PREPARED BY: MATT RODRIGUEZ DATE OF MEETING: 07/16/18
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING RATIFICATION OF CORRESPONDENCE ON THE PROPOSED U.S. FEDERAL 2019 BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS AND POTENTIAL BUDGET REDUCTIONS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE US CONGRESS WHICH FUND A VARIETY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES TRANSMITTED ON JUNE 27, 2018 TO CALIFORNIA CONGRESSMAN MARK DE SAULNIER, AND US SENATORS DIANNE FEINSTEIN AND KAMALA HARRIS
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve by Minute Order
Body
Compliance statements
FY2018-21 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement
Economic Development, Fiscal Sustainability, Infrastructure, Neighborhood Improvements, Public Safety, Services for Families, Seniors and Youth, and SPEDC/Workforce Development Programs are adopted strategic policy initiatives and policies contained in the FY 2018-2021, effective November 1, 2017.
CEQA Compliance Statement
This is not a project as defined by CEQA.
BACKGROUND
On June 25, 2018, the City’s contract lobbyist, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA), advised the City Manager’s Office through e-correspondence of impending budget reductions/cuts being proposed by the President’s FY 2019 Federal Budget Request under consideration by the US Congress for the upcoming federal fiscal period (FY) 2019 (See Attachment).
Over the next 90 days, the US Congress intends to debate all budget appropriation bills before FY 2019 begins on October 1, 2018. TPA is monitoring any potential roadblocks to the passage of all federal budget appropriation bills prior to September 30, 2018, which the US Congress has only been able to do without an extension four (4) times in the last 40 years. If history is any indication, and with a US Congress currently wrought with increased political division and turmoil along partisan lines, the City may see similar federal budget delays, or the potential for future federal government shutdowns beginning this September 2018.
Initially, under the President’s FY 2019 Federal Budget Request, the budget reductions being proposed will impact the following federal agencies and their current funding programs previously approved in FY 2018. These current federal budget appropriations fund many local activities, programs and services for local government, including but not limited to, the following:
• US Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield Grant Program
• US Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
• US Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grant Program
• US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration
• US Workforce Development Opportunity Act - Job Training Programs
Local Government Concern
In response to this growing area of federal funding reduction concerns, many local cities and counties who rely on the annual steady stream of federal funding are sending letters to their Congressional and US Senate representatives to urge their consideration to maintain adequate federal funding for these federal programs under consideration for federal budget reductions prior to the end of the current FY period, effective September 30, 2018. Many of these proposed budget reductions would adversely impact current local programs and services being provided to local cities and counties, including San Pablo among others. As a general local government matter of concern, and in consultation with TPA, the City Manager recommended TPA proceed with the drafting of letters of concern to address these sudden federal budget reductions being proposed for FY 2019 due to the drastic draconian approach to these budget reductions, and its potential for systematic impact across several federally-funded local government programs.
Letters of Concern to Congressional and US Senate Representatives
Three (3) letters were prepared by TPA on behalf of the City of San Pablo addressing the concerns over the proposed federal budget reductions as proposed by the President’s FY2019 Federal Budget Request. These subject letters were executed by Mayor Calloway’s signature for transmittal on June 27, 2018 to California Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, and US Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris (see attachments). Their previous official transmittal requires City Council ratification by majority vote/minute action vote this evening.
FISCAL IMPACT
None associated with this report.
Attachments:
1) E-mail transmitted 06/25/18 from City’s contract lobbyist, TPA re: FY2019 Federal Budget Appropriations/Reductions
2) Mayor’s letter transmitted 06/27/18 to US Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
3) Mayor’s letter transmitted 06/27/18 to US Senator Dianne Feinstein
4) Mayor’s letter transmitted 06/27/18 to US Senator Kamala Harris