HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11042003 - C72 To: BOARD F SUPERVISORS *��- `�• CONTRA
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FROM: Jahn Sweeten,County Administrator �' �+ �' COUNTY
DATE: November 4,2003 � r
SUBJECT: Federal Legislative Representative
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
R.ECOMMENDATION(S):
AUTHORIZE the County Administrator, or designee, to execute a contract renewal with Alcalde & Fay in the
annual amount of $100,000 plus allowable expenses not to exceed $3,000 per year for federal representation
services for the period of November 30,2003 to December 1,2006.
IiACKGROUNDIREASON(S)FOR RECOMMENDATION(S,
Alcalde & Fay has represented Contra Costa County in 'Washington, D. C. for two years. The contract was a
result of an extensive outreach and review process, which was highly competitive. Alcalde & Fay is a minority
controlled/employee-owned firm. This contract renewal would continue the annual retainer and expense
reimbursement provisions of the existing contract, leveraging Alcalde & Fay's representation of other Bay Area
public agencies to the County's financial advantage
The County Administrator is pleased to report that we have been very impressed with the level of service and
responsiveness of Paul Schlesinger and his associates at Alcalde & Fay. Paul has given high priority to our
requests for information and assistance, providing well-reasoned, strategic advice on how to approach an issue.
Paul's many years of experience in 'Washington, D. C. and his good working relationship with our congressional
delegation are very evident.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ?0 YES SIGNATURE: r
° RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR „RECOMMENDATION dF COMMITTEE
APPROVE o OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOA" '' 4 '" ,Z �f�.' APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED -OTHEW
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VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
#HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT # TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN
AYES. _. -NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED
ABSENT: ABSTAIN. ON MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
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ATTESTED. � �y; �,• -�
cc: CAO SWEETEN,CLERK OF
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AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
BACKGROUND/REASON(S)FCIB RECOMMENDATION(cont'd)
Through its contract with Alcalde & Fay, Contra Costa County has increased its federal presence, better
communicated its priorities to its legislative delegation and advanced the Board's legislative priorities. Two
very important results from the County's 2002 legislative program(FFY 2003)included:
➢ Dredging Projects- The County did very well with$7.115 million in earmarks for Army Corps of
Engineers dredging.projects(San Francisco/Stockton, Suisan Bay and Pinole Shoal). The President's
Budget had provided for only$2.815 million.
)0- Flood Control Projects--secured language in the Water Resources Development Act to 1)allow the
County to receive local match credit for expenditures on flood control projects prior the execution of the
project's cooperative agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers and 2)authorize an Army Corps of
Engineers study on the reuse of dredging material. The Senate did not act on the bill so it was carried
forward to this year.
We are currently in the midst of advancing the County's 2003 Federal Legislative Program. Congress has
finalized very little for FFY 2004 as of yet. As of this writing, some of the more significant activities include:
A TEA-21 Reauthorization-monitoring developments of highway/transit reauthorization bill and working
toward funding of County transportation priorities(North Richmond Circulation Project,Carquinez
Straits Bicycle Path, Brentwood-Tracy Expressway,and Mococo Line).
➢ Fater Resources Development Act (WRDA)—monitoring development and working toward inclusion
of County priorities. The House committee carried forward the language on flood control local match
credits and dredging reuse study from last year's draft bill.
➢ Energy and Water Appropriations—Both the House and Senate have acted and will be going to
conference fairly soon to resolve differences. The President's Budget included$5.172 million for the
Suisun Bay project only,which was included in both the House and Senate versions and coincided with
the County's request. The House included.$750,000 for San Francisco/Stockton compared to no finding
from the Senate or the President's Budget and a request of$1.1 million from Contra Costa County. For
Pinole Shoal,the Army Corps of Engineers had shown a zero dollar capability compared to Contra
Costa's request of$4.62 million. Our federal representative worked with the local Corps office to show
capacity and they revised their estimate to$2.5 million. It will an uphill battle to restore that
appropriation in conference.
➢ Commerce/Justice/State Appropriations—The House included a soft earmark which could provide
funding for either the Countywide Microwave System Improvement($2.7 million appropriation request)
or the Countywide Integrated Justice Information System($4 million appropriation request). Neither
project was included in the bill as reported from the Senate committee. After action by the full Senate,it
will go to conference,most likely by Thanksgiving.
➢ Head Start Extension—Alcalde and Fay has been working with Congressman George Miller's and
Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher's offices to intercede with Health&Human Services Agency(HHS)on
extensions for Head Start projects. They have facilitated meetings, conference calls,helped develop
strategic responses and coordinated the development of a joint letter from our delegation to HHS..
➢ Other Policy Issues—Alcalde&Fay is working to facilitate positive outcomes on other County
priorities, including the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative, FCC licensing regulations and
the East County Habitat Conservation Plan. They are also monitoring developments related to the
Workforce Development Act, .Medicaid, TANF and library funding issues.
Renewal of the contract with Alcalde&Fay will allow them to continue their representation of Contra Costa
County in support of our federal priorities.