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Senator Boxer acknowledged that cities "are on the front lines" and are pursuing strategies to maintain foreclosed properties including ordinances to ensure property owners are held responsible - a policy already in place in San Leandro. Senator Boxer, who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, discussed her committee's agenda including passage of a climate change bill and the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission's report (the commission will be testifying before her committee this week). The Senator, who is supporter of increased infrastructure funding, stated that a "gas tax increase isn't going to happen" and exploring other funding mechanisms will be one of her top priorities. Dublin Mayor Janet Lockhart briefed the Senator on the EBRCS and Senator Boxer was very enthusiastic about the project's chances of receiving federal funding because of the regional focus. She indicated that both she and Senator Feinstein are placing more of a focus on regional projects this year and local efforts to work together on regional projects provide "the best chance of getting funds." Congresswoman Barbara Lee Congresswoman Lee is also supportive of the EBRCS request, but expressed concern that Oakland has not signed the JPA and asked that her staff follow up with Mayor Dellums to determine why the City is not actively participating in and supporting the EBRCS Authority. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, her support is a crucial element in the EBRCS Authority's strategy to secure funding in Fiscal Year 2009. The Office of Congressman Stark Congressman Stark was unfortunately unable to attend the meeting; however, we had an excellent opportunity to thoroughly discuss the City's ongoing funding and policy concerns with the Congressman's fine legislative staff. We met with Mandy Thompson and Jeff Hild in the Congressman's office and Mayor Santos thanked them for the office's work to secure funding for both the Marina and the Senior Center. The Mayor also urged that the Congressman support additional funding for the COPS program, which has always been a priority for Congressman Stark. His staff was disappointed that the $100 million for hiring under the COPS program was cut from the FY08 omnibus appropriations bill. Additionally, Mayor Santos discussed a number of the City's other funding priorities including the Marina Boulevard Interchange and a center for at-risk youth. As a follow up to the Mayor's letter to Congressman Stark this fall, Jeff provided a comprehensive list of federal grant programs that the City and School District may wish to apply for and expressed interest in helping the City further develop the youth facility. We have mailed the documents that .Leff provided the Mayor to City Hall and look forward to following up on these federal funding opportunities. In regards to the EBRCS Authority, the Congressman is also very supportive of the effort and looks forward to working with his fellow East Bay representatives to submit the appropriations request on behalf of the EBRCS. Mandy is hopeful that she can make a trip to San Leandro in February and we will work with her on scheduling a briefing with the City staff during that time.