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LEVEES from page 1 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . GOV. SCHW ARZENEGGER APPOINTS The federal agencies have agreed to com- LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY plete all federal permitting by June 21, 2006, so RELA TIONS DIRECTOR that critical repairs can be completed by Novem- ber of this year, before the next flood season. If Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week a federal agency can not meet the expedited announced the appointment of Brenda Quintana, timeline in the MOU, the agency is authorized to 43, of EI Dorado, as director of local government invoke emergency procedures to issue the and community relations for the Office of the permits. Visit www.governor.ca.aov/90vsite to Govemor. read the details of the MOU. She most recently served as division deputy Since February, the state Department of for the United Homecare Workers Union in North- Water Resources has evaluated approximately ern California. Prior to that, Quintana was re- 50 levee erosion sites, primarily along the Sac- gional director for the United Domestic Workers of ramento River flood system, and has begun to America in 2005 and served as chief of staff for design repairs for 29 critical erosion sites for Assemblyman Bob Pacheco from 1998 to 2005 construction this year. and Assemblyman Jim Morrissey from 1994 to 1998. This position does not require Senate In addition to the MOU expediting the permit- confirmation. ting process, Sen. Feinstein is working to in- Quintana wasted no time reaching out to her clude $23.3 million in the Senate supplemental appropriations bill for the federal government's constituency, meeting with League Executive share of the cost of fixing critical levee sites. Director Chris McKenzie on May 3 - the same The governor is in strong support of Sen. day her appointment was announced. Feinstein's efforts, and has pledged that, "I will "We had a very productive introductory dis- be working very closely with Sen. Feinstein and our congressional delegation to ensure the cussion," said McKenzie. "Gov. Schwarzenegger federal government meets its responsibility has been very receptive to local government through direct funding and crediting for future concerns ever since he was elected. Brenda's work." appointment is one more indication of the high value he places on the partnership we have built Water officials with the Schwarzenegger on several issues over the past year. We look administration held a conference call the forward to working with her." evening of May 2 for the League and other interested stakeholders to brief them on the You Could Have Your Own agreement. The call was an opportunity for administration officials to describe the agree- Subscription to ment in detail and answer questions regarding Western City magazine. its implementation. Subscribe Todayl The League appreciates the governor's Only Westem City magazine brings you practical leadership and efforts to forge the agreement ideas and information you need to know about and work with the federal government to local government in Califomia. Westem City steamline the federal permitting process. In magazine presents big-picture policy issues and addition, the League thanks Sen. Feinstein for trends in a format suited for busy professionals, her efforts to secure the additional federal with concise feature articles and in-depth series funding. that explore statewide issues. Stay informed about city issues across California. Subscribe today. Visit: www.W8stemcitv.com/Df. PAGE 4 - PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Website--www.cacities.org May 5, 2006 - Issue #18 '..--" ____H.__~__..,,_~._~,,__._._