Item B: Adoption of Federal Priority Project Lists

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on advocating strongly for widely accepted local priorities, which is a role they have repeatedly stated they prefer. Furthermore, the extensive research and development that goes into producing the Federal Agenda eases the burden on congressional staff in terms of preparing project justifications and advocating for funding. The delegation’s staff often comes to depend on the reliability and accessibility of the UF’s Federal Agenda, and the local staff who produce it. Consequently, the process helps build solid, ongoing relationships that extend far beyond the merits of any one set of Federal Agenda projects. The City Council must adopt the Federal Priorities Project List each year. The recommended Federal Priorities Project List begins with a review of opportunities for funding in the next Federal budget and goals that are specific to Eugene or the area. Throughout the year, staff has looked into federal funding opportunities and unmet funding needs to develop a list of potential projects for inclusion on the 2011 Federal Priorities Project List. On November 5, 2010, the IGR Committee met with staff and our federal lobby firm Smith, Dawson and Andrews (SDA), to discuss the federal funding horizon and opportunities. In light of the renewed focus on spending, Republicans, who are now in leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives, extended the self-imposed ban on earmarks into the next Congress. They are also focusing on reining in federal spending. Because earmarks have been nearly eliminated, we will double our efforts in pursuing increased discretionary funding at the agency level. Accordingly, we have developed a Discretionary Fund Project List for projects that we believe do not have the possibility of being earmarked at the present time under the current Congress. This list will be used to look for federal non-appropriation funding opportunities as they arise. Even with the news on earmarks, we have developed a list of possible federal appropriation requests and intend on moving forward with some limited earmark requests. The proposed 2011 Federal Priority Projects were presented to the IGR Committee on November 17, 2010. The IGR Committee unanimously approved the recommended 2011 Federal Priorities Project List (Attachment A) and directed the list move forward to the full City Council for action, with one exception. The Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission Electrical Generator Upgrade project, which was on the list last year, is not moving forward as a project at this time. Springfield, the financial partner, wants to look at the project again to find a way to supplement the current gas production at the site so we can put a better project together. The final list will become part of the UF federal agenda which will be presented to the area’s congressional delegation, executive department staff, and other potential funding sources in Washington, D.C. in March 2011. RELATED CITY POLICIES Adoption of the federal priority recommendations is the making or affirming of the City of Eugene’s policy with respect to federal legislative issues or such other matters as may come to the council from the IGR committee. Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M101213\S101213B.doc