COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR RESOLUTION NO. 970216
Establishing the City's federal legislative priorities
for the United States Congress in 1997.
WHEREAS, the United States Congress has convened for
its 1997 Session, and the City desires to establish its legislative priorities
for that Session; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the City Council of Kansas City hereby adopts
the following federal legislative priorities:
ISTEA
We strongly support the reauthorization of the
Federal Transportation Law - to insure the continued role of federal
policy in maintaining national highway standards - we request more
equitable distribution of highway funds and flexibility in how these
funds can be spent to meet local needs
- we are prepared to provide input into the
legislative or administrative processes as the issues dictate
EPA/AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
The City encourages EPA to permit local communities
to resolve their air quality problems using whatever methods work best for
them.
FLOOD CONTROL
In light of recent federal announcements decreasing
funding to locally sponsored flood control projects it is imperative that
we maintain a concerted effort to seek funding via annual appropriations
bills for - Blue River - Dopson Area (Upper Blue River)
- Turkey Creek - Swope Industrial Park
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
The City strongly urges continued support to require
the Corps to follow the Master Manual provisions so that the Corps does
not - impede navigation/commerce on the Missouri River -
threaten Kansas City's drinking water supply
CLEAN WATER ACT REAUTHORIZATION AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
ACT REFORM
Key points in the Clean Water Act are SRF funding,
non point source controls and codification of the CSO controls over an
expanded time frame.
MEDICAID
Medicaid remains a critical component of indigent
care funding requirements, including disproportionate share funding and
other Medicaid provisions which help public hospitals. Kansas City
contributes over $31 million in direct general tax subsidy to indigent care.
City funding is seriously impacted by changes in the disproportionate
funding mechanisms, resulting in serious consequences.
We urge Congress to recognize the role Medicaid
plays as a partner in helping to sustain local safety net systems for the
poor.
TOWN OF KANSAS URBAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK
The City supports the development of the Town of
Kansas Urban Archaeological Park as a national and regional destination
for visitors and researchers interested in exploring aspects of
pre-history, Native American habitation, Early Exploration, European
Immigrant Settlement, Riverboat Commerce, Westward Expansion, the Santa Fe
and Oregon Trails, and the City's historic role in anti-slavery efforts.
It will provide a truly unique tourism opportunity unlike anywhere else in
the country.
EMPOWERMENT ZONES
The City supports legislative efforts which would
broaden and enhance the usability of the empowerment zone/enterprise
community program including increasing the number of communities that
receive EX/EC designations and taking other actions that would make
available more resources for use both by the City and by organizations within
the designated area.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The City strongly urges Congress to protect local
government's authority to control the use of rights of way and to issue
franchises and collect fees to maintain public property.
The City also has deep concerns about the FCC's continuing
policy of auctioning off portions of the communications spectrum which may
endanger the interest of the public safety by reducing the availability of
communications channels used by police, fire and ambulance services.
I-35
The City seeks designation of an International Trade
Compliance Center in Kansas City. We also encourage the designation of
the I-35 corridor as an international trade route between Canada and
Mexico.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
Reauthorization of ISTEA will provide funding for
appropriations for light rail projects. The KCATA will seek authorization
of $160 million, which would be matched with $40 million in local funds to
complete our light rail project. The second priority of ATA will be to
seek a Federal Transit Administration appropriation to fund final design
of the light rail project from the River to the Plaza with a federal share
of $32 million contribution to the 440 million project.
Civic Mall The City supports the Ilus
Davis Civic Mall for siting of federal offices in Kansas City.
CDBG Funding The Community Development
Block Grant Program (CDBG) is the cornerstone
federal funding source for affordable housing
and supportive neighborhood
development activities. Its companion housing
production program - HOME - in less
than three years has made it possible for more
than 600 Kansas City families to
become first time homeowners. Both of these
key urban initiatives - CDBG and
HOME - should be continued with at least their
current appropriation and allocation
formula, while maintaining their broad program
flexibility to encourage local decision
making.
BLOCK GRANTING/MANDATES/FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT
The City encourages sufficient funding to support
all services previously provided at the federal level that are transferred
to local jurisdictions and avoid any unfunded or underfunded mandates on
local government in the attempt to balance the federal budget.
CENSUS 2000
The City urges the Census Bureau to provide the most
accurate and timely information on population counts taking care to avoid
critical errors and undercounts which would reflect negatively on urban
areas, and to provide for a process of validation.
TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY
The City supports the NLC policy position on Tribes
and Trust Land which states, that in order that all lands be uniformly
regulated and taxed under municipal laws, lands acquired by
Native-American tribes and individuals shall be given corporate, not federal
trust, property status through negotiation or statutory change. Nothing
in this policy should be construed as affecting lands currently in trust.
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