City Council Meeting: July 25, 2006

Agenda Item: 1-I  

To: Mayor and City Council 

From: Gordon R. Anderson, Assistant City Manager

Subject: Professional Services Contract with The Ferguson Group, LLC for Washington Representative/Lobbying Services for an amount not to exceed $70,885.

Recommended Action

Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City manager to negotiate and execute a professional services contract with The Ferguson Company in an amount not to exceed $70,885, including expenses not to exceed $4,000 for Federal representative and lobbying services.

Executive Summary

This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with The Ferguson Group to continue representing the City’s interest in Washington, D.C. The Ferguson Company has been providing services to the City since 1994 and has developed an in depth knowledge of City policy objectives. There is a 5% recommended increase in the base contract over the current amount. Therefore, staff is not recommending a competitive selection at this time.

Discussion

Background

The Ferguson Group has worked extensively and successfully for the City’s federal objectives since 1994. They monitor federal executive proposals, legislation, administrative regulation, Congressional appropriation opportunities and other developments, advising the City when City policy or program objectives may be affected. Responsibilities include providing detailed information on federal initiatives, maintaining liaison with members of Congress and the Administration, assisting City officials with appearances before Congressional committees and administrative agencies, and advising on City proposals pending before federal regulatory or funding agencies. The Ferguson Group has therefore developed an in depth knowledge of the City and its policy objectives which has obviated the need to conduct a competitive selection process.

The Ferguson Group has represented the City’s interest on issues including: MtBE/water contamination; housing (Community Development Block Grant, Home, Section 8, Section 202, Shelter Plus Care renewals); homelessness; community and economic development (415 PCH); transit/transportation including the Exposition Right of Way and boulevard improvements; infrastructure improvements such as Palisades Bluffs stabilization and seismic reliability of water facilities; and regulatory and administration action by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Ferguson Group has effectively advocated on behalf of the City. Services will be provided to Santa Monica for an amount not to exceed $70,885, including expenses not to exceed $4,000. The base contract amount has not changed in the last four years, although expenses not to exceed $4,000 were included last year. Staff requests a 5% increase to the base amount for a total contract amount with expenses not to exceed $70,885.

Budget/Financial Impact

Funds of $70,885 are available in account number 01202.555060.

Prepared by:

Kate Vernez, Assistant to the City Manager, Government Relations

Approved:	Forwarded to Council:
Gordon R. Anderson Assistant City Manager	P. Lamont Ewell City Manager