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Report regarding a resolution approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Letter of Engagement with Squire Patton Boggs to extend an existing contract for national advocacy and policy services, for a term through June 2021 and for an amount not to exceed $90,000. (Christina Fernandez, Assistant to the City Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Letter of Engagement with Squire Patton Boggs to extend the existing contractual agreement to provide national advocacy and policy services through June 2021 for an amount not to exceed $90,000.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Square Patton Boggs has provided the City of South San Francisco with national advocacy and policy services since 2017. The City entered into agreements with the Washington, D.C. firm with the purpose of engaging a federal government relations advocate to assist the City on pending and future federal issues. The initial engagement letter in 2017 is included as Attachment 1 to this report.
Since engagement, Squire Patton Boggs has regularly interacted with staff, summarized as follows:
• Provided technical assistance and advocacy as the City developed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) relative to sea level rise; the City’s sea level rise project is approved by USACE and included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA); and any accompanying funding requests are proactively pursued by Squire Patton Boggs for submission.
• Regularly provided staff with notice of federal grant funding opportunities with key deadlines and summaries.
• Provided summaries of new federal bills and important federal policy positions, including analyses of the President Trump’s Infrastructure Plan, Congressional budgets, and the State of the Union address.
• Provided advice and research as necessary on federal issues.
Ongoing and Future Goals
Squire Patton Boggs continues to identify and pursue funding opportunities on behalf of the City. Current and future efforts include:
• Federal advocacy for local government financial assistance related to COVID-19.
o Squire Patton Boggs provides real time information relating to all federal stimulus packages as it relates to COVID-19 and potential opportunities for financial assistance (e.g. CDBG funding).
o Briefs targeted at economic development and financial assistance for small and medium sized businesses impacted by COVID-19.
o CARES Act information as it relates to potential training/retraining for the unemployed.
• Continued advocacy on Sea Level Rise work including:
o U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) provides the City a grant of $50,000 in order to assist in a Feasibility Study to plan and potentially construct small coastal storm damage reduction projects.
o U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Memorandum of Agreement provides the City with technical assistance in improving flood risk management at Colma and San Bruno Creeks.
• Shaping a potential Infrastructure Bill to include assistance to the City in identifying and pursuing funding for capital improvements as it relates to roadways, highways, transit, and wastewater treatment facilities.
• Potential designation as an Opportunity Zone, an economic development tool used to spur economic development and job creation through preferential tax treatment.
Squire Patton Boggs provides the national advocacy and policy advisory services needed in order to aggressively compete for federal funds. COVID-19 provided four stimulus packages totaling over $4 trillion. While local governments have received minimal relief in the form of CDBG, local government organizations such as the National League of Cities are hopeful that subsequent packages may include some relief for local governments. Squire Patton Boggs continues to keep the City apprised of any opportunities for relief and provides the City with guidance in its pursuit of COVID-19 funding.
A draft engagement letter for 2020-2021 is attached as Exhibit A to the accompanying resolution.
FISCAL IMPACT
Squire Patton Boggs charges a flat rate of $7,500 per month, requiring a total not to exceed the amount of $90,000 including expenses through June 30, 2021. As described in the draft engagement letter, the total contract amount from 2017 to present would amount to $350,000; however, the additional contract amount that the City would incur for this 2020-2021 extension is only $90,000. Funding for this agreement is subject to the City’s Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget process.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Approval of this resolution meets the City’s strategic goals of economic vitality and financial stability.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Letter of Engagement with Squire Patton Boggs to extend the existing contractual agreement through June 2021 for an amount not to exceed $90,000.
Attachment:
1. Letter of Engagement - 2017
2. Letter of Engagement 2020-21