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Home My WebLink About2008-07-01 Info Packet~ ~ ~, 141~11~ "~ ,wr®,~~ -~a..e~ CITY OF IOWA CITY www.icgov.org CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET July 1, 2008 July 3 WORK SESSION ITEMS IP1 Council Meetings and Work Session Agenda IP2 Copy from Mayor Bailey on correspondence from Congressman Dave Loebsack: Funding for Community and Economic Development `~~~`~'~ I P 1 ~"®'~~ City Council Meeting Schedule and -.~.,.._ CITY OF IOWA CITY Work Session Agendas July,, 2008 www.icgov.org • THURSDAY, JULY 3 Emma J. Ha-vat Hall 7:30a Special Formal Council Meeting • Separate Agenda Posted Special Work Session - Flood Matters, including discussion re: • Lobbying talking points • Furniture Project and donations of large amounts • Flood Mitigation - FEMA Buyout Program • Future Meeting Schedule Items • THURSDAY, JULY 10 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:30a Special Work Session - Flood Matters, including discussion re: • Flood Mitigation Plan • River Corridor Update • Update on lobbying strategy • Animal Shelter Update • Future Meeting Schedule Items • MONDAY, JULY 14 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Regular Work Session • TUESDAY, JULY 15 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:OOp Regular Formal Council Meeting • MONDAY, AUGUST 11 Emma J. Harvat Hall 5:30p Special Work Session 7:OOp Special Formal Council Meeting Continue Regular Work Session if necessary • SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 TBD TBD Special Council Work Session/Retreat • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20 Emma J. Harvat Hall 4:30p Joint Meeting • MONDAY, AUGUST 25 Emma J. Harvat Hall 6:30p Special Work Session • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26 Emma J. Harvat Hall 7:OOp Special Formal Council Meeting • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Emma J. Harvat Hall Labor Day -City Offices Closed All meetings are tentative and subject to change. loebsack.house.gov From Mayor Regenia Bailey Dave Loebsack 1P2 Contact: Gabby Adler 202.225.6576 LOEBSACK WORKS WITH SENATOR HARKIN TO SECURE FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Previously Announced Emergency Funding Will Also Be Used For Community Development Block Grants and Economic Development Disaster Assistance Grants Washington, D.C., Jun 19 - Today, while traveling through the Second Congressional District with President George W. Bush and Governor Chet Culver, Congressman Dave Loebsack worked with Senator Tom Harkin to secure federal funding for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and Economic Development Disaster Assistance Grants. "As I toured Cedar Rapids and Iowa City today with President Bush, I was encouraged by the clean-up efforts that have already begun, however we all understand the road to recovery will be long," said Congressman Loebsack. "I worked with Senator Harkin today to change the allocation of the disaster funding included in the House Emergency Supplemental so we can speed up and better target the assistance that will be necessary for our state to rebuild and thrive once again." Earlier today, the Iowa House delegation announced that at their urging the House Appropriations Committee has included $2.65 billion dollars in emergency funding in the Emergency Supplemental bill. As a result of the work done by Congressman Loebsack and Senator Harkin today during their time with the President, the allocation of the $2.65 illion was changed. As a result, the funding will be distributed between the following federal accounts: FEMA $897,000,000; the Army Corps of Engineers $606,000,000; SBA Disaster Loans $267,000,000; Agricultural Assistance $480,000,000; Community Development Block Grants $300,000,000; Economic Development Administration $100,000,000. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development administers Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Communities in Iowa will be able to use the CDBG Disaster Recovery Funds for housing needs, economic development, infrastructure improvements, and prevention of further damage to areas affected by the flood water. For example, funding can be used for debris removal, down payment assistance for individuals who have lost their homes, job creation in flood impacted areas, and rehabilitation of damaged homes and buildings. The Economic Development Administration administers Economic Development Disaster Assistance Grants. This funding is provided to communities to help achieve long-term economic recovery in flood-impacted areas. Specifically, the funding can be used by local governments to organize and implement a recovery strategy. Additionally, funding is provided for new construction and post-disaster improvements to commercial, industrial, and publically owned facilities to help support job creation, job retention, and private investment. As Eastern Iowa begins to recover and rebuild from the devastating flood waters that have only begun to recede in some parts of the Second Congressional District, Congressman Loebsack is committed to working with his colleagues to ensure continued disaster relief is provided to the communities, residents, and businesses affected by this disaster. ### ~~ . ~. COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Dave Obey (D-WI), Chairman For Immediate Release June 19, 2008 Contact: Kirstin Brost 202-225-2771 Emergency Supplemental Funding for Iraq, Afghanistan, Veterans, Workers, and Midwest Disasters WASHINGTON -Today the House of Representatives will consider the emergency supplemental bill for efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan and pressing domestic needs. Under consideration are $183.9 billion in outstanding requests from the President. The proposal before the House stays within this level for appropriated dollars with the exception of $2.65 billion added for disaster relief in the aftermath of the devastating tornadoes and floods that hit the Midwest. In addition, to meet our nation's obligation to those who bravely serve and to address the economic insecurity of those here at home, the proposal includes two new initiatives: l.) an expanded GI Bill to provide improved education benefits for veterans and allow them to transfer those benefits to family members; and 2.) a 13 week extension of unemployment benefits for those workers who are unable to find a job in today's rough economy. The proposal will be taken up as 2 amendments. • Amendment #1: $165.4 billion for the Department of Defense activities as passed by the Senate. Amendment #2 would reduce this funding by $3.6 billion for a new total of $161.8 billion. • Amendment #2: Expanded GI Bill, unemployment insurance extension, disaster assistance, and other critical needs. SUMMARY AMENDMENT #1 Department of Defense Funding: The House will consider the $165.4 billion amendment for the Department of Defense passed by the Senate on 5/22/08. This covers costs through the summer of 2009. AMENDMENT #2 Expanded GI Benefits for Veterans Education: Expands the education benefits veterans receive under the GI bill to restore the promise of a full, four-year college education and make the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan part of an American economic recovery, just like the veterans of World War II were. Also allows service members to transfer educational benefits to their spouses and dependents. Extended Unemployment Compensation: Extends unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their benefits by up to 13 weeks in every state. The number of Americans looking for work has grown by 800,000 over the last year, and the number of American jobs has declined by 260,000 since the beginning of 2008. Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 (H.R. 5613): Places a moratorium on six Medicaid regulations that would cut services to seniors, families, and those with disabilities as well as cut payments to safety net providers. These costs are fully offset. Amendment to War Funding: Reduces Department of Defense funding in Amendment #1 by $3.6 billion in order to fund other pressing needs. Disaster Relief: $2.65 billion to ensure that critical resources are available to respond to disasters in the wake of tornadoes and flooding in the Midwest. Iraq Policy Provisions • Iraq Reconstruction: Requires that State Department and USAID reconstruction aid for Iraq be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Iraqi Government. • No Permanent Bases in Iraq: Prohibits military construction funds from being used to establish permanent bases in Iraq. International Affairs: $10.1 billion, $670 million above the President's request for the State Department, USAID and International Food Assistance (PL480). • Food Aid & Disaster Assistance: $1.865 billion, $745 million above the President's request, for international food and disaster assistance. This includes $500 million above the President's request for PL480 Food Assistance and $245 million above the President's request for development assistance and disaster assistance programs meant to alleviate world hunger. • Refugee Assistance: $696 million, $475 million above the President's request, to address the refugee crisis in Iraq and elsewhere. • Merida: $465 million, $85 million below the President's request, for the initiative to provide counter- narcotics and law enforcement assistance in Mexico ($400 million) and Central America ($65 million). Military Construction and Veterans Hospitals: $4.6 billion, $2.2 billion above the President's request, for military construction and veterans hospitals including increases of $863 million for BRAC, $863 million for military hospitals, $396 million for VA hospitals and polytrauma centers, and over $210 million for the military child care centers that the President announced in the State of the Union but never funded. Louisiana Levees: $5.8 billion for much needed efforts to strengthen New Orleans levees in FY 2009, as requested by the President. Louisiana Housing Vouchers: $73 million, for permanent supportive housing vouchers targeted to the extremely low-income, disabled and elderly left homeless as a result of Hurricane Katrina. These individuals and families are currently living in tent cities and in abandoned buildings in Louisiana as a result of the hurricane. Science: $400 million, for important investments to improve America's global competitiveness, energy efficiency, and medical research. Food and Drug Administration: $150 million, for food and medical product safety. Bureau of Prisons: $178 million urgently needed to meet rising incarceration costs and growing inmate population. The administration would have paid for these costs with cuts to state and local law enforcement. Census: $210 million to address decennial census cost overruns. The administration requested these funds but would have paid for them by cutting items ranging from scientific research to economic development. Emergency Supplemental -Appropriations Breakdown Bush Re uest House Bill numbers in millions Amendment #1 De artment of Defense 2008 $100,054 $99,506 De artment of Defense 2009 $66,063 $65,921 Subtotal Amendment #1 $166,117 $165,427* Amendment #2 Foreign Aid $9,423 $10,089 State Department/USAID FY08 State Department/USAID FY09 PL480 Food Aid FY08 PL480 Food Aid FY09 $5, 074 $3, 605 $350 $395 $5,164 $3, 680 $850 $395 Milita Construction & VA Hos itals $2,438 $4,642 Disaster Relief 0 $2,650 FEMADisasterReliefAccount - Army Corps of Engineers SBA -Disaster Loans A riculture Assistance ~~ 0 _..~ 0 0 0 $1,297 $606 $267 $480 Louisiana Levees FY09 $5,761 $5,761 Louisiana Housin Vouchers 0 $73 De artment of Justice $186 $271 Program Shortfalls 0 ~ $1,048 FDA ~ Bureau of Prisons Census Cost Overruns Increased UI Claims Science ~ 0 0 0 0 0 $150 $178 $210 $110 $400 Veterans Education Benefits -Admin. Costs 0 $120 Defense Reduction -- - $3,578 Death Benefit - Mrs. Lantos 0 $0.169 Subtotal Amendment #2 $17,758 $21,075 TOTAL COST FOR APPROPRIATIONS ITEMS $183,876 $186,502 (* see reduction in Amendment #2) Estimates for GI Benefits and Unemployment Extension 2 Year Estimate 11 Year Estimate Ex anded GI Benefits $796 million $62.8 billion Unem to ment Extension $12.5 billion $8.2 billion ###