2010-01-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Cities Report: This new report, "CityTalent: Keeping Young Professionals (and their kids) in Cities," by CEOs for Cities helps urban leaders understand, support and scale the behaviors of multi-generation urban families. Researchers studied parent concerns of safety, space and schools developing concepts to counter them through density, public space and using the city as a classroom. The aim of this paper is to provide a general description of the problems city parents face and a suite of strategies for reducing their discomfort. The report is provided as an attachment, but is also available online at http://www.ceosforcities.org/files/CEOs_CityTalent_Kids.pdf. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognized the weatherization work The the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is performing to improve Missouri's economic recovery. The state of Missouri is administering $128 million in Recovery Act funding for energy efficiency improvements to homes of low-income families. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is one of the local weatherization agencies responsible for completing the weatherization projects in the St. Louis area. Projects include replacing the furnace, sealing air leaks, and installing insulation to the attic, pipes and water heater. The DNR estimates more than 21,000 low-income families will also benefit from the funding as their homes are weatherized over the next three years. DNR awarded the funding to 18 agencies across Missouri to complete the weatherization projects. Recent changes to the weatherization program make more Missouri households eligible for assistance and increase the amounts and kinds of measures that can be provided for each weatherized home. Income eligibility expanded from 150 percent of the federal poverty level to 200 percent. This means a family of four, which previously needed to make less than $31,800 annually to qualify, can now make $44,100 annually and will qualify. The average expenditure limit per home also increased from $2,500 to $6,500. Energy-efficient improvements made to homes may include: reducing air leaks; increasing insulation in the walls, attic, floor and foundation; heating system "clean and tune", heating system repair and replacement; and minimal building envelope repairs. Applicants may apply for assistance to the Urban League and to other agencies serving different areas of the state. A map of the agencies and the counties in their service areas is available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/weatherization/wxmap.htm. Of those households that qualify, priority is given to the elderly, families with children and those with disabilities. More information on the Energize Missouri Homes low-income weatherization assistance program is online at www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/weatherization/wx.htm. General Assembly convened on January 6, When the several issues impacting municipalities were pre-filed including sunshine law penalties, red light cameras, eminent domain, taxation, delinquent utility bills, billboards, freezing property tax assessments, and fixing the “stacked” sales tax issue. Once again, the Legislature is considering “fair tax” legislation that would repeal the corporate and individual income tax and replace it with an expanded state sales tax. Legislation shifting DWI prosecutions from municipal court to the circuit court is one of Governor Nixon’s priorities. The League asks that Municipal officials contact our legislators at the appropriate time to influence their votes on municipal issues. Building relationships with legislators takes time and careful effort, but it is the most effective way to shape public policy. The best way to build these relationships is by being a useful and trustworthy source of sound information and insight. Approximately one-third of the members of the General Assembly began their last year in office when the Legislature convened on