Title
Professional Federal Lobbying and Advocacy Services Agreement (B)
This item is a request for the City Commission to approve the execution of a professional federal lobbying and advocacy services agreement.
Explanation
The City has retained the services of Marilyn Berry Thompson, with the firm of MWW Group, Inc., as a special lobbyist in Washington, D.C. in connection with matters concerning the City on behalf of its General Government and Utility.
City of Gainesville’s Agreement for Professional Federal Lobbying Services will end on September 30, 2016. This role and the services provided have been extensively and regularly reviewed following their initiation in 1994.
The Lobbyist provides lobbying and advocacy services and monitors U.S. Congress on important legislative matters that could affect the City in areas of housing, economic redevelopment, taxation, revenue distribution, transportation, environment, utility regulation, telecommunications, homeland security and other areas.
The City agrees to compensate MWW Group, Inc. at a fee of $113,000 for the City's General Government, and $30,000 for Gainesville Regional Utilities, for a combined annual fee of $143,000. The Lobbyist will continue to pay all expenses without reimbursement.
The brief Summary of Federal Lobbyist Services (attached) provides a more detailed description that highlights over $70 million in federal relations outcomes and activities in five key areas: 1) Community Development and Parks; 2) Economic Development and Special Projects; 3) Housing and Homeless; 4) Criminal Justice; and 5) Transportation.
This agreement has one significant change from the previous agreement. The consultant firm is requesting reimbursement for transportation services between legislative and lobby meetings. If it is determined that transportation services are needed due to restrictions around certain Federal buildings or for other logistical issues, City staff can request that the consultant provide transportation services and if so, the maximum cost is $500 per day and $2,000 per the entire agreement. City staff and City officials will determine whether such service will be utilized and the Consultant must provide copies of all receipts before the City will reimburse the consultant for these services. City officials and staff will have the option to utilize the other transportation services between the legislative meetings and lobby meetings.
Fiscal Note
There is a cost of $143,000 in FY2017 for the City and GRU to enter this contract.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the City Manager and the General Manager for Utilities to enter into an agreement for one year beginning October 1, 2016 with Marilyn Berry Thompson to provide professional federal lobbying legislative lobbying and related government liaison grant services at a fee of $113,000 for General Government and $30,000 for GRU, subject to approval of the City Attorney as to form and legality.