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File Number: <br />TO: <br />FROM: <br />BY: <br />City of San Leandro <br />Meeting Date: February 18, 2014 <br />14-033 <br />City Council <br />Chris Zapata <br />City Manager <br />Lianne Marshall <br />Assistant City Manager <br />FINANCE REVIEW: David Baum <br />Staff Report <br />Agenda Section: CONSENT CALENDAR <br />Agenda Number: 8.B. <br />Finance Director <br />TITLE: Staff Report for a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a <br />Consulting Services Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for State <br />Legislative Advocacy Services <br />SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br />Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year <br />contract with Townsend Public Affairs in an amount not to exceed $60,000 for state legislative <br />advocacy services. <br />BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS <br />On October 21, 2013, the City Council authorized the creation of a City Council ad-hoc <br />subcommittee made up of Mayor Cassidy, Council Member Souza, and Council Member <br />Gregory in order to provide guidance on the development of a state legislative platform as well <br />as a process through which a consultant would be selected to provide state -level advocacy <br />services on behalf of the City. Since that time, the subcommittee guided the development <br />and distribution of a Request for Proposal (RFP), to which seven responses were received <br />from a wide range of firms. Three finalists were selected and interviewed by the ad-hoc <br />subcommittee. Out of those three finalists, Townsend Public Affairs distinguished itself in its <br />demonstrated ability to connect with various state agencies, its knowledge and expertise <br />specific to Alameda County and surrounding areas, and also in its ability to provide assistance <br />with grant writing and associated advocacy. In short, based upon an objective and <br />competitive selection process, the subcommittee believes Townsend Public Affairs will provide <br />the best services and greatest level of expertise for the City of San Leandro. <br />Staff requests that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with <br />Townsend Public Affairs for a period not to exceed one year and an amount not to exceed <br />$60,000. The scope of work would include all aspects of state level advocacy, including <br />legislative analysis, strategy and development, grants assistance, development of <br />relationships with state law makers and agency staff, and other related work as outlined in the <br />City of San Leandro Page 1 Printed on 211212014 <br />