NLC Council Report

Below is a copy of the written report that I submitted to the City Council this week regarding the recent National League of Cities Conference and visits to out Utah Congressional delegation:

Councilmember Rushton
Council Report

March 19, 2013

NLC CONFERENCE & federal meetings

Summary

During March 9-13 I attended and represented West Valley City at the National League of Cities Conference and additional visits to member offices of the Utah Congressional delegation in Washington D.C. The conference major speakers and presenters included several high ranking administration officials including Housing and Urban Development, Homeland Security, Health & Human Services, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Vice President Biden was a late addition to the conference and his remarks were missed due to previously arranged meetings with our WVC schedule. The conference at the Marriott Wardman began on Saturday and concluded Wednesday. The conference a variety of workshops and round tables discussions focused on community development, transportation infrastructure, policy and programs. The Congressional visits with both staff and members of Congress were well received as we reviewed West Valley City’s progress and requests for assistance. Additionally, the steering committee I was appointed to was able to meet twice to discuss issues and set priorities for this year.  NLC committee work was extremely productive as we set priorities for the upcoming year.  I’ve also included some press that the First Tier Suburbs work received during the conference.

some of the highlights with local interest:

1.     Attended Conference session regarding immigration policy and have included NLC information sheet.

2.     Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano released demographic statistic regarding immigration trends.  51% of immigrants now prefer suburbs to 33% in metro cities.

3.     Positive reception and constructive dialogue resulting from Congressional visits regarding Zip Code, CDBG funding, and preserving Municipal Bonds.

4.      The Utah League of Cities and Towns arranged a dinner for Utah delegates. Additionally, a brunch was sponsored with area businesses to discuss local priorities.

5.     Invited along with a select few committee chairs to participate in a Round Table discussion with new NLC Executive Director Clarence Anthony and NLC President Marie Rogers regarding ways to make NLC more beneficial to member cities in regarding training, networking, and advocacy.

6.     Attended a strategy session lunch meeting with The Ferguson Group & Ron Hamm to discuss layout and direction of federal priorities and representation.

NLC Congress of Cities Report

Below is a copy of the report I submitted to the West Valley City Council regarding recent participation in the National League of Cities:

Councilmember Rushton
Council Report

December 4, 2012

Congress of cities nlc Conference

Summary

November 28-December I was able to attended and represented West Valley City at the National League of Cities Congress of Cities in Boston Massachusetts.  This year’s conference was actually offered four concurrent conferences to provide more in-depth exploration of the most pressing challenges facing cities. This general conference focus appeared to be more centered around tracking and influencing federal policy and reliance on technology. The conference at the Boston Convention Center began Wednesday and ended at the World Trade Center Seaport Saturday evening. It featured a large number workshops and roundtable discussions.  The seminars I attended this week included “Coping with Community Transformations and Population shifts” and “Making your City more Business Friendly” among others.  I also participated in the First Tier Suburbs Committee where I was re-appointed to serve as Vice Chair for the coming year. I also was invited to participate in the CED policy committee where recommendations were made to influence legislative agenda on a wide variety of related items including CDBG.  Additionally, I gathered materials on numerous best practice solutions, grant information, and vendor products in order to share them with executive staff for informational purposes.

 

conference highlights

some of the highlights with local interest:

1.     Participated in Leadership Training Institute Award Luncheon.

2.     Participated in the Developing Downtown Density workshop where I was able to compare Fairbourne project with similar projects and how to best turn downtown districts into a denser economic engine.

3.     Learned insights into League restructuring and new Executive Leadership positions and Presidency.

4.     Other delegates from Utah cities gathered for a caucus dinner with representatives from the Utah League of Cities and Towns.

5.     Able to meet with representative from Boston Mayor’s office regarding their Employee Residency requirements.

6.     Attached Federal Policy Slides

Homeowner Assistance

Awhile back I reported to the City Council my concern towards the community costs of mounting foreclosures within our City. Foreclosed homes become a burden on the remaining community and drain resources of several City agencies. As a result the Council asked West Valley City senior staff to draft a letter and statement to the various governing agencies explaining the housing situation that we are experiencing. The assembled letter was sent to various agencies with regulatory oversight. In a related response The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a loan program to assist families faced with foreclosure. While I am generally against 'bailout' type programs this attempt is well structured, as it offers another financing option to the already tight and suffering credit markets. The funds must be paid back in a relatively short amount of time, so they are only meant as a temporary assistance to those who qualify. ABC4 covered the announcement and the text of that report follows:


WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4 News) - Struggling homeowners in Utah now have access to $16.5 million dollars in federal emergency loan funds that will help thousands of people who are facing foreclosure.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development will announce the billion dollar Emergency Homeowner Loan on Wednesday in Washington D.C. but they announced the money will come here to Utah a day early.

The money will help people like Doug Delquardo, one of thousands of Utah homeowners who couldn’t keep up on his payments. "I feel really empty, jeez what matters now, where do I go,” Delquardo said.

After months of non payment foreclosure finally forced Delquadro out of his home. “I don't know where I am going, my credit is shot."

But on Tuesday the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a program that could have helped Delquadro and can help thousands of other Utah families in need. "These are people who are, that are on the edge and this is going to be a great resource for these families,” said H.U.D Regional Director Rick Garcia. Garcia announced the billion dollar emergency loan program at the Utah Housing Matters Conference in West Valley City.

Garcia said those who qualify can get up to $50,000 in emergency loans to pay their mortgages. "How quickly, because we have home owners in such urgent need right now,” said Utah Housing Coalition Director Kim Datwyler. Datwyler works with Utah families struggling to keep a step ahead of bank repossession and thinks the help can not come soon enough. She said the $16; 5-million in federal loans will help turn the tide of growing foreclosures in Utah, and prevent more situations like the exodus at the Delquadro home.” For most of them it is job loss or a partial loss of income and we do need to help them because it impacts the entire community,” Datwyler said.

To qualify for the loans the borrower must be at least 3 months behind in their payments and have suffered at least a 15 percent reduction in income but must have a reasonable likelihood of resuming their mortgage payments within the next two years.

West Valley goes to Washington

Last week I was able to represent West Valley City to Congressional members and staff while presenting the federal goals and priorities of the City. I also attended and represented West Valley at the National League of Cities Conference. There I met for the first time with as a full steering member with the FTS committee. Below is the written report of this trip that I presented to other members of the City Council:

COUNCILMEMBER RUSHTON
COUNCIL REPORT
MARCH 22, 2010
NLC CONFERENCE & CONGRESSIONAL VISITS
SUMMARY

During March 12-18 I attended and represented West Valley City at the National League of Cities Conference and made Congressional visits to the Utah delegation in Washington D.C. The conference major speakers and presenters included a senior White House advisor and three members of the President’s cabinet, among others. The conference at the Marriott Wardman began on Saturday and concluded Wednesday. The committee that I was appointed to convened breakfast and lunch meetings on Sunday. The conference featured more than 30 workshops focused on economic development, safety, policy and programs. The seminars I attended this week included “The Broadband Connection” and “Successful Neighborhood Stabilization Programs” among others. The Congressional visits with both staff and members of Congress were received well and West Valley City earned praise for their partnerships and long term outlook.

VISIT HIGHLIGHTS

1. Administration Heads from respective Transportation, Education, and Energy Departments spoke on the need for quality communities and partnering roles. NLC President Loveridge expressed need for Job Creation.
2. Committee work consisted of plans and discussions about:
a. Many traditional development rules lead to social and economic segregation
b. Offering housing choices provides greater incentive for people to stay and invest in the community.
c. Impact of the recession on redevelopment initiatives.
d. Better local actions than Code Enforcement to combat blight (i.e. Rancho Cordova “Strong Neighborhoods”).
e. New trends in form based and technical zoning were presented by leading experts.
3. Both Senate offices generally approved of all the projects requested for funding and will begin further vetting and exploration of funding options. Congressman Matheson expressed strong support for the regional projects and agreed to use his committee post to look for telecom options.
4. The Utah League of Cities and Towns arranged a dinner for Utah delegates. Additionally, a breakfast was held with members of Congress featuring a question and answer period.

National Appointment

The following press release was issued by the National League Of Cities in Washington D.C. and locally by West Valley City public relations department:

West Valley City Councilmember Corey Rushton Appointed to National League of Cities’

First Tier Suburbs Council Steering Committee

Washington, DC – West Valley City At-Large Councilmember Corey Rushton was appointed to the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2010 First Tier Suburbs Council Steering Committee. The First Tier Suburbs Council addresses the unique set of challenges located outside of central cities and inside the ring of developing suburbs and rural areas. The Council explores effective local solutions, supports research, provides guidance and recommendations to city officials, and allows city officials to network with each other.

The First Tier Suburbs Council Steering Committee provides leadership on issues including neighborhood and commercial revitalization, regional cooperation, housing and transportation.
“It is an honor to be appointed to this select group of leaders from across the country,” said Councilman Rushton. “This gives West Valley City a national voice in helping shape policy that is important to our community.”

The 2010 chair of the First Tier Suburbs Council is Garland, Tex., Council Member Douglas Athas. Working as this year’s vice chairs are Jim Woodward, mayor, Englewood, CO, Edward Schock, council member, Riverside, OH, and Joe Garcia, councilmember, Monrovia, CA.

The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

Congress of Cities

Last week I represented West Valley City by attending the National League of Cities Congress of Cities in San Antonio, Texas. The conference major speakers and presenters included a senior White House advisor and a Wall Street Economist among others. Gathering at the Convention Center was a great opportunity to meet with leaders from around the country and discuss vital issues. The Congress of Cities provides a wealth of information and I was exposed to numerous rejuvenating programs and efficient policies . It featured more than 30 workshops focused on economic development, safety, policy and programs. The seminars I attended this week included “Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures: Building Community in Today's Economy” and “Doing More with Less: Getting Better Results for Children and Families” among others. I also participated in the First Tier Suburbs Committee where I have applied to be on their Steering Council. Additionally, I gathered materials on numerous best practice solutions and innovations and have shared them with executive staff for informational purposes in constructing a leaner budget and conducting quality investment. The conference kept me very busy, but I was able to take a few strolls down the famous San Antonio Riverwalk to muster ideas about the future potential of the Jordan River and West Valley City's River Marketplace.

Congressional Delegation Visit

This week a small West Valley delegation traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with our Congressional delegation. The purpose of these meetings was to provide updates on current projects and priorities and well express our needs in relation to ongoing legislation and appropriations. We gave our thanks to the various members for their support of issues in the past and all were pleased at the amount of progress and leadership that West Valley City has shown through this economic recession. We provided them with an update in regards to the Trax and the City Center Plaza, as well as progress on the Valley fair Mall, and 3500 South. Additionally, we expressed our desire (especially with our newest Congressman) to foster open lines of communication and a productive working relationships. We understand that the federal government is facing many challenges and as a City we want to be good partners for better government.