REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
DATE: 03/16/2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: City Manager's Office
SUBJECT:
Title
Direction from the City Council on whether to pursue federal lobbyist services.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will consider if the City should enter into a federal lobbyist contract. During the 2022 legislative platform and financial priorities adoption, Mayor Speake requested a future agenda item to consider contracting a federal lobbyist. A federal lobbyist would provide information and monitoring of national issues, review and provide input on the City's annual legislative platform, and meet regularly with federal agencies and the City's federal representatives.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
That the City Council provide staff with direction on whether to pursue a contract for federal lobbyist services.
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PROPOSED OPTIONS:
Option 1: Federal Lobbyist Narrow Scope - Approximately $20,000 to $30,000/year.
* Review and give input on City's annual legislative platform
* Identify and report on federal programs to which the City may benefit
* Submit appropriations requests for federal programs
* Track federal legislation concerning cities
* Review and assist with proposals submitted by the City to federal agencies
* Participation at the annual federal representative meeting
Option 2: Federal Lobbyist Expanded Scope - Approximately $60,000 to $100,000/year.
* Craft an actionable federal priorities roadmap and strategy document based on the annual legislative platform
o Assessment sessions with City Management and City Council
o Research on upcoming congressional legislative vehicles
o Recommendations and presentation to City
* Implement adopted financial priorities and strategy document
o Lobby Congress for issues, legislations, and funding streams priorities by the City
o Apply advocacy tools to Convey City Priorities Based on Issues/Strategy
o Provide background materials and follow-up fo...
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