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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - March 16, 2005 K-04AGENDA ITEM %"4 &a% CITY OF WDI %W COUNCIL COMMUNICATION TM AGENDA TITLE: Adopt Resolution Requesting Congress to Preserve the Existing Community Development Block Grant Program MEETING DATE: March 16,2005 PREPARED BY: Deputy City Manager RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council adopt a resolution requesting Congress to preserve the existing Community Development Block Grant Program. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: President Bush is proposing that the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program be eliminated and consolidated with 17 other programs into a new program called Strengthening America's Communities Grant Program. The new Program, at $3.71 billion, is nearly $1 billion less than the current CDBG program alone. The National League of Cities, the United States Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, and the California League of Cities (among other coalitions) are opposing the President's proposal and are urging city officials to adopt resolutions opposing the proposal. They are encouraging the President to not only leave the CDBG program alone but to also fund it at no less than $4.355 billion, which is level with the FY 2005 allocation. Additionally, they are advocating that the CDBG program should be a separate and distinct program from other economic development programs that provides a direct and flexible source of funding to local governments. FISCAL IMPACT Unknown until such time as the proposed $1 billion less funding is establishedwith a formula by the federal government. FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not Applicable JSK/81 n,..AA. 4 , -A Jan4 S. Keeter Deputy City Manager APPROVED: � Blair King, City Manager DECLARATION OF MAILING TRANSMITTAL LETTER AND RESOLUTION REQUESTING CONGRESS TO PRESERVE THE EXISTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM On March 17, 2005, in the City of Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, I deposited in the United States mail, envelopes with first-class postage prepaid thereon, containing a transmittal letter and Resolution requesting Congress to preserve the existing Community Development Block Grant program, marked Exhibit "A; said envelopes were addressed as is more particularlyshown on Exhibit" B attached hereto. There is a regular daily communication by mail between the City of Lodi, California, and the places to which said envelopes were addressed. declare under penalty of perjurythat the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on March 17, 2005, at Lodi, California. ORDERED BY: JACQUELINE L. TAYLOR DEPUTY CITY CLERK KAKI J. CHADWICK ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK Forms/dwmail.doc ORDERED BY: SUSAN BLACKSTON CITY CLERK, CITY OF LODI T!P IFER PiERRIN DILUTY CITY CLERK CITY COUNCIL JOHN BECKMAN, Mayoi SUSAN HITCHCOCK, Mayor Pro Tempore LARRYD. HANSEN BOBJOHNSON JOANNE MOUNCE CITY OF LODI To: Interested Parties CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET P.O. BOX 3006 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910 (209) 333-6702 FAX (209)333-6807 cityclrk@lodi.gov March 17,2005 BLAIR KING, City Manager SUSAN J. BLACKSTON City Clerk D, STEPHEN SCHWABAUER City Attorney RE: Resolution Requesting Congress to Preserve the Existing Community Development Block Grant Program The Lodi City Council, at its meeting on March 16, 2005, adopted the enclosed resolution requesting Congress to preserve the existing Community Development Block Grant program. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office. Sincerely, Susan J. Blackston City Clerk JMP Enclosure followupATrans=tW.doc RESOLUTION NO. 2005-55 A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL REQUESTING CONGRESS TO PRESERVETHE EXISTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, for 30 years, America's cities, including both large and small cities in California, have used Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grants to create jobs, provide affordable housing, eliminate blight, and generate new economic investment; and WHEREAS, CDBG funds have played a critical role in community and economic development in Lodi; and WHEREAS, CDBG funds have been a powerful economic engine and a job creator, allowing Lodi to leverage private investment by employing hundreds of people and attracting millions of dollars in equity investment; and WHEREAS, CDBG funds represent a catalyst for creating more affordable housing, making it possible for Lodi to help build nine rental housing units this past year alone. CDBG-funded rehabilitation has resulted in dozens of families with clean, decent, affordable housing; and WHEREAS, the CDBG program offers a mechanism for building public infrastructure, whereby, Lodi used $250,000 this past year to provide handicap accessible sidewalks; and WHEREAS, the CDBG program has increased the quality of life in Lodi, as evidenced by the numerous parks projects and street lighting; and WHEREAS, the President has proposed a new "Strengthening America's Communities Initiative," which combines 18 direct grant programs, including CDBG, into one within the Economic Development Administration; and WHEREAS, at $3.71 billion, the new program (which combines 18 programs) is nearly $1 billion less than the current CDBG program alone; and WHEREAS, without proper funding for CDBG, we risk undermining the economic well being of our communities, the future generations that live there, and the nation as a whole. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council hereby requests that Congress enact a fiscal year 2006 budget and appropriations package that funds CDBG formula grants at no less than $4.355 billion, which is level with fiscal year 2005 allocations; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress maintain the CDBG as a separate and distinct program from other economic development programs that provides a direct and flexible source of funding to local governments; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress maintain the current "dual formula" system where 70 percent of CDBG funds go to entitlement communities based on population; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk's office is hereby directed to mail certified copies of this Resolution to Senator Barbara Boxer, Senator Dianne Feinstein, and to the League of California Cities, Attention: Genevieve Morelos, 1400 K Street, 0 Floor, Sacramento, CA, 95814. Dated: March 16, 2005 hereby certify that Resolution No. 2005-55 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held March 16, 2005, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Hitchcock, Johnson, and Mounce NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS— Mayor Beckman ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Hansen ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None SUSAN J. BLACKSTON City Clerk 2005-55 � 01 MAILING LIST RESOLUTION REQUESTING CONGRESS TO PRESERVE THE EXISTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Senator Barbara Boxer 112 Hart Senate Office Building Washington Dc 20510 Senator Diane Feinstein 331 Hart Senate Office Building Washington Dc 20510 League of California Cities Attn: Genevieve Morelos 1400 K Street, 4'" Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 Konradt (Rad) Bartlam Community Development Director Janet S. Keeter Deputy City Manager Administration decrmaitist.doc/forms