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Title:
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Consideration of Federal Appropriations Requests for FY 2009.
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City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the submission of Federal
Appropriations Requests for FY 2009 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 $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; $656,000 for the Exposition Light Rail Aerial
Station; $235,000 for the Interagency Interoperable Communications System (ICIS);
and $84,600 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 filed, the City continues to work closely with CJ
Strategies. The City Council also provides critical support 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 successes, especially given the very difficult fiscal situation in
Washington.
Meeting Date: 02/19/08 Item Number: A-1
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of Federal Appropriations Requests for FY 2009.
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg 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 (02/13/08).
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (02/13/08)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (02/13/08)
Fiscal Impact Review:
Jeff Muir (02/13/08)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (02/13/08) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
The City’s FY 2009 Federal appropriations requests are due to Senators Barbara
Boxer and Dianne Feinstein’s offices on February 29, 2008. Congresswoman
Watson’s office deadline is March 3, 2008.
Executive Management has proposed various projects for the City Council’s
consideration. These projects were prepared in coordination with our lobbyist in
recent weeks. Based on discussions with staff and the advocacy firm, the following
suggested prioritization of projects will provide the optimal opportunity for success in
the appropriations process:
1. Mobile Data Terminals for Computer Aided Dispatch, Fire/Police Records
Management, and Fire Emergency Medical Services
Mobile data terminals (MDTs) in public safety response vehicles will provide staff
with quick access to critical information such as response plans and historical
records. Mobile data facilitates field data queries which provide alerts and
supplemental information that can be invaluable while in the field. Mobile
technology also expands public safety operations by offering the opportunity to
complete incident reports while in the vehicle, thereby keeping officers in the
field. The total amount requested is $152,000.
2. Culver City Bus Replacement
Culver City will need to replace twenty (20) 40-foot CNG fueled buses that will
have reached the end of their useful lives in 2010. Culver City would also like to
replace two of the 40’ buses for 60’ Articulated Buses for use on a new Bus
Rapid Transit program along Sepulveda Boulevard that will begin in September
2008. Culver City would also like to be able to replace the remainder of the
buses with CNG-Electrical hybrid buses to achieve even greater energy
efficiency. The total amount requested is $3 Million.
3. Fire Department Rescue Unit and Lookout Vehicle
Due to the relatively high population density in Culver City and the surrounding
region, there is a high demand for more efficient and effective emergency
services. This is especially a concern in response to homeland security
preparations, mutual aid and related issues. The Fire Department has
determined it critical to add a Fire Department Rescue Unit (Ambulance) and
Lookout Vehicle. The total amount requested is $152,000.
4. SR-90 and I-405 Interchange Feasibility Study City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
When State Route 90 (SR-90) was constructed, only three interchange
connections were created, connecting it with the Interstate 405 (I-405). The
connection from Westbound SR-90 to Southbound I-405 was never constructed.
This project would provide funding for a feasibility study for the westbound 90-
southbound 405 interchange. The total amount requested is $650,000.
As mentioned above, staff has worked closely with our federal advocacy team in
crafting these proposals to provide the greatest probability of a successful outcome.
While the Federal Budget is in the trillions of dollars, given the current multi-billion
dollar federal deficit, it is particularly important to target appropriations requests to
areas where dollars are most likely to be available. The City Council may wish to
provide additional suggested appropriations requests this evening.
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.
The pursuit of federal appropriations is a part of the annual work program adopted
as part of the 2007-2008 City Budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve and authorize staff to submit the proposed projects for consideration for
Federal Appropriation for FY 2009 and set the priority ranking of these projects
as 1) Mobile Data Terminals for Computer Aided Dispatch, Fire/Police Records
Management, and Fire Emergency Medical Services; 2) Culver City Bus
Replacement; 3) Fire Department Rescue Unit and Lookout Vehicle; and 4) SR-
90 and I-405 Interchange Feasibility Study.