South Lake Tahoe in the market for lobbyist
By Kathryn Reed
South Lake Tahoe may have a new lobbyist working on its behalf this summer.
The Houston Group, touted by former members of the City Council as being bloodhounds that could bring money to town, is going to have to bid for the job and prove its worth.
Anyone who bids on the lobbyist request for proposal will have to include performance goals. That isn’t something that is in the current contract.
The RFP, which opened May 9 for one month, says, “The city is seeking a state representative to plan, develop, coordinate, and implement a strategy to advocate for the city’s interests at the highest levels in both the state of Nevada and state of California, through the office of the governors, state legislators, and state agencies [both states].”
Records show the Sacramento-based Houston Group did as-needed work for the city prior to signing a contract Feb. 6, 2007. That contract ensured the Houston Group $3,750 a month no matter what they did. It was reduced to $2,500 a month on May 14, 2009.
When that reduction took place then-Mayor Jerry Birdwell and Councilman Bill Crawford wanted the lobbyists to stop working for the city because no one could show how the agency had earned its pay. It was then-City Manager Dave Jinkens and Councilwoman Kathay Lovell who strongly advocated to keep paying the bill.
The contract has no expiration date – as is the case with many contracts the city enters into.
The point of having a lobbyist working on South Tahoe’s behalf is to have a voice at the capital and in the Capitol, to be notified of legislation that may affect the city, and to be alerted to money that may be available.
Besides South Tahoe, the Houston Group also represents Tahoe City and Placer County – which could present a potential conflict of interest. When this reporter spoke with Doug Houston in June 2008 he said, “We don’t have competing clients.” In that same conversation he said, “I’m in Tahoe about every other week. We have clients throughout the basin.”
Perspective lobbyists may be interviewed at the June 21 council meeting — in public.
Kinda ironic.
Grantwriters must be able to demonstrate how much money they have brought into an organization in order to justify their pay — the same MUST hold for a lobbyist!
What has this firm done that has been beneficial to South Lake Tahoe? They should be able to point to several benefits the City has realized as a direct result of their activities.
And for them to say they have no conflict makes me question their integrity and/or intelligence! We are in direct competition with the North Shore and other communities for every available dollar.
Thank you, Kae, for again producing an article that clears away the cobwebs and highlights a significant issue.
I thought this was the job of the LTVA?
STPUD should debate whether or not to continue with their high paid Washington, D.C. lobbyists as there is no way to document there affect either. Having these lobbyists also leads to multiple expensive trips to D.C, by Board members and STPUD Public Information Officer Dennis Cocking to meet with our elected officials. It is argued that these visits could be accomplished just as well and at a much lower cost by meeting them in their offices in Sacramento and Carson City.
Once again, taxpayers get their pockets picked by professional pickpockets. Hired by bureaucrats and politicians who believe money and so-called grant funds grow on trees.
Fyi on the sewer rates going up by 3%. they are now going to do another mailer in your bill to raise water rates by 3%
SB
Is this going to employee salaries and benefits?
Why in the world would anyone trust the former city council members? Not only that, but can we afford lobbyists when the city is laying off employees that provide services to the taxpayers? Shouldn’t services for the taxpayers come first? And, what the heck do all these alphabet marketing organizations do? Don’t we have several LTVA’s? Lots and lots of redundant organizations. Does anyone really think we need more?
Yes, according to the Grant funding parameters when receiving Grants for, the grant money can only be used for infrastructure amd maintenance. While it is true that the employees did not get any STPUD colas they still have to match the state mandated colas which was 2.4% last year. Only money from rate increases, water and sewer, can be used for health and salary benefits. The cola is 2.4%. STPUD will be issuing a new chance to vote on the new water increase. If anyone would have stayed after the sewer rate meeting you would have heard Jim Jones finally say something and that was to actually increase rates higher. He would like to see a 12% increase but he said nothing while the public was there, only after everyone left. Him and Dale ought to get a room together lol as they went at it after everyone had left. Jim is actually the reason we had no alternitive in place in case we didn’t get an exemption as he was depending on getting one and didn’t prepare for the worst case scenario. I brought this up when I ran for the board but I guess the public got what they voted for.
Amen Brother! Same old, same old!
Looking at the water bills of those who just received meters it seems STPUD is also charging the public for meters and installation.
I hope everyone understands that every penny spent on pretty much anything within STPUD is related back to rates. If they continue to spend money like it grow on trees our rates will forever go up. Might as well have a money tree in the back yard that blooms every spring. If the money is going to better the operation of the system i have no issue. If the money is going to give raises to employees that gives me a gut ache. Times are tough for everyone else in town and now we pay more and more for basic services we must have. I take nothing from the employees they do a good job. I feel this is all on the leadership not doing what is best for customers, who they represent. Until the public truly makes a stink and makes some changes this will never change. Put in term limits so we are guaranteed change it is good for the system.
You can have as much water as you want if you pay the bucks,no shortage here.
Members of the lobbying industry have the task of representing clients, from corporations to trade organizations to non-profit organizations, and advocating on their behalf in the nation’s capital.
The relationship between lobbyists and lawmakers is tenuous. On one hand, lobbyists pursue relationships with lawmakers in order to shape legislation so that it benefits those who would be affected by the new laws. On the other hand, lobbyists are frequently targeted as symbols of undue influence — even corruption — and lawmakers wish to distance themselves for the sake of transparency.