By Conference Staff
October 20, 2003

The Fall Leadership Meeting of the Conference of Mayors was held October 9-11 in Miami Beach under the leadership of Conference President Hempstead (NY) Mayor James A. Garner. More than 40 mayors participated in the meeting, which was segmented into three discussions.

On Thursday, the mayors met with members of the Mayors Business Council to refine the policy papers developed by each of the Conference's 11 policy standing committees. This work will help shape the bi-partisan policy agenda of the Conference of Mayors for the 2004 presidential and congressional elections.

On Friday, the mayors joined with police chiefs to work on homeland security and local law enforcement.

On Saturday, the mayors worked on travel and tourism, international relations, and legislative priorities in the 108th Congress.

Over the course of the three days, the mayors also had the opportunity to meet with Administration representatives including Toby Burke from the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Nilda Pedrosa from the U.S. Department of State, and Tim Quinn from the COPS Office at the Department of Justice.

Also, Palatine (IL) Mayor Rita L. Mullins spoke to the mayors regarding the Save-a-Life Foundation she has been championing, which teaches basic life'saving techniques to children in schools. Miami Mayor Manuel A. Diaz, who just helped launch the effort in Miami, also described his city's role in the Foundation's effort.

Several wonderful social events were sponsored by Diaz, including receptions at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Domino Park on Calle Ocho in Little Havana, and Parrot Jungle on Watson Island.

Business Input on Policy Priorities

Nearly 25 members of the Mayors Business Council participated with the Conference Leadership in the policy discussions, bringing to the table a business perspective as the mayors move forward with a further refinement of the bi-partisan policy priorities developed at the Special Policy Leadership Meeting held in New York City in July.

Welcoming the Business Council to the policy discussions, Laredo Mayor Elizabeth Flores, Chair of the Mayors and Business Community Task Force, encouraged the corporate representatives to provide insight into the policy concerns identified in New York City so the bi-partisan agenda addresses the concerns of both cities and the business community. In exchange for this opportunity, Flores sought their commitment to jointly advocate these concerns.

The work from this session will next be taken to a major Mayors and CEOs Economic Summit to be held in New York City on November 12.

Flores and Executive Director Tom Cochran also met in Miami with representatives from the business community to discuss the vision for the Business Council, opportunities to work with the Conference to achieve its objectives, and the importance of a strong and engaged business community inside the Conference of Mayors.

Mayors and Chiefs Fight for COPS/LLEBG

Under the leadership of Gary Mayor Scott King, the Mayors and Police Chiefs Task Force held its first formal meeting in Miami Beach. The Task Force focused on funding priorities including the COPS program and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant, which are both facing the possibility of drastic reductions this year.

Participating in this discussion was the President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Chief Joseph Samuels, Jr. of Richmond (CA), as well as chiefs and police officials from Hempstead, Akron, Long Beach, Miami, Kansas City (MO), Elizabeth, Gary, Jackson (MS), Dearborn, and Laredo. Samuels said that IACP is totally committed to this effort, and the mayors and chiefs discussed an aggressive media strategy for the upcoming IACP meeting in Philadelphia.

Update on International Activities

Garner reported on the Conference's international initiatives, including his serving as a White House delegate to the September 24-26 meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Mexico City; the 71st Annual Conference of Mayors in Denver, which incorporated the Second International Conference of Mayors meeting; and the September 1-8 Mission to Africa, the largest international meeting ever undertaken in the Conference's history. Mayor Garner said that all nine mayors on the mission came away from the experience with "the profound realization of the long-term and terrible devastation HIV/AIDS has brought upon the people and nations of Africa; and a renewed and strong commitment to work with our African partners to build a sustainable presence and partnership with them."

Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf, Chair of the International Affairs Committee, discussed the Mission to Africa, noting that no matter how much one studied and read about the problem of HIV/AIDS, actually witnessing the epidemic in Africa was "beyond anything we could have comprehended." Oberndorf noted the importance of being able to work with the African mayors on this issue; the dedication of our U.S. ambassadors to the nations of South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, and Swaziland; the plight of the children who have been orphaned; the sharp decline in the life expectancy of the people in Africa; and the impact on the workforce of the disease, where employers such as Ford have to hire four people for one job because two will die in the next year and two in the year beyond that. This disease "has no borders," she said.

Cochran pointed out that the Mission to Africa 2003 was the largest the Conference has undertaken. "It is important for you to know," he told the mayors, adding that, "our mission was sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control," and also supported by the United Nations-AMICAALL, with funding partially from business partners such as the Coca- Cola Company, Motorola, Altria, and Iridium. Cochran discussed Uganda's strong preventive measures of education and advocacy; noted the devastation of HIV/AIDS upon the workforce, the major topic of discussion when the Conference met with the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce. He lauded the U.S. ambassadors in each country for their professional competence and dedication, and thanked the U.S. Department of State for its outstanding assistance with the mission, especially Secretary of State Colin Powell; Nilda Pedrosa, Intergovernmental Affairs Director; and the ambassadors and their staff in South Africa, Uganda, Namibia, and Swaziland. Cochran also reported that the Conference continues to work closely with Metropolis, the international network headed by Barcelona Mayor Joan Clos.

Nilda Pedrosa, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of State, said to the mayors that she and her colleagues in her office look forward to continuing to identify opportunities for the Conference of Mayors to be active internationally. She noted that the State Department "commends your work on HIV/AIDS" as exemplified by the Mission to Africa 2003, which gave U.S. mayors the opportunity to work closely with mayors in South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, and Swaziland. "Our staff in Intergovernmental Affairs is very dedicated to providing information and services to our mayors throughout the country," she emphasized. When mayors go abroad, either in missions such as the recent Mission to Africa, or representing their own city abroad, "We will be pleased to work with you to provide assistance," she said.

Policy Recommendations

Following is a summary of some of the key recommendations from each of the 11 policy standing committees:

Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports

Under the leadership of Chair Manuel Diaz of Miami, the Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports Committee focused on the economic importance of arts and culture in America. Nonprofit arts activities produce $37 billion in economic activity and $5 billion in tax revenues in America.

The mayors called for a new Cabinet post and agency to provide a national strategy in this area — the Secretary of Arts, Cultures and Tourism.

Mayors believe arts and music education must not be cut because children are enriched, do better with studies, and are less likely to have crime problems if they participate in arts and music activities.

Runaway productions of movies and TV, especially to Canada, are costing cities jobs, and there are trade issues that need to be examined and legislative remedies passed.

European countries spend millions of dollars to promote travel and tourism to their cities, while our federal government spends nothing to promote American cities. Mayors have called for an international destination marketing program with direct funding for cities. As for parks, mayors believe federal transportation and infrastructure funds must be used smartly to develop bike trails and pedestrian friendly areas, which will help prevent obesity and other chronic diseases. Full funding of The Conservation Trust Fund and the UPARR program are important since the most important park to most citizens is the one in their neighborhood. In addition, tax credits for historic preservation must be continued.

Children, Health and Human Services

Under the leadership of Chair Irma L. Anderson of Richmond (CA), the Children, Health and Human Services Committee focused on healthcare for the uninsured and support services for working families. The committee called for the development of a health development block grant for cities modeled after the community development block grant for housing programs to address the growing number of uninsured working families in the country.

The committee called for the development of a sustainable and ongoing financial investment to assist small businesses to pool resources to provide health insurance coverage for low income working poor; utilizing any funding stream which may include federal, state, or local. The committee urged continued expansion of work supports for working families including improved access to benefits and support services such as childcare, skills training, educational training, mental health services and the removal of access barriers on all federal income support programs targeted to low income families such as EITC, food stamp, SSI, Medicaid. The committee views affordable healthcare as a basic human right and therefore calls for an effective and integrated policy that addresses the escalating costs of healthcare in America. As states and cities explore alternative mechanisms, such as "drug reimportation," for controlling these rising costs, the committee supports the development of Medicare legislation that looks at comprehensive cost containment provisions designed to increase the value of the benefit being provided and that also lowers the ever-growing costs of prescription drugs.

Community Development and Housing

Kansas City (MO) Mayor Kay Barnes served as Acting Chair of Community Development and Housing. The committee centered its recommendations around the themes of integration and flexibility as an approach to housing and community development policy, and homeownership for first-time buyers. To over come policies that pursue housing in isolation, the committee called for integrating transportation, economic development, environmental, education and other policy areas with housing. The committee recommended using the Interagency Council on the Homelessness as a model in improving coordination of housing with other federal agencies. Incentives, the committee also said, should be provided through HUD and other federal agencies to localities that actively promote affordable housing.

In regard to homeownership, the committee recommended improved coordination and enhanced federal funding of financial literacy programs; federal support of homeownership counseling; and federal incentives to lenders who develop non-traditional underwriting criteria that promotes homeownership opportunities. Flexibility should be pursued through increased use of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships program for homeownership. Strong recommendations were made to expand the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (for rental housing), use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (for down payment for homeownership), and increase use of land banking and land trusts. The committee also said that the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) should be strengthened and strong enforcement pursued.

Other committee recommendations included: support of safe and livable housing conditions, including remediation of hazards associated with lead paint, mold, and pests; support for practical housing for all; support for universally accessible parks in low-income neighborhoods; support of local control of CDBG funding (avoiding state control); reauthorization and full funding of HOPE VI; recognition and support of housing as an infrastructure need; and, support of the Section 108 loan guarantee program.

Criminal and Social Justice

Under the leadership of Chair J. Christian Bollwage of Elizabeth, the Criminal and Social Justice Committee focused on first responder funding, information sharing, and the ongoing fight against crime.

The committee continued the call for direct first responder funding. It was also recommended that this funding be formula-based, and provided over a multi-year period so that investments can be maintained and budgeted. Until that happens, the Department of Homeland Security will be urged to ensure cities have a stronger role in the state-dominated process for distribution, and that states account for risk in the allocation of funding. Concern was expressed that state funding not simply be allocated to counties.

The committee also called for: continuation of existing law enforcement programs such as COPS and the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant; more resources for drug treatment and efforts to reduce drugs in prisons; and stronger enforcement of current gun laws as well as new initiatives such as closing the gun show loophole and extending the assault weapon ban.

Education

Education Committee Chair Jane Campbell of Cleveland led the discussion on revising the key education issues and policy positions to be recommended as part of the Conference's 2004 policy platform. It was the consensus of those present as well as the sentiments expressed during the 2003 Mayors- Education Summit that mayors should increase their leadership role and involvement in education in their cities.

The committee understands the importance of education to the future of cities and recognizes that education policy and management remains a state and local responsibility and is not controlled at the federal level. Mayors are deeply concerned about federal education policy and appropriations, and state and local education policies, practices, funding and management.

The committee decided on eight critical areas to be mentioned in the Conference 2004 policy platform. The discussion focused on the need for school districts to strive for efficiencies in conducting the business of managing education; the critical need to build an education system that begins with pre-kindergarten and goes through preparing students with the appropriate skills to gain access to college, post secondary education or a career, and be successful; full federal funding to successfully implement the No Child Left Behind Act; and establish a federal role in the funding of local school construction including extension of the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds.

The committee also gave high priority to passing federal legislation in support of high school reform including adolescent literacy programs; continued funding and expansion of out- of'school time programs to all school-age children including after school; establish federal policy that enables school participation in Medicaid reimbursement; and create teacher quality policies, programs and practices to recruit and retain urban teachers such as loan forgiveness and housing loans for new teachers as incentives to teach in urban districts.

Energy

Energy Committee Chair Gus Morrison of Fremont (CA) led mayors in a discussion on key energy issues and policy priorities for the upcoming year. Recognizing that the nation's electricity transmission and distribution system is a major component of the country's infrastructure, the committee called for increased investment in the nation's energy infrastructure, specifically in the transmission and distribution systems.

Additionally, the committee called for an "ISTEA for Energy," which takes energy as seriously as we do transportation, with a national program for financing our transmission and distribution system upgrades.

The committee also recommended that we build on what we have already and focus on local governments and individuals to conserve and reduce energy usage, thereby reducing reliance on imported sources of energy.

The committee urged that local governments be included in state energy programs, which are currently funded by the federal government. An aggressive educational outreach campaign was called for to increase average consumer awareness about energy efficiency practices. By doing so, these efficiencies could increase an individual household's disposable income between 5-12 percent, if energy and transportation costs are reduced in half. For instance, if 110 million households saved a minimum of $10 a month on energy costs this totals $13 billion a year in people's pockets. These energy savings, placed into Individual Development Accounts (IDA) for a home down payment could dramatically reduce the accrual time-frame from 10 to 5 years, or less, depending on the actual savings. In addition, the nation must continue to develop alternative methods of energy, such as hydrogen. Environment Augusta (GA) Mayor Bob Young, chair of the Environment Committee, led a discussion on environmental priorities for the upcoming year.

The group proposed creation of a brownfield redevelopment program that would leverage private sector investment on brownfield sites. The group discussed the necessity of changes in the tax code to encourage the use of bonds, tax credits and tax incremental financing (TIFs) as incentives for investment by the private sector and additional public-private partnerships. Also, there was a discussion regarding the necessity of a public education component for brownfields redevelopment.

The group called for a Clean Air program with federal standards leading to "real reductions" of pollutants founded on a national market-based "cap and trade" program. Support was expressed for a strong national alternative fuels program based on hydrogen fuel cells, along with the need for more coordinated efforts to create and preserve green space.

Special emphasis was placed on water and wastewater infrastructure and the amount of water available throughout the nation. A high priority was given to a new national policy to encourage infrastructure investment along with public/private partnerships to ensure future water supply. Also included was public and business education on the true cost and value of water including proposed changes in building designs and standards to promote conservation. The group also discussed creation of an Environmental Development Block Grant at EPA, modeled after HUD's popular Community Development Block Grant program.

International Affairs Committee

Under the leadership of Chair Meyera E. Oberndorf of Virginia Beach, the International Affairs Committee focused on the importance of the Conference of Mayors- continued international outreach of mayors to mayors, including the need for financial support of such outreach; the contribution and impact of the immigrant population on the national economy and upon city services; and the importance of encouraging municipal leaders in the Palestinian Authority and the State of Israel to continue to seek a peaceful solution.

The International Affairs Committee emphasized the importance of building partnerships with the federal government, the United Nations, the private sector, and international organizations, such as the World Bank, to obtain financial support for sustained international outreach. The mayors supported developing an action plan for bringing U.S. and international mayors together for meaningful, continuing dialogue on such issues as health, the environment, sanitation, wastewater treatment, and others related to sustainable development. The committee discussed the possibility of developing:

1) a report to quantify the impact of international trade on the cities of the world; and
2) a clearinghouse on international best practices in sustainable development.

The committee addressed the increasing diversity of U.S. population and expressed the hope that Presidential candidates would recognize and analyze more fully the contributions of immigrants as well as the economic reasons that lead to their leaving their countries of origin. Committee members expressed concern about the treatment of undocumented workers and called for more data on their impact on the U.S. economy as a whole, and upon local government services.

The committee also expressed continued support for the Jerusalem Conference of Mayors.

Transportation and Communications

The committee summarized its focus by stating that given the strategic role of cities in addressing the nation's transportation and security challenges. It is imperative that federal policies fully respond to the link between the sustainable transportation and communications infrastructure investment, economic growth, international competitiveness, quality of life and security by sub allocating resources and decision making to local government.

Reinforcing the policy direction outlined in July by the Transportation and Communications Committee Chair Greg Nickels of Seattle, Acting Chair Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores of Laredo, focused the discussion on increased and sustainable public transportation and rail investment as well as greater resources to address aging transportation infrastructure with greater sub allocated decision making to local government in the reauthorization of TEA-21.

The committee called for increased transportation and border security funding (sub allocation) directly to cities, because mayors are responsible for most of the nation's transportation infrastructure, including 90 percent of the nation's transit systems, the majority of airports, and overland and maritime ports.

The committee also called for the federal government to provide resources to address the lack of interoperable communications, including access to addition spectrum.

Lastly, in the shadow of the U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit Ruling on Cable Modem, which rejected an appeal led by the Conference of Mayors to a Federal Communications Commission ruling, the committee called for the reaffirmation of the right of local government to control its rights-of-way infrastructure including the right of local government to change fair and reasonable rent for that access.

Urban Economic Policy

Jackson (MS) Mayor and Urban Economic Policy Committee Chairman Harvey Johnson led mayors in a discussion on urban economic policy priorities. Since many local governments, as well as states, are facing the worst fiscal crisis since World War II, the committee believes Congress should be urged to enact legislation that will provide local governments with fiscal relief.

On pending legislation, the committee felt that Congress must be urged to either amend the Internet Tax Moratorium bill to clarify that the language redefining Internet access will not prevent local governments from collecting taxes on traditional telecommunication services, or extend the existing law for six months to a year to allow Congress time to develop an amendment that will protect the interest of local government and business. Adoption of this amendment is critical to prevent local governments from losing revenues from telecommunications taxes. The committee also called on all members of Congress to cosponsor and support the immediate enactment of the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Act, which will help state and local governments collect billions in taxes that go uncollected on remote sales. This legislation offers the best opportunity for fiscal relief this year.

For the upcoming presidential election, the committee felt that candidates should be urged to support the municipal debt refinancing act, that would allow state and local governments to save billions by refinancing tax-exempt bonds and taking advantage of recordlow interest rates. The committee also believes candidates should be urged to: pass an economic growth package that includes more funds for urban infrastructure projects in the areas of transportation, schools, parks and other public facilities, housing, water and waste water projects, and brownfield redevelopment; enact new tax credits to promote investment in these areas as well as housing and historic home preservation; pass legislation that would reimburse state and local governments for the cost of unfunded mandates; and provide general fiscal assistance to local governments.

Workforce Development

Providence Mayor David Cicilline reported to the mayors and Business Council members assembled on the discussions of the Workforce Development Committee. Cicilline said, "Mayors are uniquely positioned to drive local economies and workforce systems."

Cicilline indicated that during the debate on the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), ensuring mayoral control of local workforce areas became a huge issue for the Conference of Mayors because the original proposal from the U.S. Department of Labor gave governors much more authority over local workforce areas. He added that the position on automatic designation of local workforce areas in the Senate bill, S.1627 Workforce Investment Act Amendments of 2003, must be maintained during the conference between the Senate and House, once the Senate has passed the bill on the floor.

A key workforce issue that needs to be elevated in the upcoming Presidential campaign is the skills gap. The committee indicated that addressing the skills gap through skills training must be a part of any jobs package, and the way to do this is through direct funding to cities of a skills training block grant.

Because youth unemployment is at its highest level in over 40 years, the committee recommended that youth unemployment and skills attainment must be addressed through a new school-to-career program and a new summer jobs program.

Also, Cicilline reported that there must be a new focus on the immigrant workforce to ensure that English as a Second Language (ESL) and skills training is available to meet the needs of our future workforce.

On the final day of the leadership meeting, mayors signed a letter to the entire Senate urging passage of S.1627 as it was reported out of committee.