The Solana Beach City Council recently approved a contract worth up to $70,000 with Warwick Group Consultants for federal lobbying services through the 2027 fiscal year, after the most recent agreement expired on June 30.
“The city has contracted with Warwick Group Consultants to provide federal public affairs consulting to seek federal appropriation for various city projects including, but not limited to, the city’s Beach Sand Replenishment and Monitoring Program, Shoreline Restoration Project, recycled water system expansion, fire risk reduction equipment and Marine Safety Center replacement,” according to a council agenda report.
Sand replenishment, one of the key ongoing projects requiring federal funding, recently included the placement of 700,000 cubic yards of sand along Tide Park in Solana Beach to the Del Mar border, followed by an ongoing two-year post construction process that includes monitoring water quality and the lagoon.
“Because of their unique nature,” the agenda report continues, “it is in the best interest of the public, as allowed by state law, that contracts for professional services such as attorneys, planning consultants, public relations consultants, and other professional or consultant services of a similar nature, be selected on the basis of demonstrated competence and on the professional qualifications necessary for the satisfactory performance of the services required, negotiated between parties rather than on the basis of cost alone.”
The report adds that Warwick Group has worked with the city for the past 20 years.
“Warwick Group Consultants has demonstrated the competence and qualifications to satisfactorily perform the services at a fair and reasonable price,” the agenda report adds. “Furthermore, because of their past experience with the City navigating priority legislative matters, advising on federal issues that may affect Solana Beach, and securing funding for important citywide projects, this consultant is uniquely qualified to provide the services to the City.”