Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute and Continue an Agreement for State Legislative & Regulatory Consulting Services from Focused Advocacy, LLC of Austin, Texas
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
MEETING DATE: September 15, 2020
DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office
CONTACT: Trevor Minyard, Strategic Services Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Staff recommends approval of the resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• This is a continuation of the agreement between the City of McKinney and state legislative and regulatory consultant Focused Advocacy.
• Focused Advocacy specializes in representing Texas municipalities.
• Focused Advocacy has a proven track record of success representing cities large and small across the State of Texas - passing over 80 percent of the bills on our client’s legislative agendas.
o Note: the average passage rate in the legislature is 20 percent.
• The Focused Advocacy team has passed -- and defeated -- more municipal-related legislation than any other firm in Texas.
• To that end, Focused Advocacy has repeatedly been recognized as one of the most influential lobby teams in the state (Capitol Inside, Lobby Rankings 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019).
• During the legislative session, the principals of Focused Advocacy will:
o Participate in legislative strategy meetings with City staff,
o Attend legislative committee hearings,
o Monitor debate on the floor of the House and Senate,
o Attend Texas Municipal League meetings and participate in stakeholder negotiations,
o Draft bills,
o Analyze legislation,
o Track and monitor the movement of bills through the legislative process,
o Author a substantial amount of work-product such as:
• Bill analysis,
• Speeches and talking points,
• Memorandums,
• Letters of support, and
• Other collateral material.
• Focused Advocacy also develops and publishes a weekly e-mail update to apprise the City of important policy and political developments, breaking news, and other information related to the legislature.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• In the 86th session of the Texas legislature, Focused Advocacy was pivotal in furthering the City of McKinney’s Legislative Priorities. A primary example of their efforts was in the allocation of $15 million in grant funding for the McKinney National Airport’s runway extension project.
• Focused Advocacy offers its clients a team of four (4) lobbyists. The City will receive the expertise and combined experience of,
o A former state legislator,
o Former Director of Governmental Relations for the City of Fort Worth,
o Former Texas Municipal League legislative/legal counsel, and
o A former member of Governor Perry’s policy staff.
• In total, Focused Advocacy has more than 100 years of combined experience, skill and relationships at the Texas Capitol and inside the state’s regulatory agencies.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• There will be a monthly flat fee of $8,333.33.
• Reimbursable expenses of $350 per month.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A