City Council Agenda Report
May 5, 2026
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Salpy Kabaklian-Slentz, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT NO. 4 – FEDERAL LOBBYING SERVICES
Background:
Carpi & Clay, Inc. (“Consultant”) is a hands-on full-service government relations firm, provides federal lobbying services and guidance to the City of Norwalk (“City”) since 2018. Consultant has advised the City on a variety of topics, from water lobbying to housing, public safety, community project funding and finance, among others. They also help facilitate the City’s trips to Washington D.C. by organizing an agenda and arranging meetings with the City’s federal representatives’ offices. Ms. Morgan-Kessler, a Partner of Carpi & Clay and the City’s assigned lobbyist, has been a trusted and invaluable advisor to the City. Her years of representing the City bestow her with institutional knowledge of the City’s needs and goals, which allows her to provide the City with specialized and tailored advice and service.
In July 2024, the City and Consultant signed the Third Amendment to their Agreement, which formally expanded the number of federal advocacy services provided, extended the term of the Agreement to June 30, 2026, and increased the amount of compensation from $2,000 per month to $3,000 per month ($36,000 annually). In addition to the term extension, the Third Amendment also provided the City with an option to extend the Agreement for another two-year period. The City would like to exercise this option and increase the term for another two years.
Fiscal Impact:
The impact to the budget is $36,000 per fiscal year, which will cost a total of $72,000.
Citizens Advised:
N/A
City Council May 5, 2026
Approval of Fourth Amendment to Carpi & Clay
Agreement
Page No. 2
1 8
2 9
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended action will further the City’s Strategic Plan Goal 3: Create and Sustain a Resilient and Economically Prosperous City; Advocate for and support legislation that support the City’s mission and financial sustainability.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommend City Council approve the Fourth Amendment to the Carpi & Clay Agreement and extend the term of the Agreement to June 30, 2028; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any amendments provided there is funding in the budget and it is within the City Manager’s signing authority, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Attachments:
Carpi & Clay Amendment No. 4