Memorandum 11-012 Lobbyist Selection

MEMORANDUM 11-012

TO: Mayor Hornaday / Homer City Council
FROM: Walt Wrede
DATE: January 19, 2011
SUBJECT: Lobbyist Selection

The City circulated a Request for Proposals for lobbying services shortly after the FY 2011 Operating Budget was amended to include funding for this activity. The closing date for proposals was January 13, 2011. Nine responsive proposals were received by the deadline.
A small proposal scoring and evaluation committee was quickly assembled. The members were Council member Barbara Howard, Council member Kevin Hogan, Special Projects Coordinator Anne Marie Holen, and myself. The Committee members read and evaluated the proposals over the weekend and held meetings on January 17 and January 18. The committee rated the proposals, checked references, and conducted phone interviews with six of the nine candidates. The scoring criteria included the responsiveness of the proposal, experience, lobbying strategy, references, and fee schedule.
After a great deal of debate and analysis, the Committee unanimously decided to recommend that the Council hire the Anderson Group LLC. Anderson group has many years of successful experience lobbying for a variety of clients including several large municipalities. They are well known in Juneau and should have no trouble getting the ear of key legislators. The proposed contract is for a term of one year and at $40,000, is less than the amount appropriated.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve a contract with Anderson Group, LLC and authorize the Manager to negotiate the specific terms of the contract in the best interest of the City.