DuPage County Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee met Dec. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
1:30 PM meeting was called to order by Chair Dawn DeSart at 1:30 PM.
2. ROLL CALL
A. Motion to add Members Paula Deacon Garcia and Donald Puchalski as committee members for quorum purposes.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dawn DeSart, Chair SECONDER: Julie Renehan, District 3 AYES: Renehan, DeSart ABSENT: Selmon, LaPlante, Chaplin, Zay |
ABSENT: Selmon, LaPlante, Chaplin, Zay
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee - Regular Meeting - Oct 26, 2021 1:00 PM
| RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dawn DeSart, Chair SECONDER: Julie Renehan, District 3 AYES: Renehan, DeSart ABSENT: Selmon, LaPlante, Chaplin, Zay |
No public comment was offered.
5. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR DESART
Chair DeSart welcomed the County’s Federal Lobbyist Bill Viney to brief the committee on two federal bills, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act.
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. Overview of the Infastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Bill Viney - BGR Group
Federal Lobbyist Bill Viney detailed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIFA). He stated that the legislation also includes the reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Bill (that is normally a separate five-year authorization bill). Regarding transportation, Chair DeSart asked how the County could access these federal transportation dollars. Mr. Viney stated that a portion of the funding included will be allocated under standard formula grants with the other portion under a competitive grants process (yet to be determined). Chair DeSart asked how the County could specifically apply for grants for something like retrofitting electric vehicle charging stations in the County’s parking garages. Mr. Viney informed the committee that the money has just been appropriated, and that realistically it will take time for federal agencies to adopt rules and a process for distribution.
Mr. Viney informed the committee that the Administration had hired the former Mayor of New Orleans to oversee the allocation of funds under IIFA, Mitch Landrieu. He explained that Mr. Landrieu’s role has yet to be determined as to whether or not his office will coordinate the funding process or be directly involved with actual allocation decisions. He went on to emphasize that the current Administration is prioritizing social and environmental equity as a major factor in determining those entities that will receive the federal (competitive) grant dollars.
Chair DeSart asked for clarification on what the equity portion was referring to, as all areas that need road repairs should be fixed whether the road is located in an underserved community or not. Mr. Viney clarified that dollars for highway maintenance will still flow to the County through the normal formula grant process.
Member Deacon Garcia stated she is excited about electric vehicle charging stations and would like to know where in DuPage County such stations should be located. Mr. Viney recommended that the County should consider social equity if submitting a competitive grant for funding to ensure all communities have access to the charging stations.
Ms. Markay suggested that there are unincorporated areas of the county still on well water (that may be in underserved communities) eligible to receive funds to help defray the costs of hooking up to Lake Michigan water.
Member Zay joined the meeting via Zoom at approximately 1:50 PM.
B. Overview of the Build Back Better Act. Bill Viney - BGR Group
Federal Lobbyist Bill Viney updated the committee on the Build Back Better Act, and stated although the bill has passed the House, the bill is two votes short in the Senate.
He also mentioned that the Reconciliation bill has yet to pass. Member Deacon Garcia inquired about how the Reconciliation bill relates to the Build Back Better Act. Mr. Viney stated that a lot of social service programs are in the Reconciliation bill.
Chair DeSart thanked Mr. Viney for his time.
7. OLD BUSINESS
No old business was offered.
8. NEW BUSINESS
No new business was offered.
9. ADJOURNMENT
A. Motion to adjourn.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dawn DeSart, Chair SECONDER: Julie Renehan, District 3 AYES: Renehan, DeSart ABSENT: Selmon, LaPlante, Chaplin, Zay |
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