HomeMy WebLinkAbout[05a] Lobby Services
Council Agenda Item 5a
MEETING DATE: February 26, 2018
AGENDA ITEM: Lobby Services
SUBMITTED BY: Administration
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: The City Council authorized the submission of three bonding requests for
2018 and are as follows:
1. Jacob Wetterling – Requested Funding: 2 M; , project cost $ 6 M
2. CR 75 Pedestrian Crossing – Requested Funding $ 1.5 M; Project Cost $ 3 M+
3. East Park – Requested Funding: $ 300,000; Project Cost: $ 600,000
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The City has submitted three requests for bonding as stated above.
Cities that are successful in securing funding either have elected officials who spend considerable time at the
capital reaching out to legislators or they hire a lobbyist who is at the Capital everyday. Bradley Peterson from
Flaherty-Hood does a significant amount of lobbying for the area cities; however he is not able to take on
additional projects at this time. He has recommended Chris DeLaForest. Following this cover page is his
information and proposal. The cost for the lobbying services is $ 10,000 which is consistent with others. The
fee could be paid from surplus building permit revenue from 2017.
ATTACHMENTS: Proposal for Services
DeLaForest Consulting Bio and Resume
2018 State Bonding Requests
Resolution 2017-024 Requesting Bonding – Jacob Wetterling Recreation Center
Resolution 2017-025 Requesting Bonding – Pedestrian Crossing
Resolution 2017-026 Requesting Bonding – East Park
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Considering execution of an agreement for Lobby Services as
provided by DeLaForest Consulting in the amount of $ 10,000.
February 20, 2018
Judy Weyrens
City Administrator
City of Saint Joseph
75 Callaway St E
St. Joseph MN 56374
Dear Ms. Weyrens,
DeLaForest Consulting, LLC is pleased to present the enclosed proposal for your review and
comment.
Please let me know if you need anything else from me to assist the city council in making a
decision.
Sincerely,
Christopher J. DeLaForest
Founder, CEO
PROPOSAL INDEX
Proposal Contents:
Cover Letter
Proposal
Firm Background, DeLaForest Consulting, LLC
Resume, Christopher J. DeLaForest
Registered Client List, DeLaForest Consulting, LLC
The point of contact for this proposal is:
Christopher J. DeLaForest, CEO
Phone: 763-439-1178
Email: Chris@Delaforestconsulting.com
Address: 855 Village Center Drive, #340
Saint Paul, MN 55127
Web Site: www.delaforestconsulting.com
Twitter: @CJDLobbyist
FIRM BACKGROUND
DeLaForest Consulting was founded by Christopher DeLaForest in late 2008 after he decided
not to run for re-election after serving three terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
The firm was put on hiatus in 2009 and 2010 after DeLaForest was hired to serve as Governor
Pawlenty’s Director of Legislative and Cabinet Affairs for the last two years of the
administration.
Operations resumed in late 2010, with the firm quickly gaining clients and becoming engaged in
some of the highest profiles issues of the period, including the passage of the state’s medical
cannabis law, defeat of a “right to work” bill and negotiation of an accord between the state’s
tribes and horse racing industry regarding gaming, putting an end to the “Racino War.”
DeLaForest Consulting is proudly based on a model of sole proprietorship, whereby clients can
count on Chris DeLaForest to personally manage their issue(s) throughout the legislative
process. In the arena of politics and public policy, relationships with decision makers are the key
to success.
This personal management of client issues is what sets DeLaForest Consulting apart from other
firms. DeLaForest strongly believes in a "quality over quantity" approach to the profession of
governmental relations.
In the intervening years, the firm has grown in size and stature, now representing a variety of
clients including some of the country’s largest corporations, local governmental jurisdictions,
small Minnesota-based companies, construction trade unions, and non-profit organizations.
PROPOSAL
STRATEGIC GOAL: To assist the city in successfully pursuing state capital investment funding
in the 2018 legislative session of identified projects.
METHOD: DeLaForest Consulting (“Firm”) will attain the strategic goal by providing lobbying
services that persuade relevant staff and key elected officials to fund the identified projects.
SUPPORTING METHODS: Firm CEO Christopher DeLaForest will leverage long-standing
personal relationships with identified legislators and staff to support the primary method and
achieve the strategic goal.
Identified legislators and staff, include, but are not limited to:
House Speaker Kurt Daudt;
Ben Golnik, Chief of Staff to the Speaker;
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka;
House Bonding Committee leadership and staff;
House Bonding Committee;
Senate Bonding Committee leadership and staff;
Senate Bonding Committee;
Key bonding staff for Governor Dayton;
MN Management and Budget staff;
Area legislators;
Area stakeholders.
CONTRACT DURATION: The contract is proposed to run from the date of execution through
the end of the 2018 regular legislative session.
CONTRACT PRICE: $10,000, payable per negotiated terms.
Christopher
Christopher J. DeLaForest, CEO
DeLaForest Consulting, LLC
REPRESENTATIVE
CLIENT LIST:
IBEWLOCAL 110
MINNESOTA PIPE TRADES
CARPENTERS UNION
IUOE LOCAL 49
MN BUILDING TRADES
SALVATION ARMY
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
MN CREDIT UNIONS
MN MEDICAL SOLUTIONS
Founder and CEO | DeLaForest Consulting, LLC | 2010 -
SAINT LOUIS COUNTY
Present
HENNEPIN COUNTY
Founder and CEO of a governmental relations and
ACE SOLID WASTE
political consulting firm dedicated to personalized
FAIRVOTE MN
service and superior results.
WAL MART STORES
Director of Legislative and Cabinet Affairs | Governor
ST. PAUL VISITOR BUREAU
Tim Pawlenty | 2009-2010
MILLE LACS OJIBWE TRIBE
Responsible for leading a legislative affairs team of 7
SKB ENVIRONMENTAL CO.
policy specialists supporting the legislative agenda of
EXCELSIOR ENERGY CO.
Governor Pawlenty. Tasked to be the liaison between
MN HAULERS UNITED
the governor’s office and federal, state, and local
elected officials and staff.
State Representative | Minnesota House of
Representatives | 2002-2008
Represented District 49A in the Minnesota House for
LEADERSHIP/VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
three terms. Committee assignments included Civil Law
Board of Directors, Twin Cities North
(vice chairman), Transportation Policy and Finance,
Chamber of Commerce
Taxes, State Government Finance, Commerce, and the
Subcommittee on Employee Relations (chairman).
Elected all three terms with over 60% of the popular
Coach, Andover youth hockey and
vote.
baseball
Officer, United States Army (1992-
EDUCATION
1996)
Juris Doctor, Cum Laude | 1999 | University of
Minnesota Law School
Honors graduate, runner-up Pirsig Moot Court
competition, served as a prosecutor in Dakota County CONTACT
under the student practice rule.
763-439-1178
BA, Political Science, Summa Cum Laude | 1992 | Saint
chris@delaforestconsulting.com
John’s University
www.delaforestconsulting.com
3.96 GPA, Army ROTC scholarship winner, Siehl
@CJDLobbyist
Academic Scholar, Dean’s List all four years.
DeLaForest Consulting Client List
Association Represented Association Registration Termination Leg/Adm/Metro Designated
Number Date Date Lobbyist
6592 8/11/2011 Leg/Adm/Metro Yes
Ace Solid Waste Inc
5288 1/27/2017 Leg/Adm
Excelsior Energy, Inc.
6255 4/15/2011 Leg/Adm
FairVote MN
5478 7/21/2017 Leg/Adm/Metro Yes
Greater Minnesota Gas
Inc
3186 12/29/2016 Leg/Adm/Metro
Hennepin County
4010 12/15/2014 Leg/Adm
IBEW Local 110
917 1/23/2012 Leg/Adm
Intl Union of Operating
Eng 49
3587 4/27/2011 Leg/Adm
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Indians-Corp Comm
4656 12/27/2011 Leg/Adm
MN Credit Union
Network
6948 3/2/2015 Leg/Adm/Metro
MN Medical Solutions
6216 3/22/2011 Leg/Adm Yes
Mpls-Duluth/Superior
Passenger Rail Alliance
5870 1/23/2012 Leg/Adm Yes
North Central States Reg
Cncl Carpenters
7311 3/14/2017 Leg/Adm Yes
Purdue Pharma LP
5342 1/8/2015 Metro
Salvation Army
3262 12/16/2016 Leg/Adm/Metro
SKB Environmental
3130 12/2/2011 Leg/Adm Yes
St Louis County
3155 12/15/2014 Leg/Adm/Metro
St Paul Build & Constr
Trades Cncl
7341 6/9/2017 Leg/Adm/Metro Yes
United Haulers of
Minnesota
5142 2/13/2017 Leg/Adm
Visit Saint Paul
5823 3/14/2017 Leg/Adm
Wal-Mart Stores Inc
4919 3/15/2012 Leg/Adm
Workers Compensation
Reinsurance Assn
r
CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
Resolution 2017-024
Requesting State Bonding Funds
Jacob Wetterling Recreation Center
WHEREAS,the City of St.Joseph is a community of 6,800 located in Central Minnesota which serves as
a"home"for residents outside the legal municipal boundaries. In particular all residents with a zip code
of 56374 consider themselves residents of St. Joseph,regardless of the municipality they reside; and
WHEREAS, since as early as 1977 the City has been requested to construct a community center to
provide for active and passive recreation; and
WHEREAS, in 1992 a collation from the St.Joseph area drafted a concept plan for a recreation center and
the City authorized the use of city property provided the collation solicited donations for the construction.
The community group fell short of the required funds and the project ceased;however seed money was
left in the fund for a future group to continue the efforts; and
WHEREAS, in 2005 the City of St.Joseph, along with the area cities received legislation to implement a
one half cent sales tax and as part of that process the City conducted numerous public outreach events to
determine what type of regional projects residents would support to which the highest priority was a
community center; and
WHEREAS, in 2014 the City created a Community Facility Committee to review the needs of St. Joseph
in regards to future needs,primarily facilities and the committee comprised of not only residents of the
City, but the area as well; and
WHEREAS,the City Council accepted the report in 2015 and overwhelming the highest priority was a
community center that provided programming for both youth and senior and included active and passive
recreation; and
WHEREAS,the City purchased the former Kennedy Elementary School from ISD 72 to repurpose for a
community center and a subcommittee was formed to create a community center committee who worked
with an architect to develop conceptual plans for a Community Center; and
WHEREAS,the Community Center Committee recommended the City approve a plan with two phases.
The first phase would add a structure to house three gyms, second story walking track,kid zone and
ancillary rooms and phase two would repurpose the existing facility for the Historical Society,Food
Shelf,multipurpose room, commercial kitchen and various rooms for youth and senior activities or
programming; and
WHEREAS,based on the conceptual plans,the cost of the project exceeds 12 M; and
WHEREAS,the City of St.Joseph has a disproportionate amount of tax exempt property with the College
of St. Benedict located in the heart of the City and the companion school St.John's University located
two miles west,the City is required to provide services,primarily public safety,to a large population that
does not contribute to the tax system; and
WHEREAS,the City does not have the financial means to construct the facility without soliciting private
donations and State Funding; and
WHEREAS, a collation formed to help find a way to remember Jacob Wetterling, allowing people to put
closure to a terrible tragedy. This collation along with Patty and Jerry Wetterling are supportive of the
City naming the recreation center the"Jacob Wetterling Recreation Center"and have started raising funds
to help offset the cost; and
WHEREAS,the City of St.Joseph wants to create community and without a high school and sports
activity,the City has to create a space and facility to foster such. The City Council believes that a
recreation center that provides programing for all age groups, including meals for seniors and a place to
store the rich heritage of St.Joseph by adding space for a historical society; and
WHEREAS,the City cannot construct a recreation center given the economic conditions and the
disproportionate tax base in St.Joseph.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,the City of St.Joseph hereby requests State Bonding in the
amount of 2.5 M to design,construct,furnish and equip the Jacob Wetterling Recreation Center to create
Community and healthy living by providing a place and programming for passive and active recreation
Adopted by the City Council of St.Joseph,this fday oF----6,,ti+-- 2017
I 2t46 -144-1S—Rick Schultz,Mayor
ATTEST
Jud 4
410-
yren ,Administrator
vr..dty0/14.4t::om
CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
Resolution 2017-025
Requesting State Bonding Funds
Pedestrian Crossing
WHEREAS,the City of St.Joseph is a community of 6,800 located in Central Minnesota that is bisected
by CSAH 75,which is an east/west four lane Principal Arterial with an average daily traffic count of
22,000;and
WHEREAS,the City of St.Joseph has approximate 1894 households which are located on both the north
and south side of CSAH 75,with each side offering different amenities. In addition each side of CSAH
75 offers different commercial opportunities to include trails,retail, medical, schools and parks; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the household units, St.Joseph is home to the College of St. Benedict and their
companion school, St.John's University which adds 4,000 youthful residents during the school year who
frequently cross CSAH 75;and
WHEREAS,the Trailhead for the Wobegon Trail is located on the north section of the City of St.Joseph
with all the City trails and sidewalks connecting to the Wobegon trail encouraging outdoor family
activity; and
WHEREAS,CSAH 75 is a County Road managed by Stearns County and at the request of the City of St.
Joseph,the County Engineer modified signalization to increase walking timers and painted cross walks.
The mitigation efforts did not provide adequate security for pedestrians and bicyclists; and
WHEREAS, in response to the residents' safety concerns crossing CSAH 75,the City of St.Joseph
partnered with the St. Cloud Area Planning Organization and Stearns County to commission a study to
review and determine the need to provide a safe crossing over/under CSAH 75 and the appropriate
location; and
WHEREAS, SRF was hired to prepare the CSAH 75 Pedestrian Crossing Study and as part of the study,
public input was solicited in which participants solidified the dangers of crossing CSAH 75; and
WHEREAS, at the same time the CSAH 75 Pedestrian Study was in process,the City also started the
process to update the Comprehensive Plan which included a public engagement portion. During the
public engagement section over 1,000 comments were received and it was no surprise that comments
included safety concerns crossing CSAH 75; and
WHEREAS,the bicycle and pedestrian crossing is an important link for the Central MN Region as the
Wobegon Trail connects hundreds of miles of bike Trails throughout Stearns County and the area Cities
have collaborated to connect the Wobegon Trail to connect to each City and to cities 70 miles west of St.
Joseph; and
WHEREAS,the Wobegon Trail hosts numerous rides and events throughout the year with many stopping
in St.Joseph. During rides it is common to see participants trying to cross CSAH 75 to access the
downtown shops and restaurants only to be met with difficulty; and
WHEREAS, St.Joseph has significant financial constraints as close to 40% of the property in St.Joseph
is tax exempt owned by the College and Monastery of St. Benedict,and the City of St.Joseph has
considerable public safety costs for the College population, but they do not have to pay for the services
they consume,creating a heavy tax burden for the tax paying residents; and
WHEREAS,the City of St.Joseph wants to create community where active recreation for all ages is
prevalent,and without connecting the north and south side of the City with a pedestrian crossing,the
connection cannot be made with safety in mind. The City Council believes that a pedestrian crossing will
increase the quality of life for all residents as they will have full access to all recreational opportunities by
crossing CR 75 safely; and
WHEREAS,the City cannot construct a pedestrian crossing given the economic conditions and the
disproportionate tax base in St.Joseph.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,the City of St.Joseph hereby requests State Bonding in the
amount of 1.5 M to acquire land,design, and construct a pedestrian crossing under CR 75 to create
Community and healthy living by providing active recreation.
Adopted by the City Council of St.Joseph,this 5th day of June 2017.
p,h16 ,5e.gkRickSchultz, Mayor
ATTEST
Judy t ens ' a'inistrator
erye.catyo t4ncph on
CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
Resolution 2017-026
Requesting State Bonding Funds
East Park Development
WHEREAS, in 2005 the City of St.Joseph was approached by ARCON Development to develop a large
tract of farmland located at the southern boundary of the City,abutting the Sauk River; and
WHEREAS, as part of the development process,the City requires the developer to either provide
parkland approved by the City or contribute to the park fund; and
WHEREAS,the City negotiated with ARCON to fulfil, in part,the park dedication requirement by
donating 95±Acres adjacent to the Sauk River to the City; and
WHEREAS,the St.Joseph Park Board and Parks Director for Stearns County agreed that the parkland to
be donated to the City would function as a regional park,primarily due to the direct access to the Sauk
River; and
WHEREAS,the City commissioned a Park and Trail Study in 2008,which included the park by the Sauk
River, hereinafter referred to as East Park and the completed plan indicated the park would develop with a
boat/canoe access,camping,dog park,walking trails, interpretive center,restroom facilities and other
park uses;and
WHEREAS, in 2016 ARCON conveyed the 95±acres to the City;and
WHEREAS, since the recession,development has slowed thereby reducing funds for developing
parkland; and
WHEREAS,the City of St.Joseph has a disproportionate amount of tax exempt property with the College
of St. Benedict located in the heart of the City and the companion school St.John's University located
two miles west,the City is required to provide services,primarily public safety,to a large population that
does not contribute to the tax system; and
WHEREAS, during the recent public engagement portion of updating the Comprehensive Plan,residents
expressed a need to provide a variety of recreation opportunities,both indoor and outdoor; and
WHEREAS,historically the City Council has worked to keep the tax rate at an affordable rate,even
though over 34%of the total market value in the City is tax exempt, creating a heavy tax burden on the
tax paying residents;and
WHEREAS,the City of St.Joseph wants to create recreation opportunities by developing park land. The
City Council believes that the park will provide space all age groups by incorporating a nature center,
camping, educational signage, boat access and nature trails; and
WHEREAS,the City cannot develop the parkland given the economic conditions and the disproportionate
tax base in St.Joseph.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,the City of St. Joseph hereby requests State Bonding in the
amount of$300,000 to design and develop the East Park to develop a regional park that access the Sauk
River and provides another opportunity for healthy living.
Adopted by the City Council of St.Joseph,this .-..)day of` 2017
14,ti
Rick Schultz,Mayor
ATTEST
Alib. .. / ' . %'--eGL
Judy Wey - s,A. inistrator