PISMO BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAF REPOR
Agenda Item #9.I
Meetin Date: June 2, 2026
TITLE:
Amendment #2 to the Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for State Legislative Advocacy Services
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment #2 to the agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for state legislative advocacy services, in an amount not to exceed $120,000 in Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028.
DISCUSSION:
Townsend Public Affairs (Townsend) has provided the City with grant writing and legislative advocacy services at the state level since June 2016. During that time, Townsend has formulated the City's State Legislative Agendas and provided focused and effective grant writing and legislative advocacy services in accordance therewith.
Townsend has been very successful in helping to obtain funds for various City priorities including Central Coast Blue, and in acting as a liaison to state legislators with respect to complex issues including transportation and housing.
2026 Legislative Agenda
On January 20, 2026, the City Council adopted its 2026 State Legislative Agenda.
Agreement for Legislative Advocacy Services
The City Council originally approved the current agreement with Townsend on December 1, 2020, and approved Amendment 1 to the agreement on December 5, 2023. The current agreement term expires on June 30, 2026. Staff and Townsend both wish to exercise optional Years 4 and 5 of the agreement, with the proposed Amendment #2 (Attachment 2) continuing the same scope of services and same cost through June 30, 2028.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Council adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) approving Amendment #2 to the contract with Townsend Public Affairs for state legislative advocacy services through June 2028 in an amount not to exceed $5,000 per month, or a total of $120,000 in Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of adopting the subject resolution is $5,000 per month, for a total of $60,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 and $60,000 in FY 2028. This cost will be shared 50% in the General Fund and 50% in the Water and Wastewater Enterprise Funds. Of the 50% share in the Water and Wastewater Enterprise Funds, 33% of this will be allocated to the Water Enterprise Fund for the Central Coast Blue project and 67% of this will be allocated to the Wastewater Enterprise Fund for the Central Coast Blue project. There are sufficient budgeted amounts in FY 2027 to support the FY 2027 cost, while the FY 2028 budget will be developed next year.
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.I-1
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Amendment #2 to Agreement
Prepared by:
Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
Submitted by: Silas Clarke, Assistant City Manager
City Manager Approval:
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.I-2
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH, CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT #2
TO THE AGREEMENT WITH TOWNSEND PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR STATE LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $120,000 IN FISCAL YEARS 2027 AND 2028
WHEREAS, Townsend Public Affairs has provided the City with grant writing and legislative advocacy services at the state level since June 2016; Townsend has formulated the City's State Legislative Agendas during that time, and has been successful in helping to obtain funds for various City priorities, and in acting as a liaison to state legislators with respect to complex issues including transportation and housing; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, on January 20, 2026, adopted its calendar year 2026 State Legislative Agenda; and
WHEREAS, the current agreement term expires on June 30, 2026; staff and Townsend both wish to exercise optional Years 4 and 5 of the agreement, with the proposed Amendment #2 continuing the same scope of services and same cost through June 30, 2028; and
WHEREAS, there are sufficient funds in the adopted Fiscal Year 2027 budget to support the cost of the first year of this Amendment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach hereby approves Amendment #2, in substantially the form attached to staff’s report dated June 2, 2026, to the agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. for state grant writing and legislative advocacy services for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028 in an amount not to exceed $120,000 in FY 2027 and FY 2028.
UPON MOTION OF Council Member , seconded by Council Member , the foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach this 2nd day of June 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:
Approved: Attest:
________________________ ________________________
Ed Waage, Mayor Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.I-3
Attachment 1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal of the City of Pismo Beach on _______________________.
________________________
Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.I-4
Attachment 1
AMENDMENT #2
to the
DECEMBER 10, 2020 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH AND TOWNSEND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, INC.
Pursuant to the December 10, 2020 Agreement for Professional Services between the City of Pismo Beach, hereinafter referred to as “City,” and Townsend Public Affairs, Inc., hereinafter referred to as “Vendor,” City and Vendor hereby agree as follows:
1. Continued services shall be performed, and compensation for and timing of said services shall be as set forth in Exhibit A and Exhibit B dated December 5, 2023, attached to Amendment 1 to this agreement and incorporated herein by reference.
2. Compensation for the additional services shall not exceed the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per month, or a total of sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) in Fiscal Year 2027, and sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) in Fiscal Year 2028, for a total of one hundred twenty thousand dollars ($120,000), without prior written approval of the City.
3. The revised fee under the December 10, 2020 contract, plus this addendum, is three hundred ninety thousand dollars ($390,000).
4. The agreement term end date is hereby revised to June 30, 2028.
5. All other provisions of the above agreement between City and Vendor shall remain in full force and effect.
CITY:
City of Pismo Beach, a Municipal Corporation
Signed:
Name: Silas Clarke
Title: Assistant City Manager
Dated: ________________________________
Signed:
Name: Jorge E. Garcia
Title: City Manager
Dated: ________________________________
ATTEST:
Signed:
Name: Erica Inderlied
Title: City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Signed:
Name: Dean J. Pucci
Title: City Attorney
VENDOR:
Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.
Signed:
Name: ________________________________
Title: _________________________________
Dated: ________________________________
Address for giving notice:
(if changed from prior agreement)
______________________________________
______________________________________
Email address for official communications:
(if changed from prior agreement)
______________________________________
Vendor Representative:
(if changed from prior agreement)
Name/Title: ____________________________
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.I-5
Attachment 2