title
ADOPT THE 2022 STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMS
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt by motion the 2022 State and Federal Legislative Programs and authorize the City Manager to pursue the objectives outlined in these Programs through advocacy efforts in Sacramento and Washington D.C.
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Summary
Maintaining a strong presence in both Sacramento and Washington D.C. is essential to the City of Stockton to ensure funding, advance beneficial legislation, and prevent harmful legislation or rulemaking. This is most effectively done using consulting services to represent the City of Stockton (City) in carrying out its legislative programs and advocating its public policy, positions, concerns, needs, and recommendations at the state and federal levels.
In recent years the City has developed, and Council has adopted, legislative programs that outline the City’s advocacy priorities and positions. This allows the City to be responsive to developments in state and federal issues and pursue funding and legislation that benefits our community. The State and Federal Legislative Programs have proven to be valuable tools to direct the City’s legislative advocacy efforts.
The legislative programs presented for Council consideration and adoption have been updated for the 2022 legislative sessions to adjust for the City’s priorities, leverage advocacy efforts, and address emerging issues.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City of Stockton (City) adopted its first formal State and Federal Legislative Programs for the calendar year 2012. Prior to 2012, the City of Stockton had not adopted formal legislative programs and, as a result, the City’s legislative priorities and the impacts of legislation on the City were not entirely clear to our legislative delegations. Since then, the City has been diligent in developing and adopting State and Federal Legislative Programs to provide a unified focus and establish principles, priorities, and City positions related to state and federal legislative matters.
Throughout each year, the State Legislature and the United States Congress initiate legislation, some of which affects local government. The League of California Cities and contracted legislative advocacy firms keep the City of Stockton informed on proposed legislation from these bodies. The National League of Cities (NLC) also provides information and advocacy for municipalities at the federal level. At times, it is in the City’s best interest to take a position on proposed legislation or funding opportunities. The Council adopts the annual legislative programs to provide the parameters and authority for staff and designated City advocates to pursue the City’s interests in a timely manner within a rapidly changing environment.
Since 2012, legislative programs have been developed by staff in the City Manager’s Office based on previous legislative positions taken by the City, the adopted Council goals, benchmarking of other comparable municipalities, and in anticipation of key issues coming forward in each respective year. The legislative programs are also revised in consultation with City departments, state and federal legislative advocates, and then presented to the City Council for consideration and adoption.
On February 28, 2022, the City coordinated the annual Strategic Planning workshop with Mayor and Council members to provide an overview of past accomplishments and update the current federal and state administration priorities. During the workshop, the Mayor and Council provided input into the City’s state and federal priorities to refine the most significant issues. The result is the combined efforts of staff and our legislative advocates, which will continue to inform legislative advocacy efforts in Sacramento and Washington D.C.
Some examples of priorities pursued throughout State Legislative Programs include advocating for Stockton’s fair share of CARES Act relief funds and working with the Department of Finance to ensure maximum flexibility in spending CARES funds; working with Senator Eggman to secure $5.4 million to repair municipal pools in Stockton; working with the State Water Board to move along a $47.5 million Statewide Revolving Fund (SRF) loan application for upgrades to the sewage treatment plant; pursuing opportunities on multiple fronts with Senate and Assembly representatives and State Water Board staff to fund the rehabilitation of two groundwater wells in South Stockton; securing funding of $27 million in Cap-and-Trade Sustaining Community Funds for Hunter House; continuing to advocate for active transportation, infrastructure and affordable housing resources, as well as reasonable and measured relief from state-regulated flood requirements.
Examples of priorities pursued through our Federal Legislative Program in recent years include assistance in securing a $108 million loan through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA); working with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to secure appropriate permitting for the Holman Bridge project; ongoing work to support public safety grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance; providing status updates and informational documentation on federal legislation such as American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA); monitoring and advising City staff of federal grant funding opportunities; and providing guidance on submitting applications for Community Project Funding House appropriations for the 2022 year.
In recent years, the legislative programs were shared by our legislative advocates with all members of our respective legislative delegations as well as with key staffers in both state and federal executive departments. This made our positions and priorities clear and public before legislation began to be drafted and project lists established.
Present Situation
On December 13, 2016, the City Council approved Motion 2016-12-13-1501 authorizing the City Manager to enter into legislative advocacy contracts with a state and a federal legislative advocacy firm. Each three-year contract had a maximum term of five calendar years - in place from 2017-2021 - which included two (2) one-year extensions. In 2021, the City exercised the final extensions of the state and federal legislative advocacy contracts with the two consulting firms, which would expire on December 31, 2021.
In mid-2021, the City issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to secure new agreements for the 2022 session. On August 19, 2021, two separate RFPs were advertised in Bid Flash inviting proponents to provide 1) Federal Legislative Consulting and Advocacy Services (PUR 21-017) and 2) State Legislative Consulting and Advocacy Services (PUR 21-018). The RFPs were also publicized in the Stockton Record on August 19. Additionally, City staff had identified a list of 35 other potentially qualified firms, who, along with the incumbent firms, were electronically notified of the solicitations by Procurement staff.
Bids were opened on September 16, 2021. Of the 27 federal firms and 9 state firms that had been notified of the solicitations, three federal firms and one state firm responded. A selection panel composed of City staff reviewed and ranked the proposals based on these criteria:
• Qualifications of the organization, Overall experience, and Recent public sector experience conducting similar lobbying and/or funding efforts
• Approach and strategic fit consistent with the objectives of the City
• Cost associated with proposed plan
• Quality and clarity of proposal
• Professional references
Among the three federal proponents, the selection panel ranked Summit Strategies Government Affairs LLC (Summit) with the highest score. Summit was founded by five partners with a history of advocacy on behalf of public governments, who offer expertise in the areas of transportation, economic development, livability and sustainability programs, and environmental policy. Together the Summit partners have worked on congressional funding projects to secure successful earmarks for Community-Oriented Policing Services funding, violence prevention and youth outreach initiatives, and broadband technology to deploy fiber and expand access to low-cost internet service.
At the state level, the sole proponent and incumbent Emanuels Jones & Associates provided a professional and thorough response, and City staff are confident that the firm will continue to bring the same level of tailored, knowledgeable, and exemplary service as has been proven throughout their prior contractual terms.
On December 7, 2021, Council approved Motion 2021-12-07-1201 authorizing the City Manager to enter into a three-year contract with Summit Strategies Government Affairs LLC and a three-year contract with Emanuels Jones & Associates to provide legislative advocacy services and represent the City before the United States Government and the State of California respectively.
Over the past year, City staff has engaged with our advocates to assess the needs and opportunities of the City, determine areas of improvement, and prepare legislative priorities for the coming year. The proposed 2022 State and Federal Legislative Program (Attachment A) was developed by staff in the City Manager’s Office in consultation with City Council, City staff, and with feedback from our legislative advocates. Input from the February Strategic Planning workshop has also been incorporated into the State and Federal Legislative Program.
The Legislative Programs continue to follow the outline established in previous years, including Legislative Principles, Priorities, and Positions.
• Legislative Principles are foundational statements of broad legislative objectives or philosophies that form the basis for establishing legislative priorities and positions.
• Legislative Priorities are the key issues that the City and contracted advocates will be pursuing; it is the task list or scope of work for advocacy in a given year.
• Legislative Positions are statements related to other legislative themes or issues that have come up in the past or that the City anticipates may come up in the future. They are not priority issues, but if legislation arises, and the City needs to issue a letter of support or opposition, the position of the City has already been established.
The intent is to annually update the Legislative Programs at the beginning of each legislative session. Legislative Priorities may vary significantly from year to year while Legislative Positions may somewhat change, and Legislative Principles should remain fairly consistent.
Priorities for the City of Stockton established in the State and Federal Legislative Program not only represent the City’s key interests, but they align with present and emerging state and federal administration priorities. The 2022 State Priorities seek funding to close the City’s fiber gap and prioritize digital equity, and funding to address management of homelessness environmental impacts through waterway cleanup and water quality improvement. As a new program innovation for this year, the City will target youth development by providing opportunities for youth to work and learn in emerging industries, with a focus on connecting youth with relevant skills and experience needed for the future workforce landscape. State advocacy efforts will include incentivizing missing middle housing stock and pursuing funding for workforce housing, as well as securing additional funding for aquatics infrastructure repairs and added amenities to City aquatic facilities.
The proposed 2022 Federal Legislative Priorities include the same emphasis on youth development through training and workforce skilling, and funding to close the City’s fiber gap and prioritize digital equity. The City will actively seek budget allocations for major transportation infrastructure projects to improve roadway efficiency and safety at the important regional arterials of Arch-Airport Road and the Lower Sacramento Road Corridor. Federal priorities also include funding to develop staff, improve security protocols and upgrade technology to build out the City’s cybersecurity program. Additionally, the City aims to secure funding for a new ladder truck and personnel to restore Fire emergency services that were suspended during bankruptcy.
Revisions to the 2022 State Legislative Priorities represent refinement in our action plans to best position the City to take advantage of new State funding. With increased presence in Sacramento in recent years, the City has had better understanding of opportunities and risks related to our state advocacy. Recent State Legislative Programs have recognized that critical new funding packages were anticipated for transportation infrastructure and housing. Our state legislative advocates have been very active in developing language for these packages, as well as understanding the regulations related to the funding as packages have materialized.
With the new administration, priorities have transitioned at the Federal level. The proposed 2022 Federal Legislative Program maintains the City’s position on key issues and establishes assertive action plans for new opportunities based on themes that have emerged as priorities for the new administration. Current priorities are centered upon economic stability for businesses, climate action, environmental equity, and infrastructure. Infrastructure funding interests include repairs to the Charter Way Bridge/Underpass and joint partnership with the San Joaquin Rail Commission to address issues/impacts related to the Diamond Grade Separation Project.
For proposed legislation either consistent with the City’s legislative programs or consistent with legislative positions the City has taken in the past, adoption of the 2022 Legislative Programs will provide the necessary authorization that will allow City staff, under the direction of the City Manager, to prepare position letters for signature. All members of City Council will receive copies of position letters that are sent. The City’s advocacy firms may also be authorized to express the City’s position in person to legislative representatives.
Once adopted, the 2022 State and Federal Legislative Programs will provide the parameters and authority for staff and advocates to pursue City of Stockton interests with the state and federal governments. This will allow the City to act quickly and efficiently in cases where we have simply been unable to represent our interests in the past. As stated before, it will also notify our delegations in advance of our positions and priorities on key issues. Overall, adoption of the 2022 State and Federal Legislative Programs will allow the City to be more organized, transparent, and efficient in our advocacy efforts at both levels of government.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is no financial impact to the City of Stockton related to this agenda item.
Attachment A - State and Federal Legislative Program