File Name: PROPOSED 2011 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE
Introduced: 12/9/2010
Requester:
NONE
Cost:
Final Action: 2/1/2011
Agenda Date: 2/1/2011
Agenda Item Number: 1I1
Notes:
Title:
PROPOSED 2011 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 102560]
Indexes:
NONE
Sponsors:
Sally A. Heyman, Prime Sponsor
Sunset Provision:
No
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Registered Lobbyist:
None Listed
Legislative History
Acting Body
Date
Agenda Item
Action
Sent To
Due Date
Returned
Pass/Fail
Board of County Commissioners
2/1/2011
1I1
Accepted as amended
P
REPORT:
First Assistant County Attorney Abigail Price-Williams read the foregoing report into the record.
Chairman Martinez informed Board members of the loss of a staff person, located in Tallahassee, and noted the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Joe Rasco, failed to provide this information to the BCC Chairman or members of the Board.
Commissioner Heyman noted that this Board directed the OIA Director to review the County’s Federal Legislative Package and to reprioritize this package due to changes in Congress membership. She noted there was a need to modify the three (3) current lobbyist contracts to extend the contracts on a month-to-month basis, for up to three (3) months or until the award of the successor contract, whichever occurred first. She indicated that this would be the last request for an extension in addressing the Federal legislative package because the current contract would expire on February 5th. In addition, she expressed her concern with sharing information regarding a County’s Washington representative who was no longer there.
Commissioner Sosa noted there was no priority listed for dredging the Port. She noted that she contacted the Seaport Department Director to request a resolution providing that dredging be listed as a legislative priority and she was advised that another commissioner had made the same request. She requested to be listed as a cosponsor on that resolution. Commissioner Sosa stated that, even though that resolution was coming forth, the Federal Legislative Package should list dredging of the Port of Miami as a priority. She asked for an amendment to the Federal Legislative Package to include Port dredging as a priority.
Commissioner Seijas questioned the deletion of the $200,000 for Trade Missions’ support from the 2011 Federal appropriations.
In response to Commissioner Seijas’ question, Mr. Rasco stated that following a discussion with the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Director, OIA would pursue a grant instead of an appropriation.
Commissioner Seijas stated that there was no indication that OIA would pursue grants and suggested language be added reflecting such.
Mr. Rasco stated language might be added stating: “…support funding or grants for OEDIT...”
A discussion ensued among Chairman Martinez, Commissioner Seijas and Mr. Rasco regarding federal appropriations for OEDIT to support the U.S. National Export Initiative.
Following this discussion Commissioner Seijas stated she would meet with Mr. Rasco to discuss the Federal appropriations for OEDIT.
It was moved by Commissioner Sosa that the Board accept the foregoing report as amended to add the following:
-that the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) seek any Federal government entity that creates funding for local government to access and expand trade missions for economic development and job creations.
-that the Seaport Department seeks Federal funding for Port of Miami dredging and that all of the County’s lobbyist firms be used to full capacity to lobby for this priority.
This motion was seconded by Chairman Martinez, and upon being put to a vote, passed by a vote of 10-0 (Commissioners Jordan, Moss and Seijas were absent).
Commissioner Heyman noted that listed on Page 5, of the County’s Legislative Package, were two dredging projects under the 2011 Federal appropriations and a request for funding for these two items.
A discussion ensued between Chairman Martinez and Mr. Rasco regarding the lobbyists and the lobbyist firms that needed to work diligently on the dredging items.
Commissioner Sosa recommended that every entity/consultant, that represented the County, make dredging their number one priority and that all lobbyist firms, especially the most influential ones, should be used to full capacity for this legislative priority.
Chairman Martinez asked that a representative from Akerman Senterfitt and Eidson, P.A. be subcontracted to provide representation and governmental consulting services for the dredging items.
Assistant County Attorney Jess McCarty explained that the County could exercise its work order authority under the current contract.
Mr. Rasco explained that the work order authority was for existing firms only. He noted there was no desire in the past to subcontract, but the ability was there.
It was moved by Commissioner Heyman that the current lobbying contracts be extended on a month-to-month basis up to three (3) months or until the award of the successor contracts, whichever occurred first. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Gimenez, and upon being put to a vote, passed by a vote of 11-0 (Commissioners Jordan and Moss were absent).
SPECIAL NOTE: The February 1, 2011, County Manger's Memorandum entitled, "Changes for the February 1, 2011 BCC Meeting" noted a scrivener's error on handwritten page 15, the grant funding name Juvenile Assistance Grant should be changed to Justice Assistance Grant.
County Manager
1/26/2011
Scrivener's Errors
2/1/2011
REPORT:
On handwritten page 15, the grant funding name Juvenile Assistance Grant should be changed to Justice Assistance Grant.
Health, Public Safety & Intergovernmental Cmte
12/16/2010
1F1 SUBSTITUTE
Report received and forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation
P
REPORT:
Assistant County Attorney Gerald Sanchez read the foregoing report into the record.
The Committee proceeded to vote on this report as presented.
Chairwoman Heyman thanked the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Director Joe Rasco for responding to her directive regarding the need to revise critical appropriations for the upcoming session of Congress due to the changes in its membership.
Legislative Text
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