October 20, 2008 Minutes
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
October 20, 2008
The Denton City Council convened in the Civic Center Community Room on Monday, October
20, 2008, at 11:00 a.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Burroughs; Council Members Thomson, and Watts.
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Kamp; Council Members Heggins, Moreno, and Mulroy.
1.The Council received a report, held a discussion and gave staff direction regarding
information from Barbara McCall, McCall Associates, Inc. on the City of Denton’s 2008
Congressional Priorities, 2009 Congressional Priorities, and Federal appropriations for
transportation, airport, library, park, telecommunication, public safety and development issues
Barbara McCall and Ralph Garboushian, McCall Associates, Inc., presented a report on the
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activities of the 110 Congress and an outlook for the 111 Congress.
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Concerning the 110 Congress, McCall and Garboushian presented these topics:
FY2009 appropriations – only defense and homeland security appropriations were completed
with a continuing resolution through March 6, 2009 for funding at the 2008 levels.
Housing & Economic Recovery Act – programs included in this Act were the Neighborhood
Stabilization Program at $3.9 billion, Hope for Homeowners at $300 billion and Homeowner
Counseling at $200 billion.
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act included the Clean Renewable Energy bonds and
Qualified Energy Conservation bonds. This Act extended the sales tax exemption for Texas
residents.
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act – this act was not passed this year but it
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was expected to happen in the 111 Congress. The Act involved collective bargaining for
police and fire and was mandated by the federal government.
Telecommunications and related FCC preemption of local zoning authority.
Amtrak & Rail Safety was passed and signed.
Council Member Mulroy arrived at the meeting.
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Future discussions and proposals for the 111 Congress included:
Highway, transit & aviation reauthorization
Stimulus/Economic Recovery and associated Ready-to-Go projects
Telecommunication with legislative and regulatory challenges.
Climate Change/Environmental Issues
Funding for local government programs which would try and regain lost CDBG funds and
pass a crime bill with more resources for local law enforcement.
Council held a general discussion regarding the above topics and the direction of the next
Congress.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
October 20, 2008
Page 2
____________________________
MARK A. BURROUGHS
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
_____________________________
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS