191312

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1.  The Council finds:

1. On January 4, 2023 City Council accepted the City of Portland 2023 Federal Legislative and Regulatory Agenda. The purpose of the 2023 Federal Legislative and Regulatory Agenda is to advance the City’s legislative priorities at the national level before the U.S. Congress and federal government.

2. The City’s Federal Legislative and Regulatory Agenda is implemented by the Federal Relations Program within the Office of Government Relations, which includes a contract for Federal representation services in Washington, D.C.

3. On November 8, 2022, Portland voters approved Ballot Measure 26-228, a package of reforms proposed by the Portland Charter Commission, and the City is now in a period of implementing those proposals.

4. To the extent possible, it is important that City bureaus and offices take appropriate actions to facilitate a smooth transition during this period, including the coordination of government-to-government relations.

5. The City should remain highly engaged on key Council priorities as identified in the City’s Federal Legislative and Regulatory Agenda, including on issues addressing homelessness, housing stability, public safety, behavioral health, climate and environmental justice, and infrastructure investment.

6. The City’s current contract for federal representation services is due to expire on August 31, 2023.

7. A one-year extension of the current contract with Squire Patton Boggs will provide continuity of service while we gain more clarity on how the Charter Reform Process will impact the operations of the Office of Government Relations and allow for the City’s new organizational structure to be more accurately conveyed within a Request for Proposal which will be run in Spring 2024.

8. The Office of Government Relations will begin a procurement process for a federal representation contract early in 2024 to have a contract in place by August 31, 2024.

9. A contract beginning in September 2024 will allow for a Federal Relations Program that is ready to serve the Mayor, City Administrator, and the Portland City Council on January 1, 2025.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:

1. That the Chief Procurement Officer is authorized to execute an amendment to Contract No. 30006128 with Squire Patton Boggs to extend the contract for one year and to increase the not to exceed amount to $1,386,000 provided that the amendment has been approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office.