COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR RESOLUTION NO. 081221, AS AMENDED
Establishing the Citys positions
on matters that may come before the 111th United States Congress during its 1st
Session in 2009.
WHEREAS, the
City desires to publish general statements of its positions on matters that may
become the subject of or be affected by proposed federal legislation during the
1st Session of the 111th United States Congress in 2009; NOW,
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the City
Council of Kansas City hereby adopts the priorities and positions below on
matters that may come before the 111th United States Congress during its 1st
Session in 2009.
A.
Infrastructure
1.
Short-term Economic Stimulus. Support for a two-year economic
stimulus package for infrastructure that includes federal money for critical
capital projects including roads, bridges, green jobs, water and wastewater and
combined sewer and wet weather overflow projects.
Support for
early FY 10 Congressional approval of the U.S. General Services Administration
(GSA) lease prospectus (Prospectus Number PMO-03-KC09, Congressional District
05) project of 428,949 rentable square feet to the house GSAs Regional
Headquarters as well as offices of the Department of Homeland Securitys
Federal Emergency Management Agency and other ancillary federal tenants.
Status: Prospectus has been approved by GSA Headquarters, the Office of
Management and Budget and is awaiting Congressional action via authorization
from the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Environmental
Public Works Committees.
2.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects. Support continued funding of
projects to achieve flood damage reduction and for water resources planning
efforts for the following:
a.
Turkey
Creek Basin;
b.
Blue River Channel;
c.
Swope Park Industrial Area;
d.
Blue River Basin;
e.
Kansas Citys Seven (7) River Levees;
f.
Brush Creek Basin;
g.
Missouri River Degradation;
h.
Kansas City, Missouri Critical Environmental Infrastructure - $50
million. This is an authorization for the combined sewer and wet weather
overflow projects; and,
i.
Line Creek Basin.
3.
Water and Wastewater Infrastructure. Support for a $10 million
appropriation through the State and Tribal Assistance Grants Account for the combined sewer and wet weather overflow projects.
4.
Transportation. Support for the upcoming re-authorization of the
Federal Transportation Legislation (SAFETEA-LU reauthorization) asking for the
following specific projects to be identified:
a.
The reconfiguration of the entire mile around the I-435 and I-70
connection in Kansas City; and,
b.
Chouteau Parkway expansion and improvements from Parvin Road to Highway
210; and,
c.
The Lewis and Clark Expressway connection from Paseo Boulevard to the
East to I-435; and,
d.
The Truman Boulevard / I-670 project pending the conclusion of the study
being undertaken with the City under supervision by the Missouri Department of
Transportation; and,
e.
The Performance Based Inter-Urban
Transportation Safety Program, including support for funding the Inter-Urban
area by improving transportation infrastructure in the urban core.
5.
Long-term Infrastructure. Support creation of the following programs
and the funding of such programs:
a.
Water Quality Investment Act for sewer overflow control grants;
b.
Water Quality Financing Act for water pollution control programs;
c.
Clean Water Affordability Act;
d.
Water Infrastructure Financing Act;
e.
Healthy Communities Water Supply Act; and,
f.
Establish the National Commission on Infrastructure
6. Kansas Citys Intermodal Facility. Support expedited funding
for environmental remediation at the former Richards-Gebaur Air Base to allow
for economic development opportunities for the South Kansas City Intermodal
Facility.
B. Community Issues
1.
Community Justice Program. Support an appropriations request to
assist in implementing the Community Justice Program to improve local justice
systems capacities.
2.
Environmental Programs. Support for funding of previously
authorized programs:
a.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
b.
Green Jobs Act
3.
Foster Grandparent Reform. Support reform to increase the income eligibility
guideline, reduce the eligibility age for participation in the Foster
Grandparent Program and increase the stipend for volunteers in the program.
4.
Home Energy Assistance. Support for increased funding for the Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and
energy efficiency (Low-Income Weatherization Assistance) while ensuring there
is traceable documentation that LIHEAP recipients are referred to the
weatherization assistance program.
5.
Homeland Security. Support funding for the following:
a.
Homeland security anti-terrorism projects and initiatives;
b.
First responder agencies and services;
c.
Local homeland security offices, facilities and personnel; and,
d.
Protection of essential local utilities, facilities and services.
6.
Homeless Assistance. Support funding of homeless assistance
programs and remove caps on Essential Services and Homeless Prevention funds
and support the Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act.
7.
Housing. Support for the continuation and increased funding of
the Community Development Block Grant program and the creation of a National
Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
8.
Housing Foreclosure Notification. Support legislation to mandate
30-day notification of tenants of foreclosure of their dwelling units.
9.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Support efforts to revise Neighborhood Stabilization Program
requirements to eliminate the return of program income after July 30, 2013, and to remove, or lower the required purchase discount, which is a minimum
of 5% and an average of 15%.
10. New
Markets Tax Credits. Support for the reauthorization of the program and for
Kansas Citys participation in the awarding of future tax credits.
11. Parks,
Recreation and Cultural Projects. Support the following:
a.
Appropriations from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the
Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act;
b.
The No Child Left Inside Act;
c.
Transportation funding for an improved zoo entrance;
d.
Earmarked funding for a permanent facility for the Kansas City
Ballet Association; and,
e.
Reauthorization of the Institute of Museum and Library Services
grant program.
12.
Predatory Lending. Support predatory
lending reform, specifically the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending
Act, and oppose all weakening amendments, such as any attempt to preempt states
from passing stronger laws.
13. Public
Health. Support significant, permanent increased funding for local health
departments to improve their capacity to handle public health threats,
including naturally occurring infectious diseases and bio-terrorism and support
increased funding and opportunities to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in our
community.
14. Vacant
Property. Support for the Neighborhood Reclamation and Revitalization Act
to create a grant fund for communities to improve and clean-up vacant property
that currently blights neighborhoods.
15. Workforce
Investment Act. Support for the reauthorization and increased funding of
this act which provides needed help for full employment activities.
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