Agenda Item
City Council
Item #: 6.4. 10/11/2022 File #: 22-0546
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Rob Houston, City Manager
1. SUBJECT
Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. for grant writing and legislative advocacy services.
2. SUMMARY
An agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. to provide grant writing and legislative advocacy services to the City.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. in the amount of $96,000 for legislative advocacy and grant writing services and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
The total expenditure for this agreement is $96,000 and will be funded through the General Fund.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 2: Be a fiscally healthy community
b: Analyze future fiscal needs and potential revenue opportunities.
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
Every year, the state and federal governments consider dozens of bills that directly affect the City of Orange. These bills have a range of effects including proscribing local authority, imposing unfunded mandates, providing grant funds to achieve policy goals, and changing regulations. While the City has been successful in receiving regional, state, and federal grants in the past, there are numerous grants that the City may be unaware of or that require significant staff time to prepare and manage.
The City has historically tracked legislative activities and responded to grant opportunities internally.
In August 2021, the City Council directed staff to join the League of California Cities (League) and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). These two organizations provide extensive resources to track and analyze legislation, advocate on behalf of cities and the region, and alert us to grant opportunities.
In addition to memberships in the League and SCAG, most Orange County cities also contract with firms for professional support with legislative advocacy and grant writing. These services augment existing staff resources to ensure that the City effectively communicates its legislative priorities and City of Orange Printed on 10/5/2022Page 1 of 2
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Item #: 6.4. 10/11/2022 File #: 22-0546
pursues grant funding.
Request for Proposal
At its meeting on August 9, 2022, the City Council approved Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 22-
23.06 for legislative advocacy and grant writing services. The RFP process allows staff to evaluate the potential service providers and present a recommendation for City Council consideration. The RFP was released on August 12, 2022, and includes three components: state advocacy, federal advocacy, and grant writing services. Respondents could submit a proposal for one, two, or three components, and each component was evaluated separately. The RFP requires that the cost proposal be a monthly retainer fee however, there is flexibility to propose additional services.
The RFP closed on September 12, 2022, and the City received six proposals.
Firm Name Federal
Advocacy
State
Advocacy
Grant
Writing
Best Best & Krieger X X X
California Consulting X
Corbin & Kaiser X X X
Evan Brooks Associates X
Intuitive Group X
Townsend Public Affairs X X X
After a thorough review of the proposals, two firms were invited to interview with staff: Townsend Public Affairs (TPA), and Best Best & Krieger (BB&K). Following interviews and feedback from references, staff is recommending that we contract with TPA for federal advocacy, state advocacy, and grant writing services.
TPA’sproposal demonstrates that it understands the City’slegislative advocacy and grant writing needs, and that it has a strong team that is well placed to meet those needs. TPA also demonstrated that its comprehensive federal, state, and grant writing services work together to more effectively achieve City goals for legislative, regulatory, and funding outcomes. TPA’sreferences confirmed that the firm has a proven track record of success and provides responsive service tailored to each City’s needs. Additionally, TPA recently assisted the City in the acquisition of two parcels from Caltrans for Handy and Hart parks. TPA’s understanding of state agencies, along with their network of relationships, allowed the City to secure a positive outcome in that endeavor.
Staff recommends approving the Professional Services Agreement with TPA for legislative advocacy and grant writing services. The agreement amount of $96,000 is for one year of services.
7. ATTACHMENTS
· Townsend Public Affairs Proposal
· Professional Services Agreement
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