2019/02/27 Council Agenda Packet

E. Describe how you have worked effectively on a bipartisan basis and provide a specific example. Year after year,election after election,Holland&Knight clients continue to receive excellent service and results because of our firm's commitment to-and constant practice of-bipartisanship. This allows us to anticipate and adjust quickly to changing congressional or Administration dynamics, which continue to shift rapidly in Washington,D.C.these days. When the 2020 elections begin in earnest,we will be ready to assist Everett no matter what the outcomes are. We have worked effectively on a bipartisan basis and have an excellent track record of success. Recently,on behalf of several of our municipal clients,Holland&Knight organized mayors and water utilities from across the country to prioritize water infrastructure workforce investments. Large segments of the utility workforce are eligible for retirement in the next five to 10 years-far exceeding workforce replacement needs in other sectors. To stay ahead of this upcoming crisis,we created a new water workforce grant program at EPA. We drafted the legislation;targeted utilities across the country who were in congressional districts of key committee members;and drafted talking points for the utilities to use with their members' staff. Using our relationships with the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee,we asked Senators Cory Booker(D-NJ)and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)to introduce the legislation and champion it in the recently passed Water Resources Development Act(WRDA) of 2018 conference report. The legislation was signed into law in October 2018. F. How does your approach meet or exceed our needs as described in the scope of work and specifications? Holland&Knight knows the City of Everett's federal issues in-depth and fully understands its unique needs,assets,and challenges. We will use our strong and successful working relationships with the City's House and Senate delegation,committees and key federal departments/agencies to deliver results for the City. With our team,there is no need for either an extended education process on the City's priorities or establishing relationships with the delegation,committee leadership,or Administration officials key to advancing the City's federal issues. We are prepared to begin work immediately and are committed to meeting and exceeding Everett's needs as described through your RFP's Scope of Services. This includes: 1.Provide ongoing monitoring and reporting on federal legislation and regulatory matters that impact the City of Everett. Holland&Knight monitors all legislative and regulatory activity that affects our clients-and acts accordingly if there is an opportunity or threat from it. In addition to using standard databases,like Bloomberg Government(BGov),Politico Pro,and National Journal,we get our best information through discussions with members of Congress and staff,key committee members and staff,House and Senate leadership,and Administration officials. They give us behind-the-scenes insights on proposals,potential issues and opportunities,which we then use to provide real-time updates to our clients. This way,they know exactly what is happening in D.C.as developments occur. Holland 8c Knight Confidential Presentation for the City of Everett I 18