2019/02/27 Council Agenda Packet

11.Help the City work with Congress,federal departments or agencies and the White House for the resolution of policy,program,and operational issues related to the City's federal goals and objectives. Holland&Knight would keep your voice on critical legislative and funding issues front and center before federal policymakers through careful,strategic positioning. Our team knows how,where, and when to intervene to achieve desired results-and would continue to work closely with Everett to accomplish this. One example of our success: Holland&Knight has organized several meetings for Aurora Water and the City's elected leadership with U.S.Forest Services (USFS)headquarters and White House Intergovernmental Affairs.They met regularly to discuss a wilderness adjustment request,which is needed to build a new reservoir for the City. Previously,the USFS said the project was in the queue -but will take several years. After meetings with headquarters and the White House,USFS has provided additional resources to get the project moving. Another example of Holland&Knight's work is our recent successful advocacy to fund the Capital Investment Grant(CIG) program. President Trump's recent FY 2018 budget request proposed limiting funding to current projects and phasing out the program. Holland&Knight blocked this threat by working with THUD Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Patty Murray(D-WA) and Senate Democratic leadership. We drafted a letter and secured member signatures urging the appropriators to continue funding the program. We also drafted language that would allow projects in the pipeline to continue receiving full funding grant agreements. In addition,we worked with the City of Seattle to organize a trip to Washington,D.C.,with key business leaders and national transit manufacturers that would be hurt by the program's elimination to highlight the program's impact on job creation nationally. Our efforts worked:The FY 2018 Omnibus Appropriations bill included increased funding for the CIG program-and language directing the DOT to continue projects in the pipeline. 12.Represent the City before members of Congress,federal and state officials,public interest groups,private sector entities,think tanks,thought leaders and other stakeholders. Holland&Knight will actively and aggressively advocate for Everett to advance its priority issues. These efforts include lobbying the Everett congressional delegation,key congressional committee and subcommittee leaders,House and Senate leaders,the White House,and federal department/agency officials to achieve your legislative,regulatory,and funding objectives. In addition,as stated previously,all of the team members identified in this proposal have had experience working with foundations,think tanks,trade associations,and NGOs that support the activities of executive branch agencies and multilateral institutions in Washington,D.C. We know how to strategically engage these groups to help advance the City's priorities. Further,Holland&Knight will actively involve the mayor and City department officials in advocacy efforts. Towards this end,we will identify pivotal times in the federal process for the mayor and City officials to contact or meet with congressional members and Administration officials. We will assist with the development of letters,concise talking points,briefing materials and other backup materials for each meeting or contact. We will keep the City informed on the latest developments Holland&Knight Confidential Presentation for the City of Everett I 26