REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager
VIA: Travis K. Hopkins, Assistant City Manager
PREPARED BY: Shannon Levin, Council Policy Analyst
Subject:
title
Consider Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IRC) recommendation to approve and authorize execution of Professional Services Contracts with Kahn, Soares, & Conway LLP for State Legislative Advocacy Services and with Stapleton & Associates for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services
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Statement of Issue:
As recommended by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IRC), consider approving and authorizing the execution of 2-year Professional Services Contracts with Kahn, Soares, and Conway LLP (KSC) for State Legislative Advocacy Services and Stapleton & Associates (Stapleton) for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services.
Financial Impact:
Sufficient funds for both contracts have been budgeted in the FY 23-24 Operating Budget under account no. 10030101.69365. Funding for Year 2 will be included in the following year’s budget.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) As recommended by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Professional Services Contract between the City of Huntington Beach and Kahn, Soares, & Conway LLP for State Legislative Advocacy Services; and
B) As recommended by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Professional Services Contract between the City of Huntington Beach and Stapleton & Associates for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the IRC’s recommended action, and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The City of Huntington Beach issued a Request for Proposals on May 8, 2023 for firms to provide both Federal and State legislative advocacy services. The selected service provider(s) would work with the IRC’s staff liaison to present legislation that impacts Huntington Beach, advocate for the City Council's priorities and projects on all legislative levels as directed by staff, and identify outside funds to finance major initiatives. Prospective firms were given the option to submit proposals for either or both the Federal and State legislative advocacy services. It was noted in the RFP that services could be awarded separately.
On July 20, 2023, the IRC, comprised of Mayor Strickland, Mayor Pro Tem Van Der Mark, and Council Member Burns, reviewed a staff report that included: a list of four firms that submitted proposals, scoring of each firm by an internal staff panel, and recommendations to award contracts. Based on the RFP process as defined by the City’s purchasing policies and the panel’s rankings, staff proposed to recommend that the City Council approve a 2-year professional services agreement for Federal legislative advocacy services with Van Scoyoc & Associates and another 2-year professional services agreement for State legislative advocacy services with Mercury Public Affairs (Mercury). The IRC report is attached.
Following the review, the IRC voted 3-0 to recommend to the City Council to contract with Mercury for State Legislative Advocacy services. Mercury’s proposal was to provide the Federal services while subcontracting with KSC for the State services. For clarity and efficiency, the City proposes to contract directly with KSC for State services only. The IRC also recommended contracting for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services with Stapleton. Both contracts are for an initial two-year term.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. July 20, 2023 Intergovernmental Relations Committee Staff Report Legislative Advocacy RFP Update
2. Professional Services Contract with Kahn, Soares, & Conway LLP
3. Professional Services Contract with Stapleton & Associates