AGENDA TITLE:
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Consider Adopting a Resolution Establishing a City Council Ad Hoc Committee to Advise and Make Recommendations on the Request for Proposal for Federal and State Government Relations Services and Setting Committee Objectives and Tasks (CM)
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MEETING DATE:
July 15, 2026
PREPARED BY:
Kara Reddig, City Manager
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Consider Adopting a Resolution Establishing a City Council Ad Hoc Committee to advise and make recommendations on the Request for Proposal for Federal and State Government Relations Services and Setting Committee Objectives and Tasks (CM).
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Lodi City Council has determined that Government Relations Services is an important strategy in the City’s future initiatives. Government Relations Services includes hiring one or more legislative advocacy firms to monitor bills and legislation that impacts the City as well as identify and advocate for funding at the state and federal levels.
Staff recommends that the City Council consider establishing a limited-term, limited-scope ad hoc committee to advise on the City’s upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) for Federal and State Government Relations Services. This represents a unique approach to the City’s typical Request for Proposal process, as Council involvement is not usually part of the process. However, because members of the City Council are often closely engaged when the City is advocating for or against legislation, it is important that the relationship between Councilmembers, staff, and any selected lobbying firm be well aligned and collaborative.
Ad Hoc Committee topics for consideration could include the following, and are subject to change:
• Review and affirm the Request for Proposal document(s) prior to release, which would outline key elements as well as scoring criteria
• Advise staff on structure of any review panels
• Participate in panel interview(s) of the top scoring proposals or throughout
• Make recommendation(s) of final firms to the full City Council
• Other items identified throughout the RFP process
The Brown Act authorizes the formation of an informal, advisory ad hoc committee made up solely of less than a quorum of the City Council members (i.e., less than three Council members). Meetings of such committees are informal and do not require prior formal public noticing. If formed by the City Council, this ad hoc committee would be served by City staff, primarily from the City Manager’s Department. The ad hoc committee would have advisory powers only, and any recommendations of the committee would be subject to approval by the full City Council.
The City Council could choose to not establish the ad hoc committee related to the Request for Proposal for Government Relations Services. If no ad hoc committee is established for this purpose, staff would follow the typical Request for Proposal process which would include staff releasing the RFP, reviewing proposals internally and bringing recommendations forward to the full City Council for final decision. Staff does not recommend this alternative as early input from Council Members through an ad hoc committee would provide valuable insights that will assist staff’s efforts and aid the selection of the best consultant(s) to provide these services to the City.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not applicable.