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Report regarding a resolution approving the renewal of a Consulting Services Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for grant writing services on various capital improvements, development, and social service projects for a one-year term in an amount not to exceed $60,000. (Rich Lee, Assistant City Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution renewing a Consulting Services Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for grant writing services on various capital improvements, development, and social service projects for a one-year term in an amount not to exceed $60,000.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On April 13, 2017, the City issued a Request for Proposals for grant writing services on various City projects. A staff committee selected Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) as the best qualified based on their presentation, project understanding, experience with similar projects, and value. The consulting services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs were included as an assumption in the City of South San Francisco’s General Fund Non-Departmental operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
TPA continues to provide essential legislative guidance and analysis in Sacramento. The City relies on TPA for their assistance in identifying grant opportunities and assisting with writing and submitting state agency grant proposals.
Past Funding Achievements
The total funding amount secured to date for the City of South San Francisco is $12,841,775 which includes state and regional funding achievements. This equals nearly one million dollars a year throughout our 8-year partnership.
TPA’s efforts for these successful competitive grant applications includes serving as the application lead, attending relevant workshops hosted by the funding agency, providing technical support to City staff, drafting grant narrative, securing necessary signatures from City staff and elected officials, assembling and submitting hard copies of the application, direct interaction with the funding agency before and after submission, and then providing detailed political strategy to secure support from the elected leaders in the region and State to ensure success. TPA has also followed up with City staff to provide grant administration when necessary. The specific funding wins include:
• $3,200,000: State Budget Earmark: Linden Park Project
• $3,000,000: State Budget Earmark: Vehicle License Fee Adjustment
• $1,500,000: State Budget Earmark: County of San Mateo Union Community Alliance
• $1,000,000: Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), One Bay Area Grant Program (OBAG): Grand Boulevard Initiative
• $868,000: California Transportation Commission (CTC), Active Transportation Program Grant (ATP): Linden/Spruce Ave Traffic Calming Improvements
• $830,000: California Department of Parks and Recreation, Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): Linden Park Project
• $658,000: San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA), Measure A Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Grant: Sunshine Gardens Traffic Calming Improvement Project
• $350,000: San Mateo C/CAG, Transportation Development Act Grant: Regional Bike Network North.
• $266,185: CPUC Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) Grant: South San Francisco Broadband Master Plan and Fiber Design Project.
• $256,950: California Department of Housing and Community Development: Housing Related Parks Program Grant: Municipal Park Rehabilitation & Maintenance
• $249,800: California Transportation Commission (CTC), Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 10: Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project
• $206,000: SMCTA 2017 Measure A Grant Program: Railroad Avenue Extension Project
• $100,000: San Mateo C/CAG Transportation Development Act Grant: Bicycle Master Plan Project
• $80,000: City/County Association Governments of San Mateo County: C/CAG Lifeline Transportation Program Cycle 6: Free South City Shuttle Program Outreach
• $67,590: Major League Baseball (MLB), Baseball Tomorrow Fund: Brentwood Park Field Improvements
• $9,250: California Department of Parks and Recreation, Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF): San Bruno Mountain Wildlife Camp
Pending Grant Applications
• $138,011: Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW), Surrendered and Abandoned Vessels Exchange Program (SAVE): South San Francisco Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Project
2025 Legislative Advocacy
In addition to grant funding success, Townsend Public Affairs has successfully advocated on dozens of bills and legislative proposals in Sacramento and kept staff regularly updated of our efforts. For fiscal year 2024-25, our efforts have included the following:
State Legislative Efforts
• TPA worked closely with the Office of State Senator Josh Becker on Senate Bill 390, which will close an unintended loophole in the Mello-Roos Act that parcels with a conservation easement can avoid paying their fair share toward capital improvements paid for by a community facilities district. SB 390 is critical to the City being able to continue moving forward with its Eastern Neighborhoods CFD effort.
• In 2025, TPA worked closely with city staff and members of the City’s state legislative delegation on Property Tax in-lieu of Vehicle License Fees (VLF) reimbursement efforts to ensure the City is receiving its appropriate share of funding. They have also supported this effort in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
• Keeping City staff up to date on critical information coming from the state administration and Legislature, such as priority legislation and administrative actions.
• TPA continues to work closely with City staff and provide updates on priority bills, including detailed legislative analysis, proposed recommendations, draft support and/or opposition letters, providing testimony during bill hearings, and presenting to the City Council.
• Providing detailed, in-depth weekly summaries to ensure the City is aware of the most recent activities and focus coming from the Capitol.
• TPA will continue to advocate with the Legislature on behalf of the City until the end of Session on September 12th to ensure the measures we support are successful and we avoid to the extent possible any negative legislative outcomes.
FISCAL IMPACT
No additional budget appropriations are needed for the one-year renewal with TPA, as the cost of the agreement is included in the General Fund Non-Departmental operating budget for FY 2025-26.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Providing the City with professional grant writing and legislative services meet strategic plan goals of identifying and pursuing grant opportunities to ensure the financial stability and economic vitality of our city.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution renewing a Consulting Services Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for grant writing services on various capital improvements, development, and social service projects for a one-year term in an amount not to exceed $60,000.