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Title:
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Federal Appropriations Requests for FY 2008.
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City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
11R
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the submission of Federal
Appropriations Requests for FY 2008 (which begins on October 1, 2007).
BACKGROUND:
On January 31, the U.S. House of Representatives considered the year-long “Joint
Resolution” that will fund the nine outstanding FY 2007 appropriations bills: Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education; Transportation, Treasury, Housing and
Urban Development; Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water; Military
Construction/Veterans Affairs; Agriculture; Interior and the Environment; Foreign
Operations/State; and the Legislative Branch. Most departments will be funded at
FY 2006 levels, but some candidates for increased funding include veterans’ health
care, various health and education programs, federal, state and local law
enforcement, and transportation.
In recent years, the City of Culver City has been successful in obtaining
appropriations in the amounts of $2.192 million to widen Sepulveda and Culver
Boulevards; $2 million for preliminary engineering design of the on/off ramp system
at the intersection of the I-10 and Robertson/National Boulevards; $25,000 to
upgrade first responder signal pre-emption hardware; and $110,000 for signal pre-
emption technology.
Meeting Date: 02/12/07 Item Number: A-3
AGENDA ITEM: Federal Appropriations Requests for FY 2008.
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg,
Intergovernmental Relations Officer
Phone Number: (310) 253-6008
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification:
Master Notification List (02/07/2007).
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (02/05/2007)
City Attorney Approval:
Heather Iker (02/07/2007)
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang (02/08/2007)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (02/08/2007)City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
12R
DISCUSSION:
The City’s FY 2008 Federal appropriations requests are due to Congresswoman
Watson’s office on February 15, 2007 and to Senator Dianne Feinstein on February
22, 2007. Senator Barbara Boxer’s deadline will occur later.
The 110
th
Congress has seen significant changes from its predecessor. There has
been a change in political party control of both the Senate and the House of
Representatives. The Congressional Budget Office projects the Federal
Government will end Fiscal Year 2007 with a $286 billion deficit. Further, the House
of Representatives has implemented “earmark reform” that may further limit specific
budget allocations to local government programs and projects. Therefore, in this
year of limited Federal resources and a tendency toward fewer earmarks, it is
particularly important for the City to strategically target its appropriations requests to
improve the chances of successful allocation.
Staff from each of the departments proposed various projects. These projects were
prepared in coordination with our lobbyist Chris Kierig from CJ Strategies with some
preliminary feedback from staff at Congresswoman Watson’s Office.
Based on discussions with staff, our lobbyist, and congressional aides, the following
prioritization of projects will provide the optimal opportunity for success in the
appropriations process:
1. Fire Station 3 Construction: $2 Million in funding would assist in building a fire
station that would meet current and future fire department and community needs.
2. Multi-Modal Light Rail Station for the Metro Expo Light Rail Line: $5 Million is
requested to go towards the construction of the Venice/Robertson Aerial Station
located within Culver City along the border of the City of Los Angeles.
3. ICIS: $250,000 in funding would be for equipment to facilitate the further
migration of the ICIS Radio System from the proprietary Smart Zone 4.1
operating system to the Project 25 standard operating system. This system is
recommended by the federal government and Department of Homeland Security.
4. In-Car Police Vehicle Digital Video Recording: $250,000 in funding would
provide the Culver City Police Department with the opportunity to equip twelve
(12) marked police vehicles with the most current and upgradeable digital in-car
video systems.City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
13R
5. Parks and Recreation Improvements: $750,000 is requested to help fund the
design, construction and equipment for multiple improvements and
enhancements for the City park system.
6. AMVETS Building Improvements: $1.7 Million is needed to renovate the building
into a cultural center to include structural rehabilitation with seismic upgrades and
ADA compliance and the transformation of the space into a performing arts
venue. The theatre construction includes all lighting, sound, seating and
technical equipment, as well as the building of an operational backstage with
restrooms, dressing rooms, wardrobe facility and office. The project would
improve building conditions for cultural programming and services for AMVETS
members and the Los Angeles Area Veteran Artists Association (LAAVAA) as
well as provide another performing arts venue for the City and its Performing Arts
Grant Program recipients.
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 when and if the funds are
eventually received.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Approve and authorize staff to submit the six proposed projects for possible Federal
Appropriations for FY 2008.