City Council Approves Contract with High-Priced Lobbyists

• Majority of Members Reject Colleague’s Efforts to Seek a Reduction in Fees

BY BILL KOENEKER

The Malibu City Council, on a 4-1 vote with Councilmember Pamela Conley Ulich dissenting, approved a $150,000 per year contract this week for its Sacramento-based lobbyist.

The agreement authorizing the two-year extension is between the city and California Strategies, LLC, a government relations consultant and advocacy firm.

Conley Ulich said she thought the city was paying too much for the services the lobbying firm would take up, since several issues have been resolved.

“I think they did an excellent job, but the contract is still for $12,500 per month and we have taken two large items off their plate. I think we should go back and negotiate a little bit better,” she said.

However, she could get no other votes for her motion to do so. Other council members praised the lobbyists, indicated there were other issues the firm would be taking up and hinted the consultants would go no lower in pay.

“They wanted $20,000. That [$12,500] is as low as they will go,” said Councilmember Sharon Barovsky, who noted they have been assigned the task of working with state officials to secure more funding for the improvements sought for Legacy Park.

Councilmember Ken Kearsley said he intended to offer a motion, at a later meeting, to have the lobbyists work on two Malibu issues—obtaining more local oversight of drug rehabilitation facilities and regulating the flights of banner planes.

“There has been some movement in the [state] Assembly and Senate on the drug rehab issue and also the Federal Aviation Administration with banner planes,” he added.

California Strategies includes some big names representing a who’s who of political consultants, politicians and career bureaucrats within state government.

Bob White, the company’s chair, headed up Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s campaign as chief of staff/campaign manager and had partnered with former California Governor Pete Wilson from 1968 to 1997. White served as Wilson’s chief of staff during Wilson’s entire political career.

Another partner is Jim Brulte, who served in the state legislature for 14 years. His most recent employment was as Senate Republican leader, before joining the offices of California Strategies. Brulte has been called one of the most powerful individuals in Southern California and Schwarzenegger described him as “arguably the most powerful elected Republican in California.” He was elected to the State Assembly in 1990 and served as the Assembly Republican leader from 1992 to 1995.

Another partner whose name may be familiar to Malibuites because of his recent oversight of the State Parks agency and membership on the California Coastal Commission is Rusty Areias, who was appointed as Director of the State Department of Parks and Recreation from 1998-2001. He also served on the Coastal Commission for four years and chaired the panel for two years. Areias had previously served 12 years in the State Assembly representing Bay Area counties.

According to its website, California Strategies describes itself as a strategic consulting firm whose expertise is “navigating the public policy and government decision making processes.” Their clients include corporations, governing bodies, industry associations, real estate developers and not-for-profit organizations in the state, across the country and around the world.

“We have written, secured approval for, and implemented legislation and regulations. We have fashioned strategies for policy initiatives passed with the support of millions of California voters,” a statement on its website boasts. The company has offices in the state capitol, Orange County, Los Angeles, Inland Empire and San Diego.

Three years ago, Malibu hired the lobbying firm and the current agreement extends the contract.

In the past year, California Strategies has worked with the city on several projects, including consulting with the state legislature and governor’s office in opposition to the proposed LNG port and coordinating key meetings with decision-makers in Sacramento regarding support for Legacy Park and other projects.

Councilmember Andy Stern insisted they were instrumental in helping secure the defeat of the Cabrillo LNG port. “I would not suggest paying them one penny less,” he added.

In a memo to council members, City Manager Jim Thorsen told members as the need for intergovernmental support is expected to increase, especially as the city seeks funding support for Legacy Park and other projects, the need for the lobbying firm is just as critical.