Council renews Johnson Group lobbying contract as city eyes $2 million for Lakefront project
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Summary
The council approved a one‑year renewal of federal advocacy services with the Johnson Group at the prior rate ($3,925/month) after a presentation from Jake Johnson, who said a $2 million earmark for the Lakefront Community Center is currently in a House‑passed appropriations bill but still requires congressional action.
Lake Forest Park — The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25‑2040 to authorize the mayor to sign a renewal agreement with the Johnson Group for federal legislative advocacy services, keeping the same monthly fee as last year.
City Administrator Phil Hill introduced the contract renewal and noted the administration has worked with Jake Johnson and the Johnson Group for more than a decade on federal issues that affect Lake Forest Park and the region. The contract would continue at $3,925 per month plus expenses (reported in the meeting packet as $47,100 per year).
Jake Johnson addressed the council and outlined recent federal developments. He said the city’s $2 million request for the Lakefront Community Center was included in the House‑passed transportation and housing appropriations bill. “At the end of the year when Congress made the decision to do a continuing resolution for all of the FY25 budget, every single earmarked project across the country fell out,” Johnson said, noting the project was resubmitted and currently appears in the House bill with $2,000,000 set aside for Lake Forest Park. He cautioned that final funding still depends on Congress passing appropriations.
Johnson also described a broader federal strategy to ensure that ‘‘medium‑sized city’’ set‑asides remain available in discretionary grant programs, and warned of legal and administrative risks around federal grant conditions being challenged in courts.
Council members thanked Johnson for past work and moved to waive the three‑touch rule and adopt the resolution. The motions to suspend the rule and to adopt Resolution 25‑2040 both passed unanimously.
Next steps: the mayor will execute the agreement and staff will continue federal advocacy on the Lakefront Community Center and other discretionary grant opportunities.
