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HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-20 Staff Report - Agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves & SonsCONSENT ITEM E-20 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: STEPHAN E. HUNT, CHIEF OF POLICE/ACTING CITY MANAGER FROM: LOUIE F. LACASELLA, SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST DATE: AUGUST 21, 2017 SUBJECT: APPROVE AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH JOE A. GONSALVES & SONS FOR LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES SUMMARY: Joe A. Gonsalves & Sons has been providing legislative advocacy services to the City since April 2015. This action approves an amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves & Sons extending the term of the agreement for the remainder of the fiscal year in an amount not-to-exceed $4,000 per month. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions: 1) Approve an amendment to the contract with Joe A. Gonsalves & Sons, for legislative advocacy services extending the term through June 30, 2018; and 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, an amendment to the contract with Gonsalves & Sons on behalf of the City. DISCUSSION: Joe A. Gonsalves & Sons is a full-service legislative advocacy firm specializing in local government issues. Joe A. Gonsalves & Sons was founded by Joe A. Gonsalves in 1975. Mr. Gonsalves served as a member of the California State Assembly from 1962 through 1974. The firm has achieved success in the enactment, defeat or amendment of legislation for their clients and has regular access to and success in working with the leadership of both parties and both Houses of the Legislature and the Governor’s Administration. Joe A. Gonsalves & Sons represents more cities than any other contract lobbyist in the State of California. Their client list includes 50 cities and a number of special districts or single-purpose agencies such as the Port of Long Beach, Port of Stockton, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the California Produce Handlers Association. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 8/21/2017 Amendment to Agreement for Legislative Advocacy Services August 21, 2017 Page 2 The firm has been providing legislative advocacy services to the City since April 2015. During this time, the firm has assisted the City on several significant matters including:  Facilitated several meetings with management staff from the California Department of Finance that resulted in successful outcomes on several Successor Agency properties including the Enterprise Site and Block 36;  Assisted the City in amending Senate Bill 536 (Roth) to include a provision granting the City a “right of first refusal” to purchase the former Azusa National Guard Armory site at Memorial Park. The amendment also allowed the City to purchase the site at a fair market rate plus a credit for capital improvements the City made to the building. The firm also was instrumental in assisting the City with negotiations with the State for the acquisition of the armory; and  Coordinated a dialogue with Caltrans and the California Transportation Commission on reconnecting State Route 39 to State Route 2. The dialogue with Caltrans and the California Transportation Commission on reopening State Route 39 is continuing and additional work, including possible legislation, may be needed. The firm is also working on a legislative amendment to SB 415 (municipal election dates changes). Support may also be needed depending on what results from the LAWorks situation. In addition, extending the term of the legislative advocate will be quite helpful to the City during the current and upcoming Legislative Session and gives the City a greater voice on specific issues of interest than the City would have on its own. The proposed amendment will enable the legislative advocate to continue services at a fixed monthly retainer of $4,000. The firm has not only agreed to continue to work on all the issues identified above, but as part of their monthly retainer, the firm will also monitor state proposals, legislation, administrative regulations, as well as other matters of interest, advising the City when City policy or program objectives are at risk. The continuing rate of $4,000 is competitive among the services the firm provides to other Cities. Services run as low as $2,000 (per month) with the City of Hawaiian Gardens due to their long-term working relationship with the Gonsavles since 1976. New client Cities range between $4,000 to $7,000 per month. For example, the City of Irvine’s monthly rate is $6,000 (since 2013) while the City of San Bernardino’s is $7,000 per month (since 2014). Specifically, the following is a survey of some Southern California clients of the Gonsavles and when they hired the firm and their monthly retainer: City Service Begin Monthly Retainer Glendora July 2008 $3,500 Walnut November 2010 $4,000 Chino March 2006 $3,500 Irwindale May 1994 $4,750 Torrance December 2009 $4,250 Lakewood October 1979 $4,526 The term of the agreement is proposed to be through June 30, 2018. The City can terminate the agreement at any time with a 30 day written notice. Amendment to Agreement for Legislative Advocacy Services August 21, 2017 Page 3 FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the proposed actions. The full year cost of services in the amount of $48,000, was included in the FY 2017-18 budget under account number 1010110000-6399. Prepared by: Fiscal Impact Reviewed by: Louie F. Lacasella Talika M. Johnson Senior Management Analyst Director of Finance Reviewed and Approved: Stephan E. Hunt Chief of Police/Acting City Manager Attachment: 1) Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves & Sons ATTACHMENT 1 AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT FOR LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS SERVICES This Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves & Sons is made and entered into this ___th day of ______, 2017, by and between the CITY OF AZUSA, a municipal corporation ("City") and Joe A. Gonsalves & Sons, a California Corporation ("Consultant") and amends that certain "Professional Services Agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves & Sons " (the "Agreement") dated April 7, 2015 between the same parties. R E C I T A L S A. On or about April 7, 2015, City and Consultant entered into a “Professional Services Agreement” pursuant to which Consultant agreed to provide legislative advocacy and governmental affairs services (“Project”). B. City requires additional services that are outside the Consultant’s established term and compensation amount of the Agreement. C. City and Consultant desire to amend the Agreement to modify the length of the term and compensation amount. A G R E E M E N T The Agreement is hereby amended as follows: 1. 3.1.2 Term. The term of this Agreement shall be from January 3, 2017 to June 30, 2018, unless earlier terminated as provided herein. Advocate shall complete the Services within the term of this Agreement, and shall meet any other established schedules and deadlines. The Parties may, by mutual written consent, extend the term of this Agreement if necessary to complete the Services. 2. 3.3.1 Compensation. The compensation of this agreement shall be increased by $24,000 (TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS) dollars, in amount not-to- exceed $4,000 per month. 3. Except as expressly provided herein, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto executed this Amendment to be effective as of the Date first written above. CITY OF AZUSA, a municipal corporation By: ______________________ City Manager ATTEST: ___________________________ City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Joe A. Gonsalves & Sons ___________________________ _____________________________ City Attorney Name: Title: