HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11g - Lobbying and Consulting Services for Stormwater Projects
DATE: October 5, 2021
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tom Tait, Public Works Services Director
By: Vanessa Hevener, Environmental Services Manager
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT 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
$25,323.08
Recommendation: Approve
SUMMARY
On October 1, 2019, 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. The annual cost of the contract
is $84,000 a year divided among member agencies of the Rio Hondo/San Gabriel River
Water Quality Group (the “Group”), which is comprised of the Cities of Arcadia, Bradbury,
Duarte, Monrovia, and Sierra Madre. Based on the cost share formula, Arcadia’s cost is
$25,323.08 per year. BB&K is reaching the end of its contract term and has submitted a
written offer to extend their contract for an additional year with no increase in cost. This
is the second extension to the contract. All terms and conditions of the contract will remain
the same.
It is recommended that the City Council approve, authorize, and direct the City Manager
to execute an amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Best Best &
Krieger, LLP for Professional Lobbying and Consulting Services for water and stormwater
related projects in the amount of $25,323.08.
BACKGROUND
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 funded by Congress.
In July 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
Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement
with Best Best & Krieger for Lobbying Services
October 5, 2021
Page 2 of 4
funding for water and stormwater related projects under the 2007 WRDA authorization.
The City and Sierra Madre split the cost for lobbying services equally for an annual cost
of $36,000. During the contract term, BB&K provided a high level of expertise and
strategic guidance at the federal level to the Cities of Arcadia and Sierra Madre.
Subsequently, the City Council approved an extension to this contract in July 2018.
In July 2019, the Public Works Services Department (“PWSD”) proposed to the Oversight
Committee of the Rio Hondo/San Gabriel River Water Quality Group (“Group”) that a
regional approach to lobbying efforts was necessary to better engage federal agencies
and stakeholders. The PWSD proposed to expand the scope of BB&K’s efforts to include
the other regional projects identified in the Watershed Management Plan, and to better
leverage BB&K’s expertise and relationships established during the previous two years.
BB&K has extended lobbying services to the Group for $84,000 a year and Arcadia’s cost
in the Group is $25,323.08 per year based on a cost share formula factoring in
participation and land area percentages.
The City of Arcadia serves as the lead agency and the primary liaison between the Group
and BB&K. Under the modified scope of work, BB&K worked with the Group to lobby for
a new WRDA authorization and assisted in identifying grant funding opportunities with
federal agencies, as well as facilitating meetings with key decision makers and building
coalitions to secure support for federal grant applications. In addition, BB&K supported in
educating key stakeholders on the Rio Hondo/San Gabriel River Water Quality Group’s
five regional projects and their benefits at the federal level.
DISCUSSION
During this past year, BB&K assisted with obtaining a congressional authorization (with
the support of the entire congressional delegation: Representative Grace Napolitano,
Representative Judy Chu, Senator Dianne Feinstein and now Vice-President Kamala
Harris) in the biannual Water Resources Development Act (“WRDA”) which allows the
Army Corps of Engineers to partner and provide monetary funding for projects in the Rio
Hondo watershed. In addition, as of July 2021, the Rio Hondo Channel Ecosystem
Restoration project, with full support from Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla,
was included in the Senators’ Congressionally Directed Spending submissions to the
Senate Appropriations Committee. The project aims to restore wetlands, provide
ecosystem restoration for special status plants and species, and provide long-term water
quality in the Rio Hondo and tributaries of the San Gabriel River watersheds. More
specifically, the project, once completed, will assist the member agencies to be in
compliance with Stormwater regulations. If ultimately approved in the pending budget
package, the funding from this one authorization could far outweigh the lobbying costs
the Cities have paid.
Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement
with Best Best & Krieger for Lobbying Services
October 5, 2021
Page 3 of 4
As established in the contract, the cost share formula is based 50% on participation and
50% on land area. The City of Arcadia’s annual contribution will be $25,323.08, or
$2,110.26 per month, with the cost to each city shown in the chart below:
Jurisdiction Monthly Annual
Arcadia $2,110.26 $25,323.08
Bradbury $943.59 $11,323.08
Duarte $1,161.54 $13,938.46
Monrovia $1,725.64 $20,707.69
Sierra Madre $1,058.97 $12,707.69
Although the County of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Flood Control District
are in support of a regional approach to our lobbying efforts, both agencies have internal
staff that serve the same function; therefore, the County and the Flood Control District will
work in tandem with BB&K in lieu of contributing directly to the cost sharing arrangement.
While Arcadia is the lead agency, BB&K invoices the member agencies separately based
on each City’s monthly share.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
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 annual cost of services for BB&K is $84,000, with the City of Arcadia’s annual
contribution share in the amount of $25,323.08, or $2,110.26 per month. The contract is
to be proportionally divided on a formula based on participation (50%) and land area
(50%) between the Cities of Arcadia, Bradbury, Duarte, Monrovia, and Sierra Madre.
Funding for lobbying services is budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Water Operating
Budget. The rate is all inclusive and covers other direct expenses including telephone,
postage, shipping, photocopying, and other administrative costs.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this project is exempt under the
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and approve, authorize, and direct the
City Manager to execute an amendment 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 $25,323.08.
Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement
with Best Best & Krieger for Lobbying Services
October 5, 2021
Page 4 of 4
Attachment: Proposed Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR
PROFESSIONAL LOBBYING AND CONSULTING SERVICES TO SECURE
GRANT FUNDING FOR WATER AND STORMWATER RELATED PROJECTS
BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF ARCADIA
AND BEST BEST & KRIEGER, LLP
This Amendment No. 2 (“Amendment No. 2”) is hereby entered into this ______ day of
______________, 2021 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
October 29, 2019, and further amended by Amendment No. 1 dated October 30, 2020.
The Parties agree as follows:
1. Section 3.1.2 of the Professional Services Agreement, the Term is hereby extended
from October 29, 2021 through October 29, 2022 (“Extended Term”).
2. All terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended by this Amendment No. 2 are
hereby reaffirmed.
In witness whereof the Parties have executed this Amendment No. 2 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