TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and possibly take action on a request to approve a contract with Nexxus Consulting L.L.C. for lobbying services in an amount not to exceed $96,000 to be paid from budget line item General Fund, General Government, Professional and Occupational (10010000-53320). Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
On March 3, 2009, the City of Maricopa (City) approved our initial contract with Bob Holmes of Nexxus Consulting L.L.C. Council's primary goal in retaining a federal lobbyist firm was, and still is, to pursue federal funding for the State Route 347 Grade Separation Project and a flood control solution for the Lower Santa Cruz River. Since that time, Bob Holmes has made measurable progress in advancing Council's strategic priorities by positioning the State Route 347 Grade Separation Project to receive funding. This June the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) placed the SR 347 Project in the ADOT Five Year Plan, dedicating $18.8 million for design and right-of-way acquisition. This was only possible because of the progress made by Nexxus Consulting in overcoming the administrative barriers allowing us to move forward with our environmental assessment, which is a requirement for inclusion in the ADOT 5 Year Plan. Nexxus Consulting is also responsible for the granting of a Reconnaissance Study, in March of this year, of the Lower Santa Cruz River by the US Army Corp of Engineers along with the inclusion of the project in the Presidents FY2014 budget with the designation as a New Start (1 of only 9 granted since 2010). With the assistance of Nexxus Consulting, we have had our most successful year yet in advance these two projects which are crucial to the future of the City. Staff looks forward this year to continuing our partnership with Nexxus Consulting and building on the successes we have achieved this past year.
Contract Summary: Our contract with Nexxus Consulting L.L.C. is structurally unchanged from the previous contract and the contract amount has never increased since 2009. The City agrees to a 12 month contract at $7,500 a month, ending on June 30, 2015. We include an additional $500 a month capacity for direct expenses not to exceed $6,000 total. Nexxus provides the City with written quarterly reports and a yearly presentation to Council. Either side may terminate with a 30 day notice.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council approve a contract with Nexxus Consulting L.L.C. for lobbying services in an amount not to exceed $96,000 to be paid from budget line item General Fund, General Government, Professional and Occupational (10010000-53320).