200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #733
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5094
Fax: (714) 765-5164
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
DATE: JANUARY 10, 2023
FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT WITH TOWNSEND PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR
STATE ADVOCACY SERVICES
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 16
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, waive Council Policy 4.1 and approve an Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) for supplemental state advocacy services for a term of one-year with two (2) optional one-year renewals, at a rate of $7,500 per month with a not-to-exceed amount of $270,000; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to administer the agreement under the terms and conditions of the Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
The city has contracted with TPA for strategic funding advocacy services on and off since September 2015, with our most recent agreement ending on January 15, 2023.
Throughout our time working with TPA, they have effectively advocated on behalf of the city securing support and funding for city projects and services.
Most recently, TPA worked with city staff and several members of the city’s legislative delegation to advocate for direct funding for several of the city’s priority projects in the FY 2022/23 state budget. In conjunction with TPA and grant consultants, the city successfully secured funding for Boysen Park ($15 million) that will support efforts to repair existing buildings, remediate the ballfield areas of the park, and potentially expand the park into neighboring city-owned property that has been requested by the community.
Other successful funding streams that TPA helped secure include state and federal funding for the North Orange County Public Safety regional collaborative project from FY 2017/18 to FY 2022/23. The Collaborative received $8 million from the FY 2022/23 state budget. Furthermore, an additional $5 million was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 that was signed into law by President Biden on December 29, 2022. These funds have been allocated for programs to address youth violence prevention and intervention in K-12 schools, programs to promote and enhance the successful reentry of offenders into the community and programs to address homeless outreach and intervention efforts. The city is a member of the official Collaborative and has received a direct allocation of over $1 million to address homeless, youth gang violence and prevention, and the reentry of offenders into the community. The Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for State Advocacy Services January 10, 2023
Collaborative has also provided funding to dozens of community based organizations that operate in Anaheim and serve the residents of Anaheim. TPA will continue to work with key members of leadership of state and federal legislators to advocate for the continuance of this funding.
Furthermore, TPA assisted in advancing legislation and state budget requests to secure funding for California’s largest cities to help address issues surrounding homelessness.
These efforts culminated in the creation of the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) in 2018. Building on the success of the HEAP program, the State created the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Grant Program in 2019. HHAP provides local jurisdictions with funds to support regional coordination and expand or develop local capacity to address their immediate homelessness challenges. Funds have been instrumental in constructing and operating homeless facilities, providing services and mitigating impacts of homelessness on the community.
Under this new agreement, the monthly rate for these supplemental services will be $7,500 per month, for a one-year term commencing on January 16, 2023 through January 15, 2024. The Agreement allows for either the city or Townsend to terminate without cause with seven (7) days written notice.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds are available in the City Administration’s budget for legislative advocacy services.
Respectfully submitted,
Greg Garcia
Assistant City Manager
Attachment:
1. Agreement