PURPOSE

The purpose of this study session is to provide the City Council with an opportunity to discuss the current state legislative session with Mr. David Jones of Emanuels Jones and Associates, the firm the City current contracts with for legislative advocacy and government relations services. 

BACKGROUND and Analysis

The City of Burbank takes an active interest in the activities of the state legislature and the impact those activities may have on the City.  Staff uses several methods to follow and participate in legislative issues. 

Departments take an active role in identifying legislation that may have a positive or negative effect on the City.  Often, legislation is identified by City staff through professional associations or publications and the staff�s own independent research.  Burbank Water and Power is particularly active and has dedicated one full time staff member to legislative issues.  The League of California Cities also provides a significant amount of ongoing information throughout the state legislative session that keeps City staff up to date. 

The City Manager�s Office coordinates the legislative activities of the departments and works with the Mayor or other interested Council Members to communicate the departments� positions on various pieces of legislation.  The City Manager�s Office also actively communicates on a regular basis with the City�s state and federal representatives: Assembly Member Dario Frommer, State Senator Jack Scott, Congressmen Adam Schiff and Brad Sherman, and U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.  Issues discussed with the City�s representatives often include specific pieces of legislation, federal funding requests for City projects, and the impact of the state budget. 

Finally, staff also works closely with Emanuels Jones and Associates, a legislative advocacy and government relations firm.  The City has contracted with Emanuels Jones and Associates since the establishment of the firm by Kenneth Emanuels in 1987.  The firm is currently owned by David Jones, who is the City�s primary contact and service provider.  Mr. Jones has 20 years of experience lobbying for city governments, including fourteen years lobbying in Sacramento, five years in Washington, D.C., and ten years overseeing the League of California Cities� federal agenda.  Generally, the scope of services for the City�s current contract with Emanuels Jones and Associates includes identifying and screening newly introduced legislation and newly amended legislation and forwarding such legislation to the City Manager�s Office; and actively lobbying specific legislation following the City�s direction.  Emanuels Jones and Associates also represents the cities of Glendale and Pasadena. 

Mr. Jones will be present during this study session to make an initial presentation on the current state legislative session and then will be available to discuss any state legislative issues that the Council requests. 

Fiscal Impact

There is no additional fiscal impact associated with this study session.  Under the City�s current contract with Emanuels Jones and Associates, the City pays the firm $2,500 per month for all related legislative services.  Burbank Water and Power and the Burbank Redevelopment Agency currently split the cost of the contract. 

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the City Council hold a legislative study session with Mr. David Jones of Emanuels Jones and Associates. 

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