Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/2008 11 2008 Federal Priorities • BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. // For Meeting Of: March 4, 2008 ITEM TITLE: Adoption of City of Yakima 2008 Federal Priorities SUBMITTED BY: Richard A. Zais, City Manager Michael Morales, Deputy Director, CED CONTACT: Michael Morales, 575 -3533 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: Attached is a draft copy of the City of Yakima's 2008 Federal Legislative Issues. Staff and council members attending the National League of Cities conference in Washington, DC have prepared and reviewed this document. The top federal legislative priority for 2008 is passage of a bill to extend the time period and expand the boundaries of federal Renewal Communities. Yakima is one of only 40 designated RC's in the country, and this designation provides significant tax incentives that are a central component of our economic development efforts. The designation is set to expire in 2009 without congressional action. Yakima is working with a coalition of communities from around the country to advocate passage of this law. The city is also requesting additional appropriations for Phase 3 of the Railroad Grade Separation Project; COPS Tech funding for a regional communications system; $300,000 for the William O. Douglas Trail; and Economic Development Initiative funds for the Yakima Sawmill Redevelopment Project. In addition, we will advocate the continuation of competitive grant funds for law enforcement and crime prevention activities that the city currently utilizes. The City of Yakima's Federal Priorities document is a critical component of our efforts toward economic revitalization and sustainable community development. This document is the foundation of our package that is presented to our Congressional delegation, and other federal agency officials during our annual trip to Washington for the National League of Cities Conference. Assistant Mayor Cawley, and Councilmembers Johnson, Coffey and Ensey will attend, along with the City Manager and Michael Morales. Resolution Ordinance Contract Other: Funding Source Approval for Submittal: City Minager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the 2007 Federal Priorities. BOARD RECOMMENDATION: COUNCIL ACTION: CITY OF YABtIMA 2008 FEDERAL PRIORITY ISSUES COMMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT • Passage of S 1627, . bill t. expand Renewal Community boundaries, and extend RC incentives through 2015 is the City of Yakima's top federal priority. • Economic Stimulus Capital Projects Package — Provide immediate, direct funding to significant public infrastructure projects of regional significance that demonstrate readiness to proceed with construction. • Pass Senate and House Budget proposals to maintain or increase funding levels for CDBG , HOME, restoring cuts made over the past three years. • Yakima Sawmill Redevelopment Project: The city requests HUD -EDI Special Projects or Department of Interior /EPA funding for site remediation, water, sewer and transportation infrastructure to redevelop the Yakima Sawmill site. PUBLIC SAFETY • $4,200,000 COPS Tech appropriation for Yakima County Integrated Public Safety Communications System • Restore cuts made to COPS, First Responder, and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant programs. • Office of National Drug Control Policy: Continued funding for the Accelerated Domestic Market Disruption Program. • Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT): Renewal and continuation of the city's grant for this program. REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIO • $5 -$6 million gap funding for construction of the Yakima Railroad Grade Separation Project, which will begin construction Summer 2008. • . Bridge repair funding for deteriorating structures on important regional corridors, such as the Nob Hill Boulevard Overpass in Yakima. • Support for the Yakima Regional Trans Action Priorities. • National Historic Trail designation for the William O. Douglas Trail. DEF•'ARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR & EPA • Ensure funding for continuation of the Yakima Basin Storage Study, including the Black Rock Reservoir. • Support reauthorization of EPA Brownfield Programs. TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT The City of Yakima opposes any and all legislation that threatens to supersede proper local control over cable /telecommunications providers. UNFUNDED MAN + ATES The City supports Congressional action to improve the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 and strengthen the federal -local partnership and further restrict the ability of Congress to impose unfunded federal mandates or preempt local authority. _ _ _ . _ _ • COMMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOP` ENT Passage of S 1627, bill to expand Renewal Community boundaries, and exte .d RC incentives through 2015 is the City of Yakima's top federal priority. Yakima was designated a federal Renewal Community (RC) in 2002. Without congressional action, the RC designation and its tax incentives will expire in December 2009. This program has been a critical component of Yakima's economic resurgence, and specifically the renaissance of our downtown. Economic Stimulus Capital Projects Package: The provision of federal funds to accelerate construction of major public works projects will provide a more sustained stimulus to the national economy as wages paid and materials and /or equipment purchased for these projects will ripple through local economies at a greater rate than tax rebate checks to individual tax payers. The City of Yakima has projects that could immediately put this plan into action, including the Railroad Grade Separation Project and the Nob Hill Boulevard /SR 24 bridge deck replacement. Increase funding formula levels for CDBG For 33 years, CDBG and HOME programs have served as a vital resource to help meet Yakima's community development, affordable housing and economic development needs. Even with proven success, CDBG formula grants have been significantly reduced over the last several years, with Yakima losing 20% of its entitlement. This number alone equates to a loss of $1 million in Section 108 economic development loan authority, and a substantial negative effect on our community. Yakima Sawmill Redevelopment Project: Yakima Sawmill Redevelopment Project -- $3,000,000 EDI Special Projects Request: Yakima Resources has closed and begun the demolition process of its sawmill. The site dates back nearly 100 years and its clean up issues are perceived to be significant. The City has begun working with Yakima Resources to develop a master plan for over 200 acres of interstate frontage property. While the loss of resource dependent industry jobs is a blow to the community, the site offers one of the most significant development opportunities since the construction of the interstate system through Yakima. The city requests $3,000,000 to provide critical water and sewer infrastructure that will accelerate redevelopment of the site and benefit the surrounding neighborhoods through provision of service. PUBLIC SAFETY VIOLENT CRIME, GANGS AND DRUG TRAFFICKING Combating violent crime and building a safe community is a Yakima Community priority. While Yakima has been making progress on the fight against crime, federal resources ' continue to be shifted to homeland security while illegal guns and drugs from other countries continue to flood our streets. The COPS hiring program and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) programs have both been eliminated. The City of Yakima supports a comprehensive crime initiative that restores the federal -local partnership on hometown security. Specifically: • ® Funding for COPS and LLE!; G should be restored with strong accountability standards tied to the grants. © Balanced anti -gang legislation must be enacted that strengthens local law enforcement and provides positive alternative to gang participation. ® Re- entry and Rehabilitation: Federal resources are needed t provide alternatives to ex- offenders and juvenile detainees, and address housing, job training and placement, drug treatment and education issues. COPS Tech Appropriation for Yaki .a County Integrated Public Safety System: The City of Yakima, Yakima County and member cities request $4,200,000 from the COPS Tech appropriation bill to establish an integrated system for Computerized Aided Dispatch, Mobile Data, Law Enforcement Field Reporting, Law Enforcement Records, Prosecutors Processing and Corrections. COPS Tech funds will ensure that critical data will be accessible by all law enforcement agencies in the county, streamlining the operations and enhancing the abilities of our Public Safety agencies throughout the county Office of National Drug Control Policy "Accelerated Domestic Market Disruption Program ": Yakima is one of the smallest cities in the nation to participate in the 'Accelerated Domestic Market Disruption Program "(Accelerated Arrest). Funded by annual grants from the ONDCP of $150,000 in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 the program helps police efforts to target mid and high -level drug dealers. In 2007 alone the regional task force seized over $10 million worth of drugs, in addition to scores of vehicles and firearms. Unfortunately, the funding was not renewed in 2008, and the city requests restoration of these funds to allow for multi -year • grant awards. Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT): The Yakima Police Department secured a $150,000 GREAT grant in 2007, thanks to the support of our congressional delegation. To date, the program has enrolled over 2,000 students in the Yakima School District. YPD and the school district also developed and introduced a program measurement model in 2007. The city requests continuation of this program and renewal of our grant award. REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS Yakima Railroad Grade Separation Project Construction -- $6,000,000, Following a thorough environmental process and threatened legal challenges that caused delays, this project began construction in 2007 with utility relocation and mitigation measures for the North Front Street Historic District. Design for Phases 2 and 3, construction of the two underpasses, is complete, and right of way certification is scheduled for this spring. Construction of the Lincoln Avenue underpass will begin in August 2008. The city is still significantly short of funds to ensure construction of the second underpass (MLK), which could begin following completion of Lincoln Avenue in July 2009. Additional federal funding either in the form of an appropriation, or as part of a public works stimulus package will ensure that the second underpass is built in a timely manner and does not incur any more cost increases due to delays. Bridge repair funding for deteriorating structures on important regional c . rridors, • such as the Nob Hill Il3ouleva Overpass in Yakima. Nob Hill Boulevard is one of the most important regional corridors in Yakima County, and this overpass used by thousands of vehicles to access important regional facilities such as Yakima Airport, Yakima Valley Community College and Memorial Hospital and Yakima Regional Hospital. Following the tragedy in Minneapolis, the City of Yakima reexamined its bridge reports and commissioned an updated study for the Nob Hill Boulevard overpass. While the bridge is not structurally deficient, the study showed significant deterioration that warrants a full deck replacement. The city requests that this project be considered for any bridge repair and replacement funds that may be authorized by Congress. Yakima Regional Trans Action Priorities The City of Yakima is a partner agency in TransAction, a regional collaborative effort to improve strategic transportation connection points in the Upper Yakima Valley. Trans Action's priority requests include the Yakima Railroad Grade Separation Project. The city also supports the TransAction request for $3.1 million to complete the expansion of Valley Mall Boulevard from Interstate 82 to Main Street in Union Gap. William 0. Douglas Trail: National Historic Trail designation and $300,000 appropriation. The City of Yakima requests that Congress authorize a study by the Secretary of the Interior for the purpose of determining the feasibility of designating the William 0. Douglas Trail as a National Historic Trail pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 1244(b). The National Trails System Act provides for the designation of historically significant trails and routes, primarily near the urban areas of the Nation, for public use and enjoyment. The city is a partner in the continued development of this heritage corridor of state and national significance. The project has been endorsed and received financial assistance from the state of Washington, and the city requests a $300,000 appropriation to leverage support for the project and complete critical links to the city pathway system. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR & EPA Yakima Basin Storage Alliance Study & Mack Rock Reservoir: Ensure funding for continuation of the Yakima Basin Storage Study, including the Black Rock Reservoir. Specifically, allow the Bureau of Reclamation to consider: • Recreational impacts /benefits • Salmonid recovery benefits • Economic benefits • Energy benefits /impacts • Climate Impacts • Urgent need for additional water • 0 Support reauthorization of EPA Brownfield Programs. The City supports reauthorization and increase funding levels for the EPA Brownfields Program. These programs help communities clean and redevelop industrial sites that have been damaged or undervalued by environmental contamination. Redevelopment of these sites can create new jobs and improve the quality of life for local residents. The City may have several potential sites in the future that could benefit from federal funding and tax incentive programs such as EPA Brownfield Redevelopment funds, and the Environmental Clean -up Deduction available to federal Renewal Communities such as Yakima. TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT The City of Yakima opposes any and all legislation that threatens to supercede proper local control over cable /telecommunications providers. The city is very concerned about proposed legislation that will put at the risk the city's ability to effectively manage public rights -of -way (ROW) and to receive fair and just compensation for their use. Revenue generated by the use of ROW's goes to provides critical information to the community and to improve citizen participation in local government through Yakima Public Access Channel (Y -PAC), which provides coverage of city council meetings (Selah, Yakima and Union Gap), county commissioner meetings, state and federal agency and elected official forums and meetings, and land use hearings. • Y -PAC is solely funded by cable franchise fee revenue and cable franchise - required capital support. Without a local franchise managed by the city, it is doubtful that cable /telecommunications providers would have an interest in or any incentive to fund and provide these valuable resources, and the city would be unable to continue this service.