Albertville Hires Non-Lobbyist to Lobby Federal Officials

Did the Mayor and City Council of Albertville, Minnesota believe Elwyn Tinklenberg was a lobbyist when they hired him and his firm to lobby for them?

Would the residents of Albertville be proud of a non-lobbyist lobbying for them in Washington?

Item E. Move to pass Resolution Number 2006-XX entitled “A Resolution Requesting Federal Transportation Funding for Interstate 94 Access and Safety Improvements at CSAH 19 and CSAH 37 in the City of Albertville. Move to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign a one year contract with the Tinklenberg Group to lobby for I-94 Federal Funding in the amount not to exceed $36,000 to be paid on a monthly basis, with funds expended to the I-94 Interstate Project account

Al Tinklenberg brought to the Council’s attention the fact that as you may know, Federal Transportation dollars are very limited and very competitive. It is difficult, in reviewing the MnDOT Report, in obtaining funding from the Feds. It may take several years to accumulate enough funds to begin construction. The majority of the $800,000 we have received will go towards acquisition of the right-of-way from Mr. Knechtl.

Mr. Tinklenberg informed the Council, that should he become elected for office, the contract for service would be terminated. Another representative would be available to continue lobbying for the City. As far as the Contract for Service goes, it would be on a month-to-month basis.

Mr. Tinklenberg also reported that the City of Albertville has determined that additional effort is warranted to secure federal support for the construction of traffic management alternatives along I-94 in the City. Work necessary to accomplish this goal has been identified in the 2005 consulting Services Proposal. The Consulting Service Agreement Amendment No. 1 maintains those tasks through the balance of 2006 with particular emphasis on tasks associated with project funding strategies and activities.

MOTION BY Mayor Peterson, seconded by Council member Klecker to approve Move to pass Resolution Number 2006-XX entitled “A Resolution requesting Federal Transportation Funding for Interstate 94 Access and Safety Improvements at CSAH 19 and CSAH 37 in the City of Albertville. Mayor Peterson, Council members Klecker, Fay and Berning voted aye. Council member Vetsch voted nay. Motion carried.

MOTION BY Mayor Peterson, seconded by Council member Berning to approve Move to Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign a one year contract with the Tinklenberg Group to lobby for I-94 Federal Funding in the amount not to exceed $36,000. Mayor Peterson, Council member Berning, Fay, and Klecker voted aye. Council member Vetsch voted nay. Motion carried.

Question: In one sentence, Tinklenberg makes it clear if he were elected, this contract would be terminated. Yet, in the very next sentence, he makes it clear that "another representative" would be available to lobby for the city. Sounds to me like Elwyn was doing the lobbying.

I wonder what Council member Vetsch would say now, since both Elwyn and his unpaid Communications person, John Wodele both strongly deny Elwyn is a Federal Lobbyist?