Item 2G: Ratification of Unanimous IGR Actions

Home Browse Search

4. 2009 United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 West Coast Estuaries Initiative Grant Ms. Wilson requested authority to apply for the grant, which would assist the City in current and planned efforts to increase the use of low-impact development practices for stormwater management. Ms. Keppler and Mr. McVey were present to answer questions. Ms. Ortiz noted the multi-year nature of the grant and asked if the in-kind donations were counted against the match. Ms. Keppler said yes. She noted that the grant was for four years. Mayor Piercy asked if the River Road and Santa Clara community organizations were aware the City was seeking the grant. Mr. McVey said no. Mayor Piercy encouraged staff to publicize to the neighborhood organizations the fact it was seeking the grant as a means to help them achieve what they wanted in terms of stormwater management. Mr. McVey concurred. Ms. Ortiz, seconded by Mr. Poling, moved to approve the grant. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. 5. Review of Pending Legislation HB 2426/SB 422 Ms. Wilson said the bill would impose a minimum fine and mandatory imprisonment for those convicted of driving under the influence. Staff recommended a position of Priority 3, Oppose. Mr. Poling said he also pulled SB 422, which appeared to be the same bill as HB 2426. He clarified with Ms. Mauch that staff opposed the bill due to a lack of jail space. Mr. Poling suggested that the City consider a time when jail space became available, and advocated for changing the City’s position on the bill to Priority 3, Support. Mr. Poling, seconded by Ms. Ortiz, moved to change the position of HB 2426 and SB 442 to Priority 3, Support. Responding to a request for comment from Mayor Piercy, Ms. Mauch said that the criminal justice system was adversely affected when a judge imposed a sentence and another partner in the criminal justice system could not support the sentence. She questioned what message was sent to the community when the courts imposed sentences that could not be imposed. Mayor Piercy suggested the issue was not the merits of the legislation in question but the courts’ ability to impose such sentences effectively. Ms. Mauch agreed, and pointed out that if someone served three days of a mandatory six month sentence and released, they were considered to have served their entire sentence and the courts could not re-jail them. Ms. Taylor believed that such laws led to contempt for the law. The motion failed, 2:1; Mr. Poling voting yes. HB 2546 Ms. Wilson indicated the bill would prohibit a public employer from hiring permanent replacements for public employees engaged in a strike. She noted that staff had recommended a neutral position. Ms. Holmes MINUTES—Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations February 18, 2009 Page 2