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Title:
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Consideration and Approval of Submission of Federal Appropriations Requests for FY 2011/12.
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City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 02/01/10 Item Number: A-2
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Consideration and Approval of Submission of
Federal Appropriations Requests for FY 2011/12.
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg/
City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6008
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
/Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas – City Council (01/27/10).
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (01/25/10)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (01/26/10)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Mark Scott (by M. Noller) (01/26/10)
City Manager Approval:
Mark Scott (01/27/10)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to submit
Federal Appropriations Requests for FY 2011/12 and set the priority ranking of these
projects.
BACKGROUND:
In recent years, with the assistance of Culver City’s federal advocacy team, CJ
Strategies, the City has been successful in obtaining federal appropriations in the
amounts of nearly $2.2 million to widen Sepulveda and Culver Boulevards; $2 million
for the preliminary engineering design of the on/off ramp system at the intersection
of the I-10 and Robertson/National Boulevards; $500,000 for catch basin inserts;
$235,000 for the Interagency Interoperable Communications System (ICIS); and
$84,000 for Police Department Computer/Data Equipment.
Each year, the City submits appropriations requests through the City’s Senators and
Representative for consideration during the Federal budgeting process. Once the
appropriations requests are transmitted to the appropriate legislator’s offices, the
City continues to work closely with CJ Strategies. The City Council also provides
critical advocacy through direct contacts with federal elected officials and their staff.
While the Federal budget process does not always result in appropriations requests
being approved, the City can be proud of its recent accomplishments, especially
given the current fiscal challenges in Washington.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
The City’s FY 2011 Federal appropriations requests are due to Senator Feinstein’s
Office on February 5
th
, to Senator Boxer’s Office on February 12
th
, and to
Congresswoman Watson’s Office by February 26
th
. City staff has met to discuss
projects that would be competitive in this process for the City Council’s
consideration. These projects were also discussed with the advocacy firm. The
following suggested prioritization of projects will provide the most competitive
opportunity for success in the appropriations process:
1. Shoring Wall and Transit Plaza for the Metro Expo Light Rail Station
With average weekday boardings at the Venice/Robertson Station estimated
at 3,156 in 2015 and 4,196 in 2030, , the City and Metro have formulated a
parking plan that accommodates all transit station and Transit Oriented
Development (TOD) parking on site, via a two level subterranean parking
garage. Construction of this proposed garage will require a shoring wall that
will safely separate the Expo LRT station from the parking structure and
support the related transit development above. The Transit Plaza will connect
the TOD to the EXPO LRT and create a pedestrian friendly environment that
encourages economic vitality, sustainability and public transportation. The
total amount requested is $6 million.
2. Storm Water Improvement – Dry-Weather Diversion Overland Avenue
The proposed project would design and construct a dry-weather diversion
facility near the intersection of Overland Avenue and Farragut Drive to divert
dry-weather runoff to the sanitary sewer system for ultimate treatment at the
Hyperion Sewage Treatment Plant. The total amount requested is $2 million.
3. Fire Drill Yard Construction Project
This project would replace the existing Fire Drill Yard, which contains a
Training Tower & Classroom/Office on .7 acre, built in 1970. The current
facility is used by the Culver City Fire Department along with the County and
City of LA Fire Departments and the Cities of Santa Monica and Beverly Hills
Fire Departments. Further, both the Culver City Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (CCARES) and the City’s Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) use the Fire Drill Yard. The total amount requested is $3.75 million.
4. SR-90/I-405 and Slauson Avenue/SR-90 Regional Mobility Improvement
Project
The project consists of two components. At the State Route 90 (Marina
Freeway) to Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) Connection – construction of City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
a westbound ramp connection from SR-90 to the southbound I-405; and
Slauson Avenue to SR-90 Flyover - construction of a ramp access from
westbound Slauson Avenue to westbound SR-90. The project will help
address mobility issues on the SR-90 and I-405 to the benefit of the Westside
region. The total amount requested is $13.2 million.
5. Sustainable Streetscape Project
The City will be embarking on a project to revitalize a portion of Washington
Boulevard. The project will enhance the neighborhood with new commercial,
office and housing units. This project will complement the LEED (Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings that will be developed
in this area and to help sustain “green” technologies. The City will pursue the
installation of solar powered streets lights in the area. The total amount
requested is $1 million.
6. Washington Boulevard Median Configuration and Enhancement Project
The proposed project will involve the planning, design and construction of a
new median to rehabilitate Washington Boulevard between National
Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. The project will improve roadway pavement,
through the redesign of medians to provide left-turn pockets and provide
additional roadway width for a bike lane. The total amount requested is $2
million.
It should also be noted that the City’s Transportation Department plans to be a part
of an appropriations requests for new CNG buses through its member organization,
the Municipal Transit Operators Coalition (MTOC). Further, Culver City has been
requested to provide a letter of support for the Interagency Communications
Interoperability System (ICIS) request for a $250,000 microwave enhancement loop
from the City of Beverly Hills’ Walker Drive radio tower site to Oat Mountain in the
San Fernando Valley.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no direct fiscal impact, since funds will not be proposed in the City’s budget
for Federal Appropriations. Funding is recognized, if and when the funds are
eventually received, or when signed documentation by both parties state the
absolute receipt of these funds will take place. The latter occurs when the grant is a
“reimbursement” type grant. The pursuit of federal appropriations is part of the
annual work program as part of the 2009-10 City Budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1A. Approve and authorize the City Manager to submit the proposed projects for
consideration for Federal Appropriation for FY 2011/12 and set the priority
ranking of these projects as #1 through #6;
OR
1B. Provide other direction to staff as deemed appropriate.