For City Council Meeting June 10, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Award a State Lobbying and Advocacy Professional Services Agreement to California Advocacy LLC for an Initial Two-Year Term Totaling $144,000, with Three Additional One-Year Renewal Options Contingent Upon Continued Satisfactory Performance; and (2) Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Execute All Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
(1) Award a Professional Services Agreement to California Advocacy LLC for State Lobbying and Advocacy Services for an Initial Two-Year Term Totaling $144,000, with Three Additional One-Year Renewal Options Contingent Upon Continued Satisfactory Performance; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Execute the Agreement and any Subsequent Annual Extensions Within the Contract Terms.
BACKGROUND
On March 18, 2025, the City of Rialto released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for state lobbying and advocacy services through the PlanetBids portal (Bid No. 125390). The intent of the RFP was to retain a qualified firm to represent the City’s interests at the State Capitol, monitor and engage on proposed legislation, advocate for state funding opportunities, and support the City’s policy priorities before the California State Legislature and Executive Branch.
The City received and reviewed a proposal from California Advocacy LLC, a certified California small business based in Sacramento with a proven record of delivering over $2.4 billion in public funding for cities, educational institutions, and community-based organizations.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Following a review of qualifications, experience, and proposed scope of work, staff determined that California Advocacy LLC is well-suited to serve as the City’s state legislative advocate. Highlights of their proposal include:
• Over two decades of combined experience in state policy, budget advocacy, and municipal priorities.
• A successful track record securing competitive grants and direct appropriations for cities, including Alhambra, Commerce, and Coachella.
• A seasoned team led by Evelyn Pineda (President & Founder) and Marvin Pineda, Esq. (Lead Lobbyist), along with a dedicated support team for legislative monitoring, grant tracking, and agency coordination.
• A detailed, year-round legislative strategy tailored for the City of Rialto.
• An all-inclusive monthly retainer model that supports responsive, on-demand service with no hidden fees.
The scope of services includes weekly legislative reports, daily news updates, support with funding applications, organizing meetings with state officials, legislative testimony, and strategic briefings for the City Council and executive staff.
The proposed agreement includes a monthly all-inclusive fee of $6,000, totaling $72,000 annually. The initial term of the agreement is two years, with the option to extend the agreement for up to three additional one-year periods, each at a cost not to exceed $72,000 annually, contingent upon continued satisfactory performance.
The Conflict Disclosure Form is included as Attachment 1, and the Draft Professional Services Agreement is included as Attachment 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has the potential to result in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3 in the General Plan: “Our City government will lead by example and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.”
The action also supports the following General Plan policies:
Public Facilities and Services Element - Policy PF 1.2: Intergovernmental Coordination: “Encourage and participate in cooperative planning efforts and intergovernmental coordination to improve the provision of public facilities and services.”
Economic Development Element - Policy ED 3.3: Strategic Use of Public Resources: “Pursue funding from state and federal sources to support infrastructure and economic development.”
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the draft agreement and will approve it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
State Lobbying and Advocacy Services will be budgeted in the FY 2026 Operating Budget under Contract Services Account No. 10100001-52011. Funding for future years will be included in subsequent annual budgets, as appropriate.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The proposed action will have no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
Prior to the execution of the agreement, the selected vendor shall obtain a City of Rialto Business License.