Moraga joins La Mirinda regional lobbying coalition, approves $18,000 one-year contract with Townsend Public Affairs

The Moraga Town Council on Aug. 27 authorized a one-year professional services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs as part of a regional legislative coalition that includes the cities of Lafayette and Orinda.

Under the memorandum discussed at the meeting, the three municipalities will jointly engage Townsend Public Affairs for the period Sept. 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2026. Moraga’s share of the three-city agreement is $18,000 per year (calculated as $1,500 per month); for the current fiscal year the town’s budgeted cost is $15,000 because the initial contract period covers 10 months. The total regional contract value is $54,000, split evenly among the three participating municipalities.

Town Manager Scott Mitnick said the agreement is intended to amplify the region’s voice on issues such as wildfire preparedness, evacuation routes, housing policy and grants, and to provide faster, coordinated responses to state and federal legislation. Casey Elliot, identified as vice president/director with Townsend Public Affairs, told the council the arrangement will help the municipalities “be more seen visible and interact with our state assembly member, our state senator, and our US congressman” and that “the louder you are, the more commonality you have” when advocating in Sacramento and Washington.

The council approved the minute-order authorization and authorized the town manager and town attorney to make minor, non-substantive changes to the agreement if necessary. Town staff said they will develop a local legislative platform and a regional platform with the partner cities; letters on bills that fall under the regional platform would be issued on coalition letterhead (the agreement identifies the coalition as the “La Mirinda Regional Legislative Coalition”), while Moraga could still take independent positions on bills that fall outside the coalition’s platform.

Discussion vs. decision: The council took a formal minute-order action to authorize the professional services agreement; staff will develop platforms and a communication protocol and report back on progress. The council asked for regular reporting cadence and verbal check-ins; staff and Townsend said they will provide monthly memos and updates and will coordinate requests for grant or earmark support when appropriate.

The contract passed by unanimous vote; no council member recorded a dissent.