02-03-2009 - Solicitation of Federal Funding for City Projects•
City of West Covina
Memorandum
AGENDA
TO: Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager
and City Council
FROM: Chris Freeland, Deputy City Manager
ITEM NO. D — 5a
DATE February 3, 2009
SUBJECT: SOLICITATION OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CITY PROJECTS
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize City staff to submit the projects mentioned in
this staff report to the federal representatives serving the City of West Covina for possible
funding consideration.
DISCUSSION:
The federal representatives (Senator Boxer, Senator,Feinstein, and Congressional Member for the
32nd District) serving West Covina, allow cities the opportunity to request noncompetitive and
discretionary grant money (Earmarks) for local projects through annual federal spending bills.
Based on the City Council's recommendation to submit projects over the last few years, the City
has received over $2.6 million in federal funding, including $500,000 for the new Public Safety
Interoperable Communication System.
While the City may have its priorities, these representatives will review the list of projects
submitted by the City and identify those projects that they determine to have a better'chance to
secure funding. The criterion "that has been provided indicates that projects that have a regional
benefit are more competitive. The actual dollar amount requested will be discussed further with
the offices of the federal representatives.
It is important to note that during the 2008 Presidential Elections, President Barack Obama
indicated that earmark reform was needed. This may have a significant impact on future funding
for projects for all communities, including West Covina this year and in future years. In
addition, there has been significant discussions on economic stimulus packages that could
include funding for local cities.
City staff is requesting the City Council to approve. submittal of the following projects for
consideration:
• Regional Public Safety Computerized Mapping: This would allow Public Safety to acquire
dedicated hardware and software to produce a computerized mapping solution connecting the
City emergency responders with visual overviews onto computer displays of all responding
units to incident commanders. The maps would incorporate overlays of parcels, fire
hydrants, etc., and would be especially useful in pursuits, mutual aid incidents, etc. City
would also like to incorporate a GPS system of the entire City vehicle fleet to monitor
location of vehicles throughout the community.
• Command Response Vehicle
This would allow the police department to have a functional command response vehicle that
would ensure regional interoperable communications, rapid assessment and use of emergency
resources, a functional field supply line, and directly improve the safety of first responders —
all of which is vital to. successful resolutions of critical emergency incidents.
• Infrastructure — The City has an extensive list of capital projects including, sewers, repaving
of City streets, median improvements, traffic signal upgrades, and the public safety
intersection intervention system. In addition, City staff will be submitting requests for the
following infrastructure projects:
o Helipad — Development of a helipad at the former BKK Landfill on the property
adjacent to Target. This will allow great accessibility of emergency transport of
injured individuals not just in West Covina, but also in neighboring areas.
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o Police Station Expansion - Recently the City of West Covina was bequeathed a large
grant for the expansion of the police station. City staff will apply for federal funds to
assist the costs of the proposed expansion.
o Fire Station Replacement = West Covina Fire Department wishes to modernize the
various stations throughout the community. City staff will seek funding to assist in
the modernization of the various fire stations and the funds to completely replace a
station.
• Park Improvements — The City has recently completed an update of the park master plan for
Orangewood Park to develop soccer fields. Funding is needed to design and build these new
features. City staff is also requesting funding for Shadow Oak Park to assist with the
subsequent phases of the lower plateau. In addition, City staff will present a request to
develop Heritage Park based on the contents of the park Master Plan, for a Learning Center,
amphitheater, interpretative trails, etc.
• Senior Center Modernization— City staff is completing an evaluation of the current condition
of the Senior Center. City staff would like to include a request to have- this regional, award
winning facility modernized and possibly expanded to include additional opportunities and
..spacing for programming and daily use by seniors.
Should the City receive any federal funding, City staff will bring back the award of funds and the
details of the improvements to be made with those funds. City staff is seeking these non-
competitive funds in an attempt to locate and identify funding opportunities to complete projects
and reduce the burden on the City's financial resources.
It is important to remember that any funding received through the federal spending bills will not
be acknowledged until October 2009, at the earliest, with funding beginning in 2010.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
Prepared by:
Chris Freeland
Deputy City Manager