City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve an Agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves & Son
(Gonsalves) for legislative advocacy services in Sacramento for FY 05-06.
BACKGROUND:
In November and December 2001, the former Grants Administrator, City Controller
and Senior Management Analyst in Transportation, along with the Council
Subcommittee of Councilmembers Rose and Corlin, conducted an RFP process and
interviewed three lobbying firms. After careful consideration, the subcommittee
recommended and the City Council approved entering into a one-year agreement on
January 7, 2002 with Gonsalves for legislative advocacy services at a cost of $3,500
per month, with an option to discontinue the contract with 30 days written notice.
The City maintained this contract until October 30, 2002, at which time the City
exercised its option to discontinue the contract due to fiscal constraints.
On November 8, 2004, the City Council voted 4-1 to approve the City entering into a
new Agreement with Gonsalves for legislative advocacy representation services in
Sacramento through June 30, 2005.
DISCUSSION:
The City’s prior experience with Joe A. Gonsalves & Son was extremely positive.
The lobbyist interacted well with staff and provided sound legislative advice. The
following list below summarizes the firm’s services since it was retained by the City
in January 2005:
Meeting Date: 07/11/05 Item Number:
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of an Agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves & Son for
Legislative Advocacy Services in Sacramento for FY 05-06.
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly W. Chagnon Phone Number: (310) 253-6008
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification:
Joe A. Gonsalves and Son (7/6/05) and Master Notification List (7/6/05)
Department Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (6/30/05)
CAO Approval:
City Controller Approval:City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Legislative Bill Tracking. Earlier this year, Gonsalves reviewed all of the bills
introduced in the California Legislature and informed City staff of the legislation
affecting the City’s interests. Based on a list refined by Culver City staff, Gonsalves
provides bill updates to City staff on a regular basis. Staff reviews the bill updates
and forwards a weekly copy of all such bills to the Council and City staff. Gonsalves
also provides staff interpretations of bills and provides supporting data, which
Gonsalves obtains from the bills’ authors.
Legislative Advocacy. Culver City staff members have prepared advocacy letters
based on information provided by Gonsalves or various professional organizations,
which have accurately conveyed areas of interest to the City. Staff faxes Gonsalves
Culver City’s position letters, so that Gonsalves will convey the letter to each Senate
or Assembly Committee Member that will be hearing the bill.
Identification of State Funding. Gonsalves has been effective in arranging
meetings between legislative representatives, Councilmembers and staff for recent
visits to Sacramento. Gonsalves has participated in individual meetings with
Senator Kevin Murray, Assemblymember Karen Bass, staff of Assemblymember
Jerome Horton, and the Staff Director of the Senate Transportation Committee.
Gonsalves has been proactive in trying to identify and obtain state funding for Culver
City for the Metro EXPO Light Rail Project.
Special Programs. Gonsalves hosted its annual dinner reception in Sacramento on
March 29, 2005, which included special pre-arranged meetings with legislators
during the day at the Capitol. The dinner reception provided a networking
opportunity with legislators and officials from other cities.
Future Opportunities. In addition to the work described above, there are
possibilities for Gonsalves to amend legislation on behalf of the City and
Redevelopment Agency, and attend and provide testimony at legislative hearings on
behalf of the City and the Agency.
The presence of a full-time lobbyist in the Capitol and the ability of staff to engage in
advocacy on a full-time basis further the City’s ability to effectively address important
legislative matters. A lobbyist allows the City to speak with one voice and to have a
presence in the Capitol to express the concerns and interests of Culver City.
Gonsalves has stated its desire to continue its agreement with the City of Culver City
at $3,500 per month or $42,000 for FY 05-06. Staff recommends continuing the
services of Gonsalves. The monthly retainer includes all expenses such as Fair
Political Practice Commission (FPPC) filings, telephone calls and faxes. There will City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
be no other expenses as part of this contract, such as travel, because the firm is
based in Sacramento.
Because of Culver City’s positive experience with this firm, and because of their
highly-regarded reputation in the Capitol, staff recommends that the City Council
approve an Agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves & Son without conducting a formal bid
process, since one has already taken place.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The City Council approved $42,000 for lobbying services within the City’s FY 05-06
budget, adopted on June 27, 2005. Adequate funds are available in Other
Contractual Services, Account Number 10110100.619800.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Background Information on Joe A. Gonsalves & Son.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Waive the formal competitive bid process; authorize the award of a professional
services agreement in the amount of $42,000 with Joe A. Gonsalves & Son for
legislative advocacy in Sacramento; and
2. Authorize the City Attorney to prepare the necessary documents and authorize
the Chief Administrative Officer to sign the documents.
MEETING DATE July 11, 2005
AGENDA ITEM Consideration of an Agreement with Joe A Gonsalves &
Son for Legislative Advocacy Services in Sacramento for
FY 05-06
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1 Background Information on Gonsalves and Son 1-3Joe A Gonsalves & Son
Anthony D Gonsalves
J &SW% A Gonsalves
PROMSSIONAL uicasiAn vz IMPOZUNTATION
1411.5T SUM SOO SACIIMIANTO. CA 56414471111
SU 'HAIM TAX WU 11•41
UAW ileark101P.64.08
July 5 2005
Ms Shelly Chagnon
City of Culver City
9770 Culver Boulevard
Culver City CA 90232
Dear Shelly
It has been a pleasure to work with you in representing the city of Culver City before the
California State Legislature As requested I have enclosed some background
information for you and your Council on our firm
Our firm was founded by my father Joe A. Gonsalves in 1975 He served as a
member of the California State Assembly from 1962 through 1974 Prior to that he
served as a Dairy Valley Council Member including two years as Mayor of the city of
Dairy Valley which is now the city of Cerritos
I joined the firm in January of 1977 I was previously employed for a year and one half
by the California State Senate Shortly after I joined the firm we incorporated and we
are now known as Joe A. Gonsalves & Son
In December of 1998 my son Jason joined the firm to assist us with our lobbying
efforts That gave our firm the proud distinction of being the first to have three
generations of legislative advocates working on behalf of their clients which continued
until my father passed away in July 2000 Our firm continues the proud tradition of
being one of the more prominent and successful firms in Sacramento
We have three capable assistants and our office has taken full advantage of all of the
latest technology which includes Computers Internet, and E mail We have contracts
with State Net AT&T Broadband and the State of California These services provide
us with up to-date legislative information and the complete legislative bill service We
are able to monitor all committee hearings held at the State Capitol from our office by
audio or visual means as they occur which benefits the clients we represent
I
iMs Shelly Chagnon
July 5 2005
Page 2
I have attached a list of our present clients As you can see we do represent a large
number of cities We believe the reason our cities client list has grown over the years is
our ability to provide the desired service
We also represent a very distinguished group of clients other than cities For example
the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club operating the most successful race meet in the United
States Also the Port of Long Beach operating within the largest port complex in the
United States doing more container movement than any other complex I feel strongly
that it is this blend of special people who make us effective before the California
Legislature
Our firm has a long history of successfully representing cities before the California State
Legislature Fiscal reform was a key issue for our client cities this past legislative year
particularly as it related to the development of Proposition 1A
Even though we have a large client base of cities we have been very careful over the
years to only respond to proposals from cities that have the same characteristics or
similar interests with the rest of our clients We feel this is the only way we can be
effective in representing our clients on the major issues that come before the
Legislature (i e fiscal reform)
We have attached for your review a copy of our existing contract with your City If you
have any changes you would like to make in the contract please feel free to discuss
those with me
Our firm operates on a very personal and professional level always working hard to
accomplish our clients goals which is reflected in my father's words that was the lead in
an LA Times article regarding lobbyists 'Lobbyists are like parachutes You don t need
them very often but when you need them they d better work
Again it has been a pleasure and honor for us to represent the city of Culver City and
we look forward to continue working with you on behalf of your fine city
ADG/dj
/L.Joe A Gonsalves 81 Son
Anthony D Gonsalves
I II , k i Jason A Gonsalves
PROFESSIONAL LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION
1 1 1 1 925 L ST SUITE 230 SACRAMENTO CA 95814 3766
911 441 0507 FAX 016 441 6061
Emma% gooselvIebeebell net
Joe A. Gonsalves & Son
Client Cities
Arcadia
Beaumont
Bellflower
Camarillo
Carlsbad
Cerritos
Chino Hills
Commerce
Concord
Culver City
Diamond Bar
Elk Grove
Fairfield
Folsom
Fontana
Hawaiian Gardens
Huntington Park
Industry
Irwindale
La Mirada
Laguna Hills
Laguna Niguel
Lakewood
Lawndale
Monrovia
Monterey Park
Moreno Valley
Norwalk
Palm Desert
Palmdale
Paramount
Pittsburg
Pomona
Rancho Cucamonga
Redding
Rosemead
Roseville
Santa Fe Springs
Simi Valley
South Gate
Thousand Oaks
Ventura
Victorville
West Sacramento
Yuba City|1013|