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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/01/09 RDA Item 1 CHULA VISTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AGENDA STATEMENT January 9, 2007 Item~ ITEM TITLE: JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCn, AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA EXERCISING THE CITY'S OPTION TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT WITH ADVOCATION, INC. FOR LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION FOR THE 2007-2008 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR/CHAIR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AND REDEVELOPMENTAGENCY,_."y ASSISTANT CITY MANAGE~ INTERIM CITY MANAGER 'j/ SUBMITTED BY: REVIEWED BY: 4/5THS VOTE: YES NO X BACKGROUND On December 31, 2006, the current agreement with Advocation Inc. expired. This agreement was for the provision of legislative representation in Sacramento throughout the 2005-2006 legislative session. Based on the fIrm's history of success in promoting Chula Vista's legislative agenda, staff recommends exercising the City's/Agency's option to extend this contract. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed actIVIty for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defmed under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary. RECOMMENDATION That the Council/Redevelopment Agency exercise the third option to extend the contract for legislative representation with the fIrm of Advocation, Inc (proposed agreement attached as exhibit "A"). The effective period will be January I, 2007 through December 31, 2008, with one two-year renewal option (at the City's/Agency's sole and unfettered discretion) remaining on the original Agreement. 1-1 T Date, Item~ Page 2 of 4 BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Not Applicable DISCUSSION Background The City of Chula Vista, togetber witb its Redevelopment, Agency, has contracted for legislative representation since 1986. Having a Sacramento-based lobbying firm is an invaluable resource for keeping Chula Vista's concerns in front of area legislators, and assists tbe City/Agency by working witb legislators and policy administrators who are not familiar witb our community. The lobbying firm also plays tbe lead role in implementing tbe City's/Agency's Legislative Program by meeting witb State legislators about bills on which the City/Agency has taken a position. This is particularly important on matters pertaining to tbe State budget, and in reacting quickly to last-minute amendments to bills tbat affect City/Agency operations. Procedure In 2000, the Council!Agency approved a contract witb Advocation, Inc. to provide lobbying services. At tbe time of tbe award, Council! Agency also agreed to include tbe option of renewing tbis agreement for four additional two-year periods. In determining whetber or not to recommend tbat tbe Council! Agency exercise the extensions, staff reviewed tbe following criteria: · degree of success in achieving tbe goals of tbe Council's/Agency's adopted Legislative Program . experience of principal representatives in Sacramento politics and municipal Issues; · proven ability to influence and affect tbe opinions and actions of tbe legislative and executive branches of State government, as well as tbe State's administrative staff; · demonstrated expertise in tbose issues and topics covered by tbe City's/Agency's Legislative Program; · sufficiency of staff to meet tbe workload and timing requirements of tbe City's/Agency's Legislative Program; · and demonstrated stability from a financial, organizational and personnel perspective. Qualifications oftbe Firm Advocation, Inc. has been among tbe most successful lobbying firms in Sacramento for more tban 30 years. Their staff of lobbyists represents a combined total of more than 100 years of experience in 10 bbying tbe Califomia Legislature and Administration. The firm currently represents such corporate clients as Prudential Insurance Company, Kawasaki, Tejon Ranchcorp and Federal Express. The firm's association witb tbese high profile clients is a significant benefit when meeting witb members of the Legislature or witb tbe Governor's office. 1-2 Date, ItemL Page 3 of 4 In addition, the diversity of Advocation's client base, and the resulting expansive professional network developed by the firm, has given Advocation an exceptionally high level of expertise in issues with which Chula Vista is deeply involved, including: transportation funding, revenue allocation at the state and local level, utility deregulation, labor relations and workers compensation reform. The firm has also proven itself to be adept at developing effective coalitions that improve the City's ability to advance its legislative agenda. Advocation is well-positioned to assist the City in addressing many of the issues facing the legislature in the coming session, including: . Implementation of Propositions IB -IE and Proposition 84 . Health care-related legislation that may impact the City and its employees' coverage . Reintroduction of Proposition 90 and other eminent domain-related legislation that would be adverse to the City's Redevelopment efforts . Land use and General Plan-related proposals . Implementation of AB 32 and other green house gas initiatives and policies at the Air Resources Board . Maximizing opportunities for funding City projects through the State budget and bond measures. Scope of Work The recommended contract designates Advocation, Inc. as the City/Agency's official legislative representative with the California State Legislature and various governmental agencies. Further, the agreement includes requirements that the City/Agency be provided with comprehensive legislative services including: I. Review of all bills introduced in the California Legislature, informing the City/Agency of all State legislation affecting the City/Agency's primary interests, and forwarding advance copies of such bills to the City/Agency when not available electronically; . 2. Attending all League of California Cities regular "city representative" meetings and briefmgs; 3. Tracking legislation on which the City/Agency has taken a position, maintaining bill records and notifYing the City/Agency of pending or completed amendments to such bills; 4. Arranging meetings with legislative representatives for elected officials and City staff, and being prepared to participate in these meetings as required; 5. Performing customary duties of legislative advocacy and governmental affairs representation on behalf of the client to the best of their ability, experience and expertise; 6. Gathering data and providing information to the City/Agency on such matters as: a. State agency and department regulations, guidelines, directives, and other instruments of administrative policy that may impact City/Agency projects or operations; 1-3 . Date, Item~ Page 4 of 4 b. Funding opportunities for proposed City/Agency projects and maximizing use of all available State resources for fmancing programs and mandates; c. Hearings, reports and testimony of interest to the City/Agency; 7. Representing the City/Agency in meetings with state bodies, boards, commissions, and legislative bodies; 8. Developing legislative initiatives to assist in the implementation of the City/Agency's Legislative Program; 9. Tracking and monitoring propositions and initiatives at the State level and keeping the City/Agency apprised of proposals that impact City services. DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently the 500 foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2(a)(1) is not applicable to this decision. FISCAL IMPACT Advocation has agreed to continue to provide their services at a monthly rate of $6,000, exclusive of expenses. As has been the case for the past four years, the annual contract cost would not exceed $79,000 inclusive of expenses. A portion of this fee (35%) is paid by the City's Redevelopment Agency. This is based on the projected percentage of the lobbyist's time that is spent on redevelopment-related issues. Although the fiscal impacts of many of a lobbyist's efforts can be difficult to estimate, (e.g. issues of home rule authority, labor relations, land use control), past assistance from lobbying firms has provided substantial, concrete savings and benefits. In previous years this has included: $6.7 million in State Bonds for construction of the South Chula Vista Library, $12 million in State funds for construction ofa veterans home in Chula Vista, $4 million for legislative enactment and preservation of supplemental subventions, $750,000 for alternative fuel programs, $400,000 for the Chula Vista Nature Center seawater system, $490,000 for renovation of Loma Verde Park Pool and $284,000 for improvements to Greg Rogers Park. ATTACHMENTS Exhibit A: Third Amendment to the Agreement between the City of Chula and Advocation, Inc. for Legislative Representation Prepared by: Colleen M Carnevale, Communications Manager, Administration Department 1-4 RDA RESOLUTION NO. 2007- (COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2007-) JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH ADVOCATION, INe. EXERCISING THE CITY'S OPTION TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT FOR THE 2005-2006 LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND AUTHORIZING THE MA YORlCHAIR TO EXECUTE THE SECOND AMENDMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA WHEREAS, on December 31, 2006, the current agreement with Advocation, Inc. for the provision oflegislative representation in Sacramento expired; and WHEREAS, based on the firm's success in promoting Chula Vista's legislative agenda, staff recommends exercising the City's option to extend this contract; and WHEREAS, the effective period will be January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2008, with two two-year renewal options (at the City's sole and unfettered discretion) remaining on the original Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the City Council and Redevelopment Agency of the City of Chula Vista do hereby approve the Second Amendment to the Agreement with Advocation, Inc. exercising the City's option to extend the contract for legislative representation for the period of January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2008, at a cost not to exceed $79,000 per year inclusive of expenses, a copy of which shall be kept on file in the office of the City Clerk. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor/Chair is hereby authorized to execute said Second Amendment for and on behalf of the Redevelopment Agency and the City of Chula Vista. Presented by Approved as to form by ~ Dana M. Smith Assistant City Manager oore / . Attorney and A cy Counsel 1-5 THE ATTACHED AGREEJ\1ENT HAS BEEN REVIEWED AND APPROVED AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND WILL BE FORMALLY SIGNED UPON APPROVAL BY THE CITY COUNCIL c;;." J!dt eLf 6:::: (' Ann Moor City Attorney Dated: Jd-/:JI/O(" Third Amendment to Agreement between the City of Chula Vista and Advocation, Inc. for Legislative Representation 1-6 T THIRD AMENDMENT TO the Agreement Between the City of Chula Vista and Advocation, Inc. for Legislative Representation Recitals This Third Amendment is entered into effective as of 1/1/07, by and between the City of Chula Vista ("City") and Advocation, Inc. ("Consultant") with reference to the following facts: WHEREAS, the City and Consultant entered in an agreement ("Original Agreement"), dated November 14,2000 and approved by City Council Resolution 2000-429, whereby Consultant provided Legislative Representation from January 1,2001 to December 31,2002; and WHEREAS, the Original Agreement contained a provision for four two-year renewal options of this Agreement; and WHEREAS the first renewal option was approved as the First Amended and Restated Agreement ("First Amendment") on November 26,2002 by City Council Resolution 2002-487; and WHEREAS the second renewal option was approved as the Second Amendment on November 23,2004 by City Council Resolution 2004-382; and WHEREAS, the City staff have reviewed and evaluated the work of the Consultant during the past six years and finds the work to have met all requests made by the City; and WHEREAS, this third amended agreement exercises the third of the two-year renewal options; and WHEREAS, Consultant warrants and represents that they are experienced and staffed in a manner such that they can prepare and deliver the services required of Consultant to City within the tirneframes herein provided all in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the recitals and the mutual obligation of the parties set forth herein, the City and Consultant agree as follows: 1. Section S.D. of Exhibit A to the Second Amendment entitled 'Date for completion of all Consultant services' is hereby amended as follows: a. 8.D. Date for completion of all Consultant Services: December 31, 2008. 2. Section 8.E. of Exhibit A, entitled 'City Renewal Options' is hereby amended as follows: a. 8.E. The term of this agreement shall be extended for a maximum of one additional two-year term. This two-year option shall be at the City's sole and unfettered discretion, subject to approval by the City Council and Agency Board. 3. Except as expressly provided herein all other provisions of the Original Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. 1-7 SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE THIRD At\1ENDMENT TO The Agreement Between the City of Chula Vista and Advocation, Inc. for Legislative Representation City of Chula Vista Advocation, Inc. Cheryl Cox, Mayor by ~cuJ.& Cf ~ Charles 1. Cole, President By Date ATTEST: Susan Bigelow, City Clerk Approved in form by: Ann Moore, City Attorney 1-8