BOARD MEETING DATE: December 2, 2005
AGENDA NO. 4

Extend Contracts for Legislative Representation in Sacramento, California

SYNPOSIS:

The current contracts for Legislative Representation in Sacramento expire on December 31, 2005 for Allan Lind & Associates and California Strategies and Advocacy, LLC. Continued communication between AQMD and Sacramento-based legislative and administration decision-makers is necessary to further AQMD policy positions at the state level. The current contracts have an option to renew for one additional year. This action calls for the extension of the existing two contracts for legislative consulting services in Sacramento, California for Calendar Year 2006. Total expenditure for the recommended one-year contract extensions shall not exceed $186,480 for California Strategies and Advocacy, LLC, and $102,108 for Allan Lind & Associates, which represents the current two contract amounts plus CPI.

COMMITTEE:

Legislative, October, 14, and November 10, 2005, Recommended for Approval;
Administrative, October 14, 2005, Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; those Committee Members who were present communicated their concurrence.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Allan Lind & Associates and California Strategies and Advocacy, LLC, have worked closely with members of the state legislature and the Governor’s Office, and State commissions/boards, to address legislative and environmental issues. They have provided a base level of support necessary to appropriately move the Board’s legislative agenda in Sacramento. This year, Allan Lind & Associates and California Strategies and Advocacy, LLC, have both strategically advocated positions on three key legislative bills to mitigate or reduce railroad-related air pollution in Sacramento. Additionally, these firms have monitored an unprecedented number of air quality-related bills last year and have provided critical services in coordinating AQMD requests to authors and key administration offices necessary to protect and advance AQMD’s mission, authority, and funding. It is important that this momentum be maintained in the coming year, to increase the chances of successful AQMD-related legislation to clean up railroad emissions and other types of air pollution.

Role of Legislative Consultants in Sacramento

There are currently three legislative consultants employed in Sacramento. Each of the three Sacramento based consultants has a different area of expertise which, combined with staff resources, allows for a cohesive response to legislative issues. The contract for the third legislative consultant, Senator Richard Polanco of Tres Es, Inc. was approved by the Board in September 2005.

Alan Lind & Associates has an intimate knowledge of the fiscal and policy committees in the State legislature and has good bipartisan working relationships with legislators and staff. Alan Lind is a known policy expert, specializing in air pollution control, compliance with state laws and regulations, development of legislative programs and intergovernmental relations programs. Prior to consulting, Alan Lind spent 12 years as a principal consultant for environmental affairs for the California State Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

California Strategies has a close relationship with the Office of the Governor, as well as representatives on the Senate and Assembly, serving as the eyes and ears for the Governor’s administration. California Strategies is a consulting firm specializing in public policy and government decision making. Bob White, principal of the firm, has worked for over 30 years with former Governors Gray Davis and Pete Wilson and served as Chief of Staff during Governor Schwarzenegger’s election campaign. Their contacts in Sacramento and expertise in handling legislative issues, and familiarity with the Governor, have been particularly useful in the current administration.

The varying backgrounds of the principals of the Sacramento based consulting firms ensures a wide ranging response to AQMD concerns in the legislative agenda. Alan Lind’s experience as a consultant for the California State Assembly combines policy expertise with an insider’s knowledge of the State Assembly. Bob White’s intimacy with Governor Schwarzenegger and long-time work with former California Governors gives him unique opportunities to forward AQMD agenda items to the Governor’s attention. These skill sets are complementary and while overlapping to a certain extent, each consulting firm provides unique skill sets that are necessary to continue progress on AQMD’s legislative agenda.

In addition, the third Sacramento consultant, Senator Richard Polanco, whose contract was approved by the Board last month, brings an unique and uncommon expertise to the team. As a former Senator Majority Leader, he has established relationship, credentials, and know-how regarding state legislature matters. Staff has also played a key, pivotal role, in coordinating and managing the available resources, and blending them with staff’s own technical expertise and policy background. The four pillars of this structure, i.e., staff and the three consulting firms, have worked in unison this past year to advance AQMD’s environmental agenda and oppose efforts to undermine the agency’s mission, and goals and objectives. Therefore, staff recommends that the Board allow for a continuation of this team effort for an additional year, in view of the legislative priorities being set for 2006 and the Chairman’s Clean Port Initiative.

Proposal

The contracts with Allan Lind & Associates and California Strategies and Advocacy, LLC, for legislative representation in Sacramento, California are due to expire in December 2005. Both principals of the contracts have facilitated and improved communication with key State Capitol decision-makers at all levels of government to obtain bi-partisan support on AQMD legislative proposals. AQMD staff is satisfied with the performance of Allan Lind & Associates and California Strategies and Advocacy, LLC; and wishes to retain them. Their present contracts have an option for a one-year extension that may be exercised at the Board’s discretion. Therefore, this proposal is to approve a one-year extension of Contract #4057 with Allan Lind and Associates for the amount of $102,108 and a one-year extension of Contract #05068 with California Strategies and Advocacy, LLC for the amount of $186,480, both of which include CPI adjustment. The total amount for the proposed extension is $288,588.

Resource Impacts

Sufficient funds are available in the Public Affairs FY 2005-2006 Budget for services through June 30, 2006. Funding for the period of July 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 is contingent upon Board approval of the Budget for the respective fiscal year.

Attachment(s) (EXE 71kb)

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