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Home My WebLink AboutIR 7829 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7829 RTE To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 17, 1994 A Page I of 2 a. ex 41 Subject: Prioritization of Federal Legislative Program and Internal Policy ?an Relating to the Staff Use of the Washington Consultant On May 3, 1994, at the meeting of the City Council Inter and Intra Governmental Affairs Committee, staff made a presentation recommending that the City Council consider prioritizing the various issues contained in the 1994 Federal Legislative Program. It was recommended that a top five list be established so that the City could focus the energies of the Washington consultant on those five issues. The recommended list presented to the Committee was as follows: City of Fort Worth 1994 Federal Program TOP FIVE ISSUES I Defense Conversion/Economic Diversification 2. Support for Transportation Funds for RAILTRAN/Intermodal/IH 121 3. Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Community Designation 4. Weed and Seed Program Continuation 5. Alliance Airport Runway Expansion/International Trade/NAFTA In addition, staff suggested other issues of concern that the City should direct the Washington consultant to give attention to if time permits or as these issues become an important part of the Congressional agenda. These issues include the following: ISSUES TO WATCH I Amendment to Clean Water Act - 15 Year versus 8 Year Plan to Control Unpermitted Discharges - There has been some movement with legislation relating to the Clean Water Act. The City through the efforts of the Washington consultant is currently considering seeking an amendment to the Clean Water Act that will allow the Environmental Protection Agency to be more flexible in its imposition of a time frame in which it requires the City to develop a control plan. 2. Oppose Legislation Mandating Social Security/Medicare Coverage 3. OSHA Reform ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7829 TE FOR To the Mayor and Members of the City Council 17, 1994 of Pqc2of2 X 41 Subject: Prioritization of Federal Legislative Program and Internal Policy 1873 Relating to the Staff Use of the Washington Consultant 4. Telecommunication Legislation 5. Omnibus Crime Bill/Supplemental Police Officers Program - The Crime bill is in Conference Committee. The Crime bill currently contains provisions for additional police officers and for crime prevention programs. The Washington consultant will be asked to monitor these provisions of the Crime bill for future grant possibilities. 6. Health Care Reform The Committee took no formal action to adopt the staff recommendations. It was suggested that the staff proceed with the top five listing and inform the City Council of the prioritization of the federal issues. This information has been shared with the City's Washington consultant, Bracy Williams & Company. Staff also reported to the Committee on the development of an internal policy relating to the use of the Washington consultant by City staff. It was explained to the Committee that it was Opp% the desire of the City Manager's Office to keep the efforts of the Washington consultant V focused on the identified major issues. In addition, it was felt that the development of an internal policy was necessary to insure that there is a coordinated effort in Washington. Attached is a summary of the internal policy relating to the use of the Washington consultant. The Committee suggested that the members of the City Council should give consideration to working through Charles Boswell on federal issues of concern that require contact with the Washington consultant. This suggestion was made to insure coordination at the City Council level as well. The Washington consultant, Bracy Williams & Company has hit the ground running on behalf of the City of Fort Worth. It is Staff's desire to try to keep the efforts of Bracy Williams focused on those issues most important to the City. Periodic updates will be presented to the City Council on the City's efforts in Washington. Should you desire additional information, please let me know. g DFFMgL R—E=g C'N SECRETARY Bob Terrell City Manager FT* WaR yx M. Attachment ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS INTERNAL POLICY RELATING TO THE FEDERAL PROGRAM AND THE USE OF THE WASHINGTON CONSULTANT 1. Departments are authorized to initiate letters of support or opposition on those federal issues where the City Council has taken a position. Departments should refer to the City's 1994 Federal Legislative Program for guidance. A copy or draft of letters that will be sent from the department directly to members of Congress or that are delivered to the Mayor's office for signature should be forwarded to the attention of the Assistant City Manager Charles Boswell, who has responsibilities over State/Federal Relations. Any questions related to current City positions on federal or state issues should be referred to Joe Paniagua at 871-6168. 2. For issues outside of the City Council adopted positions, the department should initiate dialog with their appropriate Assistant City Manager and develop a position paper which outlines the specific issue, the administrative and financial impacts the issue will have on the City, and the position the City should take relative to the issue. If the Assistant City Manager concurs with the department position and it is determined that the City Council should adopt a proposed position, the Assistant City Manager should forward this information to Charles Boswell and to Bob Terrell for consideration. Upon a final recommendation by the City Manager, the issue will be taken to the City Council Inter and Intra Governmental Committee or the full City Council for consideration. Departments should not convey a City position on any issue to members of Congress that has not been formally adopted by the City Council. On any issue which requires urgent action, the department should notify their Assistant City Manager as soon as possible so that a more streamlined process can be adopted. In commenting on proposed regulations, which generally require timely responses, departments are asked to forward a copy of those responses to the attention of Charles Boswell for coordination. 3. Departments should coordinate all contact with the City's Washington consultant (Bracy Williams& Company) on issues relative to the 1994 Federal Legislative Program or any other issue by first contacting Joe Paniagua or Charles Boswell. Consideration to a department's request to utilize the services of Bracy Williams& Co. will be based on the relative importance of the issue. Joe Paniagua or Charles Boswell will make first contact on behalf of the department. Once a department is authorized to utilize the services of Bracy Williams & Co., the department should continue direct communication on that issue only. Bracy Williams & Co. has also been hired to assist in gathering information and seeking support with members of Congress for grants. All departments requiring contact with Bracy Williams & Co. for grants information and assistance should first coordinate efforts with Joe Paniagua or Charles Boswell. When a federal or state grant is applied for by a City department, the department should send a summary page to the attention of Charles Boswell outlining the grant applied for, the date the grant application was submitted, the federal department originating the grant, a brief summary of the program submitted for funding, the amount requested, and the proposed announcement date. A response to this request for information is required regardless of whether or not use of the services of the Washington consultant is required. r0r , 1 0 CL F0 144 CRY SE ,j7AR Y FT- WHIR M- - P N,000�0-