Butte County 2017 Federal Legislative Platform City of Palmdale, CA 2018 Federal Agenda A Strategy to improve the wellbeing of the residents and businesses of the City of Palmdale DRAFT Approved by City Council on DATE
Recognizing the importance of promoting Palmdale s priorities and legislative initiatives, the City s Federal Agenda forms the cornerstone of the City s advocacy and legislative priorities in four strategic focus areas that the City will work to advance in 2018: Community, Security, Economy and Infrastructure. While Palmdale boasts a strong sense of COMMUNITY, the City strives to further improve quality of life for its residents by providing adequate housing as well as enhanced recreational opportunities, youth activities, and senior programs. For years, the City has achieved its motto as a place to call home and served as an affordable community that draws people wanting to live in proximity to the Los Angeles region. However, challenges such as homelessness and community health are ongoing issues the City seeks federal assistance and funding to address. Keeping Palmdale residents safe is one of the City's top priorities. The City promotes public safety and SECURITY through community outreach and engagement. The City's approach has not only reduced the crime rate to one of the lowest in 22 years, but it has helped create a better sense of security within the community. With the support of Los Angeles County Sheriff Department deputies, the City is able to work with the community to implement various community-oriented policing and crime prevention programs. Aerospace has been and will continue to be an important element of the Antelope Valley ECONOMY for the foreseeable future. One of the most impactful aerospace projects in decades was the recent award of the B-21 long-range bomber to Northrop Grumman, which is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Palmdale and the Antelope Valley region. However, one of the City s primary goals is to encourage a broad range of employment and entrepreneurial options for Palmdale businesses and residents. With Kinkisharyo assembling light rail cars at Plant 42, Oasis Wellness Village and other medical ventures booming around the Palmdale Regional Medical Center; the City is well on its way to developing an environment that attracts diverse businesses. City Council James Ledford Mayor Steven D. Hofbauer Mayor Pro Tem Austin Bishop Council Member Laura Bettencourt Council Member Juan Carrillo Council Member City Manager James Purtee Population 158,605 County Los Angeles Weather Average High 81 F Average Low 48 F Elevation 2, 657 ft. Fun Fact The City received its name from settlers who mistook Joshua Trees for palm trees. Fun Fact All five space shuttles were built in Palmdale. Fun Fact The Terminal starring Tom Hanks and Pirates of the Caribbean starring Johnny Depp were both filmed at Palmdale Plant 42.
Creating and maintaining adequate public INFRASTRUCTURE for transportation, transit, water, and technology is vital to the City of Palmdale's future. With future arrivals of the California High Speed Rail system and the privately-funded Xpress West to Las Vegas, Palmdale will be transformed; requiring the City to plan ahead and manage the impacts of these projects. Other major challenges include securing funding opportunities for ambitious but critical capital projects such as the Rancho Vista Grade Separation project, High Desert Corridor, Pearblossom Highway construction, and many more. Safe and adequate infrastructure must be in place for the City to continue to grow economically and to enhance the opportunities such growth provides to all of its residents and businesses The City of Palmdale recognizes that active legislative engagement at the federal level is needed to protect and enhance the interests of Palmdale s residents and businesses. Our Federal Agenda identifies the fundamental issues deemed important to the City while providing a proactive approach to deal with the rapidly changing nature of federal legislative and policy issues. Map of the City of Palmdale
City of Palmdale, California 2018 Federal Legislative Platform Engage community participation Improve quality of housing Address needs of youth and seniors Enhance community safety Reduce community stress Improve physical security Community Security Balance jobs and housing Raise quality of employment Invest in human capital Ensure adequate resources Ensure adequate infrastructure Invest in resource sustainability Economy Infrastructure
Community Housing SAVES Program Homelessness and Mental Health Code Enforcement Senior Center HOME Program CDBG Program Active Transportation Plan Public Libraries Recreation Youth Mentoring Support funding through administrative and housing programs for veterans, low-income, and senior housing. Support federal funding for the South Antelope Valley Emergency Services (SAVES) program. Support federal funding and regulatory support to address homeless issues, including those related to mental health. Develop plan to address blight, empty buildings, and illegal dumping through code enforcement programs. Seek federal funding through grants and other opportunities for programs at Palmdale Senior Center. Advocate for continued funding for the HOME program. Advocate for continued funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Support federal funding through grants and other opportunities to implement the walking and biking plan throughout the City. Support funding through grants and other opportunities for the construction of a new public library. Support funding through grants and other opportunities for recreational parks, facilities, and trails. Support funding through grants and other opportunities for youth mentoring programs such as AV YouthBuild.
Security Community Policing Support federal funding through grants and other opportunities to support community oriented policing policies and programs in the City. FEMA Programs Support federal funding through grants and other opportunities for emergency operation and pre-mitigation activities and programs. Domestic Violence Shelter Alcohol Beverage Control Crime Analysis Support federal funding through grants and other opportunities to construct a new domestic violence shelter in the City limits. Support of programs and activities related to vendor education and Alcohol Beverage Control issues. Support federal funding through grants, including under the COPS program, to expand the citywide crime analysis program. Regional Public Safety Training Facility Department of Justice Coordination Support development of a north county regional public safety training facility. Work with the Department of Justice to facilitate public safety issues.
Economy Airport Development Support land acquisition and development of a regional airport. Defense Programs NASA Programs Rail Infrastructure Local Jobs Workforce Development Plant 42 Drone Corridor Support funding for programs authorized at Plant 42 and Edwards Air Force Base. Support funding for programs authorized at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center. Support expansion and construction of high speed rail infrastructure, including California High Speed Rail Project and XpressWest and develop strategy to prepare local economy for project deployment. Create comprehensive economic development strategy aimed at the creation of local jobs by targetting growing industries including largescale companies. Establish aerospace university in Palmdale. Develop strategy to implement drone corridor at Plant 42. Small Business Development Urbanized Area Census Definition Neighborhood Stabilization Program Seek financial support through grant and other funding opportunities to support small businesses. Support maintaining current definition of urbanized areas under the U.S. Census Bureau. Advocate for continued funding for Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
Infrastructure Avenue R Project Support extension of grant funding for Avenue R construction project. High Desert Corridor Alignment Rancho Vista Grade Separation Recycled Water Infrastructure Technology Infrastructure Support the implementation and construction of the High Desert Corridor Alignment project. Support the Rancho Vista Grade Separation project and advocate for partnership with Federal Railroad Administration to implement project. Support the development of recycled water infrastructure throughout the City. Support the advancement and construction of technology infrastructure throughout the City including broadband and wireless communications. General Plan Update Transit Projects Seek support from federal agencies for technical assistance on environmental planning and permitting associated with projects under the General Plan update. Support federal investment in transit programs and infrastructure. Pearblossom Highway Support the completion of the Pearblossom Highway construction project. Electric Buses Support AVTA efforts to seek funding for the purchase of electric buses and development of electric bus facilities.
Map of the City of Palmdale