HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2026-130 Gaboton Group LLC - Federal Public Affairs Lobbyist and Legislative Services 2026-2027RESOLUTION NO. 2026-130
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DANIA
BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO
EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH GABOTON GROUP, LLC TO PROVIDE
FEDERAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS LOBBYIST AND LEGISLATIVE SERVICES;
AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS IN EXCESS OF $50,000.00,
INCLUDING FEES AND COSTS, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2026, THROUGH
SEPTEMBER 30, 2027; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Dania Beach, Part III, Article 3, Section 4,
Subsection (j), authorizes the City Manager to purchase supplies, services, equipment, and
materials for the City government in amounts in excess of the established monetary threshold
without competitive bidding and without advertisement for bids, if she is authorized to do so in
advance by a resolution adopted by the City Commission; and
WHEREAS, Gaboton Group, LLC provides professional services in the fields of
government and public affairs including legislative procedure and regulatory processes, public
policy, federal appropriations, and grant programs administered by the federal government; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dania Beach, Florida (“City”) deems it in its best interest to retain
Gaboton Group, LLC to provide such services; and
WHEREAS, lobbyist services are individualized, further, the success the City has
achieved with Consultant’s firm, and the connections the Consultant has with the Federal
Legislature, are the basis for the continued use of the Consultant’s services; and
WHEREAS, Gaboton Group LLC proposes to provide these services for a total annual
cost exceeding Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), including costs, for the period beginning
October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That the foregoing “Whereas” clauses are ratified and confirmed to be true
and correct and they are made a part of and are incorporated into this Resolution by this reference.
Section 2. That the City Commission authorizes an Agreement with Gaboton Group,
LLC for an annual amount exceeding Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) for the retainer fees
and out of pocket expenses approved by the City Manager; further, the proper City Officials are
authorized to execute an agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit “A”, and made a part
2 RESOLUTION #2026-130
of and incorporated into this Resolution by this reference, for such services and expenses;
provided, however that no agreement will be effective unless and until it has been executed by all
parties.
Section 3. That the City Manager and City Attorney are authorized to make minor
revisions to the Agreement as are deemed necessary and proper for the best interests of the City.
Section 4. That funding for the Federal public affairs and legislative services are
planned and appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget General Fund City Commission
Professional Services Account No. 001-11-01-511-31-10.
Section 5. That all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this Resolution
are repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6. That this Resolution shall be effective 10 days after passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on September 14, 2026.
Motion by Commissioner Lewellen, second by Vice Mayor Salvino.
FINAL VOTE ON ADOPTION: Unanimous X
Yes No
Commissioner Lori Lewellen ____ ____
Commissioner Luis Rimoli ____ ____
Commissioner Archibald J. Ryan IV ____ ____
Vice Mayor Marco Salvino ____ ____
Mayor Joyce L. Davis ____ ____
ATTEST:
ERIN MCCLENDON JOYCE L. DAVIS
DEPUTY CITY CLERK MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
EVE A. BOUTSIS
CITY ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT “A”
AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE
CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, AND THE GABOTON GROUP, LLC.
The following is an agreement (this “Agreement”) dated ________________, 2026
between the City of Dania Beach, Florida, and the firm The Gaboton Group, LLC, hereinafter
referred to as “The Gaboton Group".
WHEREAS, The Gaboton Group provides professional services in the field of government and
public affairs including legislative procedure and regulatory processes, public policy, Federal
appropriations, and grant programs administered by the Federal government; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dania Beach deems it in its best interest to employ The Gaboton Group
to provide the City with services in the field of federal government and public affairs consulting,
including legislative procedure and regulatory processes, public policy, Federal appropriations,
and grant programs administered by the Federal government.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and other
good and valuable consideration, the adequacy and receipt of which are acknowledged and agreed
upon, the parties hereto agree as follows:
PART I - SPECIFIC PROVISIONS
A. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED: The Gaboton Group will consult
and advise City officials and staff, as requested, on Federal government and public affairs
including legislative procedure and regulatory processes, public policy, Federal
appropriations, and grant programs administered by the Federal government, including but
not limited to:
1. Developing strategies to obtain and maximize Federal funding for Transportation
and Infrastructure, Economic Development, Law Enforcement, Emergency
Response, Educational and Technological Related Activities, including Shore
Restoration Initiatives mutually agreed to in writing by the City and The Gaboton
Group.
2. Coordinating the City’s Federal appropriations, authorizations, grants, legislation
and policy related activities with the United States Congress and Federal agencies.
3. Access to The Gaboton Group’s new Grant Services Department and to assist the
City to secure federal grant funding from federal agencies in Washington DC.
4. Monitor trends and priorities amongst the federal agencies, and The Gaboton Group
will work to refine City grant proposals and insure they reflect City Administration
funding objectives.
5. Maintain direct contact with Congressional Delegation members, and their staff in
Washington and Florida.
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6. Coordinate and convene local meetings with staff from the offices of US
Representatives and Senators from the US Congress to update the City on
legislation and policy.
7. Maintain contact with key officials from the United States House of
Representatives and Senate on issues and interests involving the City.
8. Assisting to maintain contact with key officials from the Florida State legislature,
and Committees staff, on issues and interests involving the City.
9. Advocating City’s interests to Federal Departments and Agencies as necessary; and
10. Two site visits per year to update and brief key City Officials and representatives
on legislative activity and progress.
11. Seek opportunities for grants relating to the City’s Community Redevelopment
Agency.
12. Seek opportunities for grants associated with the revitalization of Federal Highway,
which included the portion located within the City’s Arts and Entertainment
District.
B. PAYMENT: The parties have determined the most efficient and economical method to
compensate for The Gaboton Group’s services to be provided is by a monthly retainer with
a not to exceed annual contract amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000, not including
costs The monthly retainer shall be deemed earned by The Gaboton Group upon the City
being invoiced by The Gaboton Group.
(i) MONTHLY RETAINER: The Gaboton Group’s compensation for the services
provided hereunder shall be $4,166.66, per month. The Gaboton Group shall
submit the monthly fee invoice at the first of each month, beginning on October 1,
2026.
(ii) EXPENSES: The fees described in subsection (i) above include two (2) visits by
The Gaboton Group personnel to the client offices. Such fees do not include,
however, payment (reimbursement) for expenses incurred by The Gaboton Group,
if any, in connection with (1) visits to the Client’s offices in excess of the number
of visits set forth in the foregoing sentence, and (2) out-of-town travel undertaken
by The Gaboton Group personnel at the advance written request of the client. Any
reasonable and necessary costs incurred by The Gaboton Group in connection with
such additional visits and out-of-town travel shall be paid (or reimbursed) by the
Client upon presentation of reasonable back-up documentation; provided,
however, no such expense shall exceed a maximum of Four Thousand Dollars
($4,000.00) for the term of the Agreement.
PART II GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. COOPERATION: The City of Dania Beach will cooperate, participate in meetings, and
provide any information and documentation as may be reasonably requested by The
Gaboton Group to enable the Firm to provide professional services.
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B. STATUS OF THE GABOTON GROUP, LLC: The parties intend that The Gaboton
Group, in performing its services, shall act as an independent contractor and shall have
control of the work and the manner in which it is performed. The Gaboton Group is not to
be considered an agent or employee of the City and is not entitled to participate in any
pension plan, insurance, bonus or similar benefits the City of Dania Beach provides to its
employees.
C. METHOD AND PLACE OF GIVING NOTICE, SUBMITTING INVOICES AND
MAKING PAYMENTS: All notices, invoices, and payments shall be made in writing
and shall be given by electronic mail, U.S. mail or personal delivery. Notices, bills and
payments sent by mail must be addressed as follows:
City of Dania Beach: Candido Sosa Cruz, ICMA-CM
City Manager
100 West Dania Beach Boulevard
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(954) 924-6800
The Gaboton Group: The Gaboton Group, LLC
601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
South Building, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 220-3151
D. NON-DISCRIMINATION: The Gaboton Group shall comply with all applicable federal,
state and local laws, rules and regulations in regard to nondiscrimination in employment
related to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, medical
condition, or physical or mental disability.
COMPLIANCE: The Gaboton Group and the City of Dania Beach shall comply with the
Lobbying Disclosure Act and all amendments and the Honest Leadership and Open Government
Act of 2007.
E. TERM OF AGREEMENT: This Agreement shall become effective October 1, 2025 and
shall terminate on September 30, 206 or upon 30 days’ written notice by either party to the
other with or without cause.
F. JURISDICTION: This Agreement and performance hereunder and all suits and special
proceedings hereunder shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Florida. In addition, in special proceedings or other proceedings that may be brought
arising out of, in connection with, or by reason of this Agreement, the laws of the State of
Florida shall be applicable and shall govern to the exclusion of the law of any other forum.
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G. ATTORNEY'S FEES; COSTS; VENUE: In the event that either party shall bring an
action or proceeding for an alleged breach of any provision of this Agreement, the
prevailing party shall be entitled to recover, as part of such action or proceeding, reasonable
attorney's fees, paralegal fees, and court costs at both trial and appellate levels. For the
purpose of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the
parties hereby consent and agree to the jurisdiction and venue of state and federal courts in
Broward County, Florida.
H. ENTIRE AGREEMENT: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements. No waiver, modifications,
additions or addendum to this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by
both The Gaboton Group and the City of Dania Beach, Florida. This Agreement may be
extended by advance written mutual agreement.
SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES
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IN WITNESS OF THE FOREGOING, the parties have set their hand and seal the day
and year first written above.
CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA,
a Florida municipal corporation
ELORA RIERA, MMC JOYCE L. DAVIS
CITY CLERK MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM
AND CORRECTNESS
EVE A. BOUTSIS, CITY ATTORNEY CANDIDO SOSA-CRUZ, ICMA-CM
CITY MANAGER