Approval of Letter of engagement with GrayRobinson, P.A. for State Lobbyist Services in the amount of$ 54,000.00.

As part of the agreement with the City of Fort Pierce, GrayRobinson, P.A. will provide state lobbyist services to include the following: (1) Represent the City and its respective Boards before the Legislative and Executive Branches as well as State agencies. (2) Secure funding for programs and projects which have been identified by the City as priorities, including proactive identification of new funding opportunities. (3) Work closely with the City Manager and City staff in researching current issues and providing background information. (4) Coordinate with the City’s State Delegation in gaining support for the City’s state agendas; assist in drafting appropriate correspondence, scheduling briefings and meetings, and identifying key state contacts. (5) Provide technical assistance and guidance to the City Manager and staff in correspondence and reports. (6) Identify key state and regional contacts relating to specific city issues; propose and implement lobbying strategies to help support the City’s state agenda. (7) Provide written monthly activity reports and periodic updates on pending legislation. Reports must contain, when possible, specific legislation, names of contacts made, and the legislative priority it relates to as well as foreseeable legislation or ruling that may affect the City. Such summaries may be given in paragraph form. (8) Identify special interest groups in a written report which may be working for or against the City’s best interests and agencies or local governments which may be competing for specific grants or appropriations and help align support for the City’s position. (9) Develop a schedule for research reports and other activities in order to meet all state guidelines, standards, and deadlines. (10) Available for weekly meetings during Committee weeks and Legislative Sessions, meetings with City staff in Tallahassee as needed, and an annual presentation to the Commission in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Staff recommends approval of request. 

Staff will proceed as directed by the City Commission.

Audria Moore-Wells, Special Projects Coordinator

Nicholas C. Mimms, P.E., ICMA-CM, City Manager
City Attorney Tanya M. Earley
GrayRobinson, P.A.