Committee pauses action on hiring federal lobbyist, asks staff for sample contracts
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Summary
Lee's Summit committee discussed potential expansion of the city's lobbyist work into federal advocacy but was told the firm's federal partners are not yet ready to provide contracts or pricing. The item was continued for further information and will return to a future agenda.
The Lee's Summit Legislative and Intergovernmental Relations Committee on Sept. 15 continued discussion about engaging a federal lobbyist and took no formal action, directing staff to gather contracts and additional information for a future meeting.
Committee members heard from Terry Head, a city staff member overseeing the matter, who said the city's current lobbyists are exploring federal partnerships but "they are not quite ready to roll" and have not provided sample contracts or pricing. Head told the committee he had been contacting the firm weekly and expected more information after the firm's planned meetings in Washington, D.C.
The committee asked staff to collect sample contracts from other cities and upload them into the packet so members can review details before any vote. Crystal Weber, from the city manager's office, reported she had reached out to peer cities and that some materials were returned over the weekend but not yet reviewed.
No motion to hire a federal lobbyist was made or voted on. Committee leadership said the item will remain on a future agenda so members can consider contract language, scope and cost when more documentation is available.
The discussion lasted only a portion of the meeting; members emphasized the need for concrete contract terms and pricing before proceeding. The committee did not set a deadline for a follow-up vote and instead instructed staff to continue gathering information and to refile the item on a future agenda.