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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04212009 - C.37RECOMMENDATION(S): ACCEPT the report on the federal appropriations advocacy meetings in Washington, D.C., as recommended by the Legislation Committee. FISCAL IMPACT: The County is well-positioned by this trip to secure financial assistance for our requested projects in the Federal Fiscal Year 2010 budget and the reauthorization of the federal transportation bill. BACKGROUND: In the early part of each year, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors travel to Washington, D.C., along with the Legislative Coordinator, to advocate for federal funding for projects included in the County’s Federal Legislative Platform. Due to prior commitments, the Vice Chair was unable to attend. This year, the trip was planned to coincide with the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference. Fortunately for the County, because Supervisor Glover and Dr. Walker were scheduled to be in Washington, D.C. for NACo and other association meetings, they were able to attend some of the advocacy meetings scheduled with our congressional APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 04/21/2009 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYES 5 NOES ____ ABSENT ____ ABSTAIN ____ RECUSE ____ Contact: L. DeLaney, 5-1097 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: April 21, 2009 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: C.37 To:Board of Supervisors From:David Twa, County Administrator Date:April 21, 2009 Contra Costa County Subject:Report on Federal Funding Advocacy Meetings in Washington, D.C. BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) delegation and provide valuable advocacy and information. All in all, it was a successful trip because relationships with our Congressional delegation and their staffs, as well as key committee staff, were advanced. The County is well-positioned by this trip to secure much-needed financial assistance for our requested projects. Our congressional delegation and their staffs, along with various committee staff, were provided packets of information about our projects, the Supervisors had an opportunity to explain the importance of the projects to the County and the region, and staff was able to respond to specific questions about the projects. The attached documents include the following: 1. The Itinerary of meetings 2. Meeting notes 3. A copy of the appropriations request submitted for COPS funding, as requested by Congresswoman Tauscher CONTRA COSTA COUNTY  WASHINGTON ITINERARY  TUESDAY, MARCH 10  WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 AND THURSDAY, MARCH 12    Supervisor Susan Bonilla, Chairman       Supervisor Federal Glover      Lara DeLaney, Senior Management Analyst     Paul Schlesinger, Alcalde & Fay        Tuesday, March 10th     11: 15 am The Honorable Barbara Boxer (Note meeting time change)    112 Hart Senate Office Building    202‐224‐3553  Danielle Leone, Legislative Assistant      Wednesday, March 11th    10:15am Pre‐Meeting Briefing in Rayburn House Office Building    Cafeteria    Basement Level of Rayburn Building    11:00am Taunja Berquam, Majority Professional Staff   House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy & Water   2362‐B Rayburn House Office Building   202‐225‐3421      2:30 pm Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher*   (Note meeting time change)    Paul Schmid, Chief of Staff     Jennifer Barton, District Director    2459 Rayburn House Office Building    202‐225‐1880      3:30pm Congressman Jerry McNerney    Andrew Horowitz, Legislative Director   Eric Halstrom, Legislative Assistant  312 Cannon House Office Building    202‐225‐1947    Thursday, March 12th     10:00am Bill Richard, Chief of Staff    Office of the Honorable Jim Oberstar, Chairman, Committee on     Transportation & Infrastructure    2365 Rayburn House Office Building    202‐225‐6211    10:45am Congressman George Miller    Daniel Weiss, Chief of Staff    2205 Rayburn House Office Building    202‐225‐2095    1:30pm Ryan Hunt, Appropriations Legislative Assistant    Office of the Honorable Dianne Feinstein    331 Hart Senate Office Building    202‐224‐3841    2:00pm Susan Binder, Majority Senior Policy Advisor   Kathy Dedrick, Majority Senior Policy Director for  Transportation    Senate Environment and Public Works Committee    410 Dirksen Senate Office Building    202‐224‐8832    3:00pm Roger Cockrell, Majority Professional Staff    Senate Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee    186 Dirksen Senate office Building    202‐224‐8119          7/23/2014 1 Contra Costa County Notes from Washington D.C. Trip March 10, 11 and 12, 2009 Attendees: Supervisor Susan Bonilla, Chair of Board; Supervisor Federal Glover; Dr. William Walker, HSD Director; Jill Ryan, Special Assistant to Supv. Bonilla; Lara DeLaney, Legislative Coordinator; Paul Schlesinger and Anne Cullather, federal advocates with Alcalde & Fay. 1. Senator Barbara Boxer  The Senator reported that she and her colleagues were working to pass the FFY 2009 Omnibus budget bill, even as we were meeting. A vote on the bill was imminent; she was confident it would pass.  Supervisor Bonilla expressed appreciation for support of our projects in the Omnibus and requested additional support for our FFY 2010 projects, specifically citing the Delta LTMS and “Safe and Bright Futures.”  Supervisor Glover addressed the support needed for Vasco Road, emphasizing the local funds that had been committed to the project.  Boxer staff asked about the impact of the Clean Water Act on the Delta LTMS effort. County staff will follow-up.  Senator Boxer complimented the County for retaining Paul Schlesinger, of whom she thought highly. 2. Taunja Berquem, House Approps Subcommittee on Energy and Water  Taunja inquired about the impact of the channel projects on transportation congestion relief efforts and whether transportation planning efforts considered the waterways.  Supervisor Bonilla emphasized the impact of channel deepening and dredging on the ability of ships to use the Bay for transport of goods between ports, removing truck traffic between Valley and Bay Area. 7/23/2014 2 Contra Costa County 3. Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher (unavailable): Paul Schmid (Chief of Staff) and Jennifer Barton (District Director)  Supervisor Bonilla discussed the anticipated impact of federal stimulus funds on Contra Costa.  Supervisor Bonilla provided a briefing on the state of the County budget.  Paul Schmid discussed the Congresswoman’s and her staff’s efforts to get Corps staff dedicated to progress on our projects through communication with Corps Colonel Chapman.  Paul Schmid requested that we submit an appropriations request for COPS funding by Tuesday for the FFY 2010 budget. The Congresswoman is eager to support requests, particularly related to methamphetamine eradication programs. (See attached.) 4. Bill Richard, Chief of Staff, Office of Honorable Jim Oberstar (Chair, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure)  Congressman Oberstar popped into the waiting room, so introductions were made by Mr. Schlesinger. Supervisor Bonilla commented on the connection of CAO David Twa with Minnesota, the Chairman’s home. The Congressman recalled a Twa family in his hometown!  Supervisor Bonilla reviewed the projects on the County’s list for SAFETEA- LU Reauthorization with Mr. Richard, emphasizing the social justice aspects of the North Richmond Truck Route project, the safety aspect of the Vasco Road project, and the pedestrian/bike benefits of the Carquinez Scenic Drive Trail project. 5. Congressman Jerry McNerney (with Andrew Horowitz, Leg. Director, and Nick Holder)  Discussion of Delta issues with the Congressman, who has a strong interest in the issue, evidenced by a Press Release in January related to the Delta and its ecosystem: needing to have decisions made with sound science, and questioning building the PC before other options explored.  Supervisor Bonilla reviewed the projects the County is requesting support for in FFY 2010 budget. 7/23/2014 3 Contra Costa County 6. Congressman George Miller and Justin Long, Legislative Director  Congressman Miller asked about the issue of funding for medical services for undocumented workers. Dr. Walker discussed the proposal to cut funding, which was to be discussed by the Board of Supervisors at their next meeting. Dr. Walker discussed the necessary partnership with the community clinics and other area hospitals and the developing plan to address these medical needs. The Congressman was pleased that the County had an effort underway to build partnerships to share the cost of services to that population and understood the budget challenges the County was facing.  Dr. Walker reported good news on the stabilization of Doctors Hospital.  Supervisor Bonilla discussed the need to use the Service Integration Team (SIT) model to address social service needs at schools—at locations where families can more easily access services. Supervisor Bonilla would like to follow-up with a meeting about this when the Congressman is back in his district.  Much discussion about stimulus bill and its workforce development funding, especially as it relates to youth employment. Also, the Congressman discussed his big push for additional funding in the federal budget for national service programs, like AmeriCorps. 7. Senator Dianne Feinstein (Ryan Hunt, Approps Leg. Assistant)  Ryan reported that it was unlikely the Senate would do a WRDA reauthorization bill in 2009.  Ryan stressed the importance of local government providing details of the impacts of the stimulus funding. Statistics, quantifiable data, was most important to convey the impacts. Supervisor Bonilla responded that we would happily comply with that request, as the funds were much needed and welcomed.  Supervisor Bonilla reviewed the projects the County is requesting support for, emphasizing the importance of the Delta projects, particularly the levees. 7/23/2014 4 Contra Costa County 8. Susan Binder, Majority Senior Policy Advisor, and Kathy Dedrick, Majority Senior Policy Director for Transportation (Senate Environment and Public Works Committee)  Supervisor Bonilla reviewed the list of projects for SAFETEA-LU Reauthorization.  Susan Binder asks about the Highway Safety Improvement Program and whether Vasco Road had completed for those funds, as it was seemingly a good candidate project. 9. Roger Cockrell (D), Senate Approps Sub. On Energy and Water  Roger discussed the $1 billion included in the stimulus bill for dredging projects, which could mean funding for some of our dredging projects.  Roger anticipated that work would begin on the next Energy and Water bill in June or July. Follow-up: 1. Find out results of meetings regarding Indian Gaming. 2. Send Thank-You notes. 3. Provide Supervisor Bonilla with pictures. 4. Gather information about impact of Stimulus funds on County programs/residents. 5. Communicate to Departments about development of Status Reports on ARRA funds. Preliminary report by June, followed by full report in a year. Distribute to congressional offices. Office of Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher FY 2010 Appropriations Request Worksheet Please complete this request form in its entirety and return it to the appropriate staffer listed below in Congresswoman Tauscher’s Washington, D.C. office by Friday, February 27, 2009. Please contact Congresswoman Tauscher’s office at 202-225-1880 with additional questions. Project Information 1. Project Title: (MESP) Methamphetamine Eradication and Suppression Program 2. Requested by (city/town/org) Contra Costa County 3. Administrative Contact: Sheriff Warren E. Rupf, Contra Costa County Operations Contact: Captain Daniel E. Terry, Investigation Division Commander 4. Administrative Phone Number: (925) 335-1510 Fax Number: (925) 335-1691 Operations Phone Number: (925) 313-2691 Fax Number: (925) 313-2751 5. Email Address: Dterr@so.cccounty.us 6. Washington Contact: Paul Schlesinger 7. Washington Contact Phone Number: (703) 508-6700 8. Washington Contact Email Address: schlesinger@alcalde-fay.com Budget Information 9. Amount Requested: $739,000 10. Appropriations Bill & Account (Be specific as possible, include Program Element Number if relevant): CJS – Department of Justice – COPS – Methamphetamine Initiative 11. Amount Requested in President’s Budget (if applicable): N/A 11. Any previous federal funding (list amount and fiscal year) 12. Total Project Cost $739,000 14. Projected Additional Funding Sources to reach total project cost: At the present time, Contra Costa County is attempting to identify additional funding sources to expand their investigative operations to eradicate methamphetamine in Contra Costa County, while working in a multi-jurisdictional format with local, State and Federal law enforcement agencies. Project Description 15. Please provide a one to two paragraph description of the project, how the funding would be used, how it would be beneficial to the community, and any additional background information on why the project should be considered for federal funding. For DoD projects, please describe importance to national security and sponsor information. Contra Costa County is the ninth largest county in the State of California with a population in the most recent census of 1,029,377. Contra Costa County is traversed by major traffic corridors running through its boundaries. Interstate Highway 80, along with State Highway 4 and 680, combine to generate a high volume of vehicle traffic and have been identified as major thoroughfares and underground trade routes in the transportation and distribution of methamphetamine throughout the Bay Area. In addition, Contra Costa County is located near both the Oakland and San Francisco International Airports and the Port of Oakland facilities; all utilized to smuggle illegal drugs into the Bay Area. Recent high-profile investigations have demonstrated a definitive pattern of large amounts of methamphetamine being transported into and through Contra Costa County from Mexico, via Southern California or direct from Mexico. Intelligence developed during the last three years has clearly identified Contra Costa County as a distribution hub for the Pacific Northwest region, as well as large east coast cities. The abuse of methamphetamine continues to be one of the most serious threats to the health and well-being of the citizens of Contra Costa County, impacting both the County’s Health and Social Services Departments. Violent Crime, associated with methamphetamine, continues to be a law-enforcement problem where a significant percentage of homicides and gang warfare are tied to the sales and distribution of methamphetamine. The Office of the Sheriff maintains a Specialized Investigations Unit that targets mid- to high - level methamphetamine manufacturers and distributors. This elite Unit is responsible for having seized over 100 pounds of methamphetamine, over 10 pounds of cocaine and assets valued at over $650,000 in the last two years. This Unit is working in a primary capacity with both State and Federal agencies on high-level wire-tap investigations. The Office of the Sheriff is currently faced with the inevitable position of being forced to lay off Deputy Sheriffs due to the County’s current fiscal crisis. Should layoffs occur, this Unit would be forced to be disbanded in order for the Sheriff to staff mandated positions within the Agency. The Office of the Sheriff Contra Costa County is seeking funds to continue its Specialized Investigations Unit’s efforts and honor its commitments to the multi-jurisdictional effort through the Cal-MMET program. Funds from this program would be utilized to maintain staffing of four full-time Detectives in this critical investigative component of the Investigation Division. Without this funding, significant accomplishments and inroads made in the methamphetamine drug-trafficking trade and organized crime industry will be lost. The impact of this will compromise interagency coordination and multi-jurisdictional investigations, heavily impacting public safety throughout Contra Costa County. 16. Please also provide a concise, two-sentence description of the project: The Office of the Sheriff Contra Costa County is seeking funds in order to maintain its Specialized Investigative Units enforcement efforts targeting mid - to high - level methamphetamine manufacturers and distributors. Staff Contact List Simon Limage (Simon.Limage@mail.house.gov) Subcommittee on Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Defense Subcommittee on Energy and Water (Energy Projects Only) Subcommittee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Paul Schmid (Paul.Schmid@mail.house.gov) Subcommittee on Energy and Water (Water Projects Only) Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education (Labor and Education Projects Only) Subcommittee on Transportation-HUD Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch Subcommittee on Agriculture Roger Murry (Roger.Murry@mail.house.gov) Subcommittee on Commerce-Justice-Science Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education (Health Projects Only)