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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Tamarac Resolution R-2022-014 Federal Legislative Agenda• Temp. Reso #13720 January 03, 2022 Page 1 CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA RESOLUTION NO. R-2022- C' l9- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA; APPROVING THE CITY OF TAMARAC 2022 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC 2022 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES, THE U.S. SENATORS FROM FLORIDA, FLORIDA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND THE BROWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. is WHEREAS, the City of Tamarac actively monitors and comments on Federal, State and local legislation that may impact the City and its residential and business communities; and WHEREAS, the City of Tamarac has developed a 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda outlining the City's position on particular national legislative issues, attached hereto as Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, the City Manager and the Assistant to the City Manager recommend approval and distribution of the City of Tamarac 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, deems it to be in the best interest of the citizens and residents of the City of Tamarac to approve the City of Tamarac 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda and direct the City Clerk to transmit a copy of said 0 Agenda to the National League of Cities, the U.S. Senators from Florida, Florida Temp. Reso #13720 • January 03, 2022 Page 2 Congressional Delegation, and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA, THAT: SECTION 1: The foregoing `WHEREAS" clauses are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this Resolution. All exhibits attached hereto are incorporated herein and made a specific part of this Resolution. SECTION 2: The City of Tamarac 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda, as more particularly set forth in Exhibit "A" attached hereto, is hereby approved. SECTION 3: The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of the City of • Tamarac 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda to the National League of Cities, the U.S. Senators from Florida, Florida Congressional Delegation and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. SECTION 4: All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. SECTION 5: If any clause, section, other part or application of this Resolution is held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, in part or application, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Resolution. SECTION 6: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption. 0 • Temp. Reso #13720 January 03, 2022 Page 3 PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED this ;b day of 2022. MICH LIE J. GOME MAYOR ATTEST: 1r- J NIFE TJO lRkS,6 N, C M C CITY CLERK RECORD OF COMMISSION VOTE: MAYOR GOMEZ y DIST I: COMM. BOLTON DIST 2: V/M GELIN DIST 3: COMM VILLALOBOS DIST 4: COMM. PLACKO I HEREBY CERTIFY that I have N as to form. 0 EXHIBIT A 0 TAMAR C The City For Your Life CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA 2022 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Michelle J. Gomez, Mayor Marlon D. Bolton, District 1 Commissioner E. Mike Gelin, Vice Mayor/District 2 Commissioner Elvin Villalobos, District 3 Commissioner Debra Placko, District 4 Commissioner Kathleen Gunn, City Manager John R. Herin Jr., City Attorney January 26, 2022 • Coronavirus Relief The City of Tamarac applauds the passage of direct Coronavirus Relief Fund payments to local governments, enabling the City to act faster implementing recovery and assistance programs and helping Tamarac make up for budget shortfalls directly related to COVID-19. • The City of Tamarac received the following 2021 federal coronavirus relief funds utilized for recovery efforts: o $5,448,503 in federal "Local, State, and Tribal Government Assistance" funds used for lost revenue replacement, which paid for public safety services. o $1,558,000 in federal "Coronavirus Relief Funds" (CRF) distributed through the Florida Housing Finance Cooperation (FHFC) which went toward executing various community assistance programs including feeding seniors, residential mortgage, rental, utility assistance, emergency repairs for roof and electric work, and disaster preparedness education and supplies. o $584,731 in federal "CDBG-CV" funds which was utilized for residential mortgage, rent, utility assistance, and disaster preparedness education and supplies. • o $35,966.62 in federal "Provider Relief Fund" funds which was used for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In 2022, we anticipate applying for an additional $5,448,503 in Coronavirus Relief Funds. We expect to be eligible to apply for these funds in the Spring. Funds will go to replace lost revenue and pay for government services. Additionally, the City supports Biden's Administration's plan to distribute as many as 500 million at-home test kits to anyone who signs up for them. We will continue to monitor and provide information to the public as it becomes available. Economic Development The City of Tamarac supports the following federal programs that promote economic development, create jobs that pay a living wage, business attraction, retention and growth, and ongoing assistance to small businesses: • Continued renewal of the New Markets Tax Credit. • Extension of the Federal Opportunity Zone program timeframe to give investors more time to maximize the value of investing in the zones to attract high quality 40 projects and the expansion of program to additional low-income neighborhoods. We also support new federal earmarks, grants, and/or tax incentives for: • Retail plaza owners to reposition the failing plazas in light of changes in retail in the post-COVID-19 economy. • Education and workforce development programs that create opportunities for employment in the industries that pay a living wage and support the business community workforce needs. • Public art programs that support economic growth and job creation through arts and placemaking. • East Side Revitalization vision contains a potential mixed -use activity center to capitalize on the Opportunity Zones and help revitalize the area, bringing new housing, business, employment, and entertainment opportunities. As part of current efforts, Tamarac partnered with Prosperity Broward and Broward College on Broward UP program to improve employment opportunities in the City areas that fall within zip codes with high unemployment rates. In 2021, 131 Tamarac residents took advantage of these educational opportunities. Additionally, the City maintains a relationship with neighboring Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport remaining open to opportunities to identify mutually beneficial workforce development initiatives. Sustaining the Affordable Housing Stock via HUD Programs is The City supports recurring and increased funding for CDBG and HOME programs, which help municipalities provide quality housing, preserve and sustain existing housing stock for low to moderate -income households, and contribute to the vitality of neighborhoods and communities. The City supports the passage of the Build Back Better bill, which would provide $150 billion in additional federal funds for affordable housing. In 2021, Tamarac received $398,474.00 in CDBG funds and $114,584.27 in HOME funds. Infrastructure The City of Tamarac applauds the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) which addresses existing and future infrastructure needs, such as the following: Adequate and reliable long-term funding for infrastructure projects reflecting local needs and priorities, including SMART fiber for digital connectivity. Funding for the development of a convenient and connected transportation network, including a variety of transit options, to reduce congestion, protect the environment, and stimulate economic development. • Transformational investments in water infrastructure initiatives to build safer and cleaner communities. The City of Tamarac also supports passage of federal legislation that will: • preserve the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds, which serve as the primary financing mechanism for state and local infrastructure projects and are critical to . the local government's ability to address the infrastructure needs and fund infrastructure projects by utilizing public funds prudently and equitably. reauthorize the Water Resources Development Act and funding for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act and the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund Program with a higher level of support for water infrastructure projects, including projects that ensure the safety of drinking water. As a result of the billions of dollars in federal infrastructure funding that was authorized by the IIJA late last year, we will seek federal grants and federal earmarks for qualifying projects from the following list: Water: New Water Treatment Plant (WTP) — Project includes demolition and construction of the City's Water Treatment Plant. Built in 1969, the WTP no longer meets hurricane code. The new construction will result in a code - compliant control building, a master drainage plan, and technology that meets the City's current requirements, enabling the City to continue to supply clean drinking water after a hurricane. East Side Water Distribution System Expansion — Project includes the design, • permitting, and construction of the expansion of the East Side Water Distribution System. The project solves the problem of inconsistent water quality supplied to Tamarac utility water customers on the east side and manages costs by taking control of the water supply that the City of Fort Lauderdale currently provides. Citywide Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Program - Project will install AMI system throughout the City to provide greater efficiency to the City's water treatment and distribution systems and reduce water loss throughout the distribution system. AMI technology has several uses, including improved data collection, remote access to data, capabilities for signaling issues in the distribution system, including water main breaks, and remote meter reading. Transportation and Mobility: Major Arterial Corridors — Includes streetscapes, hardscapes, landscaping, and buffer walls to define, beautify and reduce noise in specific high -traffic city corridors and compel thousands of cars driving through Tamarac each day to stop for more of their needs. • Transit — With the countywide voter approval of transportation surtax, Tamarac is evaluating an expansion of transportation services and larger scale long-term solutions that are attractive and convenient to residents, including identifying locations for potential transit hubs. The City also supports the development of the fiberoptic network along Commercial Boulevard to enable regional transportation solutions. • Multimodal and ADA Improvements — The City is finalizing the ADA Transit Access and Sidewalk Gap Analysis Plan to increase multimodal mobility and safety. Projects include ADA improvements (signage, relocation & construction), sidewalk improvements, and bicycle lane improvements. • Local Road Maintenance — These citywide projects include milling and resurfacing for road restoration and road safety improvements. Smart: • Underground Fiber Connecting all City Services - The City is successfully expanding its private, underground fiber network to all City facilities and parks, laying the groundwork and providing the required highspeed network connections for video surveillance cameras, Wi-Fi, and other Smart City technologies. The expansion has 3 phases, with phase 1 complete, phase 2 in progress, and phase 3 planned. • Cybersecurity - Tamarac supports federal funding to improve cybersecurity within municipalities. Local governments must have the technical assistance, training, and • infrastructure to protect government operations and key critical infrastructure. Public Facilities: • Public Safety Complex/City Hall Feasibility Study — The future plans for this project include evaluating the outdated Fire Station 41, Broward Sheriff's Office facilities, and City Hall considering long-term needs and replacement feasibility, as well as the potential for public private partnerships to bring forward a large-scale transformational redevelopment project. Public Safety The City of Tamarac supports federal funding through federal earmarks and Department of Justice grants to support community -oriented policing strategies. The City also supports federal funding through grants to improve fire rescue response times and serve emergency operation's needs. Disaster Preparedness and Recovery The City of Tamarac supports and encourages sustained and increased funding for FEMA to ensure the full and timely reimbursement of local governments' expenditures • in response to emergencies. The City further supports FEMA's ongoing efforts to assist the local emergency preparedness efforts through grants. National Flood Insurance Program The City supports policies that ensure all property owners receive affordable flood insurance within a framework that helps the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 1101 become financially stable. Congress reauthorized the current program through February 2022. Green Initiatives The City of Tamarac supports policies that fund programs, grants, and initiatives that promote environmental protection and sustainable practices. To that end, the City supports the Build Back Better legislation that would allocate over $550 billion to fight climate change and would encourage projects aimed at increasing energy efficiency, clean, renewable energy, sustainability, and resiliency to extreme weather events. The City of Tamarac supports funding for publicly available electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Electric vehicles are typically responsible for lower levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) than an average new gasoline car. Parks and Open Space The City supports federal earmarks and grants in land acquisition, development, rehabilitation, and enhancement of new and existing parks. • Sabal Palm and Shaker Village parcels were identified as City priorities for new is park development. Tamarac Park Multi -Purpose Sports Center project is planned down the road to replace the undersized and aging building with a modern, two-story indoor sports center to create opportunities for residents of all ages to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle. 0