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 $96,000.00 to be paid from General Fund, Non-Departmental, Professional and Occupational (10010000-53320). Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
On March 3, 2009, the City of Maricopa approved our initial contract with Bob Holmes of Nexxus Consulting L.L.C. (Formerly Landry Creedon & Associates Inc). 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 at the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) rail line. Since that time, Bob Holmes and Richard Travis have made significant progress in advancing Council's strategic priority by positioning the State Route 347 Grade Separation Project to receive possible funding through a variety of avenues and to resolve administrative hurdles with Federal Highway Administration and Arizona Department of Transportation. Nexxus Consulting also supports our efforts to gain federal funding from the US Corp of Engineers for a flood control solution along the Lower Santa Cruz River.
Contract Summary: Our contract with Nexxus Consulting L.L.C. is structurally unchanged from the previous contract and the contract amount has never increased. The City agrees to a 12 month contract at $7,500 a month, ending on June 30, 2013. 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.
This item will be presented by Intergovernmental Affairs Director Paul Jepson.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of a contract with Nexxus Consulting L.L.C. for lobbying services in an amount not to exceed $96,000.00