BOARD MEETING DATE: January 8, 2010 AGENDA NO. 24

BOARD MEETING DATE: January 8, 2010
AGENDA NO. 24

REPORT:

Legislative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Legislative Committee held a special meeting on Friday, December 18, 2009 and recommended to enter into a contract with two firms for legislative representation in Washington, D.C. In addition, the Committee conducted interviews for legislative representation in Sacramento, CA and recommended entering into contracts with three firms. Lastly, the Committee recommended introducing legislation to allow AQMD to prepay its annual employer contributions at a substantial cost savings. The next Legislative Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 15, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room CC8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Jane Carney, Chair
Legislative Committee

Attendance [Attachment 1]

The Legislative Committee met on December 18, 2009. Committee member Jane Carney (Chair) was present. Committee members Michael Antonovich, Marion Ashley, Jan Perry, and Tonia Reyes Uranga were present via videoconference.

Recommend Approval of Contract for Legislative Representation in Washington, D.C.

The Legislative Committee voted and recommended that the Governing Board award one-year contracts for legislative representation in Washington, D.C. to B&D Consulting for $200,000, and to Kadesh & Associates for $221,200. The Committee further recommended re-evaluating the performance of the firms upon conclusion of the one year contract. Upon satisfactory performance, and at the Board’s discretion, the contracts can be extended for two one-year terms. [Refer to the December 23, 2009 Board Agenda item #1 for additional information on this item.]

Interview and Recommend Approval of Contract for Legislative Representation in Sacramento, CA

The Committee members interviewed 4 firms: Gonzalez Public Affairs; Joe A. Gonsalves & Son; Sloat, Higgins, Jensen & Associates; and Tres Es Inc.

Chair Jane Carney recommended adding an additional interview question to address “conflicts of interest” specifically related to power plants and the Committee concurred.

The Legislative Committee voted and recommended that the Governing Board award contracts for legislative representation in Sacramento, CA to: Gonzales Public Affairs, for $100,000 and Joe A. Gonsalves & Son for $108,000. The Committee additionally recommended awarding a contract for legislative representation in Sacramento, CA to Sloat, Higgins, Jensen & Associates, subject to resolution of two issues: 1) Negotiating a lower contract amount than proposed; and 2) resolving an issue with regards to the proposed subcontractor’s prior work with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). [Refer to the December 23, 2009 Board Agenda item #2 for additional information on this item.]

Seek legislative authority to Prepay Annual Employer Contributions to San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association [Attachment 2]

State law currently allows the County of San Bernardino the option to prepay its annual employer contribution to the San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association (SBCERA) on a discounted basis. Staff is requesting that the Board seek a legislative change to the Government Code to allow all employers covered by SBCERA the option to prepay their annual employer contribution, thereby taking advantage of substantial prepayment discounts.

The Legislative Committee recommended to support the proposed change to the Government Code to allow all employers covered by SBCERA the option to prepay their annual employer contribution.