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SIMON AND COMPANY <br />1NCORYO}tA'rED <br />Intergovernmental Retafion.c ared Federal ,4ffairs <br />1660 L Strcet, Nl~' • Suite 501 • Washington, D.C. 20036 <br />(202) 6~9-2229 • Tax (202.) 6~9-5234 • e-n~aii: len.sin~on(q~simoncorx~nfry~.corn <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Mayor Santos <br />John Jermanis <br />Steve Hollister <br />FROM: Len Simon <br />Shannon Long <br />SUBJECT: Washington Meetings Summary <br />DATE: January 29, 2008 <br />Following up on the Mayor's meetings in Washington last week, we wanted to provide <br />you with a summary of those meetings as well as outline the next steps on both the City's federal <br />priorities for FY09 and the East Bay Regional Communication System (EBRCS). We have <br />attached the agenda for last week's meetings for your review and the full agenda from the U.S. <br />Conference of Mayors is also attached. <br />U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting <br />The U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting provided the Mayor the opportunity to <br />hear from congressional and Administration leaders on key policies that directly impact local <br />governments. The Mayor's participation in this meeting is quite beneficial to the City and we <br />hope he enjoyed his first Conference of Mayors meeting. The Mayor was able to participate in <br />briefings regarding the Energy and Environment Conservation Block Grant, which will provide <br />funds directly to the City, and the homeowners' mortgage crisis. <br />East Bay Regional Communication System <br />We have been working with a coalition of Washington Representatives that represent the <br />entities that have signed the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) that created the East Bay Regional <br />Communications System Authority. During the Mayor's trip to Washington last week, we <br />attended meetings with fellow EBRCS Authority members in addition to a meeting with <br />Congressman Stark's office. <br />Senator Barbara Boxer <br />Senator Boxer hosted a town hall briefing with elected officials from California; <br />however, members of the EBRCS were certainly comprised the majority of participants in the <br />briefing. The Senator spoke passionately about the current fiscal situation facing the nation <br />saying we find ourselves in a "delicate and dangerous time." The Senator is skeptical of the <br />pending economic stimulus package and will most likely work with her fellow Senators for <br />funding for local governments to help mitigate the negative impacts of the mortgage crisis. <br />