Report Prepared by: Sarah Knoester, Management Analyst
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Assign Renne Public Policy Group’s Service Agreements for Legislative Advocacy and Grant Writing Services to California Public Policy Group (CPPG)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving the assignment of Renne Public Policy Group’s Service Agreements for legislative and grant writing services to California Public Policy Group (CPPG).
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the assignment of Renne Public Policy Group’s Service Agreements for legislative advocacy and grant writing services to California Public Policy Group (CPPG); and,
B. Approving the 2nd Amendment to the Service Agreement with California Public Policy Group assigning legislative advocacy; and,
C. Approving the 1st Amendment to the Service Agreement with California Public Policy Group assigning the grant writing services; and,
D. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2024/2025 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
In fiscal year 2022/2023, the City of Merced entered into an Agreement with Renne Public Policy Group (RPPG) for federal and state representation for legislative advocacy. Since the original agreement was executed mid-December 2022, a First Amendment, adding $3,000 to the contract, was necessary to pay for the partial month of December 2022. In fiscal year 2023/2024, the City of Merced entered into an Agreement with RPPG for grant writing services.
RPPG informed the City, via a letter dated August 5, 2024, that all non-legal services will be performed by their spin-off corporation, California Public Policy Group (CPPG) (see Attachment 1). All terms and conditions of the current agreements will remain in effect and no additional funds are required. The key lobbying and grant writing personnel will continue working with city staff.
Per the original Professional Services Agreements for both legislative advocacy and grant writing services, paragraph 12, both contracts allow for assignability of the agreement (see attachments 2 and 3).
12. ASSIGNABILITY OF AGREEMENT. It is understood and agreed that this Agreement contemplates personal performance by the Consultant and is based upon a determination of its unique personal competence and experience and upon its specialized personal knowledge. Assignments of any or all rights, duties or obligations of the Consultant under this Agreement will be permitted only with the express written consent of the City.
A Second Amendment to the Services Agreement for legislative advocacy and a First Amendment to the Services Agreement for grant writing services has been prepared to assign the current RPPG contracts to CPPG (see Attachments 4 and 5, respectively). Staff requests approval of these amendments to continue the work previously performed by RPPG under the new company, CPPG.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
None.
ATTACHMENTS
1. RPPG_Change of Firm Notification
2. RPPG_Original & First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement_Executed
3. RPPG_Original Grant Writing Services Agreement_Executed
4. 2nd Amendment_Name Change_Services Agreement for Legislative Advocacy
5. 1st Amendment_Name Change_Service Agreement for Grant Writing