City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 5, 2013
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
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Discussion of Proposed Federal Issues With Congressman James P. Moran.
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ISSUE: Federal issues for discussion with Congressman James P. Moran.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council receive this report.
DISCUSSION: Each year, Council meets with Congressman James P. Moran, and presents him and the other members of our federal delegation with a list of federal issues of concern to the City. In the weeks following this Council meeting, City staff will also review these issues with staff for Senators Warner and Kaine.
I. The Federal Budget: Issues of Concern. Staff has reviewed relevant portions of the President's proposed budget. We realize that Congress may once again fail to pass traditional appropriation measures and use continuing resolutions to fund most programs. And while the City realizes the need for budget reductions in order to move toward a balanced federal budget, there are certain funding proposals that are crucial to meet the needs of Alexandria and its residents (this is in addition to reductions resulting from sequestration).
- The first of these are programs that serve the needs of some of our most vulnerable residents. We ask the members of our Congressional delegation to work to preserve funding for these programs.
- Community Services Block Grants (CSBG), which Alexandria uses to prevent homelessness and stabilize households by providing short-term rental assistance and utility assistance. CSBG funds also provide services such as short-term prescription assistance while getting families connected to other resources.
- Community Development Block Grants and HOME Funds, which are used to fully or partially fund a number of City programs, including the Home Rehabilitation Loan program, RAMP (the Rental Accessibility Modification Program, which helps low and moderate-income renters who have physical disabilities make accessibility modifications to their residences), Fair Housing Testing, Winter Shelter for the Homeless, Homeownership Assistance, Eviction Assistance and Furniture Storage, and Transitional Assistance. Federal Home Investment Partnership funds (HOME) also provide funds to the Homeownership Assistance Program, the Housing Opportunities Fund and Office of Housing Program Administration.
The National Community Development Association (NCDA), a national nonprofit organization comprised of over 550 local governments that administer CDBG, HOME, and other related programs, has asked Congress to support at least $3.3 billion in CDBG funds and $1.6 billion in HOME funds in the FY 2014 appropriations bills. In addition, NCDA does not support program changes that would prevent localities like Alexandria from receiving their CDBG funds directly.
- Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA), which manages public housing and housing assistance programs in Alexandria. Due to sequestration, ARHA is being forced to furlough its staff. A more direct effect on those served in these programs is a nearly ten percent reduction in the maximum amount of rent that its Housing Choice Vouchers will cover. As a result, people with low incomes will have to pay more of this income toward their rent.
- We also ask that you oppose any proposal to redirect Homeland Security Emergency Management Grants to the States (many of them now go directly to specific regions or local governments). The Commonwealth of Virginia does not share large amounts of its emergency management grants with localities; while federal guidance recommends that 80 percent of such funds be passed on by the state to its localities, Virginia historically only sends 35 percent of the funding it receives in this program to its counties and cities. We would not want to face a similar situation with our UASI grants (our federal homeland security funds), so we ask that they continue to be sent directly from the federal government to localities.
We understand that the House Appropriations Committee has recently approved a funding measure for the Department of Homeland Security that continues the direct distribution of UASI funds to regions such as ours that have the greatest homeland security risks. We hope that the full House will accept this proposal, and that the House will insist on it if the bill ends up in conference with the Senate.
II. “Support” Items in the President's Proposed Budget. There are initiatives included in the President's proposed budget that would help the City. These include funding for Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health workforce development. We recommend that Congressman Moran support these programs if the opportunity arises.
III. Four Mile Run. Prior to the construction of a channel modification in the 1970's, flooding occurred frequently in Arlandria and other nearby areas near Four Mile Run, which forms a border between Alexandria and Arlington. The channel modification, authorized by Congress in 1974, accomplished its goal—flood protection—but it also severely compromised the aesthetic and environmental benefits of the stream. In recent years, Congressman Moran has been successful in getting funds and assistance from the Army Corps of Engineers to restore some of the environmental benefits of Four Mile Run.
Last year, Alexandria and Arlington were informed by the Corps that current restoration plans are not consistent with the 1974 congressional authorization for the flood control project, so the Corps cannot approve the restoration project, even though the Corps agrees that the proposed project would be beneficial. The Senate recently passed legislation that will resolve this issue by amending the 1974 legislation in a way that will still protect the area surrounding Four Mile Run from flooding (the required channel capacity is being lowered, using engineering estimates that were not available in 1974, so that environmental improvements can be implemented without causing flooding). When the House considers reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (the measure in which the Senate amendment was included), we ask that Congressman Moran work to get the Senate amendment included in the House bill.
IV. Norfolk-Southern Ethanol Transloading. The City of Alexandria has long-standing and serious concerns about the operations at the Norfolk-Southern Ethanol Transloading facility in the City's West End. The facility is located adjacent to Cameron Station, and is very near other densely-populated residential areas. This proposed expansion would have the potential to more than double the amount of ethanol that is transferred there from rail cars to trucks.
The City has asked the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to hold an information meeting and a subsequent public hearing on a draft air quality permit that Norfolk Southern has requested. This will allow interested residents to understand the proposed changes and provide informed and meaningful input and comments.
The City appreciates very much Congressman Moran's past assistance in its struggle against the start-up of this facility back in 2008, and would appreciate any help he could offer in opposing the proposed expansion.
V. Municipal Tax Exemptions.
The Senate—and possibly the House—has begun discussing comprehensive tax reform legislation. One of the items that we understand has been discussed is repealing the tax exemption on municipal bond interest. Doing so would make it much more expensive for localities to borrow money for their capital needs, and we ask that Congressman Moran oppose such a proposal if it arises in the House.
STAFF:
Bernard Caton, Legislative Director
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