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TO: Mayor Robert J. O'Connor
FROM: Alexandra Voigt, Assistant Chief of Staff
DATE: December 2, 2016
SUBJECT:
This item is requesting an extension of the government affairs contract with Dan Shomon, Inc. for 2017.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this memo is to recommend an extension to the current contract with Dan Shomon, Inc. for government affairs consulting services in the amount of $7,040 per month. The proposed contract extension runs from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
BACKGROUND:
Dan Shomon, Inc. (DSI) has provided government relations consulting services for the City of Aurora since February of 2006. The company monitors and/or lobbies on local, state and federal (on a limited basis) legislation, as well as consults on numerous issues important to the City of Aurora.
Attached for your review are the monthly reports submitted to the City of Aurora by DSI from January - November of 2016. The December report is not yet available. Additionally, listed below are some projects of note from 2016, broken into the categories of funding and policy.
Funding:
* Lobbied for the release of funds due to the city from the State of Illinois, including Gaming Tax, Video Gaming and Motor Fuel Tax.
* Continues to lobby against cuts to Aurora's share of Local Government Distributive Funds (LGDF).
* Assisted the City of Aurora in obtaining previously awarded funds for the Mastodon Island grant project from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) on hold due to the state budget impasse.
Policy:
* Assisted the City of Aurora and other river edge cities with the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Tax Credit extension bill.
* Lobbied on behalf of the city to extend the sunset clause of the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act regarding the ComEd substation.
* Worked as a liaison between the City of Aurora and the State of Illinois on a 911 Bill with the potential to have a negative impact on the city.
* Continues to monitor the status of Senate Bill 550,...
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