TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a contract and all necessary amendments for state legislative representation services provided by Michael J. Arnold and Associates, Inc., for an amount not to exceed $105,432 for a period of one year; and authorize City Manager to grant two, one-year extensions, including an adjustment to the total contract amount not to exceed the Consumer Price Index, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The firm of Michael J. Arnold and Associates (Arnold and Associates) has successfully represented the City of Long Beach in State legislative affairs since 1983. Michael J. Arnold and Associates provides advice, technical legislative assistance, historical perspective and strong advocacy on City issues while maintaining excellent relationships with Legislators and staff in Sacramento.
The contract between the City and Michael J. Arnold and Associates for Fiscal Year 2013 (FY 13) expired on September 30, 2013. Based on the firm’s unique knowledge and extensive understanding of the City of Long Beach and local government issues, as well as the reputation of the firm’s partners in Sacramento, the approval of this contract is recommended.
During the past three years, the State legislature put forth numerous proposals to increase State revenues, many of which had the potential to harm local governments. Examples include: the Gas Tax Triple Flip of 2010, Redevelopment Agency dissolution in 2011, Redevelopment Agency dissolution clean-up legislation in 2012, and elimination of the Enterprise Zone Program in 2013. In each case, Long Beach was able to negotiate a more favorable outcome for the City, as compared to the State’s original proposal. Arnold and Associates was intricately involved with each matter, providing advice and facilitating important communications between the City and the other parties.
Attachment A includes specific recent examples of high-priority issues Long Beach advocat...
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