Agenda Item #13.5
For Council Meeting of September 24, 2024
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT ALONSO, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS OFFICER
COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS OFFICE SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF: (1) FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER F002573 FOR GRANT WRITING SERVICES WITH RENNE PUBLIC POLICY GROUP; (2) ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER F002371 FROM RENNE PUBLIC LAW GROUP, LLP TO CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP; AND (3) ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER F002573 FROM RENNE PUBLIC LAW GROUP, LLP TO CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTIONS
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Office that the Council, by three separate resolutions: 1) approve a first amendment to Professional Services Agreement Number F002573 with Renne Public Policy Group, a division of Renne Public Law Group, LLP, of Sacramento, California, increasing time of performance for a two-year extension for a total amount not to exceed $148,800, for grant writing services; 2) approve the assignment and assumption agreement for F002371 to California Public Policy Group for state legislative advocacy services; and 3) approve the assignment and assumption agreement for F002573 to California Public Policy Group for grant writing services.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Renne Public Policy Group (RPPG) is currently the contractor performing state legislative advocacy services and grant writing services on behalf of the City under two separate contracts.
The City wishes to extend the time of performance for the grant writing services contract to August 26, 2026, totaling a not to exceed amount of $148,800.
RPPG has formed a separate and new corporation as a spinoff from RPLG. The new corporation is California Public Policy Group, Inc. led by the same staff as RPPG.
BACKGROUND
The City requires continued assistance with state legislative advocacy services and grant writing services.
RPPG desires to assign its contracts with Santa Rosa to a new corporation which is in the same location in Sacramento with the same structure and staff. Dane Hutchings is the managing partner of RPPG and is now the chief executive officer of California Public Policy Group, Inc.
In July of 2024, RPPG contacted the City to discuss its creation of a new corporation and desire to assign its contracts with Santa Rosa to the new corporation, California Public Policy Group, Inc. effective October 1, 2024. RPPG requested the City consider consenting to the assignment of the City’s current contracts with RPPG to the new corporation starting on October 1.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
The Council approved the initial contract with RPPG on August 17, 2021 for legislative advocacy services. On July 23, 2024, the Council extended this contract for an additional two years.
The initial contract for grant writing services was enacted in late 2022 and did not come before Council.
ANALYSIS
RPPG is currently the City’s contractor in executing the Council’s state advocacy priorities and obtaining strategic and competitive funding. RPPG expanded its services in 2022 to offer grant writing services and grant development services. The City in December 2022 entered into a contract with RPPG to also provide the City those grant writing services and technical expertise.
Since 2021, RPPG has assisted the City in securing over $21 million in competitive grants and $12 million in state budget earmarks.
RPPG’s grant writing team is led by Jake Whitaker. Jake and his team have helped support and consult with the City-wide grants committee, which was formed in the winter of 2023. Jake routinely communicates with department heads and staff to support those staff members in writing, reviewing and applying for competitive funding. Jake also lends his expertise to educating our community on grants, including a presentation he gave to the Community Advisory Board in July 2024 regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s Community Change Grant program.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budget for this item has been included in FY 2024-25.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Joint Letter – Renne Public Law Group and California Public Policy Group Resolution 1 – First Amendment
Exhibit A – First Amendment Professional Services Agreement with Renne Public Policy Group No. F002573 Resolution 2 - RPPG Grants New Assignment to CPPG F002573 Exhibit A – Assignment and Assumption of Professional Services Agreement No. F002573 and Consent to Assignment Resolution 3 – RPPG Advocacy New Assignment to CPPG F002371 Exhibit A – Assignment and Assumption of Professional Services Agreement No. F002371 and Consent to Assignment
PRESENTER
Scott Alonso, Government Affairs Officer
APPROVAL FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER F002573 FOR GRANT WRITING SERVICES WITH RENNE PUBLIC POLICY GROUP, A DIVISION OF RENNE PUBLIC LAW GROUP LLP; APPROVAL OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER F002371 TO CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP; APPROVAL OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT NUMBER F002573 TO CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP PAGE 3 OF 3