City of Kirkland Issues Lobbying RFP

The City of Kirkland City Manager’s Office is initiating this Request for Proposal to solicit proposals from consultants experienced in state legislative operations and proceedings, who are interested in providing professional state lobbyist services to further the interests of City’s legislative goals and priorities.

Kirkland is one of 44 Washington cities operating under the Council-Manager form of government. This system of local government combines the political leadership of elected part-time council members with the managerial experience of an appointed full-time City Manager. The City Council is the legislative body; its seven members are the community’s decision-makers. The City Manager is hired to serve the Council and the community in carrying out policies and overseeing the delivery of municipal services. The Mayor is elected from within the City Council, to serve a two-year term. The Mayor presides at City Council meetings and represents the City at various ceremonial functions and at other community and intergovernmental meetings. This position does not exercise veto power.

Features of the city include seven miles of shoreline together with a unique downtown waterfront, the only Eastside downtown frontage along Lake Washington’s shores. The downtown boasts restaurants, art galleries, a 400-seat performing arts center, public parks, and public beaches. The City recognizes pedestrian safety and walkability as key components in the quality of life for those that live, work, and play here. The City has preserved its public pathways along Lake Washington Boulevard. In 2006, Kirkland was the first city in Washington State to adopt a Complete Streets Ordinance, which provides for the design of streets that will enable safe access for all users. The city boasts nearly 20 miles of trails and park paths that connect people to parks, neighborhoods, other community destinations, as well as to a vast network of regional trails. Kirkland was named Best City by 425 Magazine in 2018 and 2014, and Money Magazine ranked Kirkland as #5 in its 2014 Best Places to Live in America issue.

Scope of Work:

The intent of this RFP to obtain proposals from qualified individuals, firm, or entities to provide state legislative advocacy services. The selected Consultant will work with the City to develop state legislative agendas and work with legislators, agency and department staff to advance the City’s legislative priorities in Olympia, monitor the state’s appropriations cycles and grant deadlines and another state legislative and agency-related activities

Kirkland is one of 44 Washington cities operating under the Council-Manager form of government. This system of local government combines the political leadership of elected part-time council members with the managerial experience of an appointed full-time City Manager. The City Council is the legislative body; its seven members are the community’s decision-makers. The City Manager is hired to serve the Council and the community in carrying out policies and overseeing the delivery of municipal services. The Mayor is elected from within the City Council, to serve a two-year term. The Mayor presides at City Council meetings and represents the City at various ceremonial functions and at other community and intergovernmental meetings. This position does not exercise veto power.

Kirkland is a rapidly urbanizing city in King County, Washington, located on the east side of Lake Washington from the City of Seattle. Since its incorporation in 1905, Kirkland has grown to approximately 12 times its original geographic boundaries, nearly doubling in size during the 1940s and 1960s. In 2011, Kirkland annexed three unincorporated northern neighborhoods, adding approximately 31,000 new residents and nearly seven square miles. Its current population totals approximately 88,940, making it the 6th largest city in King County and the 13th largest in Washington State. Kirkland City government supports a strong, diverse economy with quality services and infrastructure. Prudent financial management has earned the City Standard & Poor’s AAA credit rating year after year.

Lake Washington School District is the primary public school district for the City of Kirkland. Kirkland is also home to Lake Washington Institute of Technology, as well as Northwest University, a regionally accredited Christian coeducational institution.

Kirkland is bordered to the west by Lake Washington, to the east by the City of Redmond, to the south by the City of Bellevue, and to the north by the cities of Kenmore, Woodinville, and Bothell. Kirkland is accessible via Interstate 405, which connects it with other eastside cities, including Bellevue, Renton, and Bothell. Seattle and the University of Washington are west of Kirkland, and Redmond to the east, all of which are accessible via State Highway 520.

Scope Detail

Anticipated work includes, but is not limited to:

• Develop legislative concepts/language and legislative agenda in conjunction with the City’s Legislative Committee, City Manager and Intergovernmental Relations & Economic Development Manager.
• Develop agenda and assist with materials for pre-session legislative coffees.
• Participate in weekly City Legislative Workgroup meetings via conference call on legislative priorities and specific issues for review, analysis, and strategy.
• Provide general education and insight on the Governor’s office and legislature, and specific or potential impacts to the City of Kirkland.
• Provide information on delegation members’ priorities and committee assignments.
• Attain access to City’s Legislative Management System and establish proficiency in its use.
• During session, provide regular weekly written reports (due Friday AM), in a mutually agreed to format to the City during session to include: detailed updates on priority items; a weekly schedule of relevant upcoming legislative hearings; bill tracking; and reporting information for all legislation determined by staff to potentially impact the City.
• Coordinate meetings with legislators, the Governor and agency staff.
• Coordinate and/or participate in meetings with stakeholders with similar interests (Association of Washington Cities, etc.) prior to and during a session.
• Draft and finalize amendments and budget provisos throughout the legislative process.
• Coordinate an executive branch strategy as needed, depending on priority legislative items.
• Assist the City with creating effective, consistent and coordinated communications with the state delegation, including assisting with draft written correspondence.
• Facilitate legislation sponsorship and introduction in both the House and Senate as needed.
• Advise city officials and staff on interaction with legislative and the executive branch.
• Present legislative issues to the full City Council as needed/upon request. (Council meetings held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday’s of each month.)
• Monitor opposition activities designed to prevent or unfavorably alter City legislation and take appropriate action to ameliorate opposition.
• Research and provide information on state funding opportunities.
• Work with the City to maximize its capital programs applications.
• Work on budget items – operating, capital and transportation – as determined within the legislative agenda.
• Timely and accurate information on appropriation timelines and various deadlines throughout the appropriation process, including information on funding levels.
• Guidance and status reports on the City’s appropriation requests.
• Provide an end-of-session summary report of proactive and defensive achievements

Due Date:

August 21, 2019

Address:

The City of Kirkland

Attn: Greg Piland – Job Number 44-19-CMO

123 Fifth Avenue

Kirkland, WA. 98033       

Relevant agencies worth considering for this assignment include APCO Worldwide and MWWPR.