City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends t the City Council authorize the City to Award a contract to CJ
Strategies 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 Council Members
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, Council
Members Gross and Rose were appointed to serve on this Subcommittee.
Meeting Date: 08/28/06 Item Number: A-8
AGENDA ITEM: Contract Award to CJ Strategies for Federal Lobbying Services.
Contact Person/Dept.: Martin R. Cole Phone Number: (310) 253-6007
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification:
CJ Strategies; Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP; Cassidy & Associates; The
Ferguson Group; Mercury Public Affairs; Smith Dawson Andrews; and David Turch and
Associates and Master Notification List (08/17/06)
Department Approval:
Jerry Fulwood 8/22/06
City Manager Approval:
Martin Cole for Jerry Fulwood 8/22/06
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang 8/22/06City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
RFP Process
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
CJ Strategies (Formerly 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
Subcommittee
The Subcommittee members, in addition to the Assistant City Manager, Community
Development 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 to
discuss the three firms, held a second interview with CJ Strategies on August 15,
and discussed recommending the firm for the Council’s consideration.
CJ Strategies Scope of Work
CJ Strategies proposes the following services for Culver City:
• Develop and implement Culver City’s comprehensive legislative platform;
• Identify the City’s financial needs and match those with federal funding
opportunities.
• Work with the City to determine which of the City’s needs are the best candidates
for appropriations efforts, develop strategies based on those decisions and
secure funding for Culver City’s top funding priorities in the appropriations cycle;City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
• Develop short-term and long-term strategies focused on a wider range of funding
opportunities;
• Identify and develop non-appropriations legislative priorities such as
Congressional action on eminent domain and telecommunications issues;
• Work with the City and the Congressional delegation to identify grant
opportunities and generate letters of support for competitive grants;
• Provide timely updates on important legislative issues; and
• Enhance the presence of Culver City officials in Washington, D.C.
Jim Copeland and Lynn Jacquez, the principals who formed CJ Strategies, will share
the lead in representing Culver City. Both individuals have decades of experience
as lobbyists and have identified four other members of the firm to work with Culver
City to accomplish the City’s lobbying goals and objectives.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is adequate funding in the adopted FY 2006-07 Budget in Transportation,
Redevelopment and the City Manager’s Departments’ Other Contractual Services
accounts.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the City to enter into an agreement with CJ Strategies for federal
lobbying services for a period beginning on September 1, 2006 and ending on
June 30, 2007; and
2. Authorize the City Attorney to prepare and the City Manager to execute the
agreement.