Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: April 22, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Carmen Nichols, Assistant City Manager
Subject: First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement No. 2023- 100 with Downs Government Affairs, LLC to Provide Federal Legislative Advocacy, Federal Funding Assistance, and Other Services
BACKGROUND
City Council Policy 2.02 Legislation and Legislative Matters states that the City Council will participate in regional, state, and federal legislative processes when legislative matters have the potential to impact the City or its residents. Such participation will include intergovernmental relations, legislative advocacy and, when appropriate, legislative proposals.
To achieve this goal, the City contracts with legislative advocates to act as the City’s representative and provide updates on pending legislation and opportunities for project funding, in alignment with the City’s goals. On June 28, 2023, the City Council approved a three-year Professional Services Agreement with Downs Government Affairs, LLC (DGA) to provide federal legislative advocacy, funding assistance, and related services.
DISCUSSION
Since entering into the agreement, DGA has provided effective federal advocacy services that have resulted in measurable outcomes and advancement of key City priorities.
Through DGA’s support during the contract term, the City has achieved the following:
Secured an additional $850,000 in federal funding through Congresswoman Julia Brownley for the Las Posas Bridge Replacement Project.
Advanced a $1.1 million funding request for the Hybrid Microgrid Project at City Hall, which has been included in the House Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2026 (pending approval).
CC 2023-100 Amendment No. 1
April 22, 2026
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Successfully shortlisted for a $1.5 million Congressional appropriation request for Fiscal Year 2027 for Interoperable Radio Network upgrades (pending approval). Secured inclusion of multiple City projects in priority consideration lists by the City’s U.S. Senate delegation, including the Las Posas Bridge Project and the Pleasant Valley Sewer Forcemain Replacement Project.
Submitted multiple funding requests through the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorization process for 2026, including $5.1 million for the Charter Oak Pump Stations and $11 million for Well E and Well F improvements.
Federal funding and legislative processes often span multiple years, requiring consistent representation and relationship-building with Congressional offices and federal agencies.
Continued engagement is critical to maintaining momentum on existing funding requests and advancing future City priorities.
To ensure continuity of these efforts, staff recommends approval of the First Amendment to extend the agreement for an additional two (2) years, through June 30, 2028.
The amendment also updates the compensation structure to a monthly retainer of $8,000, for an annual not-to-exceed amount of $96,000. The two-year extension includes a not- to-exceed amount of $192,000, plus a contingency of $8,000 for unanticipated services, for a total amendment amount not-to-exceed $200,000 ($100,000 per year).
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for CC 2023-100A are included in the following accounts for FY 2026/27:
1. City Council Administrative Account No. 101-1101-411.32-01
2. Sanitation Administrative Account No. 871-3701-437.32-01
3. Water Administrative Account No. 860-3601-436.32-01
Funds for Fiscal Year 2027/28 will be included in future budgets.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN FY 2025/26
Agreement CC 2023-100A supports the City Council’s Strategic Plan Goal and Objective
1.1 – Fiscal Management; pursue opportunities for diversification of City revenues through public and private sources.
Federal legislative advocacy services support the submission of annual Congressional appropriations to secure funding for critical infrastructure projects, which mitigates financial impact on the City’s general fund and helps diversify revenue sources.
Agreement CC 2023-100A also supports City Council’s Strategic Plan Goal and Objective
10.2 – Intergovernmental Relations; be proactive in defending the City’s interests CC 2023-100 Amendment No. 1
April 22, 2026
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concerning proposed legislation and regulatory issues, including but not limited to legislative efforts to reduce local municipal control in land use and housing decisions.
Federal legislative advocacy services support the City’s need to stay appraised of new legislative and regulatory proposals impacting services and operations, and provides a channel of communication to advocate on behalf of the City.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute the First Amendment to Agreement No. 2023-100 with Downs Government Affairs LLC, for federal legislative advocacy services, funding assistance, and other services, to extend the agreement by two (2) additional years, in the amount of $96,000 per year, with a contingency amount of $4,000 per year, for an annual amount not-to-exceed $100,000.
ATTACHMENTS
1. CC Agreement 2023-100A
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None