City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City to enter into an agreement
with Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White for federal lobbying services.
BACKGROUND:
Federal lobbyists primarily assist cities in obtaining funding for projects and
monitoring significant legislation that may affect the City. They also coordinate
meetings with Federal officials and legislators. With the use of a lobbyist many cities
have obtained grants and appropriations for water, sewer, buses and transportation
projects.
In 2005, the City engaged in a Professional Services Agreement with Copeland
Lowery Jacquez Denton & White (“CLJ”) for governmental affairs and representation
on federal issues in matters affecting the City, regarding Transportation. CLJ was
retained from June 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005. On October 24, 2005, the
City Council approved the six-month extension of the Agreement to retain CLJ as
the City’s federal governmental advocacy firm and appointed Councilmembers Rose
and Corlin to serve on the Ad Hoc Legislative Subcommittee to meet to evaluate
proposals and interview federal lobbyist candidates during the City’s RFP process.
As of April 24, 2006, through the City Council Reorganization, Councilmembers
Gross and Rose were appointed to serve on this Subcommittee.
Meeting Date: 06/12/06 Item Number: A-13
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration to Enter Into an Agreement with Copeland Lowery
Jacquez Denton & White for Federal Lobbying Services.
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg Phone Number: (310) 253-6008
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP; Cassidy & Associates; Copeland Lowery
Jacquez Denton & White; The Ferguson Group; Mercury Public Affairs; Smith Dawson
Andrews; and David Turch and Associates and Master Notification List (06/07/06)
Department Approval: Martin R. Cole
(06/07/06)
CAO Approval: Jerry B. Fulwood
(06/07/06)
City Controller Approval: Marlee Chang
(06/07/06)City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
Staff initiated the RFP process to obtain proposals from firms that specialize in
governmental relations at the federal level. Staff sent out RFPs to 13 firms and
received seven responses from the following firms:
Name of Firm
Proposed
Monthly
Retainer Annual Fee
Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White $5,000 $60,000
David Turch and Associates $6,000 $72,000
Mercury Public Affairs $7,500 $90,000
Smith Dawson & Andrews $8,000 $96,000
The Ferguson Group $10,000$120,000
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld $12,500$150,000
Cassidy and Associates $15,500$186,000
The Subcommittee members, in addition to the ACAO, Community Development
Director, Public Works Director, Transportation Director and Intergovernmental
Relations Officer, independently reviewed each proposal and collectively met to
determine the top three firms to invite back for an interview. The Subcommittee and
staff conducted interviews with members of the firms of CLJ, David Turch and
Associates, and Smith Dawson Andrews on May 15, 2006. Staff then conducted
reference checks on these firms. The Subcommittee met on June 2, 2006, further
discussed the merits of each of the three firms, and recommended CLJ for the
Council’s consideration.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
In the proposed FY 06/07 Budget, the following amounts are proposed:
The Office of the CAO: $24,000 (Account #10110100.619800)
Transportation Department: $24,000 (Account #20368100.610400)
Redevelopment Agency: $12,000 (Account #59190100.619800)
Total: $60,000
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposal from Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton and White.City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the City to enter into an agreement with Copeland Lowery Jacquez
Denton & White for federal lobbying services for a period beginning on July 1,
2006 and ending on June 30, 2007; and
2. Authorize the City Attorney to prepare and the Chief Administrative Officer to
execute the agreement.