Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize Staff to seeking funding through area State and Federal Legislative Representatives for a variety of projects as listed in this report.
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Deadline for Action: 2/6/2023
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Leslie Caviglia, City Manager, 559-713-4317
Department Recommendation: It is recommended that the Visalia City Council authorize staff to work with Visalia’s State and Federal representatives on several projects that could potentially qualify for specific budget requests, earmarks or special funding sources. If funding is awarded, the project specifics will be brought back for Council input authorization and appropriation. The projects recommended by staff include two items that are already in the planning stages and have been reviewed and authorized by Council through the Capital Improvement Process (CIP), and two that are new items being brought forward.
Current Items:
1. Water Recharge Basins - Funding would be sought to construct further
Basins as part of the East Side Regional Park and Recharge Facility. Two basins have already been funded, and funding is needed for the other three southern basins. Amounts requested will depend upon the type of funding being sought whether it is for partial or full funding.
2. Goshen Trail Enhancements - The Goshen trail was one of the first trails built in Visalia and is in need of refurbishment and extension. With improvements, it can become a more efficient and effective alternative transportation option into the industrial park, schools, parks and services in the area, and for travel between the Community of Goshen and Visalia. Funding amounts will vary based on the type of funding being sought whether for a phase of the trail or the full trail.
New Items:
3. Safety Barricades - With the return of more special events, which is exciting for the community, but also the concern about safety for attendees, Police is proposing purchasing innovative street barricades that are easy to put in place and can be removed quickly and efficiently in case of the need to have emergency response to a specific area. They would deter vehicles from being able to drive into the event area. This would be proposed as a regional project, with the barricades offered to other communities and agencies to be used as needed in their areas. Chief Salazar and his staff have assessed the number needed to cover major events in Visalia, and are proposing 25% additional barricades to cover event growth and provide more coverage in the region. Request: $2 million
4. Emergency Drop In Shelter Location Funding - Request funding that would be put out in a request for proposal for a non-profit to secure a permanent location for an overnight Emergency Drop In Shelter. While there is a seasonal location, the current non-profit has difficulty securing a location because landlords are reluctant to rent in advance for only 3-4 months. While there could be funding available to extend the operating period, facility funding does not usually fit the parameters of many of the funding sources. Staff, including the Chief of Police, believe that more shelter options, in addition to the upcoming navigation center, are tools that are needed to provide options for people that are currently living on the street. It would be a benefit to those that are unsheltered, and for the citizens that are frustrated with the residual impacts that often result from people that are living on the streets. Staff would propose that the funding be provided to a non-profit through a formal process and that the shelter be owned and operated by the successful proposer from that process. If successful with the funding, the parameters for the request for proposal will be developed and brought to the Council for approval. Proposed funding request - $1.5 million
Background Discussion:
Staff is recommending several diverse projects at the recommendation of the legislative representatives. Sometimes funding requests can come from different types of money and some funding types are more limited in the amount that can be funded. Having flexibility and a diverse list of options to propose.
The City has not made a lot of direct funding requests to our Federal and State legislature in the past, but it is an option that the representatives have urged us to consider for this legislative session. Staff recognizes that this should become part of our regular planning, and will endeavor to bring a more robust discussion to the Council in future years.
Fiscal Impact:
Specifics are unknown but could
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: 1. To not authorize staff to propose projects for state and federal funding. 2. To authorize only some of these projects. 3. To propose other projects.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize staff to pursue funding through the State and Federal government for the projects proposed in the staff report.
(Alternative motions could add or exclude projects)
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: N/A