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