Agenda Item Wording:
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Federal Lobbyist Presentation - Receive presentation from Thorn Run Partners on 2025 national legislative activity and authorize option to extend annual contract with this firm for the one remaining year.
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Prepared by: Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager, devon.jones@visalia.gov, (559) 713- 4190.
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends the City Council receive the report from Greg Burns of Thorn Run Partners, provide any feedback for 2026 federal legislative activity or the City’s Federal Agenda, and authorize the option to extend the existing annual contract for the one remaining last year.
Summary:
The current contract was approved on December 6, 2021, beginning on January 1, 2022, with the option of up to four (4) additional 1-year options. This will be the fourth and final option of this contract. The City has used the same lead lobbyist since 2010.
Background Discussion:
Greg Burns will provide an overview of federal legislative activity for the 2025 session and some of the strategies his firm employs as a legislative advocate for the City. Mr. Burns has come each year to Council to present an overview of the previous legislative session, to discuss the activity of interest to the City, and to give an overview of the legislative and regulatory environment at the Federal level. Mr. Burns has been a very responsive representative for the City and has helped to establish contacts and gain insights from various federal agencies and officials on matters affecting the City. The City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Economic Development Manager work directly with Mr. Burns and, when necessary, Mr. Burns meets with and provides insights to other city staff. Some of the items Mr. Burns and Thorn Run Partners have assisted the City with this year include:
- $2 million request for the Groundwater Recharge Basin project in the House version of the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill through the Environmental Protection Agency at the request of Representative Fong.
- $250,000 request for the Riggin Ave. project in the House version of the Transportation Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill at the request of Representative Costa.
- Advocated to preserve Tax-Exempt Municipal Bond authority for local governments.
- Advocated for a permanent expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is critical for the development of nearly all affordable housing across the country.
Over the next year, Mr. Burns and Thorn Run Partners will assist the City of Visalia to continue seeking federal funding, track Federal Housing Legislation such as the ROAD to Housing Act and impacts to permanent supportive housing funding as a result of recent changes to the Continuum of Care program, and track potential changes to transit funding as a result of proposed changes to surface transportation funding. Additionally, they will continue to represent the City’s interests in Washington D.C. and help Staff track matters of potential impact to the City. Along those lines, attached is the Federal Agenda for Council’s review. Should Council have any specific recommendations to consider, please provide any appropriate feedback at this time.
Fiscal Impact: The contract amount is status quo from last year and is in the current budget.
Prior Council Action:
December 16, 2024 - Received a presentation and authorized additional one year extension of contract.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Per Council direction.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
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I move to receive the federal lobbyist report and authorize the extension of the existing Thorn Run contract for the fourth and final year.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 12/15/2025
Attachments:
1. Visalia 2025 Review PowerPoint Presentation
2. Thorn Run contract extension request letter
3. Federal Agenda