 30, 2020 at the Same Rate, in an Amount Not to Exceed $60,000 Annually
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the City’s current contract with Townsend Public Affairs through June 30, 2020 at the same rate, in an amount not to exceed $60,000 annually for state legislative advocacy services.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
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 then extended by the City Council each subsequent year at the same rate. The current contract expires June 30, 2019.
Over the course of its contract with the City, Townsend Public Affairs and its Northern California Senior Director, Niccolo De Luca, have continued to provide highly effective services to the City on a wide range of legislative matters. This assistance has included working to secure the passage of several bills in coordination with Assembly Member Rob Bonta, including AB 2292 that was co-sponsored by the City of San Leandro, which added broadband infrastructure to the list of projects that can be approved through infrastructure financing districts. Townsend Public Affairs has also assisted the Mayor, City Council and City staff in actively advocating with state officials on matters related to San Leandro Hospital. More recently, they have also been of great assistance to the City in fostering dialogue with the California Department of Transportation to identify ways of ensuring that East 14th Street can be re-paved as soon as possible, and they have been actively supporting the City’s efforts to secure State Parks bond funds.
Mr. De Luca has also been involved in state efforts to regulate the emerging cannabis industry and he has ensured that San Leandro’s interests are addressed as related statewide legislation and regulations are developed. He has also closely monitored and proactively kept City officials and staff apprised of various other legislative efforts that could substantively impact San Leandro. Examples of related policy issues include legislation to address the statewide housing crisis, efforts to preempt local land use authority, and to address homelessness.
Based upon these factors, it is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing consulting services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, at the same rate of $5,000 per month ($60,000 annually). Sufficient funds for the proposed contract extension have already been programmed into the FY 2019-2021 budget.
Fiscal Impacts
The proposed agreement with Townsend Public Affairs will not exceed $60,000 for one year of services.
Budget Authority
Sufficient funds are programmed into the adopted FY 19-21 biennial budget to accommodate the proposed contract extension.
RELATED FILES AND ATTACHMENTS
• Copy of Existing Consulting Services Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs
• Proposed Amendment No. 5 to Extend the Contract Term Through June 30, 2020
PREPARED BY: Eric Engelbart, Deputy City Manager, City Manager’s Office