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Home My WebLink AboutVII (F) Approval of Renewal of Contract for Private Consulting of Governmental Legislation and Procedures Agenda 12-17-2002 Item VII F e Center of Good Lit, Mayor ,c� 7 Commissioners S. Scott Vandergrift Danny Howell. District I 000Et / Scott Anderson, D trict2 City Manager ,tyM- 1. Rusty I ohnson. Di trict 2 Jim Gleason , �� Nancy 1. Parker District 1 STAFF REPORT TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners \1)\(/: FROM: Jim Gleason, City Manager DATE: December 10,2002 RE: Subject: Renewal of Contract for Private Consulting of Governmental Legislation and Procedures. Background: The city manager upon the approval of the city commission contracted with Rotundo and Associates, January 1, 2002 for consulting of governmental legislation and lobbying for the year 2002. This contract included consulting and lobbying services to increase the City of Ocoee's chances at securing federal, state and county funding for projects and or programs. The contract is for$3,000 a month for 12 months plus expenses not to exceed $1,500 in the year. The total value of the contract is $37,500. Discussion: Rotundo and Associates was successful in coordinating the passing of state legislation for partial funding of the City of Ocoee "Main Street Road Project". Unfortunately, the Governor chose to veto all legislative member projects. Through the support and assistance of Rotundo and Associates, the City of Ocoee has 3 active projects in process: 1. Bluford-McKey FDOT Transfer-with up to $850,000 to the City Downtown Project. 2. Senior-Veterans Center-17S Rep. Ric Keller-Senator Bill Nelson-$1.1 Million pending. 3. Florida Auto Auction CSX Rail Road Project, while this project may be built in Winter Garden, the city will benefit from a crossing gate at the Beech Center($125,000) in addition to improved and repaired railroad tracks in the City of Ocoee. Policy Proposal: Staff recommendation is to renew the contract for one year,January 2003 through December 2003. The funding for this contract, should the commission choose to renew is already in the fiscal 2002-2003 Budget in the legal services line item. The City of Ocoee• 150 N Lakeshore[hive•Ocoee, Florida 34761 phone: (407)905-3100•fax: (407)656-8504•www.ci.ocoee.tl.us rn ngcuua MFR —Item No. I ROTUNDO AND ASSOCIATES August 4, 2001 Mr. James Gleason City Manager, City of Ocoee 150 N. Lakeshore Drive Ocoee, FL. 34761 Dear hm As a follow-up to our recent conversation and meeting with your staff, 1 wanted to provide you with a suggested contract and scope of work. I have also included a resume of my past experiences for your information. Since 1988, I have been the principal of Rotundo and Associates,a private consulting firm with extensive involvement in lobbying for government clients. Prior to that, I was the lobbyist for the University of Central Florida and the Florida Solar Energy Center. Both ran concurrently and required substantial time in Washington and Tallahassee. For the past thirteen years, I have worked on a wide-variety of local projects. A partial list of these projects includes: creating the Central Florida Commuter Rail Authority(now LYNX);the development of new state legislation for cities to utilize Community Redevelopment Agency funding;the state funding for the Maitland Overpass;the creation of the Maitland-Altamonte Springs Intelligent Transportation System project(one of only three funded nationally by Congress); state tax relief for the Orlando Area Sports Commission; state reauthorization of Dade County's enterprise zones, legislation for the creation of the West Orange Airport Authority;defeat of the METROPLAN reorganization legislation;and funding for West Orange South Lake transportation improvements. A partial list of past and current clients includes the Florida Institute of Technology, Metroplitan Dade County,University of Central Florida,Orlando-Sanford International Inc(FBI Inc)., Automobili Lamborghini,and Vector Corporation. Currently, I represent the City of Altamonte Springs,the City of Maitland, Enterprise-Rent-A-Car Corporation,the Central Florida Sports Commission,the West Orange Airport Authority,the West Orange/South Lake Transportation Task Force,and the Florida Central Railroad. I also represent several private development and engineering clients,none of whom have contractual, legal,governmental,or business dealings with the City of Ocoee. Should this circumstance change, I would notify you immediately. I would suggest a one-two year contract with an option for additional years if mutually agreeable. My fee would be$36,000 per year payable at the rate of$3,000 per month. I would also request a travel allowance for any travel out of this area as directed by you not to exceed$1,500 per year. As an alternative,I would be willing to accept a contract with a fixed cost ceiling billable at the rate of$175.00 per hour and the travel arrangements stipulated above. Either contract would be cancelable with thirty days written notice by either patty. 4940 CourtWd Loop,Winter Sprlogs 1cMW. 327 €-4028 Tel: 407-699-9361 E-maIl: kr5002@aoLcam n Rotondo and Associates Page 2 Currently, I believe I could assist the City with funding for transportation projects and recommendations of additional opportunities for development. I also believe that I could assist the city with the resolution of several current problems as discussed with you. I look forward to further discussions on this subject. If I may answer any additional questions, please feel free to call me. Sincerely, lti"o� Louis Rotundo LOUIS C. ROTUNDO 4948 Courtland Loop Winter Springs, Florida 32708 (407) 699-9361 BACKGROUND Rotundo and Associates, established in September of 1987, is a private consulting firm specializing in business and governmental legislation, procedures, and fund-raising activities. HISTORY Rotundo and Associates, September, 1987 to Present 4948 Courtland Loop, Winter Springs, Florida 32708 Owner and private consultant for Rotundo and Associates. Specializing in preparing and writing state/federal legislation to meet client requirements, analyzing and recommending action plans for special projects, and fund- raising activities. University of Central Florida, October, 1984 to September, 1987 As the Special Assistant to the President, responsibilities included meeting with Florida legislators and Board of Regents' members to assist the university in keeping abreast of current and pending legislation. Florida Solar Energy Center, June 1980 to October, 1984 As the Special Assistant to the Director, responsibilities included the development and implementation of effective programs and relationships with federal, state and local energy agencies; and the evaluation of solar program activities as they related to government programs. Florida Ocean Thermal Energy Consortium, Inc., December, 1980 to March, 1982 As Deputy Director, responsibilities included managing the daily activities of this unique corporation (created by a consortium of state governmental agencies and public/private utilities to coordinate the success of Florida's Ocean Thermal Energy program). These activities included the corporation's administrative matters as well as ensuring continued state/federal legislative awareness of program needs. Louis C. Rotondo - Page 2 U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles, May, 1977 to March, 1980 As a Staff Assistant to the Senator, responsibilities included the handling of all energy related matters as well as transportation and consumer protection issues. Coordinated state, county, and local government relations and worked with other key government cabinet level departments and regulatory agencies. Valencia Community College, January, 1977 to April 1977 As an instructor with this community college, responsibilities included teaching a course in federal government. EDUCATION Master of Public Policy, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. OTHER Visiting lecturer on Soviet studies, Combat Studies Institute, ACHIEVEMENTS Ft. Leavenworth. Consultant/panel participant, Central Intelligence Agency. Advanced research fellow, U.S. Army War College foundation. PUBLICATIONS A comprehensive list of publications is available upon request.