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Parlier extends Townsend Public Affairs contract; council asks for more frequent updates
Summary
The council approved an extension of a contract with Townsend Public Affairs, the city's federal and state lobbying firm. Council members requested more frequent (monthly or quarterly) briefings and that updates be distributed to all councilmembers.
The City Council voted to extend its contract with Townsend Public Affairs, a Sacramento and Washington, D.C. advocacy firm representing Parlier, after a presentation by Spencer Street and Christopher Townsend on Sept. 4.
Townsend representatives described recent successes and ongoing work, saying their team has helped secure about $4 million in past funding for city projects and that a $1 million earmark for the police department remained active in federal discussions. Spencer Street said the firm notifies the city about legislation and funding opportunities and advocated coordinating updates to the full council.
Councilmember Sabrina Rodriguez asked for more frequent updates—monthly or quarterly—and for advocacy updates to be distributed to all councilmembers (not only city management). Townsend agreed to work with the city manager and to prepare a quarterly newsletter for council and the public.
The council approved the contract extension by roll call (motion and second recorded). The clerk recorded four yes votes and one abstention; the agenda item passed.
