Title
Discuss and consider action to approve a 24-month extension to the contract with Focused Advocacy for Legislative and Consulting Services and authorizing the City Manager to execute same.
Summary
This item is to consider extending the contract for assistance with strategic legislative lobbying services that the city has had with Focused Advocacy since April of 2012. The primary scope of services includes, but is not limited,to the following:
1. Represention of the City’s general interests before the Texas legislature as directed by the City Manager;
2. As directed, represention of the City’s interests before the regulatory bodies of Texas and various state agencies of the Texas executive branch by informing City staff of key state agency hearings and developments at the Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Land Office, the Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Public Utility Commission, the Texas Department of Transportation, and the Department of Housing and Community Affairs;
3. As directed, engagement with state agency staff and personnel to protect or advance the city’s interests during rule-makings;
4. Assistance in the development of the City’s legislative agenda;
5. Assistance with the development and passage of legislative initiatives as adopted by the City Council;
6. Provide general guidance and consultation to the city regarding the City’s legislative and regulatory goals; and
7. Development of strategies and work to gain support to advance the City’s legislative and regulatory goals.
The term of the current contract was for two years, April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2018. This action would extend the contract until March 31, 2020.
The attached contract was reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney prior to approval in 2016.
Fiscal Impact
The cost of the services specified in the contract is $8,683.33 per month, plus reimbursement for reasonable and customary exp...
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