R7AA - Extend State Legislative Consulting Services

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A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE WRITTEN RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER AND WAIVING, BY A 5/7TH VOTE, THE FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENT AS PERMITTED IN SECTION 2-367(E) OF THE CITY CODE, FINDING SUCH WAIVER TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY; AUTHORIZING THE EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING AGREEMENTS WITH RUBIN, TURNBULL & ASSOCIATES, INC. AND RUTLEDGE ECENIA, P.A. FOR THE PROVISION OF STATE LEGISLATIVE CONSULTING SERVICES FOR ONE (1) ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR TERM, AT A FEE OF $54,000 FOR EACH FIRM, PAYABLE IN EQUAL MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS; AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE SAID AMENDMENTS.  

December 17, 2025
Sponsors
Office of the City Manager

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Resolutions - R7 AA

R7 AA A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE WRITTEN RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER AND WAIVING, BY A 5/7TH VOTE, THE FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENT AS PERMITTED IN SECTION 2-367(E) OF THE CITY CODE, FINDING SUCH WAIVER TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY; AUTHORIZING THE EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING AGREEMENTS WITH RUBIN, TURNBULL & ASSOCIATES, INC. AND RUTLEDGE ECENIA, P.A. FOR THE PROVISION OF STATE LEGISLATIVE CONSULTING SERVICES FOR ONE (1) ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR TERM, AT A FEE OF $54,000 FOR EACH FIRM, PAYABLE IN EQUAL MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS; AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE SAID AMENDMENTS. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM:
Eric Carpenter, City Manager
DATE:
December 17, 2025
TITLE:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE WRITTEN RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER AND WAIVING, BY A 5/7TH VOTE, THE FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENT AS PERMITTED IN SECTION 2-367(E) OF THE CITY CODE, FINDING SUCH WAIVER TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY; AUTHORIZING THE EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING AGREEMENTS WITH RUBIN, TURNBULL & ASSOCIATES, INC. AND RUTLEDGE ECENIA, P.A. FOR THE PROVISION OF STATE LEGISLATIVE CONSULTING SERVICES FOR ONE (1) ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR TERM, AT A FEE OF $54,000 FOR EACH FIRM, PAYABLE IN EQUAL MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS; AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE SAID AMENDMENTS.

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and Commission adopt the Resolution.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

In preparation for the 2025 legislative session, the City identified a significant need to enhance its state legislative representation to advocate for the City’s key legislative priorities. As part of the City’s efforts to procure additional state legislative consulting services, the City issued RFQ No. 2024-413-WG for State Legislative Consulting Services on June 26, 2024. Through the solicitation process, two proposals were received from Capital City Consulting, LLC., and Sun City Strategies, LLC.

On October 30, 2024, the City Commission, through Resolution No. 2024-33303, authorized the City Manager to negotiate an agreement with Capital City Consulting, LLC., as the top-ranked proposer. Given the substantial scope of the City’s legislative priorities, it was important to ensure we have sufficient resources to increase the City’s advocacy efforts from the last session.

On December 11, 2024, through Resolution No. 2024-33450, the City Commission approved, by a 5/7 vote, the waiver of the formal competitive bidding requirement and authorized the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate agreements with Rubin, Turnbull & Associates, Inc. and Rutledge-Ecenia to provide additional state legislative services to supplement those provided by Capital City Consulting, LLC. The agreements are for a period of one (1) year and are scheduled to expire on January 21, 2026.

Rubin, Turnbull & Associates, Inc. and Rutledge-Ecenia are highly regarded government relations firms with a proven track record of success in representing clients before the Florida State Legislature, the Governor’s office, and other state agencies. Both firms have a deep understanding of local legislative issues, coupled with their extensive experience in South Florida, which uniquely positioned them to support the City’s legislative agenda for the 2025 session. To

date the City has been satisfied with their services.

ANALYSIS

Due to the timing and the impending legislative session, the Administration seeks to ensure the City’s interests are well-positioned to respond to any issues that may arise. Given both firms' expertise and established presence in the region, the City Manager has determined that continuing to retain their services will be a valuable complement to those provided by Capital City Consulting, LLC.

Therefore, the Administration recommends waiving the formal competitive bidding process, in accordance with Section 2-367(e) of the City Code, which permits such a waiver by a 5/7 vote of the City Commission if deemed in the best interests of the City, and authorizing the City Manager to execute amendments to the agreements with Rubin, Turnbull & Associates, Inc. and Rutledge- Ecenia for an additional one (1) year term.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The total cost of the services provided by Rubin, Turnbull & Associates, Inc., and Rutledge-Ecenia is $54,000 each for a total of $108,000 for an additional one-year term, payable in equal monthly installments. The cost of these services has been allocated within the City’s budget for state legislative consulting services.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

For the reasons stated herein, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission approve the attached Resolution, waiving by 5/7 vote the formal competitive bidding requirement and authorizing the City Manager to execute amendments to extend the agreements with Rubin, Turnbull & Associates, Inc. and Rutledge-Ecenia for one (1) additional year term for state legislative consulting services.

Applicable Area

Citywide

Is this a “Residents Right to Know” item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-17?

Is this item related to a G.O. Bond Project?

Yes

No

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

City Manager

Sponsor(s)

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Accept Rec/Waive Bid/Extend Agmts for State Legislative Services. CM 5/7

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