SR-092308-1JCity Council Meeting: September 23, 2008
Agenda Item: 1 ~~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kathryn Vernez, Assistant to the City Manager, Community & Government
Relations
Subject: State Representative and Lobbying Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a five year professional services contract with Shaw/Yoder, Inc. to provide state
representative and lobbying services in an amount not to exceed $42,350 for the first
year with future years subject to cost of living increases.
Executive Summary
Shaw/Yoder, Inc. has represented the City's interest in Sacramento since 1986. The
qualifications and personnel of the firm; strategy and plan to accomplish goals as the
state lobbyist; and compensation proposal are exceptional and competitively priced.
Shaw/Yoder, Inc has developed an extensive and successful track record -developing
effective strategies for the City's legislative, budgetary and administrative priorities in
the State of California. The continued services of Shaw/Yoder, Inc. are required in
order to protect the interests of the City at the state level. Funds for Shaw/Yoder, Inc.'s
services are available in the adopted budget.
Discussion
The state lobbyist works extensively for the City's state objectives in the State
Legislature, Office of the Governor, and Executive Branch Agencies. They monitor
state proposals, legislation, administrative regulation, and other developments of
interest, advising the City when City policy or program objectives may be affected.
Responsibilities include. providing detailed information on state initiatives, maintaining
liaison with members of the State Senate, Assembly and Governor's Office, assisting
City officials with appearance before .legislative committees and administrative
agencies, and advising on City proposals pending before state regulatory or funding
agencies.
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Shaw/Yoder, Inc. has successfully represented the City's interest on issues including:
Mtge/water contamination; housing .including the maintenance of redevelopment
revenues after the Northridge Earthquake and recently on homeless veterans housing;
transportation including the acquisition of over $1.5 million in Transportation
Enhancement Activities funds from the California Transportation Commission; energy
including the sponsorship and enactment of legislation to continue the green energy
credit - an annual savings of $200;000; and opposition to legislation posing unfunded
mandates on Sana Monica. Of particular significance, Shaw/Yoder, Inc. has worked
with the City to erisure inclusion of the Exposition Blvd Light Rail Transit Project in SB
314 (Murray), a bill to allow an additional half-cent. sales tax vote in Los Angeles for
transit and highway projects, and the creation and passage of AB2321 (Feuer) which
will preserve the Expo Project funding, enhance Big Blue Bus funding, and extend the
sales tax duration to 30 years to raise $30 billion for transportation infrastructure
projects. Shaw/Yoder, Inc. has effectively advocated on behalf of the City and its
interests. Staff recommends that the City retain their services to represent the City's
interests at the state level in Sacramento.
Consultant Selection
Staff issued a request for proposals from qualified consultants to act as legislative
representative. While the proposal from. Shaw/Yoder, Inc. was the only proposal
received, it was determined by staff that their service is exceptional, cost competitive
and their experience is extensive.
Shaw/Yoder, Inc.'s clientele include: California Coalition on Workers' .Compensation,
California Faculty Association, California Mental Health Directors Association, California
Transit Association, Counties of Fresno, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo, San Mateo County
Transit District, Santa Gruz Metropolitan Transit District, and the California Chapters of
Solid Waste Association of North America. Their experience with a number of transit
districts and the California Transit Association has been crucial to the City's efforts on
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Exposition Light Rail resources. In addition, staff has been expanded to include Andrew
K. Antwih who served as Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa's Chief Legislative
Representative for the City of Los Angeles - a beneficial addition to Shaw/Yoder, Inc.'s
lobbyist team this year.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
Funds in the amount of $42,350 are available in account number 01207.555061 for FY
2008/09 services. Funds for future fiscal years will be considered within the budget
process. The contract will include a termination clause in the event future fiscal year
funding is not available.
PYepared by:
Kanani Browri; Intern to the City Manager's Office
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Forwarded to Council:
athryn Vernez . L t Ewell
ssistant to the City Manager for City anager
Community and Government Relations
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Reference Contract No.
8980 (CCS)