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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAddendum - 1AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT FOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES THIS AMENDMENT, dated for reference purposes only as December 1, 2023, is by and between the City of Renton (the “City”), a Washington municipal corporation, and David Stewart Foster (“Consultant”), dba Foster Government Relations. The City and the Consultant are referred to collectively in this Amendment as the “Parties.” Once fully executed by the Parties, this Amendment is effective as of the last date signed by both parties. Whereas, the City engaged the services of the Consultant under Agreement CAG-22-355, dated November 1, 2022, to provide necessary services for the Agreement for Legislative Services (referred to herein as the “Agreement”); Whereas, the Parties wish to amend the Agreement to extend Legislative Services for one year in order to maintain continuity and progress in legislative matters and relationships. NOW THEREFORE, It is mutually agreed upon that CAG-22-355 is amended as follows: 1.Scope of Work: Section 1, Scope of Work, is amended to update the scope of work to include the 2024 priorities specified in Exhibit A-1. 2.Time of Performance:Time of Performance, is amended to reflect the term of the Agreement is extended through December 31, 2024, so that all Work shall be performed by December 31, 2024. 3. Compensation: Section 4, Compensation Amount, is amended to increase the not-to- exceed amount from $77,000 by $77,000, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $154,000 for the life of the contract. 4.All terms of the Agreement not explicitly modified herein shall remain in full force and effect and such terms shall apply to Work performed according to this Amendment as if fully set forth herein. CAG-22-355, Adden #1-23 12/20/2023 Approved by Shane Moloney via memo 12/13/2023 PAGE 3 OF 6 EXHIBIT A-1 – SCOPE OF WORK By-Contract State Lobbyist -- 2024 Listing of Priorities & Work Items 2024 Key Projects and Deliverables Key Priorities Transportation Infrastructure -- Active Involvement in Ensuring 2022 “Move Ahead Washington” funding for active transportation and transit projects in and near Renton can be deployed as early as possible: The landmark “Move Ahead Washington” package enacted by the 2022 Legislature will invest $16.9 billion over 16 years in our state’s transportation system. However, while the Legislature approved the package in 2022, it left to the 2023 Legislature the work of formally appropriating funds for active transportation and transit projects and programs and scheduling out those investments over the 16-year period. The city will actively work to ensure that key projects within the “Move Ahead” package – such as Eastrail corridor investments that included a $6 million allocation to extend the multi-use trail to the South Coulon Park/Southport entrance in Renton – receive appropriations that enable them to get underway as soon as possible. Request that Funding already committed by Legislature to WSDOT projects benefitting Renton community are not reallocated due to funding shortfalls on other 405 related Projects. The cost of construction has increased substantially in the last couple of years and that funding shortfalls on the Brickyard to SR527 Project and SR 167 Corridor Improvement Project of approx. $250-275 million could be seen as a reason to reallocate funding from other projects scheduled out in future years (i.e., $250 Million planned for N. 8th Street Direct Access in Renton). Request Funding for Infrastructure to address traffic speeding in our communities. The increase in driver speed and increase number of collisions have gone up since the pandemic days. With more employees coming back to in-office work and the speeds of driver we have seen an increase in the number of requests to address speeding in our communities. Law Enforcement has tried to address these issues but cannot be at all places with other emergencies taking away time. Would look for the funding of infrastructure for physical improvements that have shown to reduce a driver’s speed such as speed warning signs, speed humps, bulb outs and chicanes etc. Racial Justice & Equity – Seeking Outside Funding & Tools – Continue to seek outside funding and tools: Renton will continue to strongly support legislative initiatives and funding proposals that can assist the City’s Housing, and Human Services programs in advancing racial justice and equity and to deploy additional resources for affordable housing and human needs. The City will be poised to support legislative initiatives to enable the establishment of “Housing Benefit Districts,” to enhance funding through the Housing Trust Fund, and to amend state statutes to better allow surplus property to be provided to those financing affordable homeownership projects. PAGE 4 OF 6 “Support/Oppose” or Track/Monitor Budget and Fiscal – Work to protect “state-shared” and other revenue streams for local governments. Protect against initiatives which would undermine local B&O tax revenues and authority. This includes strong concerns over the redefining of B&O tax treatment of royalties. Strongly support the continuation of a $20 million funding allocation in the 2021-23 Operating Budget that helped offset costs of new police reform and public safety bills enacted by the Legislature. Those costs are still a major factor for local governments. Support efforts to revise a 1 percent property tax cap that is arbitrary in nature and leaves local governments unable to keep pace with inflationary cost increases. Renton supports legislation to instead institute a cap that can be based on inflationary indexes and population growth. (AWC priority for 2024) Criminal Justice/Public Safety/Fire/Courts/Behavioral Health – Strongly support legislation to refine statutes on police vehicle pursuits. Strongly support enhanced funding for community-based behavioral health facilities. Support legislation to take next steps to crack down on catalytic converter thefts. Support legislation brought forth by Municipal Court Administrators to continue authority (otherwise due to expire Jan. 1, 2023) to retain minor over-payments of up to $10 made in connection with any litigation, traffic matters, and criminal and non-criminal matters. Oppose efforts to place unnecessary limitations or remove current authority to utilize traffic safety cameras. Support increased funding for courts, especially to offset a sharp spike in interpreter costs. Support civil-remedy statutory protections for those victimized by malicious “doxing.” Support a statewide request for funding to enable services for crime victims including sexual assault and domestic violence – particularly given decreasing and unstable federal funding through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Support- WASPC will be helping to construct legislation around recruitment and retention funding and support for law enforcement, my look like a .1% tax (similar to 1590 funds) or an additional fee to permits for law enforcement services (like fire). This is similar to SB 5841 that was introduced in the 2023 session, authorizing cities to levee a .1% sales tax. Goal to bring Washington State law enforcement agencies staffing to national average (currently last among the 50 states and DC). Economic Development/Infrastructure/Affordable Housing/Homelessness – Support measures, tools, and funding to help local communities address affordable housing and housing stability, including permanent shelter space and other fund sources for vulnerable residents and those experiencing homelessness. Support initiatives to restore previously diverted funds to the Public Works Assistance Account. Support efforts to add new investments toward fish-barrier and culvert removal projects. PAGE 5 OF 6 Environmental Sustainability – Support initiatives to enhance recycling and safe-packaging practices and bolster disposal of manufactured goods through the Product Stewardship Program. Support efforts to advance the work of the “K4C” (King County-Cities Climate Collaboration) of which Renton is a member. Monitor legislation to incentivize the use of zero-emission equipment for maintenance needs such as mowing, weeding, etc. Renton would prefer to see incentive-based solutions rather than hard mandates on future purchasing. Land-Use/GMA – Retain local authority of parking regulations and the ability to maintain a minimum and maximum number of off-street spaces. Promote Transit-Oriented Development while retaining zoning discretion for station areas served by non-fixed Bus Rapid Transit service (i.e., King County RapidRide) and advocate for reduced instead of eliminated off-street parking regulations in station areas to support EV charging, rideshare vehicles, and local conditions. Support statutory changes to increase the number of new condominiums inside cities and incentivize reuse of existing multi-story buildings for condo ownership. Support changes to the state’s Energy Code to decrease costs for projects such as conversions. Retain local authority over permitting of small-cell development. Support legislation, if brought forward, that would make statutory changes to better enable redevelopment of WSDOT-owned park-and-ride facilities. Local Government in General – Support Public Records Act statutory changes to decrease the severe burden being put on cities and to enhance cost-recovery – especially with request to broad and time-consuming requests. Support statutory changes that would limit the number of years e-mail records must be stored and retrieved. Parks and Recreation, Arts & Culture – Strongly support robust investments in the Capital Budget for outdoor recreation programs such as the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program (WWRP), Youth Athletic Facilities (YAF), Aquatic Lands Enhancement Act (ALEA), Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), etc. Strongly support robust investment in capital budget programs that help fund arts and culture and historic facilities, including Building for the Arts and Heritage grants. Support using a one-time, $42 million allocation to the Recreation & Conservation Office (from a prior Stadium & Exhibition Center Account) for youth facilities, local parks maintenance needs, and advances in equitable access to outdoor spaces. Support a Washington Recreation & Park Association (WRPA) initiative to include $5 million in the 2023-25 Operating Budget to help local parks agencies in addressing maintenance backlogs. Support continued COVID-relief grants and assistance for hard-hit arts-and-culture sector businesses, performing venues, etc. PAGE 6 OF 6 Transportation – Support legislative and funding requests that would enhance funding for local roadway maintenance and add funding for agencies such as the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB). Water-Wastewater-Stormwater-Utilities in General – Join with a broad array of local governments and local government associations that continue to have concerns over cost impacts of a Department of Ecology “Puget Sound General Nutrient Permit” that took effect Jan. 1, 2022. The concerns include what impact the permit will have on utility rates, on growth and density expectations, and more. Renton would support a legislative review or study of the Permit to see if it should be fine-tuned. Structure of position and ongoing Work Items The city CAO will serve as the point of contact – transitioning to direct report to new Regional Affairs Director when brought on board. Provide weekly reports and convene weekly check-in meetings with Mayor and Department Heads during Session Report and check-in with Council at the halfway point of a session or the first cutoff deadline for bills of 2024 Session Produce final Session Report and follow up plan for post-Session Conduct necessary follow-up work and meetings with area State Legislative Delegation. Available as needed and where potential impacts on state legislative and regulatory front during interim period Available to assist on particular projects and initiatives where state funding, state regulatory assistance, or state contacts are a significant component, such as Family First Community Center, Sound Transit items, Eastrail, Sunset Area/Affordable Housing, “1590” funds, etc.