CITY HALL
Congressional lawmakers may be in the process of doling out millions in federal funds, but without a lobbyist for more than a month now, Glendale may lose out in the annual round of appropriations, some city officials say.
Congress, which is on August recess and is set to return to session in September, spent much of July working on federal appropriation bills in an attempt to meet a Sept. 30 deadline.
But so far, the city lacks a federal lobbyist after the City Council voted 3 to 2 June 30 to pass on a one-year, $88,000 renewal with Washington D.C.-based David Turch and Associates to, according to Mayor Frank Quintero, “see what else is out there.”
Turch, who has petitioned the federal government on Glendale’s behalf since 2003, was encouraged to reapply. His firm represents a number of Southland cities, including Burbank and La Cañada Flintridge.
Glendale has since been without a federal lobbyist, although city officials said a formal request for new candidates would be ready later this month.
Councilman Ara Najarian — who, with Councilman Dave Weaver, voted against the request for proposals and voiced his concern about the city’s lack of representation in Washington last week — said the situation was an “oversight” on the part of the council.
The council members who voted in favor of the request could not be reached for further comment Wednesday.
Turch, who said last week that he had not yet been contacted by the city about submitting a new bid, said the city’s request for new proposals was legitimate but questioned the timing.
In response to Najarian’s request to place the issue back on the agenda, city officials said a report is tentatively scheduled for council consideration in three weeks.
Najarian proposed that the council consider an urgency ordinance authorizing a temporary contract with Turch until the bidding process for a new lobbyist is completed, which he said could take months.
Councilman John Drayman, who voted in favor of the new bidding process, joined with Najarian last week in voting to place a temporary extension of Turch’s contract on the council agenda.
He added that he would like a certain date on when the council will be briefed on other potential lobbying firms.
Vending machines have become the latest target in the city’s quest to reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
