First, thank you Ms. Hofschneider for your Efforts & Time on this article *  
I feel that "THE TRUE PURPOSE" of the Lobby organization is as Ms. Yamane & Ms. Tanida has spoken to.  
This Raises the Obvious for me.  "Why does the Council even give an ear, & BE Seen as Influenced By these Lobbyist ?  If they were Elected By the People to Serve the Peoples Interests & Not Special Interest - Why are they even meeting with Lobbyists ?  Perhaps We should Eliminate that Seduction characteristic of Lobbyists that Tempts a Good Council to Forget Why they were Elected to that Position in the First place !