*Authorize contract with Thorn Run Partners, LLC for City representation at the Oregon State Legislature and with the executive office of the Oregon Governor not to exceed $360,000
The City of Portland ordains:
Section 1. The Council finds:
- On January 4, 2023 City Council accepted the City of Portland 2023 State Legislative Agenda. The purpose of the 2023 State Legislative Agenda is to advance the City’s legislative priorities at the Oregon State Legislature.
- The Office of Government Relations State Relations Team had a sudden and acute staffing shortage that resulted in inadequate staffing levels for the upcoming legislative session. The representation the Office of Government Relations State Relations Team provides is vital to the City’s ongoing efforts to humanely and effectively address homelessness and improve public safety within the City of Portland as well as to continue operations for various City bureaus.
- Due to this shortage, Mayor Ted Wheeler, Commissioner-in-Charge of the Office of Government Relations, declared that emergency procurement procedures were warranted under Portland City Code 5.68 for Professional, Technical and Expert Service Contracts and directed the Office of Government Relations and the Chief Procurement Officer to begin emergency procurement proceedings per Portland City Code 5.33.130.
- On January 12, 2023, following consultant selection proceedings under Portland City Code 5.33.130, Mayor Ted Wheeler authorized the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) to execute a contract with Thorn Run Partners, LLC, for representation for the City of Portland at the Oregon State Legislature and with the executive office of the Oregon Governor for an amount not to exceed $360,000 for a period of two years as referenced in Exhibit A.
- The financial impacts are short-term. Additional spending of existing resources will occur and the Office will require new program funding to support this legislation. The project estimate level of confidence is certain. The legislation results in a new financial obligation through a contract with an external vendor.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- The Chief Procurement Officer is hereby authorized to enter into a contract in an amount not to exceed $360,000 with Thorn Run Partners, LLC to procure the services described in Exhibit B.
Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session began on January 17th and a delay in securing representation could jeopardize advancing the priorities set forth in the City of Portland’s 2023 State Legislative Agenda; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.
Official Record (Efiles)
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved
in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
The purpose of this Ordinance is to authorize a two-year contract for representation at the Oregon State Legislature and with the executive office of the Oregon Governor to advance the City’s priorities as covered in the City of Portland’s 2023 State Legislative Agenda.
The Office of Government Relations (OGR) State Relations Team had a sudden and acute staffing shortage that resulted in inadequate staffing levels for the upcoming legislative session. The representation the Office of Government Relations State Relations Team provides is vital to the City’s ongoing efforts to humanely and effectively address homelessness and improve public safety within the City of Portland as well as continue operations for various City bureaus.
Due to this shortage, Mayor Ted Wheeler, Commissioner-in-Charge of the Office of Government Relations, declared that emergency procurement procedures were warranted under Portland City Code 5.68 for Professional, Technical and Expert Service Contracts and directed the Office of Government Relations and the Chief Procurement Officer to begin emergency procurement proceedings per Portland City Code 5.33.130.
On January 12, 2023, following consultant selection proceedings under Portland City Code 5.33.130, Mayor Ted Wheeler authorized the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) to execute a contract with Thorn Run Partners for representation for the City of Portland at the Oregon State Legislature and with the executive office of the Oregon Governor for an amount not to exceed $360,000 for a period of two years.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
The financial impacts are short-term. There are impacts to the budget and to the appropriations to the State Relations Program in the chart below. Additional spending of existing resources will occur and the Office will require new program funding to support this legislation. The project estimate level of confidence is certain. The legislation results in a new financial obligation through a contract with an external vendor.
The outcome of lobbying and advocacy efforts on several items in the 2023 State Legislative Agenda could have a direct or indirect impact on City finances by defending existing revenue streams and potentially expanding funding opportunities for programs facilitated by the city, programs that support Portlanders, and initiatives to address the urgent needs the City faces in homelessness, public safety, behavioral health, and affordable housing.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
This ordinance will allow for work to continue on the City’s 2023 State Legislative Agenda. OGR worked with bureau liaisons, city attorneys, the Office of Equity and Human Rights, council offices and bureau subject matter experts to research and vet concepts for inclusion in the 2023 State Legislative Agenda. Bureaus were required to submit a racial equity analysis as part of issue proposals, assess the nexus of issue proposals with the City’s adopted core values, and engage with bureau equity managers and/or equity practitioners.
OGR met with representatives of community-based organizations to share preliminary concepts, learn about their priorities, and develop strategies for collaboration. Multiple initiatives in the agenda will result in OGR working with coalitions to implement the agenda, including those led by BIPOC and frontline communities. OGR also met with members of the Portland legislative delegation, key legislators from around the state, and other governments as part of vetting, coalition building, and understanding the 2022 state legislative landscape.
100% Renewable Goal
The Report on the City of Portland 2023 State Legislative Agenda includes a broad statement of support for legislation to invest in a swift transition to clean energy, while reducing energy costs for low-income people and the most vulnerable individuals in our communities, centering the protection and well-being of BIPOC communities at the intersection of climate and infrastructure to build resilience and stability. This support complements the City’s goal of meeting 100 percent of community-wide energy needs with renewable energy by 2050.
Financial and Budget Analysis
Analysis provided by City Budget Office
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In current fiscal year 2022-23, OGR expects to expend $15,000 per month on this contract, resulting in a currently-projected $90,000 outlay for January through June of this year. The bureau did not budget for this expense in the Adopted or Fall BMP-revised budget exercises (as the work was to be done by the bureau’s state relations team). However, due to recent and sudden staff departures, this ordinance is being brought forward to procure lobbying services to mitigate the loss of staff in the State Relations team. In the current year, the bureau will attempt to absorb these costs with vacancy savings generated by the staffing shortages. However, recent unforeseen expenditures related to vacation pay-outs, recruitment-driven relocation expenses, and a recent pay equity analysis resulting in an increase in the Government Relations Specialist II-III pay bands—there is risk that the bureau will not be able to absorb the current year costs of this contract within existing appropriations. By authorizing the execution of this contract, Council should be prepared to potentially appropriate General Fund unrestricted contingency resources in the Spring BMP or Over-expenditure Ordinance supplemental budget exercises. |