CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Authorizing the City Manager to terminate federal legislative advocacy services with Vectis DC and enter into an agreement with Kiley and Associates for federal legislative advocacy services Meeting Date: May 13, 2025
REQUEST:
The City Council is requested to:
Terminate the services with Vectis DC
2.) Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Kiley and Associates for Federal legislative advocacy services.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS:
The City of Commerce entered into a four-month agreement with Vectis DC from March 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021, for $6,200.00 per month. The purpose of this agreement was to provide federal government relations services, such as efforts to obtain congressionally directed funding, as well as other agency-driven grants and funded pilot projects on behalf of the City of Commerce.
The City has not had a formal agreement with Vectis since June 30, 2021; however, the City continued to pay Vectis DC $6,200.00 per month to provide this service. Staff recommends that Council approve the formal termination of services with Vectis DC due to the expiration of the agreement from 2021.
The City received a proposal from Kiley & Associates, a firm that has decades of experience working in Washington, D.C., building congressional support with key allies to address the needs and objectives of the City. They support any issues that have a federal nexus, which may include providing comments on federal regulations, securing letters of support for grant applications, and connecting local officials to federal agency professionals to maximize opportunities for success. The monthly retainer for their services is $5,000 per month.
Kiley and Associates was founded in 2009 and has city clients across the State of California, and has been able to secure millions of federal funding for cities like Carson, South Gate, Lynwood, and Lakewood.
Based on the proposal and scope of work, staff recommends that the City Manager execute a Professional Service Agreement with Kiley and Associates to assist the City in developing a federal funding and policy agenda. The proposed professional services agreement would continue on a month-to-month basis until either party terminates the agreement.
The firm will help establish a strong presence with our federal representatives to secure support for our City. The focus will be on developing a plan to apply for congressionally directed spending and targeted funding within specific federal agencies and developing crucial relationships with program managers responsible for administering target grants. It is in the best interest of the City to engage with a firm that has experience in federal advocacy in this region and has proven experience in delivering the services needed for our municipality.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation; and/or
Provide further direction to staff
Fiscal impact:
Kiley and Associates will work on retainer to complete services found in Attachment A for $5,000.00 per month. Funds are available and budgeted in 10.8804.54020.
Prepared by: Gisselle S. Delgado, Senior Management Analyst Fiscal Impact reviewed by: Alvaro Castellon, Director of Finance Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Proposal for Kiley and Associates
Attachment B: Resolution