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Home My WebLink About10/24/2017 03 City Lobbying RepresentationBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDASTATEMENT 1 Item No. 3. For Meeting of: October 24, 2017 ITEM TITLE: Consideration of a recommendation from a Council ad hoc committee regarding City lobbying representation in Olympia SUBMITTED BY: Randy Beehler, Communications and Public Affairs Director SUMMARY EXPLANATION: Given the impending termination of the City's contract with Jim Justin Government Relations Consulting, Inc., at its October 12th study session, the City Council appointed an ad hoc committee consisting of Mayor Coffey, Assistant Mayor Mendez, and Councilmember Cousens to meet with City staff and make a recommendation to the full Council regarding which lobbyist(s) the City should consider entering into a contract with. The Council ad hoc committee and City staff met on October 18th to review information provided by seven lobbyists and/or lobbying firms that had expressed interest in representing the City in Olympia. The Council ad hoc committee recommends to the full Council that the City enter into an agreement with the team of Susie Tracy and Tony Sermonti for a period not to exceed nine months for the purpose of representing the City to the state legislature, governor's office, state administrative agencies, etc., and that the City initiate a Request for Proposal or other more formal process in mid -2018 to select a lobbyist(s) or lobbying firm to represent the City on a longer-term basis in Olympia. ITEM BUDGETED: Yes STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Partnership Development STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Accept Council ad hoc committee recommendation BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: See above recommendation ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type 2 Memorandum regarding Olympia Lobbyist 10/19/2017 Cc>eer Memo Recommendation D Susie Tracy Resume 10119'2017 Cover Memo D Tony Sermonti Resume 10/19/2017 Cheer Memo 3 MEMO RAN CEN To: City Manager Cliff Moore From: Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler Subject: Olympia Lobbyist Recommendation Date: Thursday, October 19th, 2017 Cliff, Given the impending termination of the City's contract with Jim Justin Government Relations Consulting, Inc., research was conducted by City staff regarding potential new lobbyist representation for the City in Olympia. Several lobbyists and/or lobbying firms interested in representing the City in Olympia were contacted by City staff. At its October 12th study session, the City Council appointed an ad hoc committee consisting of Mayor Coffey, Assistant Mayor Mendez, and Councilmember Cousens to meet with City staff and make a recommendation to the full Council regarding which lobbyist(s) the City should consider entering into a contract with. The Council ad hoc committee and City staff met on October 18th to review information provided by seven lobbyists and/or lobbying firms that had expressed interest in representing the City in Olympia. Because the 2018 session of the Washington State Legislature will begin in about two -and -a -half months, entering into a contractual agreement with a lobbyist(s) or lobbying firm to represent the City in Olympia needs to be completed expeditiously. Under normal circumstances, a Request for Proposal ("RFP") or other more formal process would likely be followed in selecting a professional services provider like an Olympia lobbyist. However, since time is of the essence, City staff suggested to the Council ad hoc committee that a recommendation be made to the full Council for the City to enter into an agreement with a preferred lobbyist(s) or lobbying firm on a short-term basis (eight or nine months, for example) and for a more extensive, formal process to be undertaken in mid -2018 to select a lobbyist(s) or lobbying firm to represent the City in Olympia on a longer-term basis. As a result of its October 181h, the Council ad hoc committee makes the following recommendation to the full Council: Council Ad Hoc Committee Recommendation - The City enter into an agreement with the team of Susie Tracy and Tony Sermonti for a period not to exceed nine months for the purpose of representing the City to the state legislature, governor's office, state administrative agencies, etc. - The City initiate a Request for Proposal or other more formal process in mid -2018 to select a lobbyist(s) or lobbying firm to represent the City on a longer-term basis in Olympia. Susie Tracy has been a lobbyist in Olympia for more than 35 years. She has represented a wide variety of clients and has a broad range of experience with multiple issues that have come before the state legislature, state agencies, etc. Ms. Tracy is the owner of Northwest Advocates Political Consultants. Tony Sermonti has worked as a Washington State Senate Communications Advisor, an Associate Advance Press Lead at the White House, and as the Washington State Department of Licensing's Policy and Legislative Director. Mr. Sermonti is the owner of Sermonti Government Relations -Public Affairs. Ms. Tracy and Mr. Sermonti have proposed representing the City in Olympia as a team. The City's current working relationship with Jim Justin and Jennifer Ziegler (through a contract with Jim Justin Government Relations Consulting, Inc.) has proven successful. Continuing a similar relationship with Ms. Tracy and Mr. Sermonti working as a team was a factor in the Council ad hoc committee's recommendation to the full Council. 4 Attached are resumes for Ms. Tracy and Mr. Sermonti. Following are brief summaries of information provided by Ms. Tracy and Mr. Sermonti and additional information gathered by City staff: - Susie Tracy — Northwest Advocates (owner) - Focused on social justice, health, housing, and human service -related missions - Previous Experience - Washington Board of Health — Special Assistant to the Executive Director - Washington State Nurses Association — Government Relations Specialist - Washington State Health Care Authority — Legislative Research Analyst - Current Clients Sample - Washington Airport Management Association - Greater Seattle Business Association - Washington Poison Center - Evergreen Treatment Services - Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons - Tony Sermonti — Sermonti Government Relations -Public Affairs (owner) - Extensive experience in transportation -related policy, local government issues, land use issues, and homelessness/affordable housing issues - Previous Experience - Washington State Department of Licensing — Policy and Legislative Director - Office of the President, White House — Associate Press Advance Lead - Washington State Senate — Communications Advisor - Current Clients Sample - Washington Trucking Association - Northwest Autonomous Vehicles Alliance - Motor Vehicle Software Corporation The full City Council will consider the Council ad hoc committee's recommendation regarding this issue at its October 24th study session. Based on action taken by the Council at the October 24th study session, City staff will proceed accordingly. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information regarding this issue prior to the October 24th Council study session. 5 Susie Tracy Northwest Agvoca es Political Consultants 2123 Wedgewood Dr. SE Olympia, WA 98501 Cell: 360-701-4089 Tracy2123@comcasInel IIESUIHE Education: bachelor of Arts, Journalism Major, University of Idaho Earlier Work Everienee: Assistant to the rresiclent, university of Idaho reace Corps, Malaysia Marketing Kesearch, 5unset Magazine, ralo Alto, CA Administrative Assistant, Office of the Dean of Undergraduate 5tudies, Stanford University Constituent Kelations and Legislative Assistant, North Idaho Office of u.s. 5enator rrank Church, Moscow, Idaho Lobbyist, Wa. Public Utilities Districts Association Current Employment: Owner (i 98 2-20 1 7), Northwest Advocates Political Consultants, specializing in non-partisan representation of a broad variety of clients before the Washington 5tate Legislature and Washington 5tate agencies. rrovicle strategic planning, issue development, bill drafting and tracking, coalition building, lobbying, media relations, session reporting, regulatory assistance, campaign involvement, and other activities as re9uired. Current Clients: Wa. Academy of E_ye Physicians and 5urgeons Wa. Physicians health rrogram Wa. raison Center Wa. Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians 6 Caring for Washington (family medicine residency programs) Wa. Airport Management Association Wa. State Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Acadia healthcare Inc. Greater Seattle business Association Therapeutic health Services Evergreen Treatment Services Wa. Ambulatory Surgery Centers Association Former Clients: Oracle Corporation American Medical Response 5usan G. Kamen breast Cancer rounclation, Puget Sound Affiliate Washington State Medical Association Sma!I and Midsize Transit Alliance (Wa. State Transit Association) KJ rublic health Roundtable University of Washington Medical School harborview Medical Center Airlift Northwest Washington State Arts Alliance Aging Services of Washington 5chering-rlough Pharmaceutical The Nature Conservancy Mothers Against Violence in America Wa. Ambulance Association Wa. State rinancial Services Association Wa. rublic rower Supply System Seattle Chinese Garden Other: Owner, Art 'n Soul, a small retail business in Lacey, WA., specializing in art stamps, decorative paper, art supplies, book -making, and class instruction ileferenees: Provided Upon Ke9uest 7 Sermonti a Government Relations Public Affairs Tony Sermonti Contract lobbyist with more than 15 years of experience advising government leaders, elected officials, and industry executives on public policy, the political process, and communications. Senior advisor to state agency executives, Governor's Office, legislators, and industry leaders o State Senate communications advisor, White House advance associate, and national -level political campaign communications experience • [)rafted and lobbied for successful passage of several high-profile pieces of legislation that were delivered to Governor's desk for signature into law Subject matter expert on transportation and federa identification policy, and use, and the Iegislative budet advocacy including the operating, capital, and transportation budgets History of strategic and tactical social media and news media communications achievements to accomplish political and policy objectives �� Experience n�� Legislative affairs |servedauPoUcyandLeois|ativeC>iractorfortheVVashingtonState Department of Licensing, a large state agency that in addition to its major transportation system function, regulates a wide range of more than 35 different businesses and professions. I frequently advised legislators on their policy ideas, advanced Governor -request legislation, and testified in a variety of committee hearings including the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committees, House and Senate Transportation Committees, and the Senate Law and Justice Committee. I have strong relationships with the committee chairs, ranking members, and staif tothese committees. 8 I secured $85 million in computer system capital investment in the transportation budget during a three-year period. I worked with legislative leadership on the largest congestion relief and highway investment in state history. Other highlights of my legislative accomplishments include passage of major legislation for the state to comply with the federal REAL ID Act, DUI sentencing reform, a hard-fought bill to keep law enforcement officers' confidential information safe from public disclosure, and consumer protection legislation. Throughout my career, I have worked extensively with issues involving local governments, including land use, homelessness and transportation funding. Particularly with transportation issues, I worked with the Association of Washington Cities and Washington Association of Counties on statewide policy issues. I also was a candidate for Olympia City Council in 2009, and gained a much deeper understanding of local governments and the many challenges they face. I have many strong relationships based on trust and bipartisanship on both sides of the political aisle in the State Capitol. My approach to successful government relations advocacy is rooted in unyielding ethical standards and a positive, proactive approach that focuses on advancing policies that improve a client's operations. Prior to work at the agency, I served as staff in the Washington State Senate and gained an inside understanding of the legislative process behind closed doors. I advised the majority leader and the Chair of the Ways & Means Committee on policy and communications on K-12 education, the state operating, capital, and transportation budgets, public safety, and criminal justice issues. Media relations and crisis communications I have a developed skill in communicating effectively with the media and public, managing crisis, and translating complex public policy into actionable information for top elected officials and executives. I have served as an on -camera spokesperson for several large organizations during times of success and crisis, and worked behind the scenes with political campaigns, the White House, and national and local news media. I also have a history in the management and execution of marketing, awareness, and grassroots organizing campaigns using a variety of media sources and strategies to reach the total audience in ways that resonate. � Professional Policy and Legislative Director Washington State Department of Licensing Associate Press Advance Lead Executive Office of the President, The White House Agency Spokesperson and Legislative Liaison Washington State Department of Licensing Communications Advisor Washington State Senate National Press Advance Staff Edwards for President Communications and media relations manager The Evergreen State College References Senator Kevin Ranker Ranking Member, Ways & Means Committe 360-472'1850 Senator Curtis King Chair, Senate Transportation Commfttee 509-952-4667 Ms. Jane Wall Government Relations Advocate Association of Washington Cities janew@awcnet com 360'753'4137 Judy Clibborn, Chair, House Transportation Committee 206-819-2054 Mayor Erik Larson City of Aberdeen 360-581-1328 Mr. David Posman Chief of StaffGovernor Jay Inslee oamd.postman@govxva.qov 360'688'4320 9 10 Education Bachelor of Arts, pre -law and communications The Evergreen State College LEAN Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Univ. of Washington Professional Development Center Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot Certificate For more information, please see www.OlympiaPublicAffairs.com