Federal Way is looking for a federal lobbyist to cash in on funding for local projects.
The city issued a request for proposals for a lobbyist Feb. 4. Respondents have until Feb. 17 to prove they are the best candidate to represent the city in Washington, D.C.
A lobbyist is expected to convey Federal Way’s need and desire for transportation funding as well as support for law enforcement and human services policies, among other things. The firm will help the city pursue grant opportunities and provide the city council with frequent progress reports.
The price and scope of services, and the firms’ proven history of success, will all be weighed as part of the selection process. Federal Way’s contract with its previous lobbyist expired this past December.
February and January are the busiest months for putting in requests for funding, city spokeswoman Linda Farmer said. Though the city can apply for federal funding without a lobbyist, having somebody who knows and is comfortable with the process is beneficial.
“It is helpful to have somebody on the ground in (Washington, D.C.) who knows the system,” Farmer said.
The selected firm will coordinate at least one annual visit of city council members to Washington, D.C. It will also design a plan to bring Congress members to Federal Way, according to the request.
Monthly status reports, conference meetings, presentations to the city council and a comprehensive written report at the conclusion of each Congress session is mandatory, according to the request.
Communication is the key
Frequent communication with a lobbyist is important, city council member Linda Kochmar said.
In the past, Kochmar has sometimes been unsure what funds the city captured during each Congress session, she said. A relationship that mirrors what the city has with its state lobbyist is desired, she said. The staff and the council get frequent progress reports and face-to-face meetings with its state lobbyist. Doing what is best for the city requires an open line of communication with the city’s lobbyists, Kochmar said.
“I want to have more information we are receiving so we know what’s happening,” she said.
With a lobbyist’s help, the city hopes to pursue a little more than $49 million for transportation projects. Top priorities include:
• The “Triangle Project:” the Interstate 5/State Route 161/State Route 18 interchange improvements.
• The City Center Access Project: The Interstate 5 and South 320th Street as well as South 312th Street interchange improvements.
The city is unsure how much money will be offered for transportation projects as part President Barack Obama’s expected federal economic stimulus package. As a result, the city is proceeding as it would during any other Congress session, Farmer said.
“It is a very small drop in the bucket for transportation projects,” she said. “We’re just not sure there’s going to be much there at all. It’s business as usual.”
Staying aggressive
Federal Way will continue its aggressive measures in seeking funds for local transportation improvements. Kochmar and council member Michael Park regularly visit Washington, D.C., to do their own lobbying for Federal Way. They meet with Congress members face-to-face to tell them of the community’s needs. Staff members also routinely write letters expressing the Federal Way’s priorities and funding requests, Kochmar said.
“(Sen. Maria) Cantwell said the squeaky wheel gets the grease, so that’s what we tried to do,” Kochmar said.
In past years, Congress used earmarks when deciding where to allocate funding. It is unclear if this process will proceed. In addition to pursuing cash for transportation projects, the lobbyist will also help Federal Way identify grant opportunities for arts, emergency management, economic development, human services, open space, law enforcement and environmental and energy conservation, according to the request.
