cover
TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Alex Voigt, Deputy Chief of Staff
DATE: December 3, 2020
SUBJECT:
A resolution approving an extension of an agreement with Bukola Bello for Lobbying Services on behalf of the City of Aurora.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this item is to request the City Council's approval to maintain an additional lobbyist to represent the City of Aurora for 2021.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora has been represented by Dan Shomon, Inc. (DSI), and has been since 2006. A request to extend Dan's contract is also up for consideration for the Finance Committee as well.
In early 2020, the city began to explore the idea of adding a member to our lobby team. After interviewing several candidates, Bukola Bello of Vision M.A.I. was selected. Her contract was initially to be considered by the committee in March, but was put on hold due to the pandemic until August of 2020. City staff would like to extend her agreement for the 2021 year.
DISCUSSION:
The initial goal of adding a member to the lobby team was to modify our legislative approach and increase our presence in Springfield. The initial goal was to divide issues between Dan and Bukola to ensure we had appropriate coverage and representation and were able to respond to the changing needs and demands of Springfield.
The Finance Committee unanimously approved Bukola's agreement in March of 2020, but staff held it until August. The decision was made to move forward with Bukola's contract at that time in order to have her work specifically on public safety related bills and legislation. We were anticipating significant legislative changes following the civil unrest and wanted to have someone monitoring and lobbying on behalf of Aurora. While the fall did not bring about the legislative changes we were anticipating, Bukola worked to move Aurora initiatives forward, arranging meetings with key stakeholders from State Officials to the Attorney General. She worked to create opportunities for Aurora to speak about the Community Helping Aurora's Necessary Growth and Empowerment (CHANGE) Reform Initiative, which sparked the interest of other communities who are looking to implement similar programs.
The 2021 legislative year is anticipated to be a busy one, with the possibility of the Lead Service Line program moving forward, continued work on the lime sludge legislation, the likely implementation of a mandatory Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MWDBE) program, protecting our local revenue sources as well as any public safety reform bills, it is important that Aurora works to maintain a strong presence in Springfield.
Bukola and Dan will still work in conjunction with one another, but on separate issues and agendas. The initial agreement ran from August to January, this agreement would be for all of 2021 at a rate of $2500.00/month and is attached as Exhibit A. Funds will come from account #101-1002-413-32.20.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This extension, if approved will have a positive impact on the City of Aurora.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully requested this item be forwarded from the Finance Committee to the Committee of the Whole.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Authorizing an Extension of an Agreement with Bukola Bello of Vision M.A.I., LLC for Government Affairs Consulting Services.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the city has determined a need for additional representation in Springfield; and
WHEREAS, the city has determined that it is in the best interests of the citizens of Aurora to enter into an agreement with Bukola Bello of Vision M.A.I., LLC for government affairs consulting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the attached agreement authorizing the extension of Bukola Bello of Vision M.A.I., LLC's contract for the 2021 year.