COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chuen Wu, Assistant City Manager
DATE: July 7, 2026
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Thorn Run Partners LLC for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services
Description:
The City Council will consider approving an agreement with Thorn Run Partners LLC for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt a Resolution approving an agreement with Thorn Run Partners LLC for federal legislative advocacy services; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute agreement.
BACKGROUND:
The City has retained federal legislative advocacy services since 2006 to represent the City's interests before Congress, federal agencies, and other fede ral stakeholders. In April 2025, the City Council adopted a Legislative Platform to guide the City's legislative and intergovernmental activities and advance City priorities at the federal level.
Thorn Run Partners LLC (Thorn Run) currently provides these services and serves as the City's primary federal legislative advocate in Washington, D.C. The current agreement with Thorn Run termed on June 30, 2026.
DISCUSSION:
Staff recommends entering into a new agreement (Attachment B) with Thorn Run, based on the City's long -standing relationship with the firm and the importance of maintaining continuity and standardization in federal advocacy services. The proposed agreement includes an initial one-year term beginning July 1, 2026, with options to ex tend for up to four additional one-year terms.
Over the past two decades, Thorn Run and its lead representative, Gregory Burns, have developed extensive institutional knowledge of the City's priorities, infrastructure needs, 2 utility operations, transporta tion programs, public safety initiatives, and legislative objectives. This familiarity enables efficient and effective representation of the City's interests and avoids the disruption, duplication of effort, and learning curve associated with transitioning to a new federal advocacy firm.
Staff recommends continuing services with Thorn Run under the City’s standardization requirements, as allowed within the procurement guidelines. This recommendation is due to Thorn Run’s unique institutional knowledge of the City’s priorities and funding history, which would be difficult and inefficient to replicate. Standardizing federal legislative advocacy services provides operational advantages, including established relationships with the City’s congressional delegation, familiarity with the adopted Legislative Platform, and continuity in pursuing federal funding and legislative priorities , efforts that have helped secure more than $130 million for community projects.
The proposed agreement maintains consistent feder al advocacy, legislative monitoring, grant and funding support opportunities, and strategic engagement with Congress and federal agencies to advance the City’s priorities.
Alternatives
The City Council may direct staff to solicit proposals for federal legislative advocacy services. Staff does not recommend this option due to the loss of continuity, institutional knowledge, and standardization associated with transitioning to a new provider.
Fiscal Considerations
The proposed agreement provides for compensation of $8,000 per month through June 30, 2028, and $8,250 per month for subsequent extension terms. If all extension options are exercised, the total not -to-exceed contract value over the five -year term will be $489,000. Funding is split 50/50 between the Public Works Department (General Fund) and Utilities Department (Enterprise Funds).
Impact on the Community
Effective federal advocacy supports the City's efforts to secure external funding, influence federal policy, and advance projects and programs that benefit Santa Maria residents while reducing reliance on local funding sources. Recent examples of Thorn Run ’s successful efforts include federal funding for the Japanese Community C enter, stormwater drainage improvements, and the Fire Station Expansion Project.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution
B. Agreement-Federal Lobbying Services