SR-07-28-2015-3D 100-002-01 / 101-001Cu }nl I0. Council Report
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City Council Regular Meeting: July 28, 2015
Agenda Item: 3 -D
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Elaine Polachek, Asst. City Manager, City Manager's Office, Administration
Subject: Federal Legislative Agenda
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached 2015 Federal Legislative
Agenda which lists the City's historic and emerging legislative priorities and associated
advocacy strategies.
Executive Summary
The City's Federal lobbyist (The Ferguson Group), in concert with senior City staff,
annually develops a Federal Legislative Agenda, which details the City's historic and
emerging priorities and strategies to achieve the City's defined goals and objectives.
Staff is now presenting a proposed list of 2015 Federal policy issues and associated
actions for the Council's consideration.
Background
Legislative agendas have been developed in the past and implemented by staff based
on Council priorities. Beginning in 2015 and into the future, proposed legislative
agendas will be presented annually to Council for approval.
The Ferguson Group has provided the City with federal lobbyist services since 1994.
The current five year contract was approved on June 11, 2013.
Discussion
The City's Federal lobbyist, The Ferguson Group (TFG), works to further the City's
legislative objectives in Congress and before Federal agencies. They monitor Federal
executive proposals, legislation, administrative regulation, Congressional appropriation
opportunities, and other developments through the lens of local government, advising
staff when City policy or program objectives may be affected by federal legislation.
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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 services of a lobbyist firm ensure that the City is aware of legislation that may
impact the City's policy or program objectives. TFG, in concert with senior staff,
develops a Federal Agenda, focusing on the City's historic and emerging priorities and
the associated strategies to meet the City's defined goals and objectives. TFG then
works to implement that agenda by actively lobbying Congress, the White House, and
Federal Department/Agency officials. The City's proposed 2015 Federal Agenda
(Attachment B) addresses the following:
• Energy /Environment
• Housing /Homelessness /Economic Development
• Parks and Recreation
• Public Safety
• Taxes
• Transportation
• Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
• Workforce InvestmentAct/Jobs
Staff works closely with TFG throughout the year to monitor congressional legislation
and federal grant opportunities and respond as appropriate. The legislative agenda, in
addition to Council and staff direction, guides the collaboration.
The City is also a member of the National League of Cities, a network of cities, towns,
boroughs, and state municipal leagues. NLC serves as both a resource and an
advocate for its members. Advocacy efforts focus on advancing NLC's annual
legislative agenda, monitoring regulatory action, and championing legal issues of
national importance to local governments. Staff uses NLC resources to identify federal
legislative, regulatory, and legal developments impacting local governments.
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Next Steps
TFG will continue to actively engage on the City's behalf to effect change in line with
Council adopted priorities. Staff and TFG's weekly telephone calls and regular email
communication will continue. TFG representatives will make bi- annual visits to Santa
Monica to meet with staff. Sharing of information about grant opportunities, lobbying to
local members, and support during visits to Washington D.C. will carry on. Staff will
return to Council in 2016 with that year's legislative agenda for Council's consideration.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action.
Prepared By: Danielle Noble, Deputy City Manager
Approved Forwarded to Council
t > ,
Danielle Noble, Deputy City ManIM /2015 Blaine M Polachek, Asst. City MaWdylig015
Attachments:
A. June 11, 2013 staff report (web link)
B. 2015 Federal Legislative Agenda (PDF)
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