That the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. (TPA) to conduct legislative advocacy and grant writing services for the City.

On March 7, 2022, the City Council adopted the City's Goals and Objectives for Fiscal Year 2022-23 (see Attachment 1, Goals and Objectives).  Goals are achieved through the realization of recommended objectives across several broad categories, the fulfillment of which helps the City to realize its central mission of improving the quality of life within the community. 

Several of the Goals and Objectives emphasize the identification and pursuit of grant funding to augment or replace local funds for municipal purposes, such as the completion of projects listed on the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP).  These include the following:
 

GOAL	OBJECTIVE
Goal 2 - Management of Public Revenues and Fiscal Assets	Objective C - "Identify and pursue funding opportunities for City capital improvement projects, including City buildings, facilities, infrastructure, and recreational outlets..."
	Objective H - "Pursue grant funding where and when possible to supplement and/or replace direct City funding.
Goal 3 - Maintenance of City Infrastructure and Facilities	Objective E - "Identify and pursue funding opportunities to design and construct recreational trails as part of the OC Loop Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail System

 
Because CIP projects often require significant capital funding and occur over a longer time horizon, in some instances multiple years, it can be difficult for the City to satisfy the intent of the Goals and Objectives absent funding assistance from federal and/or state agencies. The recently completed splash pad play zone projects at Brio and Oeste Parks are examples of capital projects that may not have been successfully completed without a direct allocation of outside funding from an outside government agency, in this case the State of California. The chances for the City to successfully identify and secure potential funding is increased when the City retains specialized consulting support with direct experience in legislative advocacy and grant writing.

In order to help achieve the City's Goals and Objectives, staff has negotiated a proposed agreement with TPA for legislative advocacy and grant funding services.  Since its inception in 1998, TPA has built a well-earned reputation as a leader in the field, helping clients to leverage their financial resources as well as build a network of relationships with key stakeholders, policy-makers, and legislators.  TPA has shepherded more than 100 legislative and regulatory proposals into law, and secured more than $2.3 billion in grants for its clients from federal, state, and other local government agencies, as well as from nonprofit foundations and private companies, in a variety of policy sectors, including transportation, water/sanitation, housing and community development, recreation/natural resources, cultural/historical resources, and public safety. 

The City entered into a one-year agreement with TPA in July 2021 for legislative advocacy and grant-writing services, and in that short period of time the City has already realized significant value from their efforts. For example, TPA led the City's effort to secure support from its federal representatives in both the House and the Senate for the City's $2 million FY23 appropriations request to help renovate the La Habra Children's Museum.  While several variables remain in play and no federal funding has yet been awarded for the project, all three of La Habra's federal officials (Senators Feinstein and Padilla, and Congresswoman Kim) have included the Children's Museum project on their respective list of favored projects, which is a positive step.

In addition, TPA has provided support for the City's effort to secure state storm drain capital funding, is working closely with the La Habra Police Department (LHPD) to secure grant funding for its Body Worn Camera program, and with the Public Works Department to secure funding towards construction of the proposed OC Loop Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail along the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way in La Habra.

Furthermore, TPA serves as an advocate for La Habra and other North Orange County cities, working on behalf of the North Orange County Public Safety Task Force (Task Force) to secure state funding for a regional approach to preventing youth violence, programs that can increase the chance of successful reentry of offenders into the community, and programs that address homeless outreach and intervention.  This effort is also consistent with the City's Goals and Objectives, and working closely with the Task Force, TPA previously secured $32.8 million for the project during FY2017-18 to FY2022-23, and has an additional $5 million request pending at the federal level, along with a request for another multi-year commitment at the state level for approximately $7.8 million.

TPA has also proven to be an invaluable resource to the City, providing regular updates and real-time information on matters of legislative interest in both Sacramento and Washington DC, with direct access to elected officials and senior appointed staff in state, federal, and local governments.  A copy of the proposed professional service agreement is attached (Attachment 2).

The cost of the proposed agreement with TPA is $3,500 per month for one year (a total commitment of $42,000).  The proposed term is one year, but if the support provided by TPA continues to be beneficial for the City, staff may recommend an extension of the agreement at a future date, subject to the approval and authorization of the City Council.  Assuming the City Council approves the proposed FY2022-2023 City budget, there would be adequate funding in the FY2022-2023 Administration budget for this proposed agreement.