REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGEANNE A. WHITE, City Manager
Office of Mayor & City Manager
BY: JOHN ELLIS, Government Affairs Manager
Office of Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a Consultant Services Agreement with Simon and Company, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $129,999.92 for Professional Lobbying and Consulting Services in Washington DC.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a consultant services agreement with Simon and Company, Inc., for an amount not to exceed $129,999.92. That covers a monthly $5083.33 base amount plus $4,000 annually for reimbursable expenses. That rate that is unchanged from what the firm currently charges the City. The term of the agreement is two years, with the option of two one-year extensions.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Office of the City Manager and Mayor seeks City Council approval for a professional consultant services agreement with Simon and Company, Inc. to continue performing professional lobbying and legislative services regarding federal government activities in Washington DC for two years, with two additional one-year extensions on the agreement of both parties.
BACKGROUND
Since beginning operations in 1987, Simon and Company 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 Simon and Company 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 the past two years, as the world has faced the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Simon and Company 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 program...
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