sr-081109-1kCity Council Meeting: August 11, 2009
Agenda Item:
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Subject: Big Blue Bus Washington Representative/Lobbying Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement with The Ferguson Group, LLC in an
amount not to exceed $35,000 for Federal representative and lobbying services as part
of the Municipal Transit Operators Coalition.
Executive Summary
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate
and execute a contract with The Ferguson Group, LLC to represent the City on transit
discretionary funding issues in Washington, D.C. The .Big Blue Bus works with six other
Los Angeles County municipal transit systems to obtain Section 5309 funds for transit
vehicles and facilities. The group, named Municipal Transit Operators Coalition (MTOC)
has selected The Ferguson Group, .LLC to represent its interests. Funds for the service
are included in the FY 2009/10 operating budget.
Discussion
The Ferguson Group has worked extensively and successfully for MTOC, which
consists of trarisit systems operated by the cities of Santa Monica, Commerce, Culver
City, Gardena, Montebello, Norwalk and Torrance. As part of the Safe, Accountable,
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), the Big
Blue Bus received an earmark of $3.1 million which was one of the highest in the State
of California. MTOC also received $457,000 through the FY 2009 Transportation
Appropriations process.
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The Ferguson Group has effectively advocated on behalf of the City and MTOC.
Services will be provided to Santa Monica for an amount not to exceed $35,000.. The
Ferguson group has a separate agreement in an amount not to exceed $76,000 to
monitor federal executive proposals, legislation, administrative regulation,
Congressional appropriation opportunities and other developments, advising the City
when non-transit City policy or program objectives may be affected. With this
agreement, the total contractual authority with the Ferguson Group for all Federal
representative and lobbying services will be $111,000.
Budget/Financial Impact
Funds of $35,000 are available in account number 41640.555062.
Prepared by: David Feinberg, Deputy Director of Transit Services
Approved: Forwarded to CounciL•
ivianager
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Reference Contract No.
9101 (CCS).