Mrs. Muoio goes to Washington - Fighting for city priorities

This week the City of West Palm Beach is sending a delegation led by Mayor Jeri Muoio to Washington DC to meet with Federal agencies and members of Congress to discuss issues important to our city. Meetings are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

To get instant updates on the issues and meetings you have two options:

Follow @wwwWPBnews on Twitter

#WPBinDC

For more detailed stories that recap the days events, you can check back here at the end of the day for a summary of the days meetings.

As for what Mayor Muoio will be pushing for in DC, here is a complete copy of the city's Federal Legislative Agenda. #MuoioOpenAccess!

Here is the official City of West Palm Beach 2016 Federal Legislative Agenda

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The preservation and protection of Grassy Waters Preserve:

Grassy Waters Preserve (also known as the City of West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area) is a 20-square mile wetland preserve located in eastern Palm Beach County. It is utilized as the drinking water source for the cities of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and South Palm Beach.

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Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant Program - $2,000,000:

The West Palm Beach Housing Authority along with the City of West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County have assembled a team of local supporters to work collaboratively on a Transformation Plan for the Coleman Park neighborhood in conjunction with the redevelopment of the public housing site formally known as Dunbar Village

The grant would help address the struggling neighborhood with distressed public housing and/or HUD assisted housing through a comprehensive approach to neighborhood transformation.

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FEMA Assistance To Firefighters Grants (AFG) - $574,590:

Fire Rescue is requesting funds to replace fifty-nine (59) sets of turnout gear that is expired, expiring, or damaged as well as purchase hazmat equipment, off-road stretchers, and fire simulation. Also needed is a vehicle mounted Air Quality System to reduce toxic emissions on diesel vehicles.

The aforementioned equipment needed is to improve firefighter safety and emergency service delivery to citizens for many years to come. These devices will also reduce the firefighters and citizens exposure to benzenes and other carcinogens.

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US EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant - $200,000:

The City of West Palm Beach is requesting $200,000 from the US EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant for the brownfields redevelopment site at 1400 Henrietta Avenue, a parcel comprised of land totaling ± 1.52-acres. The focus of this grant proposal is situated within the Coleman Park neighborhood in the northwest section of the City.

The grant will be used to support cleanup planning, public outreach and remediation activities related to providing an urban farm site in the community. By addressing the potential soil contamination, the site can be better utilized to create an alternative source of fresh food for neighborhood residents and educational opportunities on health living and agriculture cultivation for area youth.

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Oppose cuts to federal housing funds:

The City’s allocation for Federal housing funds has been cut more than 50% over the past five years at a time when housing prices for both rental and homeownership have been increasing.

Additional cuts to the HOME program as well as proposed cuts to homelessness grants that impact the City’s geographic boundaries will increase homelessness and increased levels of poverty for the most vulnerable populations including disabled veterans, the elderly, children aging out of foster care and those with physical and developmental disabilities.

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Monitor WOTUS (Waters Of The U.S.): EPA’s change of the definition of water bodies could negatively affect the City as a surface water utility provider.

Monitor any changes to the current American with Disabilities Act that might allow state and local governments to better address unlawful sober homes.

Monitor for any federal rail, multi-modal, and transportation legislation or policies that might impact West Palm Beach.