REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGEANNE A. WHITE, City Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
BY: JOHN ELLIS, Government Affairs Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT:
Title
Approve a Consultant Services Agreement with Covino Smith & Simon, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $210,600 for Professional Lobbying and Consulting Services in Washington DC. The term of this agreement is three years, with the option of a one-year extension.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a consultant services agreement with Covino Smith & Simon, Inc. (Covino Smith & Simon), for an amount not to exceed $210,600 (70,200 annually) for three years with the option of a one-year extension.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Office of the City Manager and Mayor seeks City Council approval for a professional consultant services agreement with Covino Smith & Simon to perform professional lobbying and legislative services regarding federal government activities in Washington DC for three years, with a single one-year extension on the agreement of both parties. The City of Fresno (City) and Covino Smith & Simon have an existing agreement, expiring in April 2025, with no further extensions. The proposed agreement includes a locked-in three-year rate that is unchanged from the current agreement. If approved, the proposed agreement would go into effective April 21, 2025.
BACKGROUND
Since beginning operations in 1987, Covino Smith & Simon has developed a successful track record helping local governments take advantage of opportunities and solve problems within the federal legislative and executive branches. The City’s relationship with Covino Smith & Simon dates to the 1990s and has proven beneficial, as the firm has grown to understand the many local needs and challenges - an understanding that only comes with a longstanding working relationship. This became especially clear when the world faced the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Covino Smith & Simon proved particularly adept at keeping City officials abreast of fast-moving federal government developments, as well as ensuring the City had a voice in DC as lawmakers approved two major funding programs to help deal with the pandemic. Fresno benefitted financially from both programs thanks in part to Covino Smith & Simon legwork. The firm will ensure the City is properly positioned for ongoing success, which is especially important at a time of great uncertainty in Washington DC, with rapid and far-reaching proposals and changes that require a steady hand in the nation’s capital that has a deep-knowledge base and bipartisan connections. Any misstep could cause the city grave economic harm, either by seeing critical funds disappear, by missing out because of last-minute rules changes or executive branch actions, or by having the city shut out of economic opportunities.
Covino Smith & Simon has represented the City at the national level in Washington DC for close to three decades, providing assistance in legislative affairs, intergovernmental relations, federal grants and program development, and special projects. During its time representing the City, Covino Smith & Simon has successfully assisted in securing more than $60 million in federal appropriations.
Having an effective and knowledgeable federal lobbyist has allowed the City to:
• Compete for scarce resources;
• Have access to the President and his Cabinet, as well as Congressional leaders and their staffs, federal agencies, and other important decision makers;
• Stay abreast of and influence federal agencies;
• Monitor important legislative initiatives, be they positive and negative;
• Receive important notices about grant opportunities, as well as assistance and advice on how best to present the grant applications; and
• Receive instruction about how to mobilize City resources.
In short, Covino Smith & Simon monitors all significant actions of the federal establishment that could make a difference to Fresno. Over the years, Covino Smith & Simon’s return on investment is proven. The firm is proactive, responsive and attuned to the City's needs. Covino Smith & Simon also sends a weekly update of relevant Washington DC news, including the Capitol, White House and federal agencies, sends out special reports as needed, and regularly provides notice of grant and funding opportunities to the City’s Government Affairs Manager. In addition, the firm provides logistical support when the Mayor, members of the Council, and Department Directors travel to Washington DC, and are able to open doors to critical federal and legislative offices for these visits. Right now, Covino Smith & Simon’s importance to the City cannot be overstated. It is, in a word, vital, and as an established and effective firm Covino Smith & Simon has proven to be what is essentially a City staffer on the ground in the nation’s political nerve center.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Approval of the consultant service agreement amendment is not a “project” within the meaning of Public Resources Code Section 21803 (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378) because the organizational and administrative activities as identified in the consultant agreement will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because Covino Smith & Simon is uniquely qualified.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total contract for a three-year period will not exceed $210,600. The FY 2025 Budget approved by Council includes sufficient appropriations in the General Fund for the remainder of this fiscal year. Appropriations for subsequent years will be submitted for Council approval through the annual budget process.
Attachments:
Consultant Services Agreement
Uniquely Qualified Memorandum