SR 07-12-2011 3FCity Council Meeting: July 12, 2011
Agenda Item:
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Subject: Big Blue Bus Washington Representation/Lobbying Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a first modification to Professional Services Agreement No. 9263 with The
Ferguson Group, LLC in a total amount not to exceed $105,000 which will covers the
City's share of Federal representation and lobbying services on behalf of the Municipal
Transit Operators Coalition (MTOC). With this agreement, the total contractual authority
with the Ferguson Group, LLC for all Federal representation and lobbying services to
the City will be $181,000.
Executive Summary
The Big Blue Bus works with six other Los Angeles County municipal transit systems to
obtain Federal funds for transit vehicles and facilities. The group, named the Municipal
Transit Operators Coalition (MTOC), works with The Ferguson Group, LLC to represent
its interests. Staff recommends an amendment to the City's existing agreement with The
Ferguson Group to represent the City on transit discretionary funding issues. The Big
Blue Bus' share of MTOC agreement with The Ferguson Group, LLC for fiscal years
2011-2013 shall not exceed $105,000. While a member of MTOC, the Big Blue Bus
signs its own agreement with The Ferguson Group, LLC.
Discussion
The Ferguson Group, LLC has worked extensively and successfully for MTOC, which
consists of transit systems operated by the cities of Santa Monica, Commerce, Culver
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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 $400,000 through the FY 2010 Transportation
Appropriations process. With the elimination of earmarks for the current federal cycle,
MTOC is working with the Ferguson Group, LLC to submit a joint federal competitive
grant application.
The Ferguson Group, LLC has effectively advocated on behalf of the City and MTOC.
The Big Blue Bus' share of the MTOC Agreement with the Ferguson Group, LLC for
lobbyist services will be for an amount not to exceed $105,000. White MTOC works
together, it has found it easier to have The Ferguson Group, LLC sign individual
agreements with each of the MTOC systems.
The Ferguson Group, LLC has a separate existing agreement with the City 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. On June 30, 2009, Council authorized a contract for similar services to the
Ferguson Group, LLC, after engaging in a competitive bidding process. On December
13, 2010, the Big Blue Bus entered into Agreement No. 9263 with the Ferguson Group,
LLC, without competitive bidding pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section
2.24.080(b). With this first modification to Agreement No. 9263, the total contractual
authority with the Ferguson Group, LLC for all Federal representative and lobbying
services provided to the City will be $181,000.
Budget/Financial Impact
The first modification to Agreement No. 9263 increases the total contract amount to The
Ferguson Group, LLC to $105,000; $35,000 of this total has already been paid during
fiscal year 2010/2011. Funds in the amount of $70,000 have been included in the
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Adopted Budget in account 41640.555062 for FY 2011-13. All monies expended for this
purchase come from funding sources specifically dedicated for transit uses.
Prepared by: David Feinberg; Deputy Director of Transit Services
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
~~
ie Negriff
of Transit Services
~.~~ ~ / P
Rod Gould
City Manager
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Reference Amended
Contract No. 9263 (CCS)