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