Washington D.C. lobbyist looking out for Santa Monica City Hall
By Daily Press staff
(Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series that tracks the city’s expenditures which appear on the upcoming Santa Monica City Council consent agenda. Consent agenda items are routinely passed by the city council with little or no discussion from elected officials or the public. However, many of the items have been part of public discussion in the past.) The City Council tonight is expected to spend more than $2 million on two items — a water main replacement project and a Washington D.C. lobbyist.
The water main project, estimated to cost $1.9 million this year, occurs annually based on age, corrosion and capacity demands. It is unknown what water mains will be replaced in the city this year, but city staff will coordinate the work in conjunction with other projects like street resurfacing and sewer projects.
The actual construction cost is $1.5 million and another $170,000 will be spent on construction management services, which will be provided by the same contractor that oversees several other projects for City Hall. Contingency fees add up to $764,473 for the entire project.
The other expenditure expected to be approved tonight is securing a lobbyist in Washington D.C. for a third consecutive year.
The Ferguson Group has charged City Hall $127,200 for the past two years of lobbying it has done for Santa Monica. The $63,600 annual contract is up for renewal tonight.
The Ferguson Group has worked extensively for City Hall’s federal objectives in reviewing executive proposals, legislation, administrative regulation, Congressional appropriations and developments occurring in Washington. The lobbying firm then advises City Hall officials on those items that may affect the city’s policies and programs.
In the past couple of years, the Ferguson Group has monitored activities by lawmakers concerning a host of issues that directly affect Santa Monica, including MTBE water contamination which forced several wells to be closed a few years ago. The lobbying firm also monitors housing advocacy programs, FAA action relating to the Santa Monica Airport and FEMA related assistance.
Also in the past year, the Ferguson Group has watched community and economic development activity related to securing funds to restore an historic beach house on the Pacific Coast Highway that was built by William Randolph Hearst, as well as securing funds for rebuilding the breakwater off of the Santa Monica Pier for a future boat harbor.
The Ferguson Group also is helping City Hall get the necessary funding for the planned Exposition Light Rail that will run from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 12, 2003. Read the original PDF.