2 4
5 5
CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: December 18, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Rochelle Clayton, City Manager
Department: City Manager's Office
Subject: Amendment No. 1 with Capital Edge Advocacy Inc. for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 for the Professional Services Agreement between the City of San Bernardino and Capital Edge Advocacy Inc. to extend the agreement for an additional year (with an option for an additional one (1) year term) for federal legislative advocacy services in an amount not to exceed $90,000 annually.
Executive Summary
Capital Edge Advocacy Inc. currently provides the City with federal legislative advocacy services. These services are common in municipalities, and they assist cities in securing funds from federal annual budgets, drafting and analyzing legislation, and obtaining regulatory relief. The amendment extends the term of the agreement through December 18, 2025, and authorizes the City Manager to exercise an additional one (1) year extension option, allowing the federal advocacy services to be extended through December 18, 2026.
Background
On May 11, 2023, the Mayor and City Council held a retreat to discuss the key strategic goals and priorities of the City. In response to Council’s direction provided at the retreat, the City Manager called a special workshop on June 30, 2023, to present a “Strategic Initiatives Plan,” which included a presentation on enhancing the City’s Legislative Affairs Program. The presentation outlined what steps and resources were necessary to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the program, which included four (4) recommended areas of focus:
1. Establishing an annual Legislative Calendar.
2 4
5 5
2. Developing amendments to the current City of San Bernardino Legislative Platform.
3. Creating a Legislative & Governmental Affairs Manager position within the Office of the City Manager.
4. Retaining state and federal legislative advocacy consultants.
On September 12, 2023, the Mayor and City Council approved the elements of the Legislative Affairs Program described above and directed staff to return with the necessary programmatic pieces. On October 4, 2023, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution 2023-144 authorizing funding for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services
On December 6, 2023 the City of San Bernardino (”City”) awarded the Federal Advocacy Services to Capital Edge Advocacy Inc. The Professional Service Agreement (PSA) was executed for an amount not to exceed $90,000 for the period of one year to provide Federal Advocacy Services to the City.
Discussion
Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement (“Agreement”) with Capital Edge Advocacy will provide the City with a continuity of federal advocacy services where Capital Edge Advocacy will continue to assist the City in securing funds from federal annual budgets, drafting and analyzing legislation, and obtaining regulatory relief. The amendment extends the term of the original Agreement through December 18, 2025, at an annual cost of $90,000. As a result of the one (1) year extension, the total not-to-exceed amount associated with the original Agreement will be $180,000.
Additionally, Amendment No. 1 includes the option for the City to administratively extend the agreement for a maximum of one (1) additional year, which would allow the City to retain Capital Edge Advocacy through December 18, 2026.
Capital Edge Advocacy has engaged in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the City in recent months for the following activities:
•The FY 2025 federal budget process, which still is not complete, following funding recommendations for federal programs pertinent to the City; •Providing updates to the City on federal government administration of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and end-of-the year obligation deadlines; •Assisting the City with Community Project funding (earmark) requests to Rep.
Aguilar for the FY 2025 budget, with a request for $1.184 million in Justice Department funding for mobile crime prevention activities; •Assisting City staff in the development of a 2025 Federal Legislative Platform; 2 4
5 5
•Meeting with City officials and providing assistance at meetings such as those sponsored by the US Conference of Mayors and National League of Cities; •Alerting staff to federal grant opportunities, such as those connected with the 2021 infrastructure law, housing opportunities at HUD, and criminal justice opportunities at the Justice Department;
•Assist City staff in securing congressional delegation support for federal grant applications submitted by the City;
The original Agreement’s scope of work remains unchanged and includes the following tasks:
1. Assist the City of San Bernardino in identifying, in a timely manner, federal funding opportunities, legislation, or regulations that might support or impact the City of San Bernardino and community priorities and programs. This would include competitive grant programs and other funding opportunities at federal agencies and include background on program priorities that may help guide any City decision to apply.
2. Provide guidance with any process related to requests for Member Designated Projects (“earmarks”) that may occur in Congress through the annual appropriations process or reauthorization bills such as those reauthorizing federal transportation or water resources programs.
3. Provide background and information on federal funding opportunities for the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and 2022 Inflation Reduction Act in areas such as transportation, broadband, water resources or cybersecurity.
4. Assist the City of San Bernardino with the process of seeking support for City applications or requests from the City’s congressional delegation and informing the delegation of positions taken by the City on federal legislation.
This would include assisting in arranging and preparing for meetings and interactions with federal officials and developing supportive materials such as letters, talking points, or any other follow-up as needed through the City Manager’s Office.
5. Provide this assistance through frequent contact with City of San Bernardino staff and any other designated officials at appropriate times, mostly via email and telephone, and would be available to City of San Bernardino officials with questions about federal legislation or programs through the City Manager’s Office or their Designee.
2 4
5 5
6. Advise the City of San Bernardino on federal priorities and potential legislative developments that may impact City of San Bernardino priorities, policies, resources or revenues.
7. Distribute the Washington Report, by email each week that Congress is in session and includes news from Congress as well as grant opportunities and notices from the Executive Branch that are pertinent to local governments. 2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
The retention of state and federal legislative advocacy firms aligns with all four of the City’s Key Strategic Target and Goal #1 Improved Operational & Financial Capacity.
The consultants will enhance City staff’s ability to collaborate with state and/or regional governments to ensure San Bernardino receives its fair share of resources, while maintaining close working relationships with governmental agencies.
Fiscal Impact
There is no General Fund impact associated with this action. Sufficient funding already exists in the Professional Contractual Services budget for the City Manager’s Office.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 for the Professional Services Agreement between the City of San Bernardino and Capital Edge Advocacy Inc. to extend the agreement for an additional year (with an option for an additional one (1) year term) for federal legislative advocacy services in an amount not to exceed $90,000 annually.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Amendment No. 1 - Capital Edge Advocacy Inc Attachment 2 – Professional Services Agreement Capital Edge Advocacy Inc.
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
October 4, 2023 Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023- 144 approving funding for the Legislative Affairs Program
September 12, 2023 Mayor and City Council approved staff's recommendation related to the Legislative Affairs Program.
June 30, 2023 The Mayor and City Council held a special workshop that agendized discussions on key Strategic Initiatives.
May 11, 2023 Mayor and City Council held a Council retreat to discuss the key strategic goals and priorities of the City, and to provide 2 4
5 5
direction to the City Manager.