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the services, the City will pay Contractor in accordance with the payment schedule set forth in Exhibit “B” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
5.2 Contractor's grand total compensation for the entire term of this Agreement, shall not exceed $447,000 without the prior authorization of the City, as appropriate, and written amendment of this Agreement.
5.3 Contractor shall, at its sole cost and expense, furnish all necessary and incidental labor, material, supplies, facilities, equipment, and transportation which may be required for furnishing services pursuant to this Agreement. Materials shall be of the highest quality. The above Agreement fee shall include all staff time and all clerical, administrative, overhead, insurance, reproduction, telephone, air travel, auto rental, subsistence, and all related costs and expenses.
5.4 City shall reimburse Contractor only for those costs or expenses specifically approved in this Agreement, or specifically approved in writing in advance by City.
Unless otherwise approved, such costs shall be limited and include nothing more than the following costs incurred by Contractor:
5.4.1 The actual costs of subcontractors for performance of any of the services that Contractor agrees to render pursuant to this Agreement, which have been approved in advance by City and awarded in accordance with this Agreement.
5.4.2 Approved reproduction charges.
5.4.3 Actual costs and/or other costs and/or payments specifically authorized in advance in writing and incurred by Contractor in the performance of this Agreement.
5.5 Contractor shall not receive any compensation for extra work performed without the prior written authorization of City. As used herein, “extra work” means any work that is determined by City to be necessary for the proper completion of the Project, but which is not included within the Scope of Services and which the parties did not reasonably anticipate would be necessary at the time of execution of this Agreement. Compensation for any authorized extra work shall be paid in accordance with the payment schedule as set forth in Exhibit “B,” if the extra work has been approved by the City.
5.6 Licenses, Permits, Fees, and Assessments. Contractor shall obtain, at Contractor’s sole cost and expense, such licenses, permits, and approvals as may be required by law for the performance of the services required by this Agreement. Contractor shall have the sole obligation to pay for any fees, assessments, and taxes, plus applicable penalties and Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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interest, which may be imposed by law and which arise from or are necessary for the performance of the Services by this Agreement.
6.0 PAYMENT.
6.1 As scheduled services are completed, Contractor shall submit to the City an invoice for the services completed, authorized expenses, and authorized extra work actually performed or incurred according to said schedule.
6.2 Each such invoice shall state the basis for the amount invoiced, including a detailed description of the services completed, the number of hours spent, reimbursable expenses incurred and any extra work performed.
6.3 Contractor shall also submit a progress report with each invoice that describes in reasonable detail the services and the extra work, if any, performed in the immediately preceding calendar month.
6.4 Contractor understands and agrees that invoices which lack sufficient detail to measure performance will be returned and not processed for payment.
6.5 City will pay Contractor the amount invoiced within thirty (30) days after the City approves the invoice.
6.6 Payment of such invoices shall be payment in full for all services, authorized costs, and authorized extra work covered by that invoice. 7.0 CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY. City shall cooperate with Contractor as may be reasonably necessary for Contractor to perform its services; and will give any required decisions as promptly as practicable so as to avoid unreasonable delay in the progress of Contractor's services. 8.0 COORDINATION OF SERVICES. Contractor agrees to work closely with City staff in the performance of Services and shall be available to City’s staff, consultants, and other staff at all reasonable times.
9.0 INDEMNITY. Contractor agrees to indemnify City, its officers, elected officials, employees and agents against, and will hold and save each of them harmless from, any and all actions, suits, claims, damages to persons or property, losses, costs, penalties, obligations, errors, omissions or liabilities (herein “claims or liabilities”), including but not limited to professional negligence, that may be asserted or claimed by any person, firm or entity arising out of or in connection with the work, operations or activities of Contractor, its agents, employees, subcontractors, or invitees, provided for herein, or arising from the acts or omissions of Contractor hereunder, or arising from Contractor’s performance of or failure to perform any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Agreement, except to the extent such Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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claims or liabilities arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of City, its officers, elected officials, agents or employees.
10.0 INSURANCE. Contractor shall, at its own expense, procure and maintain policies of insurance of the types and in the amounts set forth below, for the duration of the Agreement, including any extensions thereto. The policies shall state that they afford primary coverage.
i. Automobile Liability with minimum limits of at least $1,000,000 combined single limit, including owned, hired, and non-owned liability coverage. ii. Contractor agrees to subrogate automobile liability resulting from performance under this Agreement by agreeing to defend, indemnify and hold harmless, the City, and its respective employees, agents, and City Council from and against all claims, liabilities, suits, losses, damages, injuries and expenses, including all costs and reasonable attorney’s fees (“Claims”), which are attributable to any act or omission by the Contractor under the performance of the services.
iii. General Liability with minimum limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate written on an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Comprehensive General Liability "occurrence" form or its equivalent for coverage on an occurrence basis. Premises/Operations and Personal Injury coverage is required. The City of Vernon, its directors, commissioners, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers must be endorsed on the policy as additional insureds as respects liability arising out of the Contractor's performance of this Agreement.
(1) If Contractor employs other contractors as part of the services rendered, Contractor's Protective Coverage is required. Contractor may include all subcontractors as insureds under its own policy or shall furnish separate insurance for each subcontractor, meeting the requirements set forth herein.
(2) Contractor agrees to subrogate General Liability resulting from performance under this Agreement by agreeing to defend, indemnify and hold harmless, the City, and its respective employees, agents, and City Council from and against all claims, liabilities, suits, losses, damages, injuries and expenses, including all costs and reasonable attorney’s fees (“Claims”), which are attributable to any act or omission by the City under the performance of the services.
iv. Professional Errors and Omissions coverage in a sum of at least $1,000,000, Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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where such risk is applicable. Applicable aggregates must be identified and claims history provided to determine amounts remaining under the aggregate. Contractor shall maintain such coverage for at least one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement. v. Excess Coverage – Any umbrella or excess insurance shall contain or be endorsed to contain a provision that such coverage shall also apply on a primary and non- contributory basis for the benefit of City. Any umbrella liability policy or excess liability policy will in “following form” and will contain a provision to the effect that, if the underlying aggregate is exhausted, the excess coverage will drop down as primary insurance. vi. Contractor shall comply with the applicable sections of the California Labor Code concerning workers' compensation for injuries on the job. In addition, Contractor shall require each subcontractor to similarly maintain workers’ compensation insurance in accordance with the laws for California for all of the subcontractor’s employees. Compliance is accomplished in one of the following manners:
(1) Provide copy of permissive self-insurance certificate approved by the State of California; or
(2) Secure and maintain in force a policy of workers' compensation insurance with statutory limits and Employer's Liability Insurance with a minimal limit of $1,000,000 per accident. The policy shall be endorsed to waive all rights of subrogation against City, its directors, commissioners, officers, employees, and volunteers for losses arising from performance of this Agreement; or
(3) Provide a "waiver" form certifying that no employees subject to the Labor Code's Workers' Compensation provision will be used in performance of this Agreement.
vii. Each insurance policy included in this clause shall be endorsed to state that coverage shall not be cancelled except after thirty (30) days' prior written notice to City. viii. Insurance shall be placed with insurers with a Best's rating of no less than A-VIII. ix. Prior to commencement of performance, Contractor shall furnish City with a certificate of insurance for each policy. Each certificate is to be signed by a person authorized by that insurer to bind coverage on its behalf. The certificate(s) must be in a form approved by City. City may require complete, certified copies of any or all policies at any time. x. Failure to maintain required insurance at all times shall constitute a default and material breach. In such event, Contractor shall immediately notify City and cease all performance under this Agreement until further directed by the City. In the absence of Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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satisfactory insurance coverage, City may, at its option: (a) procure insurance with collection rights for premiums, attorney's fees and costs against Contractor by way of set-off or recoupment from sums due to Contractor, at City's option; (b) immediately terminate this Agreement and seek damages from the Agreement resulting from said breach; or (c) self-insure the risk, with all damages and costs incurred, by judgment, settlement or otherwise, including attorney's fees and costs, being collectible from Contractor, by way of set-off or recoupment from any sums due to Contractor.
11.0 GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
11.1 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR.
11.1.1 It is understood that in the performance of the services herein provided for, Contractor shall be, and is, an independent contractor, and is not an agent, officer or employee of City and shall furnish such services in its own manner and method except as required by this Agreement, or any applicable statute, rule, or regulation. Further, Contractor has and shall retain the right to exercise full control over the employment, direction, compensation and discharge of all persons employed by Contractor in the performance of the services hereunder. City assumes no liability for Contractor’s actions and performance, nor assumes responsibility for taxes, bonds, payments, or other commitments, implied or explicit, by or for Contractor. Contractor shall be solely responsible for, and shall indemnify, defend and save City harmless from all matters relating to the payment of its employees, subcontractors and independent contractors, including compliance with social security, withholding and all other wages, salaries, benefits, taxes, exactions, and regulations of any nature whatsoever.
11.1.2 Contractor acknowledges that Contractor and any subcontractors, agents or employees employed by Contractor shall not, under any circumstances, be considered employees of the City, and that they shall not be entitled to any of the benefits or rights afforded employees of City, including, but not limited to, sick leave, vacation leave, holiday pay, Public Employees Retirement System benefits, or health, life, dental, long-term disability or workers' compensation insurance benefits.
11.2 CONTRACTOR NOT AGENT. Except as the City may authorize in writing, Contractor and its subcontractors shall have no authority, express or implied, to act on behalf of or bind the City in any capacity whatsoever as agents or otherwise.
11.3 OWNERSHIP OF WORK. All documents and materials furnished by the City to Contractor shall remain the property of the City and shall be returned to the City upon termination of this Agreement. All reports, drawings, plans, specifications, computer tapes, floppy disks and printouts, studies, memoranda, computation sheets, and other documents Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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prepared by Contractor in furtherance of the work shall be the sole property of City and shall be delivered to City whenever requested at no additional cost to the City. Contractor shall keep such documents and materials on file and available for audit by the City for at least three (3) years after completion or earlier termination of this Agreement. Contractor may make duplicate copies of such materials and documents for its own files or for such other purposes as may be authorized in writing by the City.
11.4 CORRECTION OF WORK. Contractor shall promptly correct any defective, inaccurate or incomplete tasks, deliverables, goods, services and other work, without additional cost to the City. The performance or acceptance of services furnished by Contractor shall not relieve the Contractor from the obligation to correct subsequently discovered defects, inaccuracy, or incompleteness.
11.5 RESPONSIBILITY FOR ERRORS. Contractor shall be responsible for its work and results under this Agreement. Contractor, when requested, shall furnish clarification and/or explanation as may be required by the City, regarding any services rendered under this Agreement at no additional cost to City. In the event that an error or omission attributable to Contractor occurs, then Contractor shall, at no cost to City, provide all necessary design drawings, estimates and other Contractor professional services necessary to rectify and correct the matter to the sole satisfaction of City and to participate in any meeting required with regard to the correction.
11.6 WAIVER. The City's waiver of any term, condition, breach, or default of this Agreement shall not be considered to be a waiver of any other term, condition, default or breach, nor of a subsequent breach of the one waived. The delay or failure of either party at any time to require performance or compliance by the other of any of its obligations or agreements shall in no way be deemed a waiver of those rights to require such performance or compliance.
No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and executed by a duly authorized representative of the party against whom enforcement of a waiver is sought.
11.7 SUCCESSORS. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, and/or assigns.
11.8 NO ASSIGNMENT. Contractor shall not assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights hereunder without the prior written consent of the City and approval by the City Attorney, which may be withheld in the City's sole discretion. Any unauthorized assignment or transfer shall be null and void and shall constitute a material breach by the Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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Contractor of its obligations under this Agreement. No assignment shall release the original parties from their obligations or otherwise constitute a novation.
11.9 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Contractor shall comply with all Federal, State, County and City laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, which are, as amended from time to time, incorporated herein and applicable to the performance hereof. Violation of any law material to performance of this Agreement shall entitle the City to terminate the Agreement and otherwise pursue its remedies. Further, if the Contractor performs any work knowing it to be contrary to such laws, rules, and regulations Contractor shall be solely responsible for all costs arising therefrom.
11.10 ATTORNEY'S FEES. If any action at law or in equity is brought to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees, costs, and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.
11.11 INTERPRETATION.
11.11.1 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be deemed an agreement and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Contractor agrees that the State and Federal courts which sit in the State of California shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all controversies and disputes arising hereunder, and submits to the jurisdiction thereof.
11.11.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including any exhibits attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties regarding its subject matter and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous negotiations, representations, understandings, correspondence, documentation, and agreements (written or oral).
11.11.3 Written Amendment. This Agreement may only be changed by written amendment executed by Contractor and the City Administrator or other authorized representative of the City, subject to any requisite authorization by the City Council. Any oral representations or modifications concerning this Agreement shall be of no force or effect.
11.11.4 Severability. If any provision in this Agreement is held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void, or unenforceable, such portion shall be deemed severed from this Agreement, and the remaining provisions shall nevertheless continue in full force and effect as fully as though such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable portion had never been part of this Agreement.
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11.11.5 Order of Precedence. In case of conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms contained in any document attached as an Exhibit or otherwise incorporated by reference, the terms of this Agreement shall strictly prevail. The terms of the City’s Request for Proposals shall control over the Contractor’s Proposal.
11.11.6 Construction. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises with respect to this Agreement, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and in accordance with its fair meaning. There shall be no presumption or burden of proof favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
11.12 TIME OF ESSENCE. Time is strictly of the essence of this agreement and each and every covenant, term, and provision hereof.
11.13 AUTHORITY OF CONTRACTOR. The Contractor hereby represents and warrants to the City that the Contractor has the right, power, legal capacity, and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and its execution of this Agreement has been duly authorized.
11.14 ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES. Any dispute for under $25,000 arising out of or relating to the negotiation, construction, performance, non-performance, breach, or any other aspect of this Agreement, shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association at Los Angeles, California and judgment upon the award rendered by the Arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The City does not waive its right to object to the timeliness or sufficiency of any claim filed or required to be filed against the City and reserves the right to conduct full discovery.
11.15 NOTICES. Any notice or demand to be given by one party to the other must be given in writing and by personal delivery or prepaid first-class, registered or certified mail, addressed as follows. Notice simply to the City of Vernon or any other City department is not adequate notice.
If to the City:
City of Vernon
Attention: Carlos R. Fandino, Jr.
City Administrator
4305 Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon, CA 90058
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If to the Contractor:
Renne Public Policy Group
Attention: Jon Holtzman, Founding Partner
1127 11th Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95814
Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given upon delivery, if personally delivered, or, if mailed, upon receipt, or upon expiration of three (3) business days from the date of posting, whichever is earlier. Either party may change the address at which it desires to receive notice upon giving written notice of such request to the other party.
11.16 NO THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. This Agreement is entered into for the sole benefit of City and Contractor and no other parties are intended to be direct or incidental beneficiaries of this Agreement and no third party shall have any right or remedy in, under, or to this Agreement.
11.17 TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE (Without Cause). City may terminate this Agreement in whole or in part at any time, for any cause or without cause, upon fifteen (15) calendar days' written notice to Contractor. If the Agreement is thus terminated by City for reasons other than Contractor's failure to perform its obligations, City shall pay Contractor a prorated amount based on the services satisfactorily completed and accepted prior to the effective date of termination. Such payment shall be Contractor's exclusive remedy for termination without cause.
11.18 DEFAULT. In the event either party materially defaults in its obligations hereunder, the other party may declare a default and terminate this Agreement by written notice to the defaulting party. The notice shall specify the basis for the default. The Agreement shall terminate unless such default is cured before the effective date of termination stated in such notice, which date shall be no sooner than ten (10) days after the date of the notice. In case of default by Contractor, the City reserves the right to procure the goods or services from other sources and to hold the Contractor responsible for any excess costs occasioned to the City thereby. Contractor shall not be held accountable for additional costs incurred due to delay or default as a result of Force Majeure. Contractor must notify the City immediately upon knowing that non-performance or delay will apply to this Agreement as a result of Force Majeure. At that time Contractor is to submit in writing a Recovery Plan for this Agreement. If the Recovery Plan is not acceptable to the City or not received within 10 days of the necessary notification of Force Majeure default, then the City may cancel this order in its entirety at no cost to the City, owing only for goods and services completed to that point.
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11.19 TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. Termination for cause shall relieve the terminating party of further liability or responsibility under this Agreement, including the payment of money, except for payment for services satisfactorily and timely performed prior to the service of the notice of termination, and except for reimbursement of (1) any payments made by the City for service not subsequently performed in a timely and satisfactory manner, and (2) costs incurred by the City in obtaining substitute performance. If this Agreement is terminated as provided herein, City may require, at no additional cost to City, that Contractor provide all finished or unfinished documents, data, and other information of any kind prepared by Contractor in connection with the performance of Services under this Agreement. Contractor shall be required to provide such document and other information within fifteen (15) days of the request.
11.19.1 Additional Services. In the event this Agreement is terminated in whole or in part as provided herein, City may procure, upon such terms and in such manner as it may determine appropriate, services similar to those terminated.
11.20 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS.
The City, or its authorized auditors or representatives, shall have access to and the right to audit and reproduce any of the Contractor's records to the extent the City deems necessary to insure it is receiving all money to which it is entitled under the Agreement and/or is paying only the amounts to which Contractor is properly entitled under the Agreement or for other purposes relating to the Agreement.
The Contractor shall maintain and preserve all such records for a period of at least three (3) years after termination of the Agreement.
The Contractor shall maintain all such records in the City of Vernon. If not, the Contractor shall, upon request, promptly deliver the records to the City of Vernon or reimburse the City for all reasonable and extra costs incurred in conducting the audit at a location other than the City of Vernon, including, but not limited to, such additional (out of the City) expenses for personnel, salaries, private auditors, travel, lodging, meals, and overhead.
11.21 CONFLICT. Contractor hereby represents, warrants, and certifies that no member, officer, or employee of the Contractor is a director, officer, or employee of the City of Vernon, or a member of any of its boards, commissions, or committees, except to the extent permitted by law.
11.22 HEADINGS. Paragraphs and subparagraph headings contained in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and are not intended to modify, explain or to be Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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a full or accurate description of the content thereof and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
11.23 ENFORCEMENT OF WAGE AND HOUR LAWS. Eight hours labor constitutes a legal day's work. The Contractor, or subcontractor, if any, shall forfeit twenty-five dollars ($25) for each worker employed in the execution of this Agreement by the respective Contractor or subcontractor for each calendar day during which the worker is required or permitted to work more than 8 hours in any one calendar day and 40 hours in any one calendar week in violation of the provisions of Sections 1810 through 1815 of the California Labor Code as a penalty paid to the City; provided, however, work performed by employees of contractors in excess of 8 hours per day, and 40 hours during any one week, shall be permitted upon compensation for all hours worked in excess of 8 hours per day at not less than 1½ times the basic rate of pay.
11.24 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PRACTICES. Contractor certifies and represents that, during the performance of this Agreement, it and any other parties with whom it may subcontract shall adhere to equal employment opportunity practices to assure that applicants, employees and recipients of service are treated equally and are not discriminated against because of their race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, age, medical condition, sexual orientation or marital status. Contractor further certifies that it will not maintain any segregated facilities. Contractor further agrees to comply with The Equal Employment Opportunity Practices provisions as set forth in Exhibit “C”. [Signatures Begin on Next Page].
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Commencement Date stated on the cover page.
City of Vernon, a California charter City
and California municipal corporation
By: ____________________________
Carlos R. Fandino, Jr.,
City Administrator
Renne Public Policy Group, a California LLP
By:
Name:
Title:
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Yonnie Parker, Deputy City Clerk
By:
Name:
Title:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
Zaynah N. Moussa, City Attorney
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Jonathan V. Holtzman
Managing Partner
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EXHIBIT A
CONTRACTOR'S PROPOSAL
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1 PROPOSAL FOR
LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ADVOCACY SERVICES
CITY OF VERNON
Prepared by:
Dane Hutchings
Managing Director
Phone: (916) 974-9270
[email protected]
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1 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services
COVER LETTER
March 4, 2024
City of Vernon
Attention: Angela Kimmey, Deputy City Administrator
4305 Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon, CA 90058
Re: Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services
Dear Ms. Kimmey:
On behalf of Renne Public Law Group, LLP [DBA: Renne Public Policy Group], we are pleased to submit our proposal for Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services for the City of Vernon.
Renne Public Policy Group (RPPG) is a full-service state lobbying and consulting practice that advocates for the best interests of public entities and those organizations that align with public entities. We do so effectively and efficiently, without compromising on ethics or integrity. RPPG is a division of Renne Public Law Group (RPLG), a law firm that primarily represents local public agencies.
RPPG draws from the wisdom of respected former public officials, the knowledge of municipal funding and policy experts, and the tenacity of experienced legislative advocates to provide a uniquely tailored service for your specific
needs and goals. We believe we are the best
choice for the City of Vernon because our
experience with and firsthand knowledge of
local agency operations is combined with a
diverse team that understands your region and
can provide you a critically important seat at
the table. Our powerhouse team of legislative,
policy, funding, and technical experts is well-
positioned with extensive networks in the
Capitol and a stellar record of legislative
successes. We provide responsive, concierge-
level service that will keep you informed and empowered at every step of the way, and our team’s steadfast advocacy and passion for
local government are unsurpassed.
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2 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services Jon Holtzman
Founding Partner
Renne Public Law Group, LLP®
As detailed further in this proposal, at RPPG we customize our approach to fit your needs, amplify your voice through sustained, timely communications, and comb through the State Budget assessing potential funding prospects. We would anticipate your opportunities and challenges based on our local agency-specific policy experience and advocate for Vernon’s needs with tenacity and grit. In short, we provide our clients with a holistic approach to legislative, political, communications, funding, and operational counsel. We refer to this as our “wraparound service approach.” In addition, we intend to subcontract with Kyra Ross, Principal at Emanuels, Jones and Associates, LLC. Kyra’s direct policy expertise in the areas of electrical utilities and public health complements RPPG’s policy-based, detail-oriented approach. The proposal narrative includes more information about our team’s specific roles and responsibilities.
Dane Hutchings, Managing Director, will act as the project supervisor and primary contact for this proposal; he can be reached by phone at (916) 916-230-6935 or e-mail at [email protected]. RPPG’s Founding Partner Jon Holtzman has the authority to negotiate on behalf of and bind the firm in an agreement and can be reached at (415) 848-7200.
RPPG will perform the services and adhere to the requirements as described in this RFP. This proposal is valid 90 days from the submittal date.
Firm Contact Information
Regards,
Renne Public Law Group, LLP
350 Sansome Street, Floor 3
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 848-7200
Billing will be handled out of the San
Francisco office.
Renne Public Policy Group
1127 11th Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 974-9270
All other services will be primarily
performed out of the Sacramento office.
Dane Hutchings
Managing Director
Renne Public Policy Group, A Division
of Renne Public Law Group, LLP
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3 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services INTRODUCTION The RPPG legislative, regulatory and grant advocacy practice area is led by Managing Director Dane Hutchings. He is supported by seasoned legislative advocates Alyssa Silhi and Sharon Gonsalves (proposed co-leads). As detailed further in this proposal, RPPG’s Policy and Strategic advisors support our clients’ overall advocacy strategy by providing unique and experienced perspectives on the real-world impacts of pending legislative, regulatory, and administrative proposals––leveraging their experience for the betterment of RPPG clients.
More details regarding specific roles, responsibilities, and qualifications for each member of the RPPG team are provided in the following sections.
GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK
The City of Vernon is seeking qualified and talented representation at the state level to serve as its eyes, ears, and voice and successfully advocate on behalf of the City of Vernon and Vernon Public Utilities (VPU). The team selected will be an integral part of the City’s overall advocacy efforts and an important element of the City’s work to engage with key stakeholders of interest.
The scope of services requested is robust and requires legislative, regulatory, and administrative advocacy on the full spectrum of legislative and regulatory proposals that could impact the City’s overall operations and public health and utility services. With such a complex issue portfolio, Vernon has unique opportunities to further partner with the State of California as well as potential challenges to meet as the City’s population continues to grow.
Our firm’s understanding of the services requested, general approach, and proposed methodologies and strategies needed to achieve them is set forth in this proposal.
Agency Understanding: City of Vernon
The City of Vernon covers 5.2 square miles located 5 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and prides itself on being a “prime location for business.” The City is primarily composed of industrial areas, with a prevalence of warehouses and meatpacking plants. Despite its relatively small geographical size, the City provides a complex array of in-house services, including water, electric, natural gas, and broadband utility services through VPU as well as Vernon’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Given its heavy concentration of industrial uses, Vernon ranks in the 98th percentile in CalEnviroScreen with 4.0 for pollution burden. The City has been taking considerable steps to address impacts attributed to climate change, including implementing resilience efforts to mitigate air pollution and nuisance odors and initiating an environmental sustainability action plan study in Spring 2023.
With 222 residents as of the 2020 U.S. Census count, Vernon is the second least populous city in California. According to the state Department of Parks and Recreation, 100% of Vernon residents live in areas with less than 3 acres of parks or open space per 1,000 residents. Upon initial review, our assessment is that Vernon qualifies both as a Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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4 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services disadvantaged community and an AB 1550 low-income community through the California Climate Investments Priority Populations tool. This provides unique opportunities for the City as it continues to seek regional, state and federal resources.
In 2022, Vernon’s leadership launched the Reimagine Vernon initiative to develop a new Westside Specific Plan intended to facilitate new development and adaptive reuse. Based on currently available drafts of the Specific Plan EIR, the proposed zoning reforms will facilitate the development of 874 new residential units—a considerable increase in total city population—and create 360,429 sq. feet of office/research and development and 253,021 sq. feet of production retail. The Specific Plan would decrease Vernon’s industrial footprint by more than 575,000 sq. feet.
Vernon receives the majority of its revenues from a combination of sales taxes, parcel taxes, and utility user taxes; only 7% of its FY 2023 revenue came from property taxes.
Major Challenges and Items of Special Consideration
Business Partnerships + General Government: Vernon values local control and the ability to conduct operations in a way that maximizes value to the community, protects infrastructure investments, and strengthens its deep partnerships with its strong industrial base. We have a deep understanding of the policies that are important to shared goals of the City and its trusted partners. This gives Vernon the unique advantage of having a team that can explore opportunities for collaboration while remaining focused on the City’s best interests.
With respect to governance, several legislative measures have proposed eroding operational and legal autonomy for local government. From new avenues of litigation to costly new (unfunded) mandates, lawmakers have set their sights on local revenues to fund new mandates and programs.
Energy: Vernon Public Utilities (VPU) and California municipal utilities will likely face several challenges related to energy in 2024 and beyond;the first involves ongoing discussions regarding electricity costs. Municipal utilities continue working toward meeting RPS and zero-carbon targets while procuring enough energy and containing costs for ratepayers. Ongoing efforts include discussions with Senate and Assembly legislative leadership and the California Energy Commission on the rapidly increasing costs associated with new renewable energy contracts and the rising costs of Renewable Energy Credits that must be addressed to facilitate our long-term clean energy progress. Ongoing discussions and legislation to build out California’s energy transmission system, including EV charging facilities, will also be a major issue in 2024 Water + Solid Waste: The State continues to seek solutions on many issues of interest to VPU, including water allocation, water quality standards, water conservation, greenhouse gas reduction, and sustainable solid waste disposal practices. Often, these proposals diminish the role of local agencies in the decision-making process and reduce local control. Furthermore, the State often oversaturates compliance and reporting requirements by creating new mechanisms and programs that impose an additional burden on local agencies to provide data or complicate rather than streamlining existing regulatory processes. It will be important for the City’s advocacy Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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5 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services team to work with the Department to monitor proposals that alter existing regulations and to work to streamline them where appropriate.
WORK PLAN
The RPPG Strategic Approach
Our client service model is unique, particularly when compared with the way most contract governmental affairs firms conduct business. The RPPG brand is founded on delivering superior work product quality and a “white glove” service experience. Our goal is to make you feel like our only client, every time. We are enthusiastic, passionate local government advocates who deliver tenacious representation and consistent, tailored, and timely communication.
The art of advancing critical needs on one front while defending local decision-making on another requires an exceptional in-depth understanding of the client’s needs, accompanied by strong personal relationships with key decision-makers. While legislative and regulatory advocacy has many facets, our overarching advocacy strategy and approach is grounded in these principles:
Proactive Engagement: Building on a solid foundation of your goals and key messaging, RPPG will continually engage early and often with key decision-makers and like-minded stakeholders throughout the legislative process, during the interim recesses, and between legislative sessions. This includes consistent communication with your legislative delegation on items of concern and opportunity, as well as proactive engagement with relevant committee chairs, key legislative leaders, consultants, Administration officials, and outside advocacy organizations to identify opportunities for a blended advocacy strategy that both enhances and protects your interests.
Creative Solutions: The success of advancing legislative or fiscal proposals, negotiating amendments, and mounting a coordinated public affairs campaign when necessary is often determined by the approach taken to achieve results. We avoid one-size-fits-all solutions and instead assess the full landscape for your specific circumstances and needs. This enables us to provide the proper guidance, messaging, and on-the-ground maneuvering that extends well beyond the cookie-cutter solutions frequently provided in California politics.
The Ability to Pivot Throughout the Political Process: We have curated a team of strategic operatives with a depth of experience in various policy arenas, from former high-ranking Capitol staff and committee consultants to former elected officials and legislative advocates for the League of California Cities and California Special Districts Association. Our broad professional network is collectively leveraged to accomplish our client’s objectives. Due to our rich and diverse political and professional backgrounds, we have worked on virtually every single issue affecting local jurisdictions at some point in time.
We are nimble professionals with the ability to get up to speed quickly on client-specific policy issues and to engage effectively with stakeholders and lawmakers. When one door closes, we are able to find another to open so that we can continue to advance your priorities. Our Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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6 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services signature work ethic, determination, agility, and solid policy background keep us one step ahead of the opposition, ensuring that your needs and concerns are heard, seen, and successfully advanced within the legislative process.
A Tenacious Work Ethic and Passion for Local Government:Advocacy is a field that rewards persistence, experience, and hard work. Each principal at RPPG performs the work as specified in the client contract; we go above and beyond to deliver a customized product based on your individual needs. Our principal staff are local government experts—each comes from local government or has extensive experience successfully engaging in the myriad policies that impact public agencies. We will work to intimately understand the challenges facing Vernon and its Department staff and deeply value the critical role you play in your community. This enables us to help develop your distinctive voice, share your story, and advance your goals more efficiently.
Effective Communication: At RPPG, we understand you do not merely want to have a voice in Sacramento, but also require that voice to communicate in a manner authentic to your City, accurately reflecting your priorities and values. We work tremendously hard for our clients because each client who partners with RPPG has placed their trust in us to represent their interests in the state Capitol and also be a reliable messenger of their brand and story.
In addition, we provide you with the tools to communicate directly with your Council, community members, and regional partners and stakeholders about how Vernon is using its voice in Sacramento. We achieve this through frequent client contact and consistent accountability, including monthly detailed reports of our activities on your behalf, monthly legislative memos and priority bill lists, and memos detailing significant benchmarks throughout the year, such as Budget Act updates and legislative deadlines, so that your staff, leaders, and community understand the value of investing in a robust advocacy program.
Methodologies
We believe in a smart, focused approach to lobbying in Sacramento. Our experience proves that carefully selecting a few top priorities and bringing the best minds to work on them typically bears fruit. We are proud of our dexterity in navigating legislation through the Appropriation and Budget processes, and our well-established professional relationships enable us to call on the legislators and key staff who analyze, debate, and decide the fate of many fiscal bills. We spend significant time meeting with decision-makers and educating legislators about our client’s needs and interests throughout the full spectrum of the policy development process. More specifically, we propose to meet your objectives in the following ways.
State Legislative and Regulatory Engagement, Tracking, and Advocacy. RPPG will track, review, and analyze any introduced and amended legislation and advocate on legislation and any State Budget issues impacting Vernon and its Departments, including the VPU and DHEC. We will assist in evaluating proposed legislation and identifying priorities based upon their potential impact, and we will consult on and develop strategic documents that include draft policy and regulatory positions, budgetary letters, a priority legislative tracking matrix customized according to your specifications, budget analysis, and background papers to ensure that you are kept informed of Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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7 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services the latest developments and that your voice is heard by policymakers and stakeholders. In addition, RPPG will assist in developing, drafting, and sponsoring state legislation and amendments needed to advance your goals and priorities.
Participate and Advise in Annual Legislative Strategic Planning. Establishing a proactive strategy plays an important role in your overall success. Through a series of “deep dive” meetings, RPPG will work with the City’s staff and leadership to discuss and identify whom to include internally in discussions to determine goals, objectives, opportunities, and challenges related to Vernon’s priorities. We will use this information to develop an annual and multi-year legislative strategic plan that reflects your unique organizational needs.
Explore Potential Funding Opportunities, General Fund. With State budget deficits, being projected at close to $80 Billion for FY-24-25, direct General Fund earmarks will be limited if not entirely eliminated in the short term. That is why it is critical that Vernon partner with a team that has a proven track record of securing funding through the Federal Community Project Program, as well as through other federal, state, and regional grant opportunities.
Our proposed team is composed of diverse professionals who have secured over $265 million in federal, state, and reginal funding in just over the past 4 years alone. We will work with your staff to identify General Fund, community projects and grant opportunities to explore any viable funding opportunity—leaving no stone unturned. (Please note that our team will assist in grant identification as a complementary service offering. Should the City of Vernon wish to enlist our firm for grant writing and research services, this would require an amended scope of work and change in pricing.)
Representation. RPPG will represent the City and its Departments at policy-related meetings, conferences, events, regulatory proceedings, legislative hearings, and other appropriate venues to deliver comments and testimony and give you a consistent presence in the Capitol.
Frequent, Reliable Communication. Keeping you fully informed is a top priority. Our team will provide regular written and verbal communications and updates to keep Vernon and the VPU up to date on our advocacy efforts, individual tasks, and timeline for meeting milestones. Regular communication between Vernon and our team will also ensure that we are responsive to the direction of your Council and staff throughout the entire State Budget and legislative processes.
This will include monthly written policy status and activity reports, along with more in-depth reports and recaps during each major milestone throughout the legislative year (e.g., every budget milestone, bill introduction deadline, house of origin deadline, summer recess, and end of session). We will supplement these reports with an updated legislative matrix and, during the legislative session, a monthly check-in via Zoom with City staff where we will review legislation and brief you on the latest developments.
Relationship Building. By the end of 2024, the Legislature will have fully turned over since 2012.
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8 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services outside its legislative delegation. RPPG will build on your presence in Sacramento to assist in further developing robust relationships with legislative leaders, the Administration, key state agencies, staff, and regulatory bodies. We will continue to foster our relationships within your state legislative delegation, the Governor’s Office, California Natural Resources Agency, California Air Resources Board, CalRecycle, State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Water Resources, and other departments and agencies with funding programs, regulations, or initiatives that may intersect with your identified needs and priorities. Our firm will make meeting recommendations, schedule arrangements, and strategize in advance on messaging. This approach ensures that we have laid the groundwork for Vernon’s bill proposals year over year.
Educational Tour. Guided by your legislative priorities, RPPG is prepared to conduct an educational tour in the Capitol to drive awareness on the issues of greatest importance to Vernon. This will ensure that the appropriate communication channels with legislative staff and legislators remain open throughout the 2024-2025 legislative session and beyond.
Targeted Engagement with Statewide Local Government Association, Trade Association and Local Agency Partners. RPPG has strong contacts and proven working relationships with the League of California Cities, California Contract Cities Association, California Special Districts Association, California Municipal Utilities Association, Southern California Public Power Association, Association of California Water Agencies, California Association of Sanitation Agencies, WateReuse Association, Regional Water Authority, Solid Waste Association of North America–California Chapters, California Product Stewardship Council, California State Association of Counties, Rural Counties Representatives of California, Urban Counties of California, and other statewide and regional advocacy organizations whose interests overlap Vernon’s. These relationships will ensure that we can effectively communicate your policy positions to RPPG’s partners in these associations and agencies—and, when appropriate, incorporate a blended strategy—to achieve success on all matters of import to Vernon and VPU.
Other Stakeholder Engagement. To advance your budget and legislative priorities, RPPG will secure the support of potential stakeholders, including identifying, prioritizing, leading outreach efforts to relevant stakeholders, and building and working with related coalitions. Our experience working with organized labor and the business industry will best position the City and to help meet both short- and long-term goals.
FPPC. RPPG will file all required forms on behalf of Vernon, including but not limited to forms 602 (annual Lobbying Firm Activity Authorization) and 635 (Report of Lobbyist Employer).
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
We recognize that the needs of public agencies differ significantly. While many issues of interest affect all public agencies, RPPG is fluent in the nuances of the policy areas and Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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9 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services governmental operations that should be monitored and assessed for possible engagement on behalf of the City of Vernon and VPU.
The following examples illustrate the accomplishments of the RPPG team members proposed for Vernon. Each example includes a detailed summary of specific work in advancing policy and administrative issues on behalf of our public sector clients throughout California.
CLIENT: City of Mountain View
Demonstrated Skills: Stopping Detrimental Legislation, Advancing Sponsored Legislation (which included securing an author outside the client’s represented delegation), Strategic Partnerships and Coalition Building, Issue Area Proficiency: Transportation policy.
AB 971 (Lee) Vehicles: Transit-Only Traffic Lanes (2023–2024 Legislative Session) Sponsoring a piece of legislation allows the client to have more ownership throughout the legislative process—as the client will act as the lead in both drafting the proposed policy and leading the negotiations with all stakeholders throughout the entire year. Typically speaking, lawmakers representing the client’s jurisdiction would introduce such a proposal; however, when the client requested the bill, the City’s delegation had already committed to other organizations and had reached their respective bill limit for the year. In response, RPPG was able to secure an author outside our client’s legislative delegation despite the author’s not representing the City. AB 971 (Lee, D-Milpitas) supports Mountain View’s efforts in furthering its North Bayshore Precise Plan by opening up the specific types of mass transit vehicles eligible to use the City’s reversible transit lane project along Shoreline Boulevard (upon project completion). The ability to permit Mountain View’s fare-free transit operation was critical to the City’s ability to meet the required capacity threshold needed to move forward with the project. AB 971 was signed into law.
Client Contact: Christina Gilmore, Intergovernmental Relations Manager Phone Number: (650) 903-6215
Email Address: [email protected]
Address: 500 Castro St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Years Performed: 2021-Present (ongoing)
CLIENT: Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority (Hollywood Burbank Airport) Demonstrated Skills: Legislative and Executive Advocacy, Strategic Partnerships and Coalition Building; Issue Area Proficiency: Airport Operations, Revenue Generation, Personal Vehicle Sharing
AB 893 (Papan) Personal Vehicle Sharing Programs. (Authority Position, Support, 2022–2023 Legislative Session)
AB 893 is a measure that aims to provide equity in the post-airport transit space. This measure applies the same customer facility charges (CFCs) on “personal vehicle sharing programs” Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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10 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services (e.g., peer-to-peer platforms, Turo, etc.). CFCs are collected to pay for the use of an airport- mandated common use bus or light rail transit system operated for the movement of passengers between the terminal and a consolidated on-airport rental car facility. The fees typically pay off the bonded indebtedness incurred by the airport for the construction of the facility. Peer-to-peer platforms claimed that they were not subject either to permitting requirements or CFCs that apply to rental car companies and other forms of transit. The lack of regulation creates an inequitable marketplace. On behalf of Hollywood Burbank Airport, we engaged in support of AB 893. We worked with the California Airports Council, California Labor Federation, California Teamsters Public Affairs Council, and others to steer AB 893 through the legislative process. In addition, our team met with the Governor’s legislative staff to convey support—even prior to the measure officially advancing to his desk. This strategy was used to ensure that the Administration did not have any last-minute technical amendments that could have warranted a veto. As a result, AB 893 was signed by Governor Newsom.
Client Contact: Pamela Marcello, Legislative Director
Phone: (818) 524-3828
Email: [email protected]
Address: 2627 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505
Years Performed: 2023 – Present (ongoing)
CLIENT: City of Santa Rosa
Demonstrated Skills: Strategic Communications, State Budget Advocacy, Issue Area Proficiency: Navigating the State Budget Process
(Demonstrated Skills: Strategic Partnerships and Coalition Building, Advocating on Detrimental Legislation; Issue Area Proficiency: Water Resources) SB 1157 (Hertzberg) Urban water use objectives (City Position, Oppose, 2021-2022 Legislative Session)
SB 1157 circumvented a previously agreed-upon legislative package thoughtfully negotiated by impacted stakeholders by incrementally lowering the standard for indoor residential water use to 47 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) starting Jan. 1, 2025, and 42 gpcd beginning Jan. 1, 2030. However, due to the robust advocacy efforts of a broad coalition of stakeholders, which RPPG participated in, the measure was significantly amended several times throughout the process to: • Require the Department of Water Resources (DWR) in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to conduct studies and investigations to assess and quantify the economic benefit and impacts of meeting the 2030 indoor residential use standard on water, wastewater, and recycled water systems; • Summarize the findings in a report to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2027; Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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11 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services • Prohibit enforcement of specified provisions against an urban retail water supplier solely for failing to meet the indoor residential use standard; • Allow DWR and SWRCB to recommend an alternate date for the 2030 standard to take effect if they determine the 2030 indoor residential use standard is likely to unduly impact affordability of water and wastewater services; and • Require DWR to consider whether to recommend additional variances to accommodate unique challenges related to residential indoor water use based on findings for adoption by SWRCB.
RPPG represented the City’s interests against SB 1157 as part of a robust coalition of stakeholders led by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). The City remained opposed despite many stakeholder associations taking a neutral position, and RPPG continued efforts with ACWA and a smaller subset of partners to hold the bill, working the Appropriations committees, key legislative leaders, and the Floor. RPPG collaborated with City staff on a coordinated outreach strategy to the City’s delegation, including Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire. In the process, additional amendments were procured in response to the significant concerns raised surrounding impacts on affordability and feasibility. The City removed its opposition to the measure upon securing additional amendments.
Client Contact: Scott Alonso, Government Affairs Officer Phone: (707) 543-4624
Email: [email protected]
Address: 637 First Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Year Performed: 2020-Present (ongoing)
CLIENT: City of Bakersfield
Demonstrated Skills: Monitoring Rule-Making Procedures and Client Communication; Issue Area Proficiency: Regulatory Oversight, Zero-Emission Vehicle Policy Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation (2022–2023)
Like most local agencies, the City of Bakersfield is significantly impacted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleets Regulations. These regulations dictate how private and public fleets will transition to Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) in coming years, in compliance with the climate goals established in Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-79-
20. The mandate for local government agencies—including cities—begins Jan. 1, 2024, with benchmarks set for compliance thereafter. RPPG monitored the rule-making process for the City, advising on the latest pending developments, comment periods, and potential impacts.
Once CARB voted to adopt the final regulations, the City could not find a digestible resource that presented the regulatory provisions in an easily understood and accessible manner for the staff who would be required to ensure compliance. In response, RPPG produced a “cheat sheet” document for our clients’ use that distilled the complex 38-page final ruling Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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12 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services document into a 9-page chart for agencies’ easy reference in tracking their progress in the transition to compliance.
Client Contact: Anthony Valdez, Assistant to the City Manager Phone: (661) 326-3029
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Years Performed: 2021 – Present (ongoing)
FEES AND COSTS
$15,000.00 Per Month $180,000.00 Annually
$5,000.00 (not to exceed annual,
travel)
Total not-to-exceed: $185,000.000
RPPG proposes a flat monthly retainer fee for all services outlined for both the City of Vernon and the Vernon Public Utilities. This pricing includes all work performed by RPPG primary staff, subcontractors, advisors, operational and administrative support as detailed as well as inclusive of all costs associated with the quarterly filings required by the Fair Political Practices Commission. Please note that the $5,000.00 not-to-exceed annual travel would only be used in connected with client-request travel outside of the Sacramento Metropolitan Region (e.g., air travel, hotel, transportation etc. associated with a requested in-person meeting). No travel-related expenses shall be assessed unless specifically requested and approved by the client.
Renne Public Policy Group List of All Current Clients
Note:Unless otherwise indicated, all clients listed below are contracted with RPPG for direct State legislative advocacy services (lobbying). • All clients listed with a single asterisk (*) symbol are grant writing only clients .
• All clients listed with two asterisks (**) symbols are combined grant writing and lobbying clients.
• All clients listed with a plus (+) symbol are legislative tracking (non-lobbying) clients.
California Alliance for Jobs*
California Association of Recreation and
Parks Districts
City Clerks Association of California
City of Bakersfield**
City of Beaumont**
City of Belmont
City of Brisbane*
City of Carlsbad
City of Corona**
City of Eastvale
City of El Cerrito**
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13 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services City of Foster City
City of Greenfield*
City of Hidden Hills+
City of Merced
City of Morgan Hill*
City of Mountain View**
City of Rancho Cucamonga**
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
City of Redwood City**
City of Roseville Environmental Utilities
Dept.
City of San Bernardino*
City of Santa Rosa**
City of Westlake Village+
Hollywood Burbank Airport Authority
Housing Authority of San Bernardino*
San Bernardino Community College
District*
YMCA Silicon Valley*
Town of Hillsborough
Current Client List for RPPG Subcontractor: Emanuels Jones & Associates, LLC Capitol Area Development Authority
City of Burbank
City of Coronado
City of Glendale
City of Los Angeles+
City of Pasadena
City of San Marcos
City of Solana Beach
City of Stockton
San Rafael/Marin County Council of
Mayors & Council Members
Town of Mammoth Lakes
Town of Truckee
Navigating Conflicts (RPPG’s Formal Policy)
For the most part, the interests of local governments typically align. However, from time to time, issues may arise that split the interests of local governments. At RPPG, we pride ourselves on finding ways to balance the interests of our clients regardless of the issue.
Should one client take a formal position on legislation that may conflict with another client’s adopted position, we evaluate the nature of the conflict with each client and, if appropriate, our firm implements the following process.
1. Clear and Timely Communication of the Actual or Perceived Conflict: As soon as we are aware of the potential conflict, we immediately inform client or clients. The issue or issues in question are assigned to a single RPPG lobbyist and dedicated support team.
2. Ethical Wall Formed: All communication with respect to legislative activity, strategy or any active direct or indirect advocacy efforts on the matter at hand are immediately “walled off” from one another until such time that the matter has resolved.
3. Short-Term Issue-Specific Subcontractor: In the event that after the steps above have been enacted and the City is not satisfied, our firm would be open to exploring other options that may provide the City with more assurance, including identifying and retaining a suitable subcontractor on a short-term basis specific to the singular issue at no additional cost to the City until the matter is resolved. To date, no client has ever felt the need to request this action. Note: Our proposal includes a reputable subcontractor who is qualified to represent Vernon’s interests of the City.
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14 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services
ABILITY OF THE PROPOSER TO PERFORM
Lobbying Team (Primary Staff)
Dane Hutchings, Managing Director
APPLICABLE EXPERIENCE: AT A GLANCE • Over 15 years of legislative advocacy and public affairs experience representing various business and local government entities
• Former Legislative Representative and Federal Policy Liaison, League of California Cities
• Strong relationships with key legislative, administrative, and executive branch officials
• Registered lobbyist with the State of California; B.A. in Public Affairs, California State University, Sacramento; M.P.P., New England College
For over 15 years, Dane Hutchings has been advocating for the best interests of both public and private entities. He is a seasoned legislative advocate and political strategist with a keen understanding of the California political process and landscape. As Managing Director of RPPG, Dane has successfully advanced policies for clients in several areas of importance including natural resources, land use, revenue and taxation, homelessness, and emergency response. Dane is located in Sacramento.
He has demonstrated success in effectively navigating the State Budget process to secure millions in one-time earmarks for RPPG clients. Recently, Dane — with support from the RPPG team — secured $15 million in the FY23-24 State Budget, despite historic deficits. In 2022, he secured nearly $40 million in one-time funding for RPPG clients.
Prior to launching RPPG in 2019, Dane worked for the League of California Cities.As a Legislative Representative and Federal Policy Liaison,he acted as the key strategist, advisor, and advocate on issues including labor relations policies, privacy and technology, governmental transparency, the Brown Act, workers’ compensation, and other issues related to local government operations. As the Federal Policy Liaison, Dane worked across multiple policy areas of importance to local government, including public safety, infrastructure, housing, and environmental policy. In conjunction with the National League of Cities, Dane advocated for increased HUD funding for the State Community Development Block Grant funding and other federal programs that local agencies rely upon.
While at the California Grocers Association, Dane represented over 300 members in the retail food and supplier industry. He specialized in labor and employment, healthcare, retail food and general business issues. Dane worked directly with local governmental bodies, staff and their organizations on local and statewide policies that ensured continuity for his clients while preserving local government authority.
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15 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services Dane’s direct experience in public affairs provides a distinctive approach on how an effective issue-based “inside-outside” communications/advocacy strategy can support legislative priorities by providing political cover for legislators as well as the Governor’s office. Dane spent 4 years working as an Account Executive and Government Relations Advocate at Ogilvy—a premier and influential multi-national public affairs and advocacy firm. Dane engaged in multiple issue-based campaigns specifically designed to support legislative strategies for private sector clients in the industrial, energy and automotive sectors.
In 2011, Dane was asked to join the crisis communications team for Mexico’s Secretaria De Turismo, working with national and international publications, private companies, and government officials to drive key economic development, travel and trade goals.
Alyssa Silhi, Director of Government Affairs
APPLICABLE EXPERIENCE: AT A GLANCE • Over 15 years of governmental affairs and public relations experience
• Former Legislative Representative, California Special Districts Association
• Strong background in natural resources and environmental policy
• Former elected Council Member and Special District Board Member
• Registered lobbyist with the State of California; B.A. in both English and Communications, University of California, Davis Alyssa has been advancing statewide policies for the public good for over 15 years. She is a proven strategist with a reputation for balancing tenacity and effectiveness with strong ethics and skillful communication to get the job done. Alyssa is located in Sacramento.
As an experienced former City Council Member and Air Pollution Control District Board Member, Alyssa has firsthand insight into the mechanisms of operating and maintaining reliable and regulatorily compliant municipal utility services. She brings this keen understanding of the nuances of local agency operations to her work in advocating on issues of importance to public agencies.
Prior to joining RPPG in early 2022, Alyssa was a Legislative Representative for the California Special Districts Association (CSDA), where she was the lead advocate and strategist on policy and fiscal proposals related to utility services – including solid waste and recycling, water, wastewater, and water quality – and environmental policy, emergency response and preparedness, public works, and public contracting.
While at CSDA, Alyssa successfully navigated the politics of the State Budget process to secure a cumulative $1.42 billion in state funding, including $20 million in Public Safety Power Shutoff state grant funds for special districts with critical infrastructure and $100 million in COVID-19 funding relief for impacted districts. She played a critical role in the coalition that Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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16 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services secured utility arrearage relief, resulting in $1 billion for water and wastewater services and nearly $300 million for publicly owned utilities.
Sharon Gonsalves, Director of Government Affairs
APPLICABLE EXPERIENCE: AT A GLANCE • Over 15 years of legislative advocacy and Capitol staff experience
• Strong policy background in natural resources and water issues • Proven track record in advising clients on the successful procurement of federal and state grant funding
• Skilled in successfully navigating the State Budget process • Registered lobbyist with the State of California; B.A. in Communications Studies, California State University, Monterey Sharon has spent her career advocating for legislative and funding priorities of municipalities throughout California and brings over 15 years of state legislative and Capitol staff experience to the RPPG team. She has a stellar track record of leveraging her strong relationships in the Capitol, Administration, and key government agencies to advance her clients’ goals. Her expertise covers the policy sectors of natural resources and water, both as a former legislative staff member and legislative advocate. Sharon is located in Sacramento.
Having spent nearly a decade working in both houses of the Legislature, Sharon has a unique understanding of and experience in navigating California’s complex budget process. This has proved critical when advocating for increased funding for conservation efforts and other environmental protections through the State Budget process, Cap and Trade, and bond-related legislation. She is adept in leveraging her relationships in the Legislature to secure State Budget earmarks for her clients.
Prior to joining RPPG in 2020, Sharon was a Senior Associate at Townsend Public Affairs representing local public agency clients, specializing in those from California’s severely disadvantaged regions. She has helped secure millions of dollars for critical infrastructure and public safety improvements. In that position, Sharon worked on behalf of her most disadvantaged clients to secure the passage of SB 200, the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund (Monning) [Chapter 120, Statutes of 2019], which requires the annual transfer of 5 per-cent of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) into the Fund until June 30, 2030.
On behalf of the City of Turlock, Sharon lobbied the Administration, Legislature, and state and federal agencies on the North Valley Regional Recycled Water Project (NVRRWP) and the Stanislaus Regional Water Authority (SRWA). Her efforts included coordinating multiple advocacy trips to meet with key members of the Administration’s cabinet, members of both legislative houses, committee staff, and members of State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to increase support and discuss funding opportunities. As a result, she was able to secure $4.3 million from the Bureau of Reclamation for the NVRRWP and $30 million for SRWA through Proposition 68 in 2018.
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17 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services Sharon has utilized the relationships she has built over the years in her work advocating on behalf of public agencies. Under Governor Newsom’s Administration, she works frequently with key policy advisors in state agencies, including the Natural Resources Agency and California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Kyra Emanuels Ross— President of Emanuels Jones & Associates (RPPG Subcontractor) APPLICABLE EXPERIENCE: AT A GLANCE • Over 25 years of legislative advocacy and Capitol staff experience • Former Chief Consultant, Assembly Natural Resources Committee • Policy Expertise in the areas of Utilities, Environment, and Public Health
• Skilled in successfully navigating the State Budget process • Registered lobbyist with the State of California; B.A. Political Science, University of California, Davis
Kyra is President of the lobbying firm Emanuels Jones & Associates. She joined the EJ&A team in 2012, bringing a wealth of local government, energy and climate policy knowledge as well as significant Capitol and State Agency experience. She has over 25 years of experience working in the State legislative, budget, and regulatory environments.
Kyra began her career in the Legislature, serving over a decade in the Assembly. During that time, she was the Chief Consultant to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, where she was responsible for the daily work and policy setting for the Assembly on environmental issues, focusing primarily on waste, energy, and climate. Kyra was involved with the drafting and analysis of major climate-related bills, including AB 32 (2006).
She also served as Senior Legislative Representative for the League of California Cities.
During that time, Kyra was the lead lobbyist dealing with environmental and community services issues, including air quality, climate change, cap-and-trade, energy, CEQA, water supply, water quality, and hazardous and solid waste, and more.
Since 2012, Kyra has served as the principal lobbyist, and now President of Emanuels Jones & Associates. Over the past decade, she has been instrumental in securing more than $500 million in state funding and grants for clients. Her work includes helping clients navigate the state legislative and annual State Budget process, obtaining grants through state agencies and bonds, and navigating the state regulatory process.
Kyra has been vital in client legislative successes. She played an instrumental role in procuring legislation to provide injunctive relief under CEQA for a new entertainment sports complex; establishing a regional housing trust fund along with a $23 million State Budget appropriation to provide funding for affordable housing; and successfully lobbying the state for one-time funding to procure a $3 million helicopter for a major city.
RPPG (Non-Lobbying) Advisory Team
Dan Carrigg — Senior Policy and Strategic Advisor, Economic Development Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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18 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services APPLICABLE EXPERIENCE: AT A GLANCE • 30 years of legislative advocacy experience • 25 years of specifically advocating for local government, including specializing in economic development policy
• Former Deputy Executive Director, League of California Cities • Strong relationships with agency officials and legislators • Seasoned legislative advocate and expert in California’s legislative, political, and budget processes
Dan Carrigg is a political consultant and thought leader in California public policy directly impacting local government. With wide-ranging experience in legislative analysis, strategy, and advocacy, and an excellent reputation for hard work, Dan spent nearly 25 years with the League of California Cities, beginning as the League’s housing and land use lobbyist, and holding increasingly responsible advocacy roles including Legislative Director and Deputy Executive Director. Until retiring from the League in October 2019, Dan supervised its legislative and public affairs program, developed policy, managed its legislative and public affairs teams, drafted and reviewed legislation, reviewed and analyzed ballot measures, and testified before the Legislature. He works remotely.
Dan offers RPPG clients a deep policy background and strong political acumen across a vast spectrum of issues that impact public agencies, including areas of revenue, taxation, and local economic development.
Throughout his career, Dan has worked on many high-profile issues, including representing the League as part of the transportation coalition to pass SB 1 (Beall) [Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017).
Later, he advocated to secure revenue for local governments in Prop 1B, the 2006 transportation bond, and defeat a legislative effort to take nearly $1 billion in city and county road maintenance funds.
Prior to his work with the League, Dan drew on his background in construction to represent the Department of General Services and the Division of the State Architect on state real estate, construction, and public contracting from 1996-1998.
Bruce Rudd— Senior Policy and Strategic Advisor, Local Agency Operations APPLICABLE EXPERIENCE: AT A GLANCE • 40+ years of Local Agency Expertise • Policy expertise in the areas of, public utility services including water, wastewater, recycled water, stormwater, and solid waste. • Extensive experience in water, environmental, and infrastructure policy
• B.S. in Business Administration, University of Phoenix Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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19 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services Bruce Rudd is a policy and technical strategic advisor, following 42 years of public service with the City of Fresno, a full-service city. During that time, he served as the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Director of Transportation, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation, a Board Member for the Fresno Economic Development Corporation, and a Policy Advisory Board Member for the County of Fresno Council of Governments. Bruce works remotely.
Prior to joining the City Manager’s Office in 2005, Bruce served as Fresno’s Director of Transportation (1998-2005); and possesses an extensive background and understanding of state and federal transportation programs and grants. One of his responsibilities as an Assistant City Manager was to oversee the City’s Public Works, Transportation and Airport departments, which he continued to perform as City Manager.
While serving as Assistant City Manager and City Manager, Bruce was involved in a number of projects, programs, and policies related to the manner in which water, wastewater, and solid waste services were funded and provided. These included “Recharge Fresno,” a $430 million program that was needed to support the City’s need to transition from groundwater to sustainable surface water through the construction of a new $250 million, 80-million gallon per day surface water treatment plant, and other related capital investments. He was also instrumental in negotiating a new surface water conveyance agreement with the Fresno Irrigation District and restructuring the City’s existing debt, including that of the City’s Public Utilities Department, resulting in a $1 million reduction in annual debt service payments and long-term borrowing costs as none of the debt was extended beyond previous maturity dates.
During his career, Bruce has been responsible for writing and/or administering numerous federal, state, and local grant programs that have been successfully used to fund a variety of capital investments. His intimate understanding of municipal government also provides acute insight as to how changes in legislation or regulations can impact the costs of and/or manner in which services are provided to the public, specifically with respect to utility operations. Jake Whitaker – Director of Grant Services APPLICABLE EXPERIENCE: AT A GLANCE • Certificated grant writer with over $90 million in funding secured and 42 successful proposals developed in partnership with municipal governments, county governments, institutions of higher education, and nonprofits
• Member of the Grant Professionals Association • 8 years of experience working in local government • 4 years of experience as a local government elected official Jake’s exceptional ability to tell the story of public agencies and nonprofits produces successful and highly competitive grant applications. These awards include a wide range of various project types: transportation infrastructure, water system improvement, economic development, public safety and victim service programs, urban greening, wildfire mitigation, higher education programs, and transitional housing and homelessness service programs.
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20 The City of Vernon, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services In 2021, he joined RPPG’s team to build a grant writing practice augmenting the firm’s service offerings, providing a highly individualized, client-centric consulting service.
Jake served on the Woodland Joint Unified School District’s Board of Trustees for four years.
His experience as a member of a public agency’s governing board, coupled with his experience as a public agency staffer, give Jake the rare ability to support synergy between the governance team’s goals and staff priorities in building a cohesive grant-seeking effort.
Jake is fluent in submitting applications through grants.gov, JustGrants (Dept. of Justice), the FEMA GO Grants Portal, the System for Online Application Review (SOAR, used by CNRA), Submittable (used by OGALS), FastLane (used by NSF), My AmeriCorps, and various portal systems commonly used by philanthropic organizations. He has experience preparing SF-424s and other federal forms, maintaining active registration status in SAM.gov, and applying the regulations outlined in 2 CFR Part 170 (commonly referred to as the OMB “Super Circular”).
Administrative and Legislative Support
RPPG has a robust operational and administrative support team. To adhere to RFP page limits, we ask that you visit our website to see our full team.
Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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March 2013
AFFIDAVIT OF NON-COLLUSION BY CONTRACTOR
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
_______________________________________________________________, being first duly sworn deposes and says that he/she is ______________________________________________________________________ (Insert "Sole Owner", "Partner", "President, "Secretary", or other proper title) of______________________________________________________________________________________ (Insert name of bidder)
who submits herewith to the City of Vernon a bid/proposal; That all statements of fact in such bid/proposal are true; That such bid/proposal was not made in the interest of or on behalf of any undisclosed person, partnership, company, association, organization or corporation; That such bid/proposal is genuine and not collusive or sham; That said bidder has not, directly or indirectly by agreement, communication or conference with anyone attempted to induce action prejudicial to the interest of the City of Vernon, or of any other bidder or anyone else interested in the proposed contract; and further That prior to the public opening and reading of bids/proposals, said bidder:
a. Did not directly or indirectly, induce or solicit anyone else to submit a false or sham bid/proposal;
b. Did not directly or indirectly, collude, conspire, connive or agree with anyone else that said bidder or anyone else would submit a false or sham bid/proposal, or that anyone should refrain from bidding or withdraw his/her bid/proposal;
c. Did not, in any manner, directly or indirectly seek by agreement, communication or conference with anyone to raise or fix the bid/proposal price of said bidder or of anyone else, or to raise or fix any overhead, profit or cost element of his/her bid/proposal price, or of that of anyone else; d. Did not, directly or indirectly, submit his/her bid/proposal price or any breakdown thereof, or the contents thereof, or divulge information or data relative thereto, to any corporation, partnership, company, association, organization, bid depository, or to any member or agent thereof, or to any individual or group of individuals, except the City of Vernon, or to any person or persons who have a partnership or other financial interest with said bidder in his/her business.
I certify under penalty of perjury that the above information is correct By:______________________________________ Title:________________________________ Date:____________________________________
City of Vernon Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy Services Request for Proposals
___________________ Managing Partne
r
2/27/2024
Jonathan V. Holtzman
Managing Partne
r
Renne Public Policy Group
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EXHIBIT B
FEES AND COSTS
Retainer: $12,000 Per Month
Travel reimbursement: up to $5,000 annually
Annual total not-to-exceed: $149,000
Monthly retainer: Contractor will receive a flat monthly retainer fee for all services outlined for both the City and the Vernon Public Utilities. This pricing includes all work performed by Contractor primary staff, subcontractors, advisors, operational and administrative support as set forth in Contractor’s proposal and inclusive of all costs associated with the quarterly filings required by the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Travel reimbursement: Any travel-related expenses must be approved by the City in writing and in advance. The $5,000.00 annual travel budget shall only be used in connection with client- requested travel outside of the Sacramento Metropolitan Region (e.g., air travel, hotel, transportation etc. associated with a requested in-person meeting). No travel-related expenses shall be assessed unless specifically requested and approved by the City.
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EXHIBIT C
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
PRACTICES PROVISIONS
A. Contractor certifies and represents that, during the performance of this Agreement, the contractor and each subcontractor shall adhere to equal opportunity employment practices to assure that applicants and employees are treated equally and are not discriminated against because of their race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, handicap, sex, or age. Contractor further certifies that it will not maintain any segregated facilities.
B. Contractor agrees that it shall, in all solicitations or advertisements for applicants for employment placed by or on behalf of Contractor, state that it is an "Equal Opportunity Employer" or that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, handicap, sex or age.
C. Contractor agrees that it shall, if requested to do so by the City, certify that it has not, in the performance of this Agreement, discriminated against applicants or employees because of their membership in a protected class.
D. Contractor agrees to provide the City with access to, and, if requested to do so by City, through its awarding authority, provide copies of all of its records pertaining or relating to its employment practices, except to the extent such records or portions of such records are confidential or privileged under state or federal law.
E. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed in any manner as to require or permit any act which is prohibited by law.
Services Agreement Renne Public Policy Group
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