City Council
	Agenda Request
Agenda Of:	01-05-10	Agenda Request No:		vii-b
Initiated By:	Dale A. Rudick	Responsible Department:		Intergovernmental Relations
Presented By:	Dale a. Rudick	Department Head:		Dale A. Rudick Director of Intergovernmental Relations
		Additional Department. Head (s):
Subject / Proceeding:	Federal Legislative Program
Exhibits:	Draft Resolution No. 10-01 and Exhibit A
Clearances			Approval
Legal:	N/A		Executive Director:	N/A
Purchasing:	N/A		Asst. City Manager:	Karen Glynn
Budget:	N/A		City Manager:	Allen Bogard
Budget
Expenditure Required: $			N/A
Current Budget: $			N/A
Additional Funding: $			N/A
Recommended Action
Review and discuss proposed Federal Legislative Program.
Executive Summary
Over the years, the City Council has approved a State Legislative Agenda that provides an official City Council position on various topics that may be up for consideration by the State Legislature. This State program has proven to be successful in helping to fight against unfunded mandates, eroding authority of local government and even helped to write legislation that allowed for the sale of State property to the City. The City does not have such a program on the federal side; however, a 2010 Strategic Project and a budget line item provide for the creation of such a federal program. The City Council’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee and staff have been working to formulate draft documents for such a program to be implemented. This work has included reviewing successful programs of other cities, communication with Representative Olson’s staff, discussions on the City’s needs from a federal perspective, and utilizing the assistance of a professional federal lobbying firm. At the January 5, 2010 Council workshop, staff will present a Federal Legislative Program to Council for their discussion and direction. This discussion will include a draft resolution, proposed federal position statements, potential projects for federal funding, and a recommendation on the hiring of a federal legislative consultant. All of these topics were discussed with City Council’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee on December 15, 2009.
Exhibits

DRAFT

RESOLUTION NO. 10-01

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND, TEXAS, ADOPTING A FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE 111th CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WHEREAS, local government is the most direct and frequent point of contact with its residents; and

WHEREAS, local government officials are elected by the residents they represent to provide a wide array of services; and

WHEREAS, United Sates representatives and senators are charged with working in the best interest of the citizens they represent; and

WHEREAS, residents of the state of Texas expect elected government officials to be informed on the needs of the constituents and to work with all levels of government to fulfill the desired needs of the citizens who have elected them; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL

OF THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND, TEXAS:

Section 1. That it adopts the 2010 Legislative Agenda as shown on Exhibit A, attached to and incorporated into this Resolution by reference.

Section 2. That City Council members will meet with U.S. representatives and senators, federal agencies, and their staff members to:

(a) discuss the City’s federal legislative agenda; and

(b) provide relevant information and assistance on federal legislative or regulatory matters to ensure that the decision makers have the resources to make appropriate decisions that impact the lives of the legislators’ constituents.

Section 3. That it directs the City Manager and his staff to:

(a) Take necessary actions to inform Sugar Land residents of the City’s federal legislative agenda;

(b) Encourage the City’s residents to be aware of the local, state and federal governing and legislative processes;

(c) Further, encourage the City’s residents to expect their elected federal and state representatives to seek a proactive and positive relationship with local governments; and

(d) Request that the City’s residents support legislation or regulations that do not pass burdens from the federal level onto the City without providing the City with the tools and resources to undertake the added burdens.

Section 4. That it believes all federal legislators must work together with city and county governments to ensure that the governing process is as effective as possible and, to that end, federal legislators should seek input and advice from local governments on issues that have a direct impact on the local governments’ ability to undertake their responsibilities.

Section 5. That it expects elected representatives and senators of the United States Congress to:

(a) fully understand the implications of the legislation they act upon so that there are no negative impacts on local communities; and

(b) strongly support and take all actions necessary in furtherance of the City’s attached federal legislative agenda, as it may be amended from time to time.

Section 6. That the City of Sugar Land should work closely with members of the U.S. Congress and their staff to help ensure that the City receives appropriate funds in the form of appropriations, authorizations, grants, or other federal support.

APPROVED on January 19, 2010.

_____________________________

James A. Thompson, Mayor

ATTEST: Reviewed for Legal Compliance:

_____________________________

Glenda Gundermann, City Secretary

Attachment: Exhibit A- 2010 Federal Legislative Agenda

EXHIBIT A

City of Sugar Land

2010 Federal Legislative Agenda

Position Statements

Unfunded Mandates

· Oppose any legislation that would require expenditures by the City without a source of revenue provided by the federal government.

Collective Bargaining

· Oppose legislation that would impose expanded collective bargaining rights.

Right-of-Way Authority

· Oppose legislation that would negatively impact the City’s authority over its right-of-way.

Flood Insurance Reform & Modernization Act

· Support and encourage renewal and modernization of the NFIP

· Support giving proper consideration to the public capital investment in flood plain delineation and levee improvements, exempting specific Levee Improvement Districts (LID) from mandatory insurance requirements.

· Oppose legislation that requires mandatory flood insurance within a federally certified levee.

Federal Funding

· CDBG - Support continued and increased funding for the program.

· Homeland Security –Support continued and increased direct Federal funding of homeland security projects to cities.

· Airport –Support continued and increased funding for public airport development.

· Transportation & Public Infrastructure –Support funding for regional intermodal transportation and public infrastructure needs including but not limited to: roadways, transit, pedestrian & bike facilities, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), utilities, drainage, etc.

· Capital Improvement Program – Support project funding for projects identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) as federal funding becomes available.

Transportation

· Support the ability of local agencies that are not a part of a metropolitan transit agency to utilize and capitalize on federal transit investment that has been made in infrastructure and operations.

· Oppose the expansion of private rail facilities utilized for private use or public commuter use within a city without a study of its impact on local neighborhoods and implementation of mitigation measures to address public safety, vehicular traffic and quality of life.

Coordination with Local Agencies

· Support local agencies such as the County and neighboring cities in their efforts to secure favorable legislation and/or funding when there is a mutual interest and when it does not counter the City’s agenda.

Public Safety

· Supports collective exchange of information between disparate law enforcement agencies.

Diversion to the State

· Support direct Federal funding of programs to cities and generally opposes funding to cities being routed through State government.