City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council authorize an Agreement with Copeland Lowery Jacquez
Denton & White (CLJ) to represent the City on federal issues for a period not to
exceed six months and name two Councilmembers to an Ad Hoc Legislative
Subcommittee to evaluate federal lobbyists through Request for Proposal process.
BACKGROUND:
Federal lobbyists primarily assist cities in obtaining grants and funding for projects.
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 and
transportation projects and have been proactive in affecting legislation or programs
that can impact the municipality.
Recently, the City engaged in a Professional Services Agreement with CLJ for
governmental affairs and representation on federal issues in matters affecting the
City, with regards to Transportation. CLJ was retained from June 1, 2005 through
September 30, 2005, and during this period, the firm was paid a total of $10,000, as
authorized by the Chief Administrative Officer.
During that time, CLJ was effective in securing a $2 Million federal appropriation to
fund preliminary planning and engineering efforts at the Interstate 10
Robertson/National Boulevard on and off ramps. This area has been the source of
severe traffic congestion that impacts Culver City on a regular basis. Working with
the City’s Transportation Director, CLJ initiated this funding request, which will not
only benefit Culver City but the region as well.
Meeting Date: 10/24/05 Item Number: C-10
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of Approval of a Six-Month Extension of the
Contract for Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton and White as the City’s Advocate
for Federal Funding and Legislation.
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:
Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White and Master Notification List on 10/19/05
Department Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood 8/18/05
CAO Approval:
Jerry Fulwood 10/18/05
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang 10/18/05City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
In the FY 05-06 Budget, the City Council agreed to allocate funding for a federal
lobbyist. Examples of where the City will need federal representation and funding
opportunities include but are not limited to the following areas:
1. Federal Appropriations Requests
2. Transportation/circulation improvements for freeways and major corridors
3. Public Transit
4. Homeland Security
5. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance
6. Telecommunications and Franchise Agreements
7. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program preservation
8. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
9. Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
10.Department of Justice (DOJ)
11.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Brownfields funding
12.Homelessness/Veterans Administration
13.Historic Preservation
14.Cultural Affairs
Primarily, the City of Culver City will be working closely Jim Copeland, Managing
Partner of CLJ, in addition to Chris Kierig. Both individuals have strong contacts in
Washington D.C. with legislators from both parties as well as their staff. These
relationships in D.C. will assist the firm in its role as the City’s advocate on various
issues and help to achieve the goal of securing funding in a variety of areas.
In the upcoming months, staff will initiate the RFP process to obtain proposals from
firms that specialize in governmental relations at the federal level. Staff
recommends that the City Council name a subcommittee of two Councilmembers to
evaluate proposals and interview firms. This process was useful in FY 01/02 when
the Ad Hoc Legislative Subcommittee of Councilmembers Corlin and Rose helped
interview and recommend the City’s State lobbyist. Staff plans to return to Council
with a recommendation for a firm in the upcoming months.City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
It is proposed that CLJ will provide services to the City at a cost of $4,000 per month
for a total of $24,000 for the six month period. There is adequate funding in the FY
05/06 Budget in Account Number 10110100.619800 for Other Contractual Services.
ATTACHMENTS:
Proposal from CLJ.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve the six-month extension of the Agreement to retain Copeland Lowery
Jacquez Denton & White as the City’s federal governmental advocacy firm; and
2. Direct the City Attorney to prepare the proper documents and authorize the Chief
Administrative Officer to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City; and
3. Appoint and to serve on the Ad Hoc Legislative
Subcommittee to meet to evaluate proposals and interview federal lobbyist
candidates during the City’s RFP process.
MEETING DATE October 24, 2005
AGENDA ITEM Consideration of Approval of a Six Month Extension of the
Contract for Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton and White
as the City's Advocate for Federal Funding and Legislation
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1 Proposal from CUJ 1-2Copeland Lowery Jacquez Dento4i3 Thite LLC
Specializing in Government Relations
October 18, 2005
Mr Jerry Fulwood
Chief Administrative Officer
City of Culver City
9770 Culver Boulevard
Culver City, California 90232
Dear Mr Fulwood
It has been our pleasure to represent the transportation interests of Culver City in
Washington this year and we are looking forward to continuing our relationship and
expanding it to cover all of the City's interests in Washington As we discussed in our
conversations this week, Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White (CU) would be
pleased to continue representing Culver City on federal issues in Washington, D C
Based on our discussions, we have prepared this letter of retainer for the six-month
period beginning November 1, 2005, and ending April 30, 2006
CUJ will continue to be registered as the Washington representative for Culver
City While all the resources of the firm's personnel are placed at the disposal of each
client, Jim Copeland will serve as the principal for this account With the departure of
Paul Cunrungham, Chris Kieng will serve as the primary contact on behalf of the firm
and will coordinate all activities related to representation of Culver City
As you know, consideration of the current fiscal years' appropriations bills will
conclude in the next few months after which work on the FY07 budget process will start
While the 2007 cycle will not be completed by the time this agreement is over, Culver
City will be well positioned for success upon conclusion of this contract Additionally,
we look forward to continuing our relationship after that through the anticipated RFP
process
We believe that our firm is well suited to represent the Department's interests, and
we have a long history of success in working with the federal government on behalf of
murucipal priorities As previously indicated, the City's relationship with CUJ will begin
on November 1, 2005 and the firm will be paid $4,000 per month, billed at the end of
each month of representation over the next six months Either party could terminate this
agreement upon thirty days written notice
Suite 800 • 525 Ninth Street, NW • Washington, DC 20004 • 202 347 5990 • Fax 202 347 5941Copeland Lowery Jacquez Dentoi,White
Culver City
October 18, 2005
Page 2
If the foregoing terms and conditions accurately reflect your understanding of the
relationship, please sign where indicated and return a copy to us We look forward to
working with Culver City
Sincerely,
A2.03
1 C"A
Jim Copeland
Managing Partner
I, the undersigned, as a duly authorized agent of Culver City, do hereby agree to the
terms and conditions outlined above
Name Date
Title
Christian Kieng
Senior Associate