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City vs. TVC Legislative Advocacy Considerations Budget Context: At the April 10, 2025, Special Budget Meeting, the Council unanimously directed staff to move forward with proposed reductions in professional services contracts, which specifically included the elimination of the "Townsend Public Affairs (Pleasanton Only contract)" as part of $130,000 in annual contract reductions. This decision would end the City's standalone legislative advocacy contract, which was set to expire June 30, 2025. Subcommittee Discussion: During the April 29, 2025, Legislative Subcommittee meeting, following the City Council's direction for the draft budget to eliminate the city -specific contract, there was discussion about the implications of this change and potential alternatives. Councilmember Testa expressed interest in potentially reconsidering a city -only advocacy approach that would focus exclusively on Pleasanton priorities. Councilmember Gaidos expressed interest in ensuring greater focus on Pleasanton -specific issues within whatever advocacy structure is maintained. Staff committed to bringing this analysis back to the full Council for consideration, and the staff recommendation and alternatives are presented below. Currently the City pays $60,000 annually for legislative advocacy services with Townsend Public Affairs, of which $30,000 goes toward the City -specific contract, and $30,000 is for the Tri -Valley Coalition (part of $150,000 total shared among five cities). It is important to note that under the current arrangement, bundled pricing benefits are available because the City has multiple concurrent contracts. This beneficial pricing would no longer apply if the City were only to carry a single Townsend contract. As discussed in Alternative 1 below, these benefits could be available again if maintaining the TVC and adding a city -specific contract, however an additional budget allocation would be needed beyond the $30,000 included in the draft budget. April 10 City Council Direction (included in draft budget) - TVC-Only Approach • $30,000 annual contribution (price consistent through remaining two contract years) • Savings of $30,000 from the prior fiscal year • Regional collaboration and federal advocacy included Alternative 1 - Continue TVC + Add Back City Legislative Advocacy: • Maintain current $30,000 TVC contribution • Could use sole source contracting for City Legislative Advocacy as we remain a Townsend Public Affairs client, which could expedite process and retain pricing benefits • Costs are likely similar to the previous arrangement (+/- $60,000), but could be higher • City Council would need to find and add at least $30,000 back into the draft budget Alternative 2 - New Standalone City Contract (Exit TVC): • Exit TVC and reallocate the current $30,000 legislative advocacy funding to City Legislative Advocacy • Would require a Request for Proposal process that could lengthen the process and increase costs • Would no longer receive bundling benefits as a Townsend Public Affairs client • Estimated $60,000+ total cost for new municipal clients (City Council would need to find and add additional $30,000+ to the draft budget) • Would need to develop exit strategy with TVC cities, as Pleasanton currently serves a key role as fiscal sponsor in the TVC coalition. • Would likely be state advocacy only (no federal component) 5 of 6