Travis County Commissioners Court
August 26, 2008
Item 16
>> now, number -- the legislative consultant, number 16, rather, 16, consider an take appropriate action to select firm to provide legislative advocacy services and authorize the purchasing agent to begin negotiations. We did interview the two short listed firms last week. I guess two things stood to me. One is that -- both of them seemed to be professional and based on what I know about them are reliable and solid. One charges substantially more than the other, and the twhawn would charge less has other people available. I don't know that I can say more than that about them, though. I mean, I thought both groups were fairly impressive. I think that no matter who we select, they need to spend some time sort of getting used to the county culture, working with us. And to the extent that we can get quite a bit of that done between now and January.
>> and I think it was good feedback. They had gone to the capitol to talk to the delegations. We know of both teams and have good feedback --
>> cid told me this morning she cannot be here this afternoon. This was about 11:40. And vonya, did she --
>>
>> [inaudible - no mic].
>> do we want to hear from them?
>> well, they had some good comments about the (indiscernible).
>> cid sent out an e-mail. Can we read it into the record? Is that appropriate? And they are general comments, not attributed to any specific legislator. Oh, goodness, now what did I do with it? I said that and now where is it? Here are the delegates with regarding the two top legislative firms. Overall they all said either firm would be good. Santos was referred by a few. Some thought that rocha and king were representing a lot of other entities and might be spread too thin. If you have other concerns let me know. She had contacted representatives bolton, howard, naishtat, strama and rodriguez. And just generally said that both were very good. And that was pretty much it. That it was kind of a horse race.
>> I guess the fee really is -- I'm having a hard time getting around that. The other thing is that ms. Rocha came across as being real standing, but she does reside in san antonio. And not that we would need them looking at us here everyday, but it's not quite the same as being a few blocks from here.
>> available.
>> yeah.
>> readily.
>> one concern I did have was that the santos firm, their only quasi governmental entity that they had represented was the edward's aquifer conservation district. Whereas the rocha and cain had represented schiews sievely governmental entities. That was impressive to me. But certainly cost is an issue and considering it appears that those who they would be contacting, at least in the Travis County delegation, said it's a toss up. They're both very good.
>> the other thing that matters a little is that although representing us and the city of Austin provides an excellent opportunity to collaborate, I can't help but think that there will be instances where there are con 96. Conflicts. It's just a fact of life for us. Not that you can't overcome them, but it's there.
>> I think there will be a learning curve of some degree for the santos firm in the peculiarities of county government.
>> and on ton of the general comments that legislators had about the two firm, they also had some suggestions for us on how to be a little more successful.
>> I chose not to read those.
>> we have to prioritize our needs and then let them work for us, and then they also asked that we have more presence at the capitol.
>> I read all of them, but I just -- I refused to accept some of them.
>> [ laughter ] okay. We do appreciate their assistance, though.
>> excellent firms.
>> move approval with santos alliance.
>> second.
>> and I think in terms of -- that I had a problem with that fee, especially compared to what we've been paying.
>> purchasing was going to have to discuss with them the whole idea about the expense, what we can cover and cannot cover. So --
>> one of the peculiarities that is part of the learning curve. And also not that this would be part of the motion, but just as a direction, a direction to go in that we should give them the legislative wish list as soon as possible to speed them along the curve.
>>
>> [inaudible - no mic]. Clayton is to put it in somebody else's hands and make sure they can carry a football, right now. So we need to do that. We need to move forward.
>> do we have a subcommittee working with the in-house posting? Is that supposed to be up?
>> yes. I can say with confidence.
>> we do have an in-house Commissioners court subcommittee assigned that responsibility, we ought to move on that and make sure we try to get that position filled too. Any more discussion of the motion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>>
>> [inaudible - no mic].
>> yeah, cid wanted to negotiate and I knows and stuff like that she ought to. I don't know that I would create any ill feelings about that fee because I thought it was pretty low myself. Some other things stood out to her and I know she's going to work on those. Okay? Are we to executive session? The good news about executive session is I told mr. Norton that we needed to do additional work' 37. That's the exposition center item. Especially on the advertising thing. He's been doing research and I told him I thought we ought to try to come up with draft language in-house, maybe share that with the association and basically try to get as much done before we report back to the court as soon as possible. To 37 we'll have back on next week. And really I think realistically we ought to take two weeks on that one. Because more research -- the more e-mails I see containing information about advertising of government owned entities in other parts of the state, the more the.
>> [papers shuffling - audio interference] 38, though, is to receive legal briefing regarding budget and compensation funding for departments headed by certain appointed official. I did give ms. Wilson those legal questions yesterday, john. Posted under consultation with attorney. I thought maybe you were wondering whether this was a legitimate consultation with attorney item.
>> yes. All legal questions.
>> 39, receive briefing from county attorney and/or take appropriate action concerning the extension of administrative leave with pay for juvenile probation employee slot 156. Personnel matters and consultation with attorney exceptions. 40, receive briefing and take appropriate action on request to hire outside counsel for officer c. Hotard regarding montez versus Travis County et al, consultation with attorney. We have been asked by the county attorney to postpone item 41 until next week.
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Last Modified:
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 8:37 AM