City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: August 4, 2026
From: Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Department: City Administration
Submitted by: Lilia Hernandez, Deputy City Administrator Subject
Amendment No. 1 to Services Agreement with Actum-E, LLC Recommendation
A. Find that it is in the best interests of the City to extend the agreement with Actum-E, LLC without a competitive selection process, pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code Section
3.32.110(B)(2); and
B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Services Agreement with Actum-E, LLC, in substantially the same form as submitted, extending the term of the agreement for six (6) months for a total amount of $38,625, to continue to provide government affairs services related to “The BIG 4” cities’ efforts, and bringing the contract total not-to-exceed amount to $83,625.
Background
On September 16, 2025, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with other industrial cities to unite advocacy efforts and advance legislative and administrative policies that address the unique needs and benefits that their industrial commercial activities offer Los Angeles County and the State of California. Now known as “The BIG 4,” this alliance comprises the cities of Commerce, Santa Fe Springs, Industry, and Vernon.
The BIG 4 determined that utilizing one firm to assist with legislative advocacy would be the most efficient and cost-effective approach, as it allowed the four cities to share in this necessary expense. The BIG 4 settled on Actum-E, LLC (Actum) given their substantial expertise in government affairs and extensive network of relationships. Actum’s priority is to pursue and advocate for legislative changes at the State level with the goal of increasing SB1 (Road Repair and Accountability Act) allocations for each of the respective BIG 4 cities.
Accordingly, on March 17, 2026, the Vernon City Council found that direct award of a contract to Actum without a competitive process serves the best interests of the City and approved a Services Agreement with Actum with a term ending June 30, 2026, for a total amount of $45,000.
The Agreement with Actum provides the mechanism for the City to compensate Actum for Vernon’s ¼ share of costs associated with The BIG 4 legislative advocacy efforts.
Over the last several months, Actum has been instrumental in advancing The BIG 4’s collective goals as evidenced by the introduction of Senate Bill (SB) 1274. The intent of SB 1274 is to establish a statutory definition of an “industrial city” and identify a category of jurisdictions, like Vernon, whose economic activity and daytime workforce far exceed their residential populations.
This definition is an important step for the State Legislature to better understand and describe the diversity of California’s cities and the different roles they play in supporting economic growth and job creation.
SB 1274 will continue to move through the legislative process once the legislative session resumes in August. Actum’s continued advocacy efforts are needed to propel the passage of this important piece of legislation. To that end, Amendment No. 1 to the services agreement with Actum extends the agreement through December 14, 2026. Staff recommends that Council find that it is in the best interests of the City to extend the agreement with Actum-E, LLC without a competitive selection process, pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section
3.32.110(B)(2), as this approach optimizes the use of resources, minimizes costs and ensures Actum is able to continue to advocate on the City’s behalf as one of The BIG 4 cities. Vernon’s ongoing participation in The BIG 4 is identified as Task No. 2.4 in the City’s Strategic Plan.
The proposed amendment with Actum-E, LLC requires City Council approval pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.030(B), as within the last 12 months, the City engaged this vendor on a different matter, bringing the total combined amount paid or awarded to this vendor over $100,000.
The proposed Amendment No. 1 was reviewed and approved as-to-form by the City Attorney.
Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 2: Promote Economic Growth and Revenue Generation
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is not-to-exceed $38,625. Sufficient funds are available in the General Fund, Industrial Development, Professional Services Account No. 011-010-150-529215 for the current fiscal year.
Attachments
1. Amendment No. 1 - Actum-E, LLC Services Agreement