Date: 01/17/2006
Final
Department of Local Affairs Briefing
COMMITTEE ON JOINT LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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02:13 PM
Barbara Kirkmeyer, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, introduced division directors present at the meeting and described the department's purpose, programs, and priorities. Director Kirkmeyer explained the decision items in DOLA's budget request to restore funding for the Smart Growth Program and the Affordable Housing program. Director Kirkmeyer explained the $400,000 request in DOLA's budget for restoring the Smart Growth program, which issues planning grants to local governments to assist in developing growth management strategies and mitigating the impacts of growth. The other budget request item was a $1.0 million dollar request to restore the Housing Development Grants under the Division of Housing, which addresses affordable housing needs throughout the state.
Director Kirkmeyer informed the committee of the highlights and changes in the department that are fully discussed in a report from DOLA (see Attachment B). She updated the committee on the 2005 achievements by the Division of Housing and other changes to DOLA during 2005 including changes to the Conservation Trust Fund Program, and the addition of the Fire Fighter Pension Fund Program, and of the Office of the State GIS Coordinator. Director Kirkmeyer also updated the committee on DOLA's Division of Emergency Management, Homeland Security, and upcoming Homeland Security grants for 2006 (see Attachment C). She also spoke to the challenges, accomplishments, and lessons of "Operation Safe-Haven" which was the state of Colorado's response to house evacuees from hurricane Katrina in the state of Colorado.
02:29 PM
Director Kirkmeyer addressed several questions regarding hurricane Katrina evacuees residing in Colorado. She also addressed other questions concerning Referendum C, the distribution of federal mineral lease dollars, energy and mineral funding for water and waste water treatment programs, affordable housing, the Colorado Heritage Grant Program, and results from an internal DOLA audit.
02:49 PM
The meeting adjourned.