Loading...
SR-082807-1D~~~ City of City Council Report Santa Monica City Council Meeting: August 28, 2007 Agenda Item: 0 To: Mayor and City Council From: Kathryn Vernez, Assistant to the City Manager, Community & Government Relations Subject: Professional Services Contract with The Ferguson Group, LLC for Washington Representative/Lobbying Services for an amount not to exceed $72,557. Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City manager to negotiate and execute a professional services contract with The Ferguson Company in an amount not to exceed $72,557, including expenses not to exceed $4,000 for Federal representative and lobbying services. Executive Summary This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with The Ferguson Group to continue representing the City's interest in Washington, D.C. The Ferguson Company has been providing services to the City since 1994 and has developed an in depth knowledge of City policy objectives. There is a 2.5% recommended increase in the base contract over the current amount as provided for in the budget. Staff is not recommending a competitive selection at this time. This year staff will, however, conduct a competitive process during the year in order to make a recommendation next year. 1 Discussion Background The Ferguson Group has worked extensively and successfully for the City's federal objectives since 1994. They monitor federal executive proposals, legislation, administrative regulation, Congressional appropriation opportunities and other developments, advising the City when City policy or program objectives may be affected. Responsibilities include providing detailed information on federal initiatives, maintaining liaison with members of Congress and the Administration, assisting City officials with appearances before Congressional committees and . administrative agencies, and advising on City proposals pending before federal regulatory or funding agencies. The Ferguson Group has therefore developed an in depth knowledge of the City and its policy objectives which has obviated the need to conduct a competitive selection process. Staff will, however, conduct a competitive process during the year in order to make a recommendation next year. The Ferguson Group has represented the City's interest on issues including: MtBE/water contamination; housing (Community Development Block Grant, Home, Section 8, Section 202, Shelter Plus Care renewals); homelessness; community and economic development (415 PCH); transit/transportation including the Exposition Right of Way and boulevard improvements; infrastructure improvements such as Palisades Bluffs stabilization and seismic reliability of water facilities; and regulatory and administration action by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 2 The Ferguson Group has effectively advocated on behalf of the City. Services will be provided to Santa Monica for an amount not to exceed $72,557, including expenses not to exceed $4,000. In a separate regional effort, the Big Blue Bus works with six other Los Angeles County municipal transit systems to obtain Federal Section 5309 funds for transit vehicles and facilities. The group, named Municipal Transit Operators Coalition (MTOC) selected The Ferguson Group to represent its interests. The Ferguson Group has effectively advocated on behalf of MTOC for many years. Each transit organization funds the effort under a separate contract. Services will be provided to the Big Blue Bus for an amount not to exceed $35,000. MTOC recently received $1 million, the highest earmark in the State of California in the House version of the FY 2008 Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill. Budget/Financial Impact Funds of $72,557 are available in account number 01202.555060. 3 Prepared by: Kathryn Vernez, Assistant to the City Manager, Community & Government Relations Approved: Forwarded to Council: Assistant to the City Manager for Community and Government Relations Ewell 4 Reference Contract No. 8819 (CCS).