Exhibit 1 - Agenda Information Sheet - generalCity of Denton
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AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
DEPARTMENT: Procurement & Compliance
ACM: David Gaines
DATE: January 5, 2021
SUBJECT
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, a Texas home-rule municipal corporation,
authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Jackson
Walker, LLP, to assist the City of Denton in advancing its state legislative program, assist Council and Staff
in addressing proposed legislation, and make the City aware of any legislative or administrative initiatives
believed to be detrimental to the interests of the City for Line 1 - Fee for General Consulting; providing for
the expenditure of funds therefor; and providing an effective date (RFP 7422 - awarded to Jackson Walker,
LLP, for two (2) years in the amount of $176,334.00, with the option for two (2) additional two (2) year
extensions, for a total of six (6) years in a total not-to-exceed amount of $529,000.00).
INFORMATION/BACKGROUND
Recent trends of the Texas Legislature have seen that each new session brings an increased number of city-
related bills filed, with the majority proposing impediments to the ability of cities to govern from a local
perspective. For the last several sessions, legislative leaders have continued to file and support bills that
would lower or broaden the current cap on annual increases in property tax appraisals, impose a local
revenue cap, enact costly unfunded mandates, or erode municipal authority to conduct local affairs. As
Denton continues to grow, the City’s legislative exposure continues to increase with potentially greater
negative impacts to the City’s budget, and more importantly, on the City’s ability to deliver services in the
best interest of the community.
Staff believes it imperative to continue the City’s relationship with proven legislative consultants as part of
the City’s legislative strategy. Given the history of unfavorable policy bills that consultants have helped the
City defeat or mitigate, staff believes the benefits of contracting with such a professional service to be in
the City’s best interest. The City of Denton began using legislative consultants to assist with general
government issues during the 80th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature (2007). Prior to that, only
Denton Municipal Electric (DME) used a legislative consultant to assist with utility matters.
Denton has also been actively involved with the Texas Municipal League’s (TML) Big City Lobby group
since 2003. This group coordinates representatives from TML and major Texas cities to work together on
legislative strategy and organize support of beneficial legislation and opposition to detrimental legislation
to cities. Due to the unique characteristics of each city, however, Denton sometimes found itself without
allies on proposed legislation, such as on the college textbook sales tax exemption bills, or with the gas well
legislation HB 40.
City Hall
215 E. McKinney Street
Denton, Texas
www.cityofdenton.com
Though it might be difficult to place an exact dollar amount on the cost avoidance for the defeat of policy
bills adverse to the City’s interests, it could very well run into several million dollars each session. As
budgets tighten, it has become increasingly difficult for the City to maintain a presence in Austin.
Additionally, for the last almost five months, the Capitol has been closed, leaving the in‐person aspect of
the legislative session in serious question. The benefit of having a full‐service legislative affairs team by
having real‐time access to (and information about) the constantly changing legislative and regulatory
landscape and the players within - both during a legislative session as well as the interim.
Over the last several months, staff evaluated the contract for legislative services and issued a formal Request
for Proposals (RFP) for professional services, and concluded to formally solicit responses from a
competitive field of firms. Three firms responded with a wide range of experience and expertise. After
interviews were conducted, staff evaluating the respondents ultimately scored Jackson Walker highest in
the General Government portion of the RFP. Overall, staff believes they have the necessary experience,
expertise, resources, initiative, and established relationships with key members of the state government to
be effective on behalf of the City’s legislative priorities. Jackson Walker also exhibits familiarity with
municipal issues and the ability to provide an individualized experience to the unique needs of Denton.
Their team has decades of experience and knowledge navigating the ins and outs of the legislative and
regulatory process. Because they work in a variety of different issue areas, they will be able to provide the
City with both broad political context, as well as researched and creative solutions to specific issues that
may develop.
Requests for Proposals were sent to 519 prospective suppliers of this item. In addition, specifications were
placed on the Materials Management website for prospective suppliers to download and advertised in the
local newspaper. Three (3) proposals were received and evaluated based upon published criteria including
experience, probable performance, and price. Based upon this evaluation, Jackson Walker LLP was ranked
the highest for Line #1 and determined to be the best value for the City.
NIGP Code Used for Solicitation: 918 - (Service Only) - Consulting
Services
Notifications sent for Solicitation sent in IonWave: 519
Number of Suppliers that viewed Solicitation in IonWave: 20
HUB-Historically Underutilized Business Invitations sent out: 36
SBE-Small Business Enterprise Invitations sent out: 158
Responses from Solicitation: 3
RECOMMENDATION
Award a contract with Jackson Walker, LLP, to assist the City of Denton in advancing its state legislative
program, assist Council and Staff in addressing proposed legislation, and make the City aware of any
legislative or administrative initiatives believed to be detrimental to the interests of the City for Line 1 –
Fee for General Consulting, in a two (2) year, with the option for two (2) additional two (2) year extensions,
in the total six (6) year not-to-exceed amount of $529,000.
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS
Jackson Walker, LLP
Dallas, Texas
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
This is an initial two (2) year contract with options to extend the contract for two (2) additional two (2) year
periods, with all terms and conditions remaining the same.
FISCAL INFORMATION
These services will be funded through the Public Affairs General Fund budget. The City will only pay for
services rendered and is not obligated to pay the full contract amount unless needed.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1: Agenda Information Sheet
Exhibit 2: Pricing Evaluation
Exhibit 3: Ordinance and Contract
Respectfully submitted:
Lori Hewell, 940-349-7100
Purchasing Manager
For information concerning this acquisition, contact: Ryan Adams, 940-349-8565.
Legal point of contact: Marcella Lunn at 940-349-8333.