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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Tamarac Resolution R-2023-007Temp. Reso #13882 January 25, 2023 Page 1 of 3 CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA RESOLUTION NO. R-2023- M7 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA- APPROVING THE CITY OF TAMARAC 2023 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC 2023 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. 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 Federal Legislative Agenda and direct the City Clerk to transmit a copy of said Agenda to the National League of Cities, the U.S. Senators from Florida, Florida Temp. Reso #13882 January 25, 2023 Page 2 of 3 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 specificpart of this Resolution. SECTION 2: The City of Tamarac 2023 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 2023 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. Temp. Reso #13882 January 25, 2023 Page 3 of 3 PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED this c2S4(` day of flu L`'l 2023. ATTEST: `r c.ilu KIMBER Y DILLON, CMC CITY CLERK MICHELLE J. GO EZ MAYOR RECORD OF COMMISSION VOTE: MAYOR GOMEZ DIST 1: V/M BOLTON_ DIST 2: COMM. WRIGHT JR �_ DIST 3: COMM. VILLALOBOS DIST 4: COMM. DANIEL .yam APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY FOR THE USE AND RELIANCE OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC ONLY. /TANS OTTINOT CITY ATTORNEY EXHIBIT A TAM RAC The City For Your Life CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA 2023 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Michelle J. Gomez, Mayor Marlon D. Bolton, Vice Mayor/District 1 Commissioner Morey Wright, Jr., District 2 Commissioner Elvin Villalobos, District 3 Commissioner Kicia Daniel, District 4 Commissioner Kathleen Gunn, City Manager Hans Ottinot, City Attorney 2023 Coronavirus Relief • The City of Tamarac received 2021 federal coronavirus relief funding and utilized funds for the following projects: o $5,448,503 in federal "Local, State, and Tribal Government Assistance" funds, a part of the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), which was used for lost revenue replacement used 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, the City received an additional $5,448,503 in ARPA Funds. Behavioral Health Access Program (BHAP) and Workplace Mental Health The City of Tamarac supports legislation that funds, promotes, and provides programs that aim to assess, educate, minimize the impact of stress, improve quality of life, and return employees experiencing significant challenges to a healthy, productive state. BHAP incorporates the services of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), peer support, trained peer support specialists, and trained professionals, such as department chaplains, physicians, psychologists, counselors, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) professionals. These tools provide a diversified resource pool that may be utilized by employees and family members experiencing an acute crisis or everyday stress. The City of Tamarac has partnered with its medical services provider, neighboring cities, the International City and County Management Association (ICMA), as well as the American Psychological Association, American Public Health Association, National League of Cities, and the YMCA of the USA to advance its commitment to improving workplace mental health. Economic Development The City of Tamarac supports the following federal programs that promote economic development, create jobs that pay a living wage, business attraction, safe and secure businesses, 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 projects and the expansion of program to additional low-income neighborhoods. Because the program ends on December 31, 2026, investments must have been made by December 31, 2021, to obtain the tax reduction benefit. However, Tax Deferral on capital gains is still available through December 31, 2026. We also support new federal earmarks, grants, and/or tax incentives for: • Helping retail plaza owners to reposition the failing plazas in light of changes in retail in the post-COVID-19 economy through such federal programs as EPA Brownfields and HUD Section 108. • 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 creationthrough arts and placemaking. • East Side Revitalization - A mixed -use activity center is envisioned to capitalize on the Opportunity Zones out east and help revitalize the area, bringing new housing, business, employment, and entertainment opportunities. The City has partnered with Prosperity Broward and Broward College in efforts to improve employment opportunities in the City areas that fall within zip codes with high unemployment rates. For 2021 and 2022, Tamarac had 171 residents registered for classes. Additionally, the City has been engaging with neighboring Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport to identify their hiring needs and opportunities for residents to be trained to fill such positions. Sustaining the Affordable Housing Stock via HUD Programs The City supports HUD and Veterans Administration programs that enable local governments to help their residents with affordable housing and rental assistance. We support increased funding for the HUD Section 8 program as well at the VASH programs, which can be used to help communities increase and streamline assistance. The City also supports recurring and increased funding for CDBG and HOME programs, which help municipalities to provide quality housing, preserve and sustain existing housing stock for low to moderate income households while contributing to the vitality of neighborhoods and communities. CDBG Allocation HOME Allocation 10/1/2021 to FY 21-22 $ 398,474.00 $ 114,584.27 9/30/2022 1011 /2022 to FY 22-23 $ 443,462.00 $ 181,040.00 9/30/2023 Additionally, Tamarac received a $350,000 line -item earmark in federal appropriations for the City's First -Time Home Buyer's Assistance program. 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. As a result of the billions of dollars in federal infrastructure funding that was authorized by the IIJA late last year, the City can seek federal grants and federal earmarks, as well as federal funds flowing through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the following projects: • Major Arterial Corridors — The City continues to invest in streetscape, hardscape, landscaping, and traffic buffer walls to define, beautify and reduce noise in specific high -traffic city corridors. A City-wide Road Resurfacing Program is underway. ADA Gap Analysis and Sidewalk Accessibility Study — The City will pursue a de -brief with federal grant managers who oversee the Complete Streets grantmaking process, in order to re -submit a new Complete Streets Grant application in the coming year. • Transit —Additional bus shelters are needed. 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 "Sawgrass to Seagrass" fiberoptic network along Commercial Boulevard to enable regional transportation solutions. New Water Treatment Plant (WTP) — the existing 51-year-old WTP building no longer meets code and is not built to withstand hurricane force winds. The project includes the design, permit, and construction of a new structure that will result in a code compliant control building with new equipment and controls, providing city staff with a safe working environment during hurricanes, and enabling the City to continue supplying clean drinking water after a hurricane. • East Side Water Distribution Expansion — design, permit and construct a watermain pipeline to connect the eastern portion of the City's distribution water mains to the City's water supply system. The project solves the problem of inconsistent water quality supplied to Tamarac utility water customers on the east side, by taking control of the water supply that is currently supplied by the City of Fort Lauderdale. • Underground Fiber Connecting all City Services - by connecting all city services, parks, buildings, local law enforcement, security, and surveillance with extra capacity for other communities, the system will be resilient and safeguard the continuity of operations during storms or emergency events. • Cybersecurity - The City of Tamarac supports federal funding to improve cybersecurity within municipalities, as well as for business districts and residential areas. Local governments must have the technical assistance, training, and infrastructure to protect government operations and key critical infrastructure. • Public Safety Complex/City Hall Feasibility Study — evaluating the outdated Fire Station 41, Broward Sheriff's Office facilities, and City Hall in light of long-term needs and replacement feasibility. • Tamarac Park Multi -Purpose Sports Center —The City has partnering plans with nearby Tamarac elementary to replace the current undersized and aging building with a modern, 2-story indoor sports center. 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 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. 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 NFIP become financially stable. Congress reauthorized the current program through February 2022 and will need to reauthorize the program again shortly after returning to Washington in 2023. Green Initiatives The City of Tamarac supports policies that fund programs, grants, and initiatives that promote environmental protection and sustainable practices, fight climate change, and encourage projects aimed at increasing energy efficiency, clean, renewable energy, sustainability, and resiliency to extreme weather events. We applaud the new federal Environmental and Climate Justice Block grant program, which is designed to invest in community -led projects in disadvantaged communities to address disproportionate environmental and health harms related to pollution and climate change. • Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - 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. LNG busses — The City is seeking LNG busses for our transit fleet, made possible by the partnership with City Furniture which enables the City to use their refueling stations. Parks and Open Space The City supports federal earmarks and grants in land acquisition, development, rehabilitation, and enhancement of new and existing parks.