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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 12h - Professional Lobbying and Consulting Services DATE: July 17, 2018 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Tom Tait, Public Works Services Director By: Mandy Jiang, Management Aide SUBJECT: EXTENSION TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BEST BEST & KRIEGER, LLP FOR PROFESSIONAL LOBBYING AND CONSULTING SERVICES TO SECURE GRANT FUNDING FOR WATER AND STORMWATER RELATED PROJECTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,000 Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY In 2007, the Cities of Arcadia and Sierra Madre were awarded a joint authorization of $20 million dollars under the Water Resources Development Act (“WRDA”) for local water and wastewater related infrastructure projects , but the grants were never fully funded by Congress. On July 18, 2017, the City Council awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Best Best & Krieger, LLP (“BB&K”), for professional lobbying and consulting services to secure grant funding for water and stormwater related projects under the 2007 WRDA authorization. BB&K is reaching the end of their agreement and has submitted a written offer to extend the agreement for an additional year with no increase in pricing. All other conditions of the agreement will remain in effect. It is recommended that the City Council approve, and authorize and direct the City Manager to execute a one-year extension to the Professional Services Agreement with BB&K for professional lobbying and consulting services for water and stormwater related projects in the amount of $36,000, half of which will be paid by the City of Sierra Madre. BACKGROUND Funding through WRDA originally authorized in 2007 would primarily be used for completing water and stormwater related infrastructure projects identified in the City’s PSA Extension for Lobbying Services July 17, 2018 Page 2 of 3 revised Enhanced Watershed Management Program (“rEWMP”) Plan, which includes two stormwater capture and groundwater recharge projects located at the Peck Road Water Conservation Park and the LA County Arboretum. These projects will help both Arcadia and Sierra Madre comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) Permit requirements, remediate surrounding water quality, and increase groundwater levels in the Raymond and Main San Gabriel Groundwater Basins. The combined groundwater recharge of both projects is estimated to total 1,200 acre-feet per year. DISCUSSION During the contract period, BB&K has provided high levels of expertise to the Cities of Arcadia and Sierra Madre lobbying for the two proposed projects at the federal level. The firm has worked to position the projects in an advantageous position, including facilitating a lobbying trip to Washington, D.C. for Council and staff to meet with congressional representatives, the Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineer s, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The proposed projects were well presented and well received by all parties, including local stakeholders such as the Los Angeles Army Corps of Engineers office, Los Angeles County and Arboretum staff. Due to the 2017-18 federal budget being drafted and adopted on an extremely compressed schedule with viturally no committee hearings, there were no opportunities to include the funding request in the budget. However, the Cities were able to prevent the authorization from being decommissioned and has received encourage ment from several agencies to further pursue funding for the proposed projects. BB&K has agreed to hold their prices and expressed their appreciation working with the Cities of Arcadia and Sierra Madre and for the opportunity to continue working with both cities. Staff received confirmation from the City of Sierra Madre that they are willing to continue to split the cost of a lobbyist to pursue WRDA appropriations and other state and federal grants for water and stormwater projects. Although, the two cities have not yet received an appropriation under the 2007 WRDA authorization, the Public Works Services Department is continuing lobbying efforts and relationship building with the Los Angeles Army Corps of Engineers to foster support for an appropriation to complete a feasibility study for both rEWMP projects. If an appropriation is not received during the upcoming appropriations process, BB&K will work with the Cities of Arcadia and Sierra Madre to lobby for a new authorization in 2019 and other grant funding opportunities with federal agencies . The work plan will include additional lobbying trips to Washington D.C. and meetings to highlight the significant role the two rEWMP projects has in improving stormwater capture and groundwater recharge. In the meantime, the PWSD will work with BB&K to also pursue additional funding opportunities at the state level. PSA Extension for Lobbying Services July 17, 2018 Page 3 of 3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT The cost of services for BB&K is expected to be $36,000 per year in the form of a monthly flat fee billed at a rate of $3,000, which reflects the same pricing as the previous year. The rate is all inclusive and covers other direct expenses including telephone, postage, shipping, photocopying, and other administrative costs. The annual rate to be split equally with the City of Sierra Madre, which will cover $18,000 of the annual fee. Sufficient funding for these lobbying services is budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2018-19 Water Operating Budget. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council approve, and authorize and direct the City Manager to execute a one-year extension to the Professional Services Agreement with Best Best & Krieger for Professional Lobbying and Consulting Services to secure grant funding for water and stormwater related projects in the amount of $36,000. Attachment: Proposed Professional Services Agreement Amendment No. 1 AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL LOBBYING AND CONSULTING SERVICES BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF ARCADIA AND BEST BEST & KRIEGER, LLP This Amendment No. 1 (“Amendment No. 1”) is hereby entered into this ______ day of ______________, 2018 by and between the City of Arcadia, a municipal corporation of the State of California, and Best, Best, & Krieger, LLP, a Limited Liability Partnership, with respect to that certain Professional Services Agreement (“Agreement”) between the Parties dated August 2, 2017. The Parties agree as follows: 1. Section 3.1.2 of the Professional Services Agreement, the Term is hereby extended from August 2, 2018 to August 2, 2019 (“Extended Term”). 2. All terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended by this Amendment No. 1 are hereby reaffirmed. In witness whereof the Parties have executed this Amendment No. 1 on the date set forth below. CITY OF ARCADIA BEST BEST & KRIEGER, LLP By: By: Dominic Lazzaretto City Manager Title: Dated: Dated: By: ATTEST: Title: Dated: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM CONCUR: Stephen P. Deitsch Tom Tait City Attorney Public Works Services Director