Subject: FY 2001-2002 AGREEMENT WITH JOHN MONTGOMERY
Approval of an agreement with John Montgomery, Consultant for the provision of services as the City’s legislative representative in Washington, D.C. for the period of July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002 in an amount not to exceed $117,267.
Since 1983, John Montgomery has provided the City of San Jose with the lobbying services and legislative and grant information on a regular basis. John Montgomery is the City’s representative with congressional offices and federal agencies through which the City pursues federal funding and legislative outcomes that are consistent with the City’s legislative priorities.
In addition to providing monthly reports, he visits San Jose frequently to meet with the Mayor, Council Members and City staff to report on Washington activities and to identify areas of federal legislative priority. At any time, Mr. Montgomery is available to assist Council Members and their staff by providing information and/or resolving specific federal legislative issues.
In addition to his year-end personal reports to Council (Attachment A), and in response to Council Referral (8-22-00-7c(7) that the Office of Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) provide more frequent and timely information on the status of legislation of interest to the City, Mr. Montgomery will now also provide a mid-year report to Council at Rules. This newly initiated mid-year report will be issued annually to serve as a guide to City legislative priorities and appropriation requests. This activity will support the City’s advocacy and education in promoting the City’s federal legislative priorities.
During the past year, highlights of what Mr. Montgomery assisted in obtaining includes:
· $3.5 million for the South Bay Water Recycling project in a Congressional line item. Through Mr. Montgomery’s efforts, San Jose was one of four cities authorized for the special funding and has received over $19.0 million in line item funding to date.
·
$3.5 million for the
Guadalupe River Flood Control, $1.0 million for Coyote and Berryessa Creeks,
$500,000 for Upper Guadalupe Flood Control and $240,000 for Llagas Creek. Over $74 million has been obtained for the
Guadalupe project to date.
·
$12.2 million for the
Tasman Light Rail and $1.0 million for the Line 22 bus purchase. In addition, he has assisted VTA in
discussions with Congress and the Administration on future federal funding for
both light rail and the Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Corridor program.
·
Support in Congress for
no inclusion of Mandatory Social Security in any Social Security reform
proposal as well as for developing a viable alternative to the Internet
Taxation Moratorium proposal that would accommodate a provision for the
collection of sales tax revenue for states and cities.
·
The draft of an
amendment to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Stafford
Act Reauthorization (S.1691) to prevent the inclusion of an unaffordable local
government insurance requirement which could have made it impossible for San
Jose to participate in the FEMA program.
·
Support for resolving
the San Francisco Airport Simultaneous Instrument Approach (SOIA) overflight
regulatory problem and in obtaining Congressional delegation support for long
term San Jose airport funding.
·
Increase in Low Income
Housing Tax Credit from $1.25 to $1.75 per capita and an increase in the cap on
private activity bonds used for low income housing projects.
Mr. Montgomery provides continuity for the City’s lobbying program and has familiarity with City issues. Mr. Montgomery’s fees are well within the range paid by other large cities for comparable services. The total contract amount represents an annual budgeted increase of 3% above the retainer amount for FY 2000-2001, with no increase in allowable expenses.
Not Applicable.
This agreement was prepared in coordination with the Budget Office and the City Attorney’s Office.
BUDGET REFERENCE
Fund: 443, Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund
Amount: $17,525
Document: Proposed FY 2001-02 Operating Budget
Fund: 513, Treatment Plant Operating Fund
Amount: $17,525
Documents: Proposed FY 2001-02 Operating Budget
Fund: 523, Airport Maintenance and Operation Fund
Amount: $23,234
Document: Proposed FY 2001-02 Operating Budget
Fund: 541, Sewer Service and Use Charge Fund
Amount: $6,108
Document: Proposed FY 2001-02 Operating Budget
Fund: 001, General Fund
Amount: $52,875
Document: Proposed FY 2001-02 Operating Budget
BETSY SHOTWELL
Director, Intergovernmental Relations