Agenda Item No: K.2
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: January 20, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 202 6-01 CM Amendment 9 Legislative Consultant Services Solano Transportation Authority and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP
Approving Amendment No. 9 to the Federal Legislative Consultant Services Agreement Between the City of Fairfield, Solano Transportation Authority, the Cities of Vacaville and Vallejo, and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP
Funding Source: $50,000; General fund, Transportation funds, and Gas Tax Revenues
Contact: Liz Aptekar, (707) 428-7389
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The attached resolution authorizes the City to extend an agreement with the cities of Vacaville and Vallejo, and the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) for federal lobbying efforts provided by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP (Akin Gump). The current two-year contract (Amendment No. 8) expired on December 31, 202 5, and the proposed amendment will allow Akin Gump to continue their transportation advocacy efforts on behalf of the partnering agencies.
DISCUSSION
Since 2001, the City of Fairfield partnered with the cities of Vacaville and Vallejo, and the STA for federal lobbying efforts. Each agency has participated equally in the funding of the contract for federal advocacy services.
Federal advocacy efforts focus on guiding transportation policy and s trategy and obtaining funding sources for priority projects such as:
1) The 80/680/State Route 12 interchange
2) Jepson Parkway Phase 2B (Access to Travis AFB and Canon Road Safety Improvements)
3) The Fairfield-Vacaville Hannigan Train Station
4) Fairfield Transit and Municipal Fleet Electrification Project
Akin Gump continues to provide valuable assistance to the STA and member cities on federal matters, including researching federal grant opportunities for transportation projects.
Experienced in transportation law, Akin Gump communicates with member agencies to provide timely information on transportation developments and strategic advice.
STA initially entered into a contract with Akin Gump from February 15, 2008, through February 15, 2010. Amendment No. 1 extended the agreement from December 1, 2009, until December 31, 2011, and adding Dixon as a partnering agency. Amendment No. 2 through No. 6 each extended the agreement for an additional two-year term, with Amendment No. 5 removing the City of Dixon. Amendment No. 6 and No. 7 continued the agreement between STA and the three participating cities for two , two-year terms. Amendment No. 8 continued the agreement between STA and the three participating cities for another two-year term.
The proposed two-year contract extension (Amendment No. 9) for federal legislative advocacy services with Akin Gump maintains annual compensation of $120,000, inclusive of all expenses, and a monthly retainer of $10,000. The cost for the contract is equally distributed to the cities of Fairfield, Vacaville, Vallejo in the amount of $2,083.33 per month or $25,000 per year with STA paying $3,750 per month, $45,000 per year due to their focused interest in transit-related issues.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City of Fairfield's share of the contract cost will be $2,083.33 per month for a total cost of $50,000 over the term of the 24 -month contract period. The cost will be shared among the General Fund ($14,000 from Fund 011, Organization Code 99203), Streets CIP funded through Gas Tax revenues ($25,000 from Fund 252, Organization Code 99000), Transportation Local Fixed Route Fund ($5,390 from Fund 451, Organization Code 76002), Transportation Commuter Fixed Route Fund ($3,850 from Fund 451, Organization Code 76502), and Transporta tion Paratransit Fund ($1,760 from Fund 452, Organization Code 76002). The total contract cost to the three cities and STA will be $240,000 for the 24-month period.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
N/A
COORDINATED WITH
Public Works Department
STAFF CONTACT
Liz Aptekar, Assistant to the City Manager
(707) 428-7389
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: Amendment 9 to Akin Gump Service Agreement