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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 16-242RESOLUTION NO. 16-242 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: THAT the City Manager be, and he is hereby, authorized to execute an annual agreement with Capital Edge Advocacy, Inc. to serve as the City of Beaumont's Washington Assistant in the amount of $68,400, with an additional maximum amount of $4,000 for reimbursable expenses. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the 22nd day of December, 2016. CapitalEdge November 14, 2016 Mr. Kyle Hayes City Manager P.O. Box 3827 Beaumont, TX 77704 Dear Kyle: Please consider this a formal request for a twelve month renewal of our contract with the City for federal lobbying and information services. Our current agreement expires on December 31 and we do not seek any changes. While Congress in recent years has not been particularly busy because of partisan differences, we would expect an increase in activity in the coming year. A new Administration in the White House, combined with both Congress led by the same party is likely to result in some loosening of the legislative gridlock. Two items of interest are likely to be comprehensive tax reform and infrastructure investment. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady is expected to begin a comprehensive rewrite of the tax code this year and we hope to continue to protect the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds. It appears that virtually every deduction will be examined as a potential way to raise revenues to pay for lowering individual and corporate tax rates, so it will be important for Beaumont to remain engaged in this debate. In addition, the President-elect has mentioned on several occasions that the nation's infrastructure needs significant repair. Given the City's needs in this area, we would propose keeping the White House and the congressional delegation updated with the City's ability to quickly invest in areas such as local roads, repairing sewer and drinking water lines, and the Sabine -Neches Ship Channel. Finally, tight budget caps established in a 2011 budget agreement continue to exist and so it is important to continue to educate Congress on the importance of the federal programs that have a particularly positive impact in Beaumont. As always, it has been a pleasure to serve the City of Beaumont in Washington, and we are grateful for your guidance and that of the Mayor and City Council. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about our services. Sincerely, Christopher F. Giglio AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS AND CAPITAL EDGE ADVOCACY, INC. 1212 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW - SUITE 250 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005-3953 Pursuant to this agreement, the City of Beaumont, Texas (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "City") and Capital Edge Advocacy, Inc. (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "Consultant") agree to assume the following obligations. L Obligations of Consultant A. Consultant will organize and operate a unit to act as a Washington office for the City and will be the assigned member of its staff. Consultant will be responsible for obtaining and furnishing requisite staff, office space, utilities, furnishings, and equipment, common -use office supplies and services, and general administrative support according to the level of service specified in Paragraph IV; B. Consultant will confer with the City Manager and such other City personnel as the City Manager may designate at the times and places mutually agreed to by the City Manager on all organizational planning and program activities which have a bearing on the ability of the City to make the best use of federal aid programs; and will act as Washington Assistant to the City of Beaumont, Texas; C. As Washington Assistant the Consultant will review federal executive proposals, legislation under consideration, proposed and adopted administrative rules and regulations and other Washington developments for the purpose of advising the City of those items which may have a bearing on City policy or programs; D. More specifically, as Washington Assistant the Consultant will advise and consult on behalf of the City with the White House and any other Federal agencies, departments and commissions as may be necessary to the performance of full Washington service to the City Manager and the City. Additionally, the Consultant will act as liaison with the U.S. Conference of City Managers and the National League of Cities, and will furnish legislative and administrative analyses of issues as requested; 1 E. As Washington Assistant the Consultant will secure and furnish such detailed information as may be available on federal programs in which the City indicates an interest; F. As Washington Assistant the Consultant will review and comment on proposals of the City which are being prepared for submission to federal agencies when requested to do so by the City Manager or his designees; G. As Washington Assistant the Consultant will maintain liaison with the City's Congressional delegation and will assist the delegation in any matter which the City determines to be in its best interest in the same manner as any other member of the City's administrative staff might render assistance; H. As Washington Assistant the Consultant will counsel with the City regarding appearances by City personnel before Congressional committees and administrative agencies and will arrange for appointments and accommodations for City personnel as necessary; I. As Washington Assistant the Consultant will contact federal agencies on the City's behalf when City applications are under consideration by such agencies and counsel the City to take whatever steps appear to be required to obtain the most favorable consideration of such applications; J. As Washington Assistant the Consultant will advise and consult with or otherwise make assistance available to such representatives of the private sector who are engaged in economic development activities as determined by the City Manager to be in the best interests of the City; K. In fulfilling her responsibilities under this Agreement, the Washington Assistant will act in the name of the City of Beaumont, Texas under the supervision of the City Manager. Any change in the person of the Washington Assistant from the person representing the City as of the effective date of this agreement must be approved by the City Manager. Il: Obligations of the City ofBeaumont, Texas A. To advise the Consultant of the name or names of persons other than the City Manager authorized to request service and the person or persons to be kept advised by the Washington Assistant; N B. To supply the Consultant with a summary of all federal programs in which the City is participating and advise the Consultant of any new applications filed, together with pertinent details as to the substance of such applications; C. To supply the Consultant with copies of budgets, planning documents, and regular reports of the City Manager and departments, Council agenda and proceedings, newspapers and other materials which will assist the Consultant in keeping current on City policies and programs; D. To reimburse the Consultant for expenses incurred on behalf of the City pursuant to the duties of Paragraph I as approved by the City Manager subject to the provisions of Paragraph IV; III. The City of Beaumont, Texas and the Consultant concur that the following exclusions shall apply to this Agreement: A. The Consultant. 1. Will not represent commercial or industrial establishments of the City in pursuit of federal business except in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph I, Subparagraph J, above; 2. Will not, by virtue of this Agreement, represent other local government agencies in Beaumont, Texas except those which are instrumentalities or agencies of the City of Beaumont, Texas; 3. Will not perform any legal, engineering, accounting or other similar professional service; 4. Will not directly or indirectly participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office in or representing the City. IV. Compensation The cost of service will be $68,400.00 for twelve months, payable in advance, in equal monthly installments of $5,700.00 commencing on the first day of January, 2017. In addition, a maximum of $4,000.00 for reimbursable expenses incurred pursuant to Paragraph II, Subparagraph D. 3 E Termination Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving the other at least sixty (60) days' notice in writing of such termination. IN WITNESS WHEREOF: ATTEST DATE -till i la, rhnistoph'e�'t F. Giglio, Capi Edge Advocacy, Inc. IN 3 - /t Kyle Hayes, City Manager