R-01-25 Authorizing Approval of a Successor Consulting Agreements
4 8 Main Street I Lemont, IL 60439
SUBJECT: A Resolution Authorizing Approval of a Successor Consulting Agreement
with Tai Ginsberg & Associates, LLC for Federal Advocacy Services
DATE: January 13, 2025
SUMMARY/BACKGROUND
The Village has engaged Tai Ginsberg & Associates, LLC for the last four plus years to
provide federal advocacy consulting services for the Village regarding several larger capital
and other projects. The Village has been successful securing federal funding for utility, rail,
and other infrastructure projects over the last few years. Continuing the agreement for
another two years at same terms is recommended. A 2% inflationary increase in rate was
included in the renewal.
ANALYSIS
Consistency with Village Policy
Budget (if applicable)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of Resolution and agreement
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED
Motion to Approve Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
resolution Tai Ginsberg Consulting.pdf
TGA 25 - Village of Lemont IL.pdf
RESOLUTION NO. z°
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF A SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT
WITH TAI GINSBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC FOR FEDERAL ADVOCACY
SERVICES
WHEREAS, the Village of Lemont ("Village") approved a consulting agreement with
Tai Ginsberg & Associates, LLC for Federal Advocacy Services on July 27, 2020 and a successor
agreement on July 25th, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Tai Ginsberg & Associates has provided excellent services to the Village for
over 4 years and the Village now intends to approve a successor agreement for an additional 2
years; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE BOARD OF
TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF LEMONT, COOK, WILL & DU PAGE COUNTIES,
ILLINOIS that:
SECTION ONE: This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after- its
passage and approval as provided by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE VILLAGE OF LEMONT, COUNTIES OF COOK, WILL AND DUPAGE,
ILLINOIS on this 13th day of January, 2025
PRESIDENT AND VILLAGE BOARD MEMBERS:
Janelle Kittridge
Kevin Shaughnessy
Dave Maher
Ken McClafferty
Rick Sniegowski
Ronald Stapleton
AYES: NAYS
i�
ABSENT: ABSTAIN
John VgoYske
President .`
ATTEST:
CHA49U,ENE M. 0LLEV �t? $
i GINSBERG & AssocIATEs, ......
January 9, 2025
George Schafer
Village Administrator
Village of Lemont
418 Main Street
Lemont, IL 60439
RE: Proposal for Strategic Federal Advocacy Services
Dear Mr. Schafer:
This letter serves as a proposal and outlines the terms of agreement between Tai Ginsberg &
Associates, LLC (TG&A) and the Village of Lemont, IL (Lemont) to provide strategic consulting
and federal advocacy services.
1. BACKGROUND. The Village of Lemont, IL is embarking on an ambitious effort to
transform the Village's economic development initiatives into reality and enhance and
expand its transportation and infrastructure. Lemont will also be pursuing projects to
further develop water infrastructure projects through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
TG&A has provided strategic counsel and advocacy to help the Village further these
improvements, including:
a. Successfully secured $500,000 in federal Fiscal Year 2024 resources from
Congressionally Directed Spending for "Lemont Rail Safety" projects, and
coordinated local event with Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) to announce this
funding assistance.
b. Further advocacy in the Village's interests includes a $3.135 million line item for
Lemont water infrastructure improvements in the House of Representatives'
Water Resources Development Act of 2022.
c. Successfully advocated for a threefold increase in the Cook County
Environmental Infrastructure (Army Corps) budget, to $100 million, within the
Water Resources Development Act of 2022; and a new line item of $30 million
for Will County.
d. Successfully secured approximately $1.5 million agreement with the United
States Army Corps of Engineers' Section 219 (Environmental Infrastructure)
program for water main improvements in the Village.
e. Successfully secured an approximate $133,200 agreement with the United States
Army Corps of Engineers' Planning Assistance to States program for studying
water levels and quality to improve the I&M Canal.
2. COMPANY. Focused on consulting services within the transportation & infrastructure
sector Tai Ginsberg & Associates, LLC (TG&A) provides a strong depth of knowledge
ranging from traditional issues concerning air, water, rail and surface transportation all the
way to innovative new transportation technologies and services that are rapidly developing.
TG&A works with a diverse set of clients in the private sector and has a deep understanding
of the funding challenges posed at all levels of government through its work with many
public agencies.
Our service includes extensive work with the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S.
Senate, developing or modifying policies and programs to meet client objectives while
building relationships for our clients to leverage. We also provide assistance to clients with
matters before the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and its modal agencies, and
other relevant federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Chicago
District Office and at its Washington, DC headquarters. The firm is active in both the
annual federal Energy and Water appropriations and the annual U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers work plan processes and the bi-annual Water Resources Development Act
(WRDA) process. These efforts have led to numerous funding awards for our clients to
pursue flood mitigation, environmental, and general water infrastructure projects and
increased awareness by federal decision -makers of the water and infrastructure priorities
of our clients. Furthermore, TG&A maintains strong relationships with stakeholders in the
transportation industry and can provide a continuous liaison with other Washington, DC -
based trade associations and companies.
3. SERVICES/PROPOSED SCOPE OF WORK. During the term of the agreement,
TG&A will provide strategic consulting and advocacy services to Lemont that includes the
following activities:
a. Federal Advocacy Services: TG&A will implement federal government relations
outreach and advocacy services to help the Village on federal and state grant and loan
programs, legislative, and other infrastructure -related matters. These would include but
not be limited to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. EPA (and IEPA), FEMA,
U.S. Department of Transportation, and U.S. Department of Commerce programs. In
addition, TG&A will assist the Village with both advocating for its priorities in
Washington and assisting with rebranding efforts locally. Projects that the Village has
identified and seeks assistance will include:
• Restoration of the I&M Canal;
• Transportation infrastructure improvements;
• Enhancement of Amtrak service; and
• Water system and sewer improvements.
b. Strategic Counsel: In general, TG&A will provide strategic counsel on overall
governmental and political trends with potential impacts to the Village.
4. TERM. This agreement will be effective on January 1, 2025, and will continue through
December 31, 2026, unless terminated earlier in accordance with Section 11 or renewed
under Section 5 below.
5. RENEWAL. Lemont may renew this Agreement for one additional year by providing
written notice of its intent to renew at least 30 days prior to the scheduled termination date.
If the term of this Agreement is renewed, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall
be the same as the terms and conditions in effect immediately prior to such renewal except
that TG&A may increase its standard monthly retainer rate upon written notice to Lemont.
6. FEES AND EXPENSES. In consideration of the services to be provided under this
Agreement, Lemont shall pay a retainer of $7,250 per month plus expenses. Necessary
expenses for travel, printing, deliveries, and other incidental expenses will be billed at cost.
Consulting fees and expenses shall be billed monthly and shall be paid within 30 days from
receipt of invoice.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY. If either party provides information or materials indicated to be
confidential, the receiving party will maintain the confidentiality of such matters and not
disclose any such matters except in the proper performance of this Agreement. The
receiving party agrees: (a) not to disclose or otherwise make available Confidential
Information of the disclosing party to any third party without the prior written consent of
the disclosing party; provided, however, that the receiving party may disclose the
Confidential Information of the disclosing party to its officers, employees, consultants, and
legal advisors who have a "need to know", who have been apprised of this restriction, and
who are themselves bound by nondisclosure obligations at least as restrictive as those set
forth in this Section; (b) to use the Confidential Information of the disclosing party only
for the purposes of performing its obligations under- the Agreement or, in the case of
Lemont, to make use of TG&A services or deliverables; and (c) to promptly notify the
disclosing party in the event it becomes aware of any loss or disclosure of any of the
Confidential Information of the disclosing party. For the purposes of this Agreement,
Confidential Information is defined as information that is treated as confidential by a party,
including but not limited to all non-public information about its business affairs, products
or services, intellectual property rights, trade secrets, third -party confidential information,
and other sensitive or proprietary information. Confidential Information shall not include
information that: (a) is already known to the receiving party without restriction on use or
disclosure prior to receipt of such information from the disclosing party; (b) is or becomes
generally known by the public other than by breach of this Agreement by, or other wrongful
act of, the receiving party; (c) is developed by the receiving party independently of, and
without reference to, any Confidential Information of the disclosing party; or (d) is received
by the receiving party from a third party who is not under any obligation to the disclosing
party to maintain the confidentiality of such information.
8. INDEMNIFICATION. Lemont shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless TG&A and
its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and permitted assigns from and
against all losses arising out of or resulting from: (1) bodily injury, death of any person, or
damage to real or tangible, personal property resulting from the negligent or willful acts or
omissions of Lemont and (2) Lemont's breach of any representation, warranty, or
obligation of Lemont in this Agreement.
TG&A shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Lemont and its officers, directors,
employees, agents, successors, and permitted assigns from and against all losses arising
out of or resulting from: (1) bodily injury, death of any person, or damage to real or
tangible, personal property resulting from the negligent or willful acts or omissions of
TG&A and (2) TG&A's breach of any representation, warranty, or obligation of TG&A in
this Agreement.
9. COOPERATION. Lemont shall: (a) cooperate with TG&A in all matters relating to the
provision of services under this Agreement and appoint a Lemont employee to serve as the
primary contact with respect to this Agreement and who will have the authority to act on
behalf of Lemont with respect to matters pertaining to this Agreement; (b) provide such
access to its premises and such office accommodation and other facilities as may
reasonably be required by TG&A for the purposes of performing services under this
Agreement; (c) respond promptly to any TG&A request to provide direction, information,
approvals, authorizations, or decisions that are reasonably necessary for TG&A to perform
services in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement; (d) provide such materials
and information as TG&A may request in order to carry out the services under this
Agreement; (e) ensure that all Lemont equipment is in good working order and suitable for
the purposes for which it is used and conforms to all relevant legal or industry standards;
and (f) obtain and maintain all necessary licenses and consents and comply with all
applicable laws in relation to the services to be performed under this Agreement. If
TG&A's performance of its obligations under this Agreement is prevented or delayed by
any act or omission of Lemont or its agents, subcontractors, consultants, or employees,
TG&A shall not be deemed in breach of its obligations under this Agreement or otherwise
liable for any costs, charges, or losses sustained or incurred by Lemont, in each case, to the
extent arising directly or indirectly from such prevention or delay.
10. CHANGE ORDERS. If either party wishes to change the scope or performance of the
services under this Agreement, it shall submit details of the requested change to the other
party in writing. TG&A shall, within a reasonable time after receiving a Lemont -initiated
request, or at the same time that TG&A initiates such a request, provide a written estimate
to Lemont of: (a) the likely time required to implement the change; (b) any necessary
variations to the fees and other- charges for the services arising from the change; (c) the
likely effect of the change on the services; (d) any other impact the change might have on
the performance of this Agreement; and (e) any other information reasonably requested by
Lemont. Promptly after- receipt of the written estimate, the parties shall negotiate and agree
in writing on the terms of such change.
11. TERMINATION. Either party may terminate this agreement for any reason upon 30 days
written notice to the other party. The monthly retainer shall be billed pro rata for any
fractional month remaining after notice is provided and payable within 30 days. This
agreement may be extended or amended by mutual agreement signed by both parties as set
forth herein.
This agreement sets forth the entirety of the agreement between TG&A and Lemont as to the
services to be provided and compensation to be made during the term thereof. If Lemont is
agreeable to the terms and conditions set out above, please sign below. A filly executed agreement
will be transmitted to you for your records.
Jason Tai
Principal
Tai Ginsberg & Associates, LLC (TG&A)
Date
eo e c er
Village Administrator
Village of Lemont
Hy- ?-r
Dat