Agenda Item
Orange City Council
Item #: 9.1. 9/9/2025 File #: 25-0429
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
1. SUBJECT
Approve a three-year professional services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. for legislative advocacy and grant writing services.
2. SUMMARY
On July 12, 2022, the City Council directed staff to develop a request for proposals for legislative advocacy and grant writing services. The City Council awarded a one-year agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. on October 11, 2022, and then awarded a two-year agreement on September 23, 2023. The proposed agreement would continue services with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. for an additional three years.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve the agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. in the amount of $342,000 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 expense for this agreement is $108,000 during year one, and $117,000 annually during years two and three, and will be funded through the General Fund (100):
100-0000-56999 Other Repair/Maintenance Services
This agreement is for three years totaling $342,000, payable in annual installments of $108,000 during year one and $117,000 annually during years two and three. Future installments will be requested in conjunction with the annual operating budget.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 3: Enhance Public Communication Strategy and Quality of Life.
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
On July 12, 2022, the City Council directed staff to develop a request for proposals (RFP) for legislative advocacy and grant writing services. In response to that RFP, the City received six proposals, and on October 11, 2022, the City Council approved a one-year agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. (TPA). A year later, the City Council approved a two-year agreement with TPA.
Legislation
Over the past three years, TPA has assisted the City on legislative matters, including resolutions that memorialize the City Council’sposition on Statewide legislation or ballot measures; they provided City of Orange Printed on 9/4/2025Page 1 of 3
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Item #: 9.1. 9/9/2025 File #: 25-0429
memorialize the City Council’sposition on Statewide legislation or ballot measures; they provided committee hearing testimony on the City’sbehalf for Senate Bill 900 (Umberg), and they are currently helping draft legislation regarding municipal investment instruments. Additionally, TPA provides consistent legislative updates, ensuring the City is informed on consequential matters occurring in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
Grants and Community Project Funding Requests
TPA has also assisted the City in securing money through grants and community project funding requests. Since entering into an agreement with TPA, TPA has helped secure a little over $5 million for the City. When considering the total amount paid to TPA over the past three years ($312,000), the City has received $15 for every $1 paid to TPA.
In addition to the money already received, as of this writing, TPA has submitted the following grants for the City which are still pending:
Grant Name Purpose Request Match Total
Assistance to
Firefighters Grant
Purchase turnout
gear, rope kit, and
Lucas devices
$277,715 $27,771 $305,486
Gary Sinise
Foundation-First
Responders Grant
Program
Emergency
Operations Center
Training
$30,000 $0 $30,000
California
Department of
Justice-Tobacco
Grant Program
Assistance to
enforce the City’s
tobacco control
ordinance.
$301,440 $0 $301,440
South Coast Air
Quality
Management
District-Carl Moyer
Program
Replace one
pumper truck
$900,000 $591,866.84 $1,491,866.84
U.S. Department of
Justice-Law
Enforcement Mental
Health and
Wellness Act
Mental health
wellness program
for Orange Police
Officers
$60,000 $0 $60,000
Firehouse Subs
Foundation-Public
Safety Grant
Program
Automated Chest
Compression
System and
batteries
$23,084.20 $0 $23,084.20
Lastly, aside from grants, TPA has also worked with the City’s elected Members of Congress (Members) to secure the following community project funding requests which are proceeding through the Congressional appropriations process.
As reference, Members may select up to 15 projects, and with Members receiving numerous project City of Orange Printed on 9/4/2025Page 2 of 3
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Item #: 9.1. 9/9/2025 File #: 25-0429
As reference, Members may select up to 15 projects, and with Members receiving numerous project requests from multiple entities, this is often a competitive process. For this year, three City of Orange projects were selected.
Project Members Recommending the Project
Real-Time Crime Center for the Orange
Police Department
Senator Schiff and Congressman Correa
Orange County Flood Control Parcel
Improvement Project
Congressman Correa
Fire Station 3 Improvements Congresswoman Kim
During the Congressional appropriations process, initial project recommendation amounts are often lowered. As of this writing, the City may receive $2.5 million for all three projects.
Agreement Structure and Cost
Like previous arrangements with TPA, staff proposes a retainer-based agreement. This means the City may utilize TPA’s services as much as necessary for a fixed monthly rate.
For the past two years, the City paid TPA $9,000 per month. TPA proposes to keep this rate for the agreement’sfirst year. Thereafter, the agreement increases to $9,750 per month for agreement years two through three.
7. ATTACHMENT
· Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.
City of Orange Printed on 9/4/2025Page 3 of 3
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