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ITEM: |
CONSENT
CALENDAR |
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7. |
CONSIDER
RENEWAL OF CONTRACT WITH JEA & ASSOCIATES FOR LEGISLATIVE AND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES |
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Meeting Date: |
May
19, 2025
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Budgeted:
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Yes
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From: |
David J. Stoldt, |
Program/ |
Consultants |
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General Manager |
Line Item
No.: |
XX-01-774000 |
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Prepared By: |
Mike McCullough |
Cost Estimate: |
$54,000 Annually |
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General Counsel Review:
N/A
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Committee Recommendation: The Finance and Administration
Committee reviewed this item on May 12, 2025, and recommended approval.
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CEQA
Compliance: This action does
not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines section 15378. |
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SUMMARY: JEA and Associates (JEA) has worked with Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (District) since 2009 to advance the District’s interests in Sacramento on a wide variety of projects and issues.
DISCUSSION: Areas of experience provided by JEA in the past include:
· JEA has worked closely and developed strong relationships with our local delegation, including Senator Laird and Assemblymember Addis. Not only does JEA have good personal relationships with these legislators, but also with Speaker Rivas and Senator Caballero. JEA has consistently built relationships with Capitol and local District staff on behalf of the District.
· JEA has represented MPWMD in weekly ACWA advocacy meetings, and became a member of ACWA’s Bond Working Group, which resulted in altering ACWA’s requests for the recent water bond proposals.
· JEA maintains a productive and supportive relationship with several professional associations and works closely on coalition efforts to support or oppose various pieces of legislation and budget items. The exposure to these type of issues aids in raising the stature of the District with ACWA and other like-minded associations.
· JEA has been helpful in facilitating discussions about MPWMD’s issue regarding Condition 2 of the Cease and Desist Order. They also helped with previous District inquiries on water for housing with Senate Housing Committee consultants and deputies from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
· JEA has worked closely with MPWMD on possible special legislation related to its LAFCO situation. This included numerous meetings and conversations with Senator Laird’s senior consultants, internal strategy discussions, and coordinating with Legislative Counsel on legislative language.
· The advocacy firm regularly forwards and investigates potential funding opportunities, including drafting detailed explanations on available grants/funding.
· Monitors and tracks over 100 bills a year and draft appropriate correspondence/letters and provide testimony on behalf of MPWMD.
· Coordinates the scheduling of meetings in Sacramento with state agencies on various issues the District staff and Board Members deem important, including Cal-Am, local measures (Measure J), etc.
· Educate and advise District staff on new programmatic state guidelines or regulations.
COST: JEA has proposed a retainer from $4,500 a month for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26. A copy of the proposed agreement is included as Exhibit 7-A.
RECOMMENDATION: The Finance and Administration Committee recommends that the Board approve the proposed agreement with JEA & Associates for FY 2025-26.
7-A Proposed Agreement for FY 2025-2026
U:\staff\Boardpacket\2025\051925\Consent
Calendar\07\Item-7.docx