1 CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Award of Contract for State Legislative Advocacy Services
1. Motion Awarding a Professional Services Agreement to California Public Policy Group, Inc. for State Legislative Advocacy Services through December 31, 2026, for a Total Not-To-Exceed Amount of $112,500.00 with City Options to Extend for Three One-Year Terms in Annual Amounts Not to Exceed $122,500 Per Year; and (2) Rejecting all other proposals for State Legislative Advocacy Services.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for February 3, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On November 26, 2025, the Management Services Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for State Legislative Advocacy Services. The RFP was posted on the City’s website, amplified further by staff’s efforts in direct outreach to a number of firms, welcoming all qualified and interested individuals and firms to review the RFP and consider submitting a proposal. This is the second time staff has undergone an RFP process for State Legislative Advocacy Services in the last five years.
The City received three proposals which were thoroughly reviewed by a review committee comprised of high-level staff regularly involved in legislative affairs from the City’s Management Services Department, City Attorney’s Office, Community Development Department, and Glendale Water and Power. Two of the proposers were determined to meet the experience and qualifications outlined in the RFP and were granted interviews.
The review committee conducted the interviews, and collectively recommend that the contract be awarded to California Public Policy Group.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council approve the motion to award a professional services agreement for State legislative advocacy services to California Public Policy Group, Inc.
ANALYSIS
The City of Glendale has had a professional services agreement with Emanuels Jones and Associates (EJA) since 2013 for State Legislative Advocacy Services, and previously retained EJA in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. With the contract expiring in 2025, City
2 staff was directed to pursue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to explore options and welcome the engagement of firms interested in providing these services to the City.
On November 26, 2025, the Management Services Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for State Legislative Advocacy Services for the purposes of advocating on issues that would directly or indirectly affect the City and our ability to efficiently and cost-effectively conduct business, avoid undue fiscal impact the City, protect the City’s revenue and secure state and federal funding.
The RFP was posted on the City’s website, amplified further by staff’s efforts in direct outreach to six firms, welcoming all qualified and interested individuals and firms to review the RFP and consider submitting a proposal.
The City invited proposals from qualified and experienced individuals or firms with:
A minimum of five years of direct experience providing state representation on issues and objectives common to municipal entities similar in size and governance to the City of Glendale
A strong focus and demonstrated expertise in California municipal policy; Deep understanding of the current trends and issues in municipal policy and local governance;
Demonstrated accountability, funding strategy, relationship specificity and strong strategic planning in legislative affairs;
Ability to deliver high-performance and outcome-driven support of legislative affairs and lobbying, including the responsibilities and professional services listed within the RFP;
Knowledge of and familiarity with the City of Glendale’s needs, concerns, legislative priorities; and
An operational presence in Sacramento with the ability to physically attend meetings, hearings, and briefings on short notice.
The City received three proposals from the following firms:
California Public Policy Group, Inc. (CPPG)
Lang, Hansen, Giroux & Kidane (LHG&K)
Apekian Advocacy
Anticipating additional proposals, staff conducted due diligence and requested feedback from one firm that had originally expressed interest, but ultimately did not submit a proposal, sharing that their firm did not meet the requirement of having an operational presence in Sacramento.
Method of Selection
Evaluation of the proposals was based on a comprehensive selection process, including the consideration of technical merit, experience, references, demonstrated successes, and the proposed fee, which would all be considered in the selection process. 2 3
MSD established an RFP review committee comprised of high-level staff regularly involved in legislative affairs, including the Assistant to the City Manager, Chief Assistant City Attorney, Deputy Director of Community Development overseeing Long Range Planning, General Manager of Glendale Water and Power, and the Administrative Analyst/Utility Legislative Affairs representative from Glendale Water and Power.
Together, this committee reviewed the proposals, participated in interviews, and determined the recommendation for the award of contract.
In addition to the minimum qualifications, the RFP provided a list of attributes of the ideal consulting individual/firm, listed on page 13 of the document, and shared a Scope of Work listed on page 4. Based on these elements and the content of the proposals, two of the proposers were determined to meet the experience and qualifications outlined in the RFP and were granted interviews. The RFP review committee conducted the interviews, and collectively determined a strong front runner, and that the contract be awarded to California Public Policy Group, Inc. (CPPG). CPPG inspired confidence in their experience in representation of local municipalities, specifically in the realm of land use, housing, transportation, and utilities, which have been significant areas in legislative affairs and efforts for the City in recent years, and anticipated to remain top priorities.
A second firm, LHG&K, stood out for their niche private development focus, as well as focus on specific areas of utilities work; staff expressed interest in keeping good relations and, in the event that specific and direct legislative efforts be undertaken, this firm could help supplement the City’s legislative efforts.
CPPG has a team of five lobbyists, some of whom have career-long experience in legislative affairs and in working for the League of California Cities, and the lead contact has 18 years of municipal and water and power experience. CPPG specializes in municipal and water and power legislative affairs, focused at the regional and state levels, and have experience in housing, transportation, water, sewer infrastructure, wildfire prevention and public safety matters.
Emanuels Jones and Associates (EJA) has joined CPPG as of January 1, 2026. CPPG is a Sacramento-based legislative advocacy and public policy form that also provides lobbying and grant writing services to a number of California municipalities, including both of Glendale’s neighboring cities of Burbank and Pasadena.
The contract is for a partial-year through the end of December 2026, with the option to extend three one-year terms, potentially allowing for services through December 2029.
At this time, staff recommends that the City enter into a partial-year agreement with California Public Policy Group, Inc. with three one-year extensions at the City’s option.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost to enter the PSA for the remainder of FY 2025-26 is $52,500. The Management Services Department has sufficient funds for this engagement through the 3 4
end of FY 2025-26 as outlined below and will plan to budget for the remainder of the year in the FY 2026-27 budget process and any extensions in future budget years.
Existing Appropriation
Amount Account String Funding Source
$52,500 43110-1010-MSD-6504-P0000 General Fund
Department Cost Center Program
Management
Services
City Manager
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
This item is exempt from CEQA.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
In accordance with the City Campaign Finance Ordinance No. 5744, the following are the names and business addresses of the members of the board of directors, the chairperson, CEO, COO, CFO, Subcontractors and any person or entity with interest in the company proposed for contract in this Agenda Item Report:
Full Name Title Business Address City State Zip
Dane Hutchins President & Secretary 1127 11th Street, Suite 300 Sacramento CA 95714
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1) The City Council may consider rejecting all proposals and re-issuing an RFP with amended requirements and/or criteria; or
2) Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Roubik R. Golanian, City Manager
Prepared by:
Domenica Megerdichian, Assistant to the City Manager
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: State Legislative Advocacy Services Request for Proposals