South Coast Air Quality Management District

Extend Current Contract with Copeland, Lowery and Jacquez for Legislative Representation in Washington, DC

SYNOPSIS: 

The current contract for Legislative Representation in Washington, D.C., expires December 31, 2002. The contract contains a renewal option. This action is to approve a contract extension, under the contract renewal option, with Copeland, Lowery and Jacquez for a period of one year, through December 31, 2003. Funding for the first six months of the contract is contained in the FY 2002-03 Budget. Funding for the remainder of the contract term will be contingent upon Governing Board approval of the FY 2003-04 Budget.

COMMITTEE: 

Legislative, October 11, 2002, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the extension of current contract for Legislative Representation in Washington, D.C., for a period of one year, at a cost not to exceed $122,520.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Presently, AQMD contracts with Copeland, Lowery and Jacquez for legislative representation in Washington, D.C. The contract expires December 31, 2002, and includes a renewal option. Since January, this firm has advocated the AQMD’s policy positions on environmental issues and the need to secure additional funding for the South Coast Air Basin. On behalf of the AQMD, funding proposals for projects in this basin have been submitted to Congress for consideration. To date, this firm has secured $1 million through the Department of Defense to enhance the AQMD’s Laboratory Mobile Emergency Response Unit. Three other proposals seeking $10.5 million total are still pending. At this time, it is imperative that the AQMD maintain a consistent presence in Washington to continue efforts to secure funding for these projects and actively participate in ongoing discussions on other federal issues.

At this time, staff believes it is in the best interest of the AQMD to continue legislative consulting services with Copeland, Lowery and Jacquez for a period of one year, through December 31, 2003, in an amount not to exceed $122,520, which includes a CPI increase of 2.1%. This effort is to ensure consistency in representation and increased probability of federal funding for projects in the basin through the FY 2002-03 Budget process.

Resource Impacts

Sufficient funds are available in the approved FY 2002-03 Budget and will be budgeted for FY 2003-04.

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