REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Informational Report on COVID-19 Legislative Updates from Townsend Public Affairs for January 15 - February 7, 2021
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara engages in a variety of legislative efforts, including developing an annual legislative platform through its Legislative Advocacy Positions (LAPs), advancing the City’s goals and policy positions with regional, state, and federal elected officials and agencies, participating in regional and state committees, boards, and commissions, responding to requests for legislative support or comments for bills, ballot measures, and initiatives, identifying budget opportunities and applying for grant funding to support City programs and infrastructure.
The City has an existing agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, LLC (Townsend) for state and federal legislative advocacy services, which includes tracking legislation and providing progress reports as part of the firm’s scope of work.
DISCUSSION
Townsend has been keeping staff apprised of state and federal COVID-19-related legislative activity since the beginning of the pandemic. These pertinent updates have helped guide the implementation of City COVID-19 programs, including meal distribution and small business assistance, and were previously included as part of the City Manager’s verbal COVID-19 updates to the Council.
Attached is a summary of Townsend’s updates for the period between January 15 - February 7, 2021. Staff shares these updates on a monthly basis.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City has an existing agreement with Townsend for a not-to-exceed amount of $252,000. There is no additional cost to have Townsend provide these COVID-19 legislative updates as they are included as part of the monthly scope of work that the City is billed for.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file this Informational Report on COVID-19 Legislative Updates from Townsend Public Affairs for January 15 - February 7, 2021.
Staff
Prepared by: Christine Jung, Assistant to the City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. COVID-19 Legislative Updates from Townsend for January 15 - February 7, 2021