R2007-13 AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT FOR LOBBYING SERVICES

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COUNCIL MEMORANDUM #2007-02 DATE: January 4, 2007 TO: Honorable Mayor Paul Osborne and Decatur City Council FROM: Steve Garma ity Manager SUBJECT: Paragon Gro /Illinois Strategies As you know the environment in Springfield as it relates to the protection and promotion of local and regional business, products, reputation and interests can be tough to navigate, especially without the experience and expertise of those who have participated in the process. Staff believes that Illinois Strategies L.L.C. can be helpful in providing both the city and the area at large with assistance in these areas, helping to monitor and keep the city apprised of all legislation, bills, amendments and regulatory activity now pending or proposed as well as providing all-important guidance in the navigation of such matters. As you know, both the city and the community at large have a number of projects and issues currently under consideration which could benefit from the expertise of such a firm, including but not limited to: ➢ Looking for Lincoln Projects ➢ MunicipalImmunity ➢ Unfunded Mandates ➢ Vehicle Seizure and Impoundment, Fines and Administrative Costs ➢ PARAGON projects Under terms of a proposed agreement with Illinois Strategies, the City would pay the company $2,500 per month to secure services and an additional $2,500 per month to the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce. We have structured the agreement in this manner in an effort to provide support both to City of Decatur projects and to projects that might not originate here but will have an impact regionally which—of course—can benefit Decatur. As you know the Chamber has served as facilitator for local PARAGON efforts, a regional effort designed to provide focus on projects integral to Central Illinois.