Village of Westchester

Transcription

1 Village of Westchester Agenda Committee of the Whole Meeting Village Hall Roosevelt Road Westchester, IL Tuesday, May 14, 2013 Village Hall Board Room-7:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Roll Call 4. New Business A. Government Relations Contract President Pulia (p. 1) B. Appointment of Deputy Clerk Clerk Miller (discussion only) 5. Old Business 6. Information Only 7. Public Participation In order to give as many visitors as possible an opportunity to speak and in the interest of adjourning the meeting by 9:00 p.m., please limit your comments to 3 minutes in length, unless further time is granted by the Board. Thank you. 8. Executive Session 9. Adjournment The Village of Westchester will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the Village of Westchester, should contact the office of the Fire Chief, W. Roosevelt Road, Westchester, IL, (708) , as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.

2 Government Consulting Services of Illinois, LLC Three First National Plaza 70 W. Madison, Suite 1600 Chicago, Illinois (Direct) (Cell) (Fax) Mr. Sam D. Pulia Village President Westchester Village Hall W. Roosevelt Road Westchester, IL Re: Government Relation Services Dear Mayor Pulia: Please allow this correspondence to serve as a proposal, which if its terms are agreeable, will act as a Retainer Agreement between the Village of Westchester, Illinois ( Westchester ) and Government Consulting Services of Illinois, LLC ( GCSI ) regarding the abovereferenced matter. It is our practice to confirm with an engagement letter certain understandings regarding the manner in which GCSI will perform and bill for our services. This correspondence outlines the services GCSI can provide Westchester with regard to Government Relations Services. GCSI has worked in the Executive Branch of State Government for over ten years. In that role, GCSI has worked with the Illinois General Assembly on various pieces of legislation, i.e., monitoring, drafting, analyzing, and lobbying, for and against proposed legislation. The GCSI Members have experience with all phases of representation before governmental bodies, including the familiarity with procedural nuances and the instincts necessary to develop and implement strategic advocacy. GCSI will provide representation and assistance to you in this matter. Fees and Budget This Agreement is effective as of May 16, 2013 and will continue through May 15, 2014 (the Term ). The retainer fee for Services, as set forth in this Agreement, will be a fee of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00). Westchester agrees to pay GCSI Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) upon execution of this Agreement. The remainder of the fee will be payable in installments of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) per month. GCSI shall invoice Westchester for Services performed on the 15th of each month. 1

3 Page 2 It is understood that GCSI will serve as an independent contractor with the authority to control and direct the performance of the details of the Services to be provided following appropriate consultation with the Village staff. All Services will be provided within the context of the fee arrangement outlined above. Any questions about the terms of this agreement or the status of our work on your behalf should be directed to my attention. For this fee GCSI will provide the following description of services to be rendered: Strategic Communications Coordinate briefings with the Mayor and staff of Westchester on issues related to the Village. GCSI is committed to working with the Village employees and other individuals designated by Westchester to produce results. Government Relations GCSI will aggressively identify issues affecting Westchester in the State of Illinois. GCSI will monitor and assist Westchester in dealing with the complex array of rules and regulations. GCSI will maintain extensive communications with the appropriate State of Illinois officials and their staff to ensure GCSI receives relevant information in a timely manner. GCSI will direct lobbying efforts and representation at all levels of State government. GCSI will also monitor and attend hearings and provide Westchester with timely reports, analysis and proposals. GCSI will work closely with Westchester to coordinate all State activities. GCSI will work closely with the Executive and Administrative Branches of the State and their respective staffs to monitor legislation that may impact the Westchester. GCSI will serve as Westchester s liaison with targeted agencies based on stated priorities. Proposed Services Once relevant activities have been identified that will be of significance to Westchester, and GCSI will recommend appropriate responses to the activities. GCSI will meet with Westchester senior-level employees to strategically draft legislation, identify a sponsor for the legislation, and basically walk the legislation through each chamber from start to finish. 2

4 Page 3 GCSI will monitor many pieces of legislation and offer an analysis to Westchester along with a recommendation of Westchester being a proponent or opponent of each piece of legislation. GCSI will develop a strategy for implementing Westchester s agenda with State of Illinois government agencies. GCSI will also advise Westchester s official of various issues that might arise that may affect Westchester s interests in a negative or positive manner. GCSI will work on legislative matters, as well as aggressively identify opportunities, and pursue funding opportunities and/or legislation for Westchester in the State of Illinois. GCSI will maintain extensive communication with the appropriate State officials and their respective staff to ensure GCSI receives relevant funding information in a timely manner. GCSI will work closely with the Executive Branch and members of the Illinois General Assembly and their staff to monitor grants and legislation on behalf of Westchester. All discussions between representatives of Westchester and GCSI, and the nature of our relationship will be kept confidential unless permission in expressly given by you or your representatives to disclose such information. Such confidentiality shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement. If these arrangements are consistent with your understanding, GCSI asks for your acknowledgement by signing the enclosed copy of this Agreement and returning the executed copy to the undersigned. GCSI looks forward to working with you on this important endeavor. ACKNOWLEDGED and APPROVED BY: The Village of Westchester, Illinois By: Signature Its: Date: Cc: Janet Mathys, Village Manager Very truly yours, Government Consulting Services of Illinois, LLC Frank J. Cortese Frank J. Cortese, Principal 3

5 Page 4 Government Consulting Services of Illinois, LLC Professional Qualifications The principal of Government Consulting Services of Illinois, LLC ( GCSI ) an Illinois Limited Liability Company, is Frank J. Cortese. GCSI is a full-service, multi-client contractual lobbying and strategic planning firm with offices in Chicago and Springfield, Illinois. GCSI is a registered lobbying entity with the State of Illinois under the Illinois Lobbyist Registration Act (25 ILCS 170). GCSI is also registered as a lobbying entity with the City of Chicago. Mr. Cortese has been a registered lobbyist with the State of Illinois since Mr. Cortese has been on staff in some capacity at the state level of the Executive Branch for the years 1987 to 2000, prior to becoming a registered lobbyist. Mr. Cortese s involvement working for the State Government and interacting with the General Assembly includes his experience as the assistant to the Secretary of State of Illinois, from 1987 to In this capacity, Mr. Cortese worked with various legislators on personnel issues. Mr. Cortese worked for the Governor s Office, from 1991 to Mr. Cortese was involved with various legislators as it related to personnel and labor issues, and he specifically monitored all labor related legislation. Experience GCSI has significant experience with all phases of representation before governmental bodies, including the familiarity with procedure nuances and the instincts necessary to develop and implement strategic advocacy. Our expertise permits us to provide a full range of legislative services. Mr. Cortese and GCSI have accrued the latest technology and expertise needed to assure the optimum results for its clients. GCSI represents both private and public sector entities. GCSI prides itself on the proactive stance it takes addressing the needs of its clients. GCSI effectively identifies the issues and opportunities that affect client decision-making and provides timely, strategic and responsive proposals to achieve client stated objectives. GCSI assists its clients in drafting legislation, bill analysis, taking points and legislative testimony. GCSI provides its clients effective, strategic counsel to further their policy objectives. GCSI s extensive experience allows it to provide a full-range of legislative services. GCSI will assist in drafting legislation, amendments, bill analysis, talking points and legislative testimony. GCSI will provide strategic counsel to further its client s policy objectives. GCSI uses its strong relationships with officials, legislators and their staff to the advantage of its client s identifying relevant policymakers while establishing effective communications in a timely manner. GCSI s experience extends over a broad range of regulatory, administrative and 4

6 Page 5 legislative issues. These capabilities, along with the ability to work with both sides of the aisle, make GCSI a successful advocate on behalf of its clients. GCSI has extensive experience in assisting clients before the General Assembly and has provided oral testimony at times before the various legislative committees. GCSI is committed and has the resources and availability to get the job done. GCSI understands the legislative processes in the State of Illinois. GCSI attends and monitors various state legislative committees on behalf of its clients. GCSI provides an analysis and opinion from the committee hearings as it relates to its client. In some instances, GCSI will oppose certain legislation at the committees and, in other instances, GCSI will amend certain pieces of legislation. All legislative action is coordinated with the client. GCSI is constantly monitoring all committees and legislation, during session and special session. In summary, GCSI knows how to win and understands the legislative process and will assist its clients by developing and evaluating a detailed strategy in the following manner: Assist in strategic planning; Provide powerful follow-up; Respond in a timely and effective manner; Simplify increasingly complex processes; Keep a keen eye on competitive forces; GCSI effectively identifies the issues and opportunities that affect client decision-making and provides timely, strategic and responsive proposals to achieve client-stated objectives. GCSI s approach can be summed up in four words, constant coordination and communication. GCSI will provide client references upon request. 5

7 Page 6 Client List Animal Welfare Institute Cannery Casino Resorts, LLC Chicago Film Studio, LLC City of Des Plaines, Illinois Elevator Constructors Union, Local 2 Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, Local 17 Illinois Housing Development Authority, ( IHDA ) Illinois Medical District Commission, ( IMDC ) Illinois Pipe Trades Association and Advancement Program, ( IPTAAP ) Joliet Arsenal Development Authority, ( JADA ) Knight Engineers and Architects Lagunitas Brewing Company Lyons Township Highway Department Motion Picture Studio Mechanics Local 476, ( IATSE ) MWH Americas, Inc. Omega and Associates Orland Township PACE Suburban Bus Professional National Title Network, Inc. ( PNTN ) Republic Services, Inc. Robbins Community Power Simec, LLC Teamsters Joint Council, Local 25 Theatrical State Employees Union, Local 2 Village of Bellwood, Illinois Village of Bridgeview, Illinois Village of Norridge, Illinois 6