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repealed to the extent of such conflict.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.