Agenda Item Wording:
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Receive presentation from Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross & Leoni (NMPGL) on 2024 state legislative activity and a forecast of state legislative activity for 2025.
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Deadline for Action: 1/21/2025
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number: Devon Jones, 713-4190
Department Recommendation:
Receive presentation from Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross & Leoni (NMPGL) and provide NMPGL and city staff any input on state legislative priorities or concerns to be mindful of for 2025.
Background Discussion:
Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross & Leoni LLP (NMPGL) is the current service provider for state lobbying services. NMPGL has represented the City of Visalia for state lobbying services since July of 2011. John Moffatt has been the City’s lead lobbyist since that time and along with Michelle Rubalcava, Senior Counsel at NMPGL, will provide an overview of state legislative activity for the 2024 session, expectations for the 2025 session, and some of the strategies their firm employs as state legislative advocate for the City. Not presenting, but also active members of the City’s lobbyist team at NMPGL are Andrew Langley, Manager of Research for Legislation and Public Policy and Geoff Neill, Senior Legislative Advocate. The team at NMPGL are consistently responsive to City issues, up to date on legislation as it moves through various committees to the Assembly and Senate and are well informed of state legislative matters that may be of interest to the City.
Mr. Moffatt and Ms. Rubalcava come annually to present to Council. At this time, we are seeking any input the Council may have on state legislative matters to be mindful of for the coming year. Along those lines, attached is the current State Legislative Platform that was approved by Council on January 18, 2022. This state platform is a guiding document that outlines proposed positions the City may take on a broad array of state legislative items that has been crafted based on previous stances on legislation and direction from City Council and city staff. The platform identifies positions of support, opposition, and continued monitoring on a variety of issues of importance to city leaders and staff. Upon approval of the platform, the mayor may sign letters to legislators or appropriate agencies advocating the city’s position as stated in the platform, and Council Members and/or staff may use the platform to discuss the city’s position with interested parties. Staff is planning to present an updated Platform for approval by Council at a future Council meeting. If Council has any edit or addition recommendations, discussing those interests during the work session would be appropriate.
The current contract with NMPGL was approved by Council on November 15, 2021 and it is an annual service contract with up to four additional one-year extension options. The service cost represents a status quo extension of the prior contract amount ($7,000 monthly plus an estimated monthly hourly expense of $200 for separate lobbying activity reporting required by the state). NMPGL is currently in their third annual extension option term.
Fiscal Impact:
This is an existing, budgeted contract with twelve months of service at a monthly fee of $7,000 plus an estimated hourly expense of $200 each month (for separate lobbying activity reporting service) along with any travel related expenses for pre-approved trips to the City of Visalia.
Prior Council Action: 11.15.21 - authorized new service contract with NMPGL for state legislative advocacy services and included up to four additional one-year extension options.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Per Council direction
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
No formal action required.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: NMPGL City of Visalia - 2024 session review ppt, current State Legislative Platform, NMPGL extension letter