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Provided an overview of the City's demographics, its regional importance, and the <br />downtown development. Discussed what the timetable looks like for the re- authorization <br />of MAP -21; provided an overview of the City's fixed guideway project, together with the <br />grade separation project; its importance not only to the City's transit dependent <br />population but to downtown transit oriented development, including affordable housing, <br />job development and walkability. Senator Boxer's staff indicated their interest in working <br />with the City to help further its transit development objectives. Follow -up with Senator <br />Boxer should be a high priority for the City. <br />3. Meeting with Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez' Office, 1114 Longworth House Office <br />Building, Washington, DC <br />Met with Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez's Legislative Director, Eduardo Lerma (with the <br />House adjourning the previous weekend, House members left town including the <br />Congresswoman who returned to the District). <br />Covered the reductions in UASI funding and the need to have DHS /FEMA re- calibrate <br />our region's threat assessment to reflect more equitably the region's threat vulnerabilities <br />and strategic values. Her staff indicated that given the Congresswoman's role on the <br />House Homeland Security Committee, she would work with the City to advance this <br />effort. The next step is for the City to develop a game plan on how it will push forward <br />reconsideration of its UASI position and how it should coordinate with regional FBI, a key <br />source in FEMA's threat assessment. <br />Highlighted the City's serious concerns regarding the insufficient reimbursement being <br />paid by the US Marshall (USM) and the Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) for <br />its prisoners being held at the Santa Ana jail. We explained that as a result, the City has <br />suffered substantial losses in the millions over the years. Further, we pointed the <br />inequity in payments as compared to the higher per diem rates for other cities. We <br />indicated that the City manager had spoken with the Congresswoman and would be <br />preparing a letter for the Congresswoman to consider sending to the Department of <br />Justice /USM and DHS /ICE on the per diem rates. <br />Provided an overview of the City's fixed guideway project, discussing the City's transit <br />dependent ridership, the project's regional as well as downtown significance (transit <br />oriented development, environmental benefits); and how the grade separation helps to <br />advance transit flow, transit oriented development and regional linkages. We indicated <br />that we would request her assistance in gaining federal support for the project once we <br />have completed all of the review and financial plan requirements. <br />ADJOURNMENT <br />Meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m. <br />Becky Magallon <br />Recording Secretary <br />Legislative City Council Committee Minutes <br />Dec"C ,6013, Page 2 <br />