AR 051507 State Legislative Advocacy Services

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CITY OF COLTON ITEM #14 Agenda Report For Council Meeting of May 15, 2007 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Daryl Parrish, City Manager SUBJECT: Approve a One Year Agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves & Son for State Legislative Advocacy Services on behalf of the City of Colton in an amount not- to- exceed $40,000.00. DATE: May 9, 2007 BACKGROUND Joe A. Gonsalves & Son (herein "Gonsalves") was incorporated in January 1977. Since that time, the firm has successfully represented clients before the California State Legislature and various state agencies in the areas of local government finance, utilities and commerce, public employee's retirement, worker's compensation, telecommunications, and conflict of interest issues. Colton would become the fiftieth city represented by Gonsalves. Local cities currently represented by Gonsalves include Moreno Valley, Palm Desert, Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, and Victorville. In addition to municipality representation, Gonsalves also represents various private business enterprises, including the Ports of Long Beach and Stockton, San Gabriel Valley Water Association and the Willdan Group of Companies, which provides professional services to over four hundred public sector clients throughout California, Arizona and Nevada. DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS Under the proposed Professional Services Agreement (Attachment A), Gonsalves would render the following services per the direction of and on behalf of the City of Colton: ■ Review all legislative bills introduced in the California State Legislature ■ Arrange meetings with legislative representatives for the City's elected officials and staff when necessary ■ Initiate legislative proposals on behalf of and as directed by the City ■ Attend and provide testimony on behalf of the City of Colton ■ Assist Colton in identifying and obtaining state funding available for City programs and proposed capital projects ■ Engage in weekly communication with the City regarding any state legislation that directly affects or has the potential to affect City interests ■ Provide a monthly written summary of significant activity conducted on behalf of Colton during the legislative session Given the current uncertainty of the administration and availability of state funding via recently