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660-square-foot cabana; (d) 165-square-foot pool bathroom; and (e) 165-square-foot greenhouse. The property is located at 5 Tuscany Place (formerly 1630 Vineyard Avenue), in the Vineyard Avenue Corridor Specific Plan Area, and is zoned PUD- LDR/HR/OS (Planned Unit Development - Low Density Residential/Hillside Residential/Open Space) 16. Reviewed the City's State and Federal Legislative Priorities Management Analyst Maria Lara presented a summary of the federal legislative priorities and said Mr. Roush would provide a summary of the State's legislative priorities. In January, the Mayors from the Tri-Valley cities visited Washington, D.C. and met with lawmakers to discuss priorities. The group received information that lawmakers would favor regional projects that would benefit a larger member of constituents and the five cities agreed on three regional priorities which include: The East Bay Regional Communications System, the I-580 Corridor HOV Lane, and the Tri-Valley Housing Opportunities Center. The East Bay Regional Communications System is a joint request with the JPA for $3 million, currently Contra Costa and Alameda Counties do not own a radio system that allows for cross- communication. The EBRCS JPA was formed in September 2007 and represents 33 agencies in both counties and they will represent what will become the modeling and design of a new communications system for the region. The JPA is leading the lobbying efforts for this federal priority and member agencies submitted similar funding requests through a coordinated effort. She described the I-580 Corridor HOV Lane request for $10 million, stating the request would help meet the funding gap for three major components; the eastbound HOV Lane from Hacienda Drive to Greenville Road; the westbound HOV Lane from Greenville Road to Foothill Road; and the State Route 84 and I-580 Interchange Projects. The Tri-Valley Housing Opportunities Center is a request for $2.6 million to expand services by offering a regional foreclosure program with the focus to educate households on avoiding foreclosures and to provide a mechanism to assist families that are facing circumstances, given the current mortgage situation. The program is expected to serve 50 families and will serve as a model to other communities facing similar conditions, the Center has partnerships with some local lenders and has the capacity to offer the program if funded. Earmark requests were submitted through their lobbying firm in late February and they continue to keep staff apprised of things as they materialize. Mayor Hosterman questioned when the City would know if funds would be realized, and Ms. Lara said things could materialize as early as November or as late as December. Vice Mayor Thorne said Representative Barney Frank had attended the General Assembly and talked about a plan that may interest the housing group having to do with lenders start writing down mortgages. Once written down, people could be approved by the government to obtain government-secure loans through the lending agencies. Mayor Hosterman said they heard the same story at the US Conference of Mayors in January, and said if people reach out with severe difficulties, the lender is more likely to help them. City Attorney Michael Roush said every year the Board of Directors of the League of California Cities has a November meeting and identify 3-4 items considered to be of highest priority for cities. This year they have identified protecting funding for vital community services; supporting green and sustainable cities; and expanding infrastructure improvements. The League will work closely with the legislature to pass legislation important for those three items. City Council Minutes 7 March 18, 2008