ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
13.	CONSIDER RENEWAL OF CONTRACT WITH THE FERGUSON GROUP FOR LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Meeting Date:			June 17, 2019	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David J. Stoldt	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			David J. Stoldt	Cost Estimate:	$100,000
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on June 10, 2019 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378.

SUMMARY: At its April 15, 2019 meeting the District Board adopted the 2019-20 Legislative Advocacy Plan to establish District legislative and government affairs priorities for FY 2019-20. The first five items in the Plan are in regard to the District’s Federal strategy, and includes a continued relationship with The Ferguson Group (TFG.) TFG has shown a deep understanding of the federal budget, legislative process, funding opportunities, and regulatory setting. TFG has helped the District and Monterey One Water (M1W) advance relationships with both Congress and regulatory departments related to water, including but not limited to BLM, NOAA (NMFS), USBR, USDA, and EPA. In FY 2018-19 the Pure Water Monterey project was notified it will receive a $4.1 million federal grant, a result of the joint efforts of the District and M1W, assisted by TFG.

This contract has a monthly retainer of $8,000 and an out-of-pocket reimbursement up to $3,500 annually. This has been rounded to $100,000 total authorization.

The FY 2019-20 scope of work will include, but is not limited to:

· Identifying legislation or proposed regulatory changes that may impact the District.

· Consult with staff to develop positions on relevant legislation.

· Advocate the District’s position on bills and matters of interest.

· Represent the District in meetings with staff, directors, or independently with congressional members and staff, administration officials, regulatory agencies.

· Coordinate federal outreach with District’s State governmental outreach

· Identify funding opportunities and notify of timing, requirements, and advocate on behalf of District

· Direct contact with associations including ACWA, WateReuse, etc.

· Prepare materials for briefing – talking points, briefing books, letters, as necessary

· Coordinate with other water district lobbyists and organizations

· Maintain close relationships with Monterey legislative delegation

· Organize timely trips as needed, but at least once a year separate from ACWA trip.

· Provide similar services for the District’s project partner(s), as needed and at the direction of the District.

· Periodic reporting of activities

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Board authorize the General Manager to enter into an agreement with TFG for FY 2019-20. A further recommendation is that the Legislative Advocacy Committee review the need for, and scope of, such activities for FY 2020-21.

DISCUSSION: In 2016, three consultants provided statements of qualifications that were evaluated with equal weight in 4 criteria: (i) Experience - with municipalities, special districts, agency’s & other governmental entities; (ii) Experience - with specific federal agencies; (iii) Experience - with specific water-related issues; and (iv) Personnel assigned. The General Manager and each of the Legislative Advocacy Committee members were asked to perform their own evaluation, to inform the Committee recommendation. Additionally, qualitative factors such as professional appearance of the submittal, overall quality of the submittal, consultant familiarity with the District, outside third-party references, and so on were considered. Finally, the proposing firms’ cost proposals were considered. TFG was the recommended firm.

EXHIBIT

13-A Form of Engagement Letter for TFG for FY 2019-20

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