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, 2021 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, 2021 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.
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.
Some examples of their support to the City over the past year includes:
• Partnering with the City, the Governor’s Office, and Caltrans to secure approval for the placement on State property of portable bathrooms and hand washing stations to assist homeless residents during the pandemic.
• Actively supporting the City in its application to the State Parks and Recreation Department for Proposition 68 grant funds, towards the redevelopment of Memorial Park. TPA’s work included assessing competitive applications, interfacing with State staff, drafting and submitting the application in partnership with City staff, and then working on advocacy efforts on the City’s behalf. Although this year’s application was unsuccessful due to a highly competitive application pool, the City expects to reapply via future funding rounds.
• Interfacing with the California Department of Finance on the City’s behalf relating to a Redevelopment dissolution matter.
• Developing and submitting a budget request to assist in curbing auto break-ins.
• Various other legislative efforts relating to homelessness, transportation funding, and housing.
• Interfacing with the State Bureau of Cannabis Control on various regulatory matters of importance to the City; and
• Providing ongoing legislative updates, summaries of legislation, and interfacing directly with the City’s elected State delegation, and members of the Governor’s administration.
Based upon these examples, consistently responsive and high quality service, staff recommends 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 2020-2021 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 in the adopted FY 2020-21 budget, account 010-12-020-5120 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, 2021
PREPARED BY: Eric Engelbart, Deputy City Manager, City Manager’s Office