HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 18 - 2021 Legislative PlatformItem 18
GtT Y O fiCouncil Agenda Report
ti
Department Name: City Attorney
Cost Centers:
1501
For Agenda of:
May 18, 2021
Placement:
Business Item
Estimated Time:
30 minutes
FROM: Christine Dietrick, City Attorney
Prepared By: Sheryl Fox, Legal Assistant
Kelly White, TAO Legal Analyst
SUBJECT: 2021 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
RECOMMENDATION
1. Adopt a Resolution (Attachment A) establishing a Legislative Action Platform for 2021; and
2. Confirm direction to staff on the scope and application of the legislative platform related to
advocacy for non -legislative items or particular projects, with additional authority for staff to
weigh in on regional initiatives in which Council has authorized City participation consistent
with Major City Goals; and
3. Appoint the Mayor, City Attorney, and City Manager to act as the primary legislative liaisons
between the League of California Cities and the City of San Luis Obispo, with authority to
delegate to other Councilmembers or staff consistent with liaison assignments and as
appropriate to the issue.
DISCUSSION
Legislative Action Program
Attached for the Council's consideration is a resolution establishing the City's 2021 Legislative
Action Platform. Similar resolutions have been adopted by the Council since 1993. The City
Attorney's Office coordinates the Legislative Action Program with assistance from the
Administration Department and from various City departments, as appropriate. This resolution
authorizes staff to respond to legislative issues affecting the City (via letters signed by the Mayor or
relevant Department Head), provided that the positions taken in the letters are consistent with the
priorities identified in Exhibit A to the resolution (Attachment A) and League of California Cities
advocacy efforts.
By establishing a broad legislative platform and delegating responsibility to the Mayor and staff to
respond to proposed legislation and recommendations from the League of California Cities, the City
is better able to react quickly to changed circumstances and urgent requests than it would be if each
item were brought to the Council at its regular meetings. The process is considered a best practice,
has been efficient given the limited City resources available, and the City continues to be very
active in communicating its positions on Federal and State legislation. In 2020, the City sent 14
letters pertaining to pending legislation utilizing the Legislative Action Platform and signed on to
other organizations' initiatives as appropriate and consistent with the Platform.
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Item 18
Legislative Liaison Appointments
The League of California Cities encourages cities to appoint a council member and a staff person to
act as legislative liaisons between the League and the City. Staff recommends that Mayor Heidi
Harmon act as the Council legislative liaison and the City Attorney and the City Manager serve as
the staff liaisons, with the authority to delegate those roles, consistent with Council liaison
assignments and staff subject matter expertise.
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
Similar resolutions have been adopted by the Council since 1993 following the advice and example
of other cities.
Policy Context
The legislative platform is a tool to promote the efficient use of staff and Council time.
Efficiency is always an important goal and is also an underlying component of the Fiscal Health
Response Plan and the efficient advancement of Major City Goals. While not a new way of
doing business, it is an existing practice, the purpose is to reduce time spent drafting, reviewing,
and acting on Council agenda items, freeing time to work on other matters and ensuring the most
timely and effective advocacy on emerging issues consistent with established City policy and
operational objectives.
Public Engagement
Proactive public outreach is not historically part of the legislative platform adoption process.
Occasionally, during the year, members of the public will contact the City to ask if it will support
or oppose a piece of legislation, but recommendations to update the issues included in the
platform itself come from staff, informed by ongoing Council and public requests.
CONCURRENCE
In preparing this year's draft platform, input was solicited from all City Departments. Staff were
asked to take a critical look at the items within their scope of operations and expertise and evaluate
whether there was an opportunity to refine or focus the platform. With that look, several additions
and clarifications were recommended. All changes, including language clean-ups and issue
consolidations, are shown in the legislative draft of the 2021 Platform. (Attachment B). In addition
to Council's substantive direction on the platform, staff also is seeking direction as to the
application of the platform to City positions on particular projects or applications that Council
Members believe raise issues related to the platform and as determined to be consistent with Major
City Goal work programs. Historically, and as affirmed by the City Councils of recent years, the
platform has been utilized primarily to advocate for or against a particular piece of legislation and
not for or against a particular project or permitting application (adjudicative acts before other
jurisdictions' legislative bodies). Staff continues to recommend that the scope be limited to
legislative action, and requests that staff be authorized to weigh in on regional initiatives tied to
advancing Major City Goals in which Council has authorized City participation, but again requests
explicit direction from the Council majority on that issue to ensure clarity in expectations moving
forward.
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Item 18
Many City Departments provided input on the 2021 Legislative Platform and concur with the
recommendations in this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in this
report, because the action does not constitute a "Project" under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Not Applicable
Funding Identified: No
Budget Year: Not Applicable
Funding Sources
Current FY Cost
Annualized
On -going Cost
Total Project
Cost
General Fund
N/A
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total
Because no additional staff work is anticipated as a result of this ongoing program, no new fiscal
impact will be incurred. All related work is included in the requested appropriation for the 2021-23
Financial Plan.
ALTERNATIVE
The Council may wish to include other issues, not included in the current draft. However, it is
important to note that the Legislative Action Platform allows the City to take action on any bills and
other measures formally supported by the League of California Cities. It is staff s recommendation
that desired additions to the Platform are generally crafted and flexible to allow for quick responses
to legislation important to cities.
Attachments:
a - Draft Resolution
b - Draft 2021 Legislative Platform (redlined)
c - COUNCIL READING FILE - Draft 2021 Legislative Platform (redline removed)
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Item 18
RESOLUTION NO. (2021 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY'S LEGISLATIVE
ACTION PLATFORM FOR 2021 AND APPOINTING THE COUNCIL
MEMBER AND STAFF PERSONS TO ACT AS LIAISON BETWEEN THE
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
WHEREAS, a major objective of the City Council is to adopt an aggressive legislative action
platform which strengthens local government, promotes City goals and defends the City against
legislative actions by State and Federal governments that would weaken local government and/or take
away traditional revenue sources; and
WHEREAS, it is vital to the fiscal health and the self determination of the City to effectively
communicate with State Legislators and Federal representatives in order to favorably influence State
and Federal legislation, regulations and grant requests; and
WHEREAS, the League of California Cities conducts a legislative analysis and advocacy
program on behalf of cities for State issues and major Federal issues; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to be proactive and involved in the governmental decision -
making processes directly affecting the City legislative priorities identified in Exhibit "A," and other
selected issues as may from time to time be recommended by the League of California Cities; and
WHEREAS, a key component of the City's Legislative Action Platform is face-to-face
meetings between City representatives and elected officials at the Federal, State, and County levels,
and coordination with similar efforts made by other local government entities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo does hereby:
SECTION 1. Establish the Legislative Action Platform for 2021 as set forth in the attached
Exhibit "A" and authorize the Mayor and designated staff to take positions on legislation generally
consistent with the Legislative Action Platform and such other resolutions and recommendations of
the League of California Cities as may be from time to time presented to the City; and
IS
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Resolution No. (2021 Series)
Item 18
Page 2
SECTION 2. Appoint Mayor Heidi Harmon to act as Council Member legislative liaison
and City Manager Derek Johnson and City Attorney Christine Dietrick to act as staff legislative
liaisons with the League of California Cities.
Upon motion of seconded by and on the
following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 2021.
Mayor Heidi Harmon
ATTEST:
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of
San Luis Obispo, California, on
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
17
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Deleted: CITY OF SAN LUIS OB1SPOT
LEGISLATIVE. ACTION PLATFORM FOR 2021
The following document reflects those legislative matters on which the Council
majority authorizes the Mayor, City Manager and City Attorney to engage in
legislative advocacy on behalf of the City without the need for further Council
review or authority. The Council's authorization extends only to advocacy for or
against generally applicable legislative proposals being considered by local,
regional, state and/or federal policy makers or regulators, as well as regional
initiatives consistent with Mayor City Goals, and adopted City policy platforms, and Deleted'
does not otherwise extend to advocacy on any individual project or entitlement
application pending before any decision -making body, unless specifically noted
herein.
Contents
ClimateAction...............................................................................................................................................$
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Homelessness Resources Advocacy..............................................................................................................4
,.. Deleted: s
CommunityDevelopment.............................................................................................................................$
Deleted: e
EconomicDevelopment................................................................................................................................7
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Finance..........................................................................................................................................................$
;
;. Deleted:9
Human Resources/Employee Relations........................................................................................................$
— Deleted:9
PublicSafety..................................................................................................................................................2 .;..;-
Deleted: 10
PublicWorks...............................................................................................................................................11
—;-
Deleted:12
Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources.............................................................................................I
;.—
Deleted: 12
Transportation............................................................................................................................................
1$
Deleted: 14
utilities........................................................................................................................................................14
.;—
Deleted:15
County/Regional Priorities........................................................................................................................1!�,.
--..
Deleted: 17
Central Coast Community Energy Policy Board and Operations Board Positions ...............................
17�
— Deleted: 19
LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM,
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Climate Action Deleted: 4
1. Supporting fundingjorcommunities topay for public infrastructure that meets tSategreenhousegas Deleted: ie.g., through Cap and Trade orothersources)
emission reduction goals and adopted City obiectives. Deleted: mandated
2. Supporting funding to implement programs and related action items contained in local and regional
Climate Action Plans to quantitatively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advocating for regulatory
reform, including but not limited to clean technologies, micro -grids, all electric buildings, electrified
transportation.
3. Supporting local communities' broad authority to form and administer Community Choice Energy
(CCE) programs, reforming the CPUC, and limiting decisions that negatively impact CCEs or otherwise
shift the financial impacts ofjnvestor-owned utilities to CCEs Deleted: investor owned
4. Supporting Cal CCA's Regulatory and Legislative Platform.
5. Supporting regulatory reform for the transition to clean technologies, microgrids, low and zero carbon
energy generation, and decarbonized buildings.
6. Supporting reform of CPUC policies to ensurejnvestor-owned utilities are able and required to provide Deleted: investor owned
timely, accurate, and sufficiently detailed energy data.
7. �upportingfunding and resources to focus climate investments on programs and prowects that support Deleted:
environmental justice, economic and racial equity, and head of household lobs.
8. Supporting reform of CPUC policies and state legislation that supports equitable access to distributed
energy resources.
9. Supporting extended producer responsibility for packaging and single -use product manufacturing as
to encourage source reduction and the manufacturing of reusable and sustainable products.
10. Supporting measures that make waste diversion and reduction more equitable for our residents and
businesses.
11. Supporting legislation that makes edible food recovery and distribution more easily accessible to
residents and businesses in need.
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Pomelessness Resources Advocacy Deleted: n
Deleted: ¶
supporting funding for project -based permanent affordable housing, Temporary Rapid Rehousing, \ ¶
Tiny Homes, Temporary Emergency Shelter Units and Private Market Landlords. Strong ¶�
'
connections to landlords are even more important in high -cost, low -vacancy markets, where Deleted: ¶
Deleted: ¶
affordable housing options are limited and even those with a voucher may find themselves unable to
locate a unit.
2. Supporting additional funding that encourages unique multi -departmental and inter -governmental
collaboration to assist individuals experiencing homelessness, such as the City's Community Action
Team (CAT) and MobileZrisis Unit (MCU). Deleted: crisi
3. Supporting employment services and job training for individuals who are homeless or at -risk of
becoming homeless.
4. Supporting funding for federal, state, county and local, non-profit and faith community's coordination
in preventing and ending homelessness.
5. Supporting funding for the removal and storage of homeless individual's belongings and the cleaning
of sites used by homeless groups.
6. Supporting funding and county programs that promote access to expanded medical, mental, and
behavioral health services, including substance use disorder treatment services, and new approaches
to financing health care access and patient wellness to reduce avoidable emergency room visits,
hospital stays and readmissions.
7. Supporting education and employment opportunities and advancement of upward economic mobility
and access to programs such as childcare, school's family support networks.
8. Supporting increased guardianship control and health supervision of those suffering from mental
illness and recognition of mental illness and addiction as contributors to chronic homelessness.
9. Supporting streamlined protocols and metrics to be used by homeless service providers, local
agencies, and other non -governmental partners to capture and share accurate statistics of individuals
experiencing homelessness, including vacancy rates, in -flow and out -flow information, cost -reporting
of services provided and rendered, and individuals successfully housed.
10. Opposing legislation that seeks to circumvent local control and consideration of local circumstances
when addressing homelessness.
11. Supporting legislation that supports a unified crisis response system and enhances the ability of the
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County Behavioral Health Director to compel assisted outpatient treatment for a person exiting a
conservatorship.
12. Supporting legislation that would allow the courts to consider a person's medical condition or expand
the definition of "gravely disabled" and consider the impact on a court's decision to certify them as a
danger to themselves or others.
13. Supporting legislation for Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to allow for flexibility in funds
earmarked for "Innovation" programs that are aimed at finding new and different ways to provide
services.
14. Supporting legislation and other policy considerations to expand funding for the delivery of case
management, drug, alcohol, and detoxification services, and mental health services for all County
residents, and the establishment of shelter facilities for the unhoused.
15. Advocating that the County lead in the area of expanding humane shelter opportunities for the
unhoused population, and expand outreach and case management services specifically tailored to the
needs of homeless individuals in the County.
16. Supporting the use of data from City and regional Community Action Teams (CAT) and Mobile Crisis
Units (MCU) outcomes, to advocate that the County allocate new resources to scale up these
programs to match the need.
17. Supporting an effective and efficient update of the 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness that is
action oriented and focused on measurable, positive and realistic outcomes.
Community Development
1Supporting local control of land use planning and zoning matters.
2_Supporting State and Federal assistance to prevent the loss of housing for those impacted by COVID-
19.
3. Supporting reforms of the entire State mandated HCD Regional Housing Need Allocations process to Deleted: ¶
recognize local resource limitations and align infrastructure and other funding to help communities
meet mandated housing requirements.
I Deleted:
4. Supporting funding of on -campus housing at Cal Poly for students, staff and faculty, and University
acquisition of residences for staff and faculty housing.
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5. Supporting increased funding for affordable housing and supportive housing services for very low, low
and moderate income individuals and/or families in all cities and communities and opposing the
erosion of local inclusionary housing and in -lieu fee programs.
6. Supporting continued funding of National Housing Trust Fund and streamlined and efficient
implementing regulations at the state level.
7. Supporting additional state funding to implement AB 32 (The California Global Warming Solutions Act
of 2006) and SB 375 (The Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008) through local
general plan updates that implement the regional sustainable communities plan and alternative
planning strategy, if needed.
8. Promoting funding for the identification, acquisition, maintenance and restoration of historic sites
and structures.
9. Supporting continued or expanded funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
program.
10. Supporting continued local control over mobile home park rent stabilization and local control over
the conversion of mobile home parks to other uses. Encourage the amendment of Section 66427.5 of
the California Government Code and other relevant law for the purpose of ensuring that mobile home
park residents are not involuntarily removed from homes or otherwise economically impacted if parks
are subdivided or converted.
11. Resolving and addressing regulatory or financial barriers to implement AB 811 property -assessed
clean energy districts.
12. Encouraging continued viability of inclusionary housing provisions and avoidance of conflicts with
Costa -Hawkins Act.
13. Enabling the issuance of parking citations on private property.
14. Advocating full funding for services and transitional housing for individuals who are unhoused,
including providing more flexibility in the use of Federal funds on the local level to address housing.
15. Supporting legislation that provides funding sources for appropriate human service agencies that
support the mission of the Human Relations Commission.
16. Supporting responsible review and revision of CEQA to ensure sound environmental determinations.
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17. Promoting pragmatic and clarifying actions to implement Proposition 64 Cannabis legalization,
including increased funding for health education, the preservation of local land use decision making,
reconciliation of conflicts in state and federal law, and systems for legal banking.
conomic Devel
1. Supporting state and federal assistance for those people and businesses facing severe economic
losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Supporting regional economic development support, expressly excluding support for weapons
production or distribution activities and fossil fuel production or distribution activities.
Deleted: ¶
Deleted: Supporting modern and cost-efficient, thorough and
accurate methods for the population to exercise its civic
obligation to be counted in the 2020 Census.¶
Deleted: 11
3. Supporting direct assistance and/or legislation that supports local agencies with recovering costs
related to the COVID-19 disaster and stimulate economic development,,Eesiliency, and recovery. Deleted: resiliency
. ;..% Deleted:
4. Supporting funding and/or legislation using tax credits or other incentive programs to encourage
research and development by businesses in California.
5. Supporting funding and policies for the promotion of California as a place to locate businesses that
provide head -of -household jobs.
6. Supporting economic development that is integrated with articulated Major City Goals such as climate
action as well as social justice and diversity objectives, such as the Green New Deal.
7. Supporting funding for the state tourism promotion program.
8. Supporting the effective and efficient use of all communications technologies including voice, video,
data, and information services over wired and wireless transmission technologies and supporting net
neutrality.
9. Supporting telecommunications reform legislation and other measures that preserve local control
over public rights -of -way, protect local resources and guarantee access to, funding for, and local
flexibility in utilizing funds for public, educational and government (PEG) access television.
10. Supporting the expansion of public infrastructure financing tools and funding for infrastructure.
11. Supporting head -of -household jobs, including analyses of impacts and associated mitigations
regarding major regional employers.
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Finance
1. Supporting meaningful fiscal reform that allows each level of government to adequately finance its
service responsibilities while continuing to support efforts to protect the City from loss of revenues
due to State take-aways and unfunded State or Federal mandates.
2. Opposing initiatives that unduly burden and/or prohibit local government ability to support essential
services to the community.
3. Supporting collection of the full amount of local transient occupancy tax from online sales of lodging.
4. Supporting the continuation of California Specialized Training Institute activities within San Luis
Obispo County.
5. Opposing removal of the municipal bond tax exemption.
Human Resources/Employee Relations
1. Supporting additional workers' compensation reforms that lower employers' costs while still
protecting workers and opposing legislation that would restrict appropriate cost controls in the
workers' compensation system.
2. Supporting pension and retiree health benefits reform efforts, policy changes, and permissible
administration decisions aimed at reducing unfunded liabilities, reducing costs, and ensuring the long-
term viability of the defined benefit pension system in concert with the League of California Cities and
the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Board of Directors.
3. Opposing the expansion of property rights in public employment and procedural requirements that
hinder or significantly increase the public costs of effective performance management, including
legislation that curtails management rights or obstructs the timely, efficient, and cost-effective
implementation of performance management or disciplinary measures.
4. Supporting legislation to protect the City's continued ability to administer its Cafeteria Benefit Plan
and maintain comprehensive health care coverage for eligible employees, in a financially sustainable
manner.
5. Supporting reforms that limit the financial impacts of joint and several liability on public entities.
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Deleted: Supporting fair share tax allocations on catalog and
Internet sales; and opposing legislation that limits state or local
authority to tax catalog or Internet sales.¶
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6. Supporting the clarification, modification or repeal of AB 646 fact finding requirements and opposing
measures that reduces local control over public employee disputes.
7. Opposing measures that curtail management rights or impose local government mandated employee
benefits that should be directly negotiated between labor groups and employers.
8. Supporting Federal legislation to modify, refine, or eliminate Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
requirements on public agencies.
9. Support reforms that limit the joint and several liability to agencies who have entered into Joint
Powers Agreements (JPAs).
Public Safety
1. Supporting new and continued State and Federal funding support for school safety, disaster
preparedness, earthquake preparedness, Homeland Security, hazardous material response, State
COPS program and other local law enforcement activities.
2. Supporting preservation of the City's authority to investigate police misconduct.
3. Supporting local control on issuance of concealed weapons permits.
4. Supporting legislation to help curb drug and alcohol -related criminal behavior and underage
consumption.
5. Opposing new or increased state fees for state -provided law enforcement services.
6. Supporting the fair and efficient allocation of radio spectrum that provides quality frequencies, free
from interference, for all local public safety communication needs.
7. Supporting efforts to enhance radio and data system(s) stability and interoperability among public
safety agencies and jurisdictions.
8. Supporting efforts to reduce retention periods for video monitoring data not related to an identified
incident or operation.
Deleted:
v
9. Preserving the City's right to regulate activities with adverse health and safety impacts on local streets,
,Sidewalks, and rights -of -way. , _ Deleted: sidewalks
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10. Supporting legislation to improve and enhance the safety of cargo transported via rail, including but
not limited to: safety enhancements for rail vessel construction with an emphasis on efforts to rapidly
improve the safe transport of volatile crude oil and limit the use of older, "grandfathered" containers
and vessels; enhancements in remote monitoring and control of railcar speeds; reduction of railcar
speeds in populated areas like San Luis Obispo; enhancements in communications, notifications and
information dissemination to local governments, especially public safety agencies.
11. Supporting and expanding funding and programs to local iurisdictions to proactively reduce fire risk
attributed to heavy vegetative fuels loads, high tree mortality, drought, and climate change to remove
diseased, dead and/or down combustible vegetation, thin forests to improve forest health, and create
effective defensible space between the undeveloped and developed environments.
12. Supporting grants and aid to land/property owners with properties one mile or less from natural
vegetation, which are threatened by wind -driven fire events, to harden structures again fire
impingement and create sustainable defensible spaces.
13. Supporting grants and aid to local governments to develop modern evacuation communications
systems to effectively reach all residents in a timely fashion via voice, text, email, and other electronic
means.
14. Supporting legislation that would result in the implementation of a statewide modern evacuation
communications system to effectively reach all residents in a timely fashion via voice, text, email, and
other electronic means, which is available for use by local governments at the discretion of local
governments.
15. Supporting legislation to preserve and enhance local control, at the City level, for the provision of
public safety services, including the scope and provision of medical and non -medical emergency
services.
16. Supporting uniformity of state and federal regulations of drones and the study and adoption of
appropriate local airport protections and public safety exemptions.
17. Supporting legislation regarding the safe transport and storage of nuclear waste.
18. Supporting legislation to address the education, junding, and treatment of opioid addiction. Deleted: funding
19. Supporting legislation that expands funding to manage vegetation and fuel sources in the wildland
urban interface.
20. Supporting legislation to provide funding to help communities prepare for response, recovery and be
resilient after natural disasters.
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Public Works
1. Supporting increased availability of grant funding to replace aging infrastructure of all types, e.g.
streets, bridges, water, sewer, parks, and storm sewer systems, etc.
2. Supporting increased funding for flood protection, clean stormwater and low impact infrastructure
projects.
3. Supporting cooperation and prompt approval from Federal and State regulatory agencies (such as the
Department of Fish & Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Board and the Army Corps of
Engineers) for necessary projects involving the City's creek system.
4. Supporting monetary incentives or grant funding for alternative fuel vehicles for replacement of
municipal fleet equipment.
Deleted:
5. Supporting funding and policies that support and enhance active transportation modes such as
bicycles, pedestrian, transit connections, and transit.
6. Supporting continued protection of SB-1 and other funding for transportation infrastructure
maintenance.
Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources
1. Supporting State and Federal funding and other measures to promote the acquisition, protection,
preservation and restoration of natural resources, open space, coastal resources, signature land
forms, wetlands and park development, including continued funding for the Land and Water
Conservation Grant Program and for the California Conservation Corps.
2. Supporting the expansion of National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of San Luis Obispo County to
protect this fragile habitat from offshore oil and gas development.
3. Supporting amendments to stormwater regulatory requirements to reduce mandatory minimum
fines and penalties and the recovery of private attorneys' fees for technical non-compliance issues
that do not result in adverse public health impacts or environmental harm.
4. Support stormwater requirements that are related to specific issues and include reasonable
implementation timeframes and funding.
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5. Opposing any development under existing or new offshore oil and gas leases off the Coast of San Luis
Obispo County.
6. Opposing any development under existing or new oil and gas leases in San Luis Obispo County.
7. Supporting and seeking State and Federal funding and other measures to conduct research and
implement land management measures for the purpose of carbon sequestration.
8. Supporting measures to prohibit discharge of pollutants into the creeks and ocean (e.g. selenium
contaminated waters from the San Joaquin valley).
9. Supporting expedited distribution of remaining Proposition 1 bond funds to take advantage of the
many favorable opportunities for land and easement acquisition and enhancement project
contracting.
10. Supporting legislative exemption from property taxes on lands dedicated to open space purposes,
which are outside the boundaries of the jurisdiction owning such lands.
11. Supporting funding to reduce or mitigate negative impacts to vital regional and community services
and enhance access to parks, open space, after school programming, senior services, facilities that
promote physical activity, protect natural resources, and strengthen safety and security.
12. Promoting policies that recognize the benefits of parks and recreational facilities in the advancement
of "sustainable communities" and curbing greenhouse gas emissions, including: strengthening
policies that fund parks, open -space, bike lanes and non -motorized trails through the development
and implementation of a carbon credit and offset program, and advocating for the strong integration
of local and regional park and non -motorized transportation improvements into "Smart Growth
Scenarios" pursuant to SB 375.
13. Supporting access and connectivity to joint use of schools; parks and open space; development of
streets and trails that encourage physical activity and healthy living.
14. Supporting extension or permanent legislation at the federal level of enhanced tax deductions for
charitable donations of Conservation Easements
15. Supporting legislation to limit the opening of national parks (or other protected public lands, e.g.
Carrizo Plain) to fossil fuel extraction.
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Transportation
1. Supporting changes in gas tax laws that allow local tax for transportation purposes based on a majority
vote of the public.
2. Supporting the continuation of, and increased funding sources for street maintenance projects,
transportation improvements, transit operations and multimodal facility projects.
3. Supporting funding sources for transit electrification.
4. Supporting�ransportatior>tfunding for San Luis Obispo County, in particular funding that provides for — Deleted: clean air
alternative modes of transportation with clean air benefits or4eductions in Vehicle Miles Traveled Deleted: mmt
Deleted: s
Deleted: gases.
5. Supporting actions to: (1) promote cooperation and mutual support between metropolitan planning
organization (MPO) agencies and local transit providers, and (2) discourage trends toward MPO
agencies/regional "control" of local transit providers.
6. Supporting cooperation of private transportation companies (such as Union Pacific Railroad) to reach ,; Deleted:
agreements for sharing of properly secured right of way corridors for other compatible uses such as
bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
7. Opposing the proposed diversion of any funding source for transportation that reduces amounts
designated for transit operations.
8. Supporting funding for projects to implement adopted complete street plans demonstrated to
improve public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
9. Supporting provision of Cap and Trade funding for4ransportation projects. Deleted: intercity rail
10. Supporting increased funding for existing Active Transportation Program (ATP) and other sources of
bicycle and pedestrian transportation funding.
11. Supporting funding for existing and future transportation needs.
12. ,Supporting funding strategies to reduce the personal cost of transportation, especially cargo and Deleted: 11
electric -assist bicycles and their supporting infrastructure.
13. Opposing proposed changes to statistical methodologies such as Metropolitan Statistical Areas that
have the potential to reduce funding for transportation improvements.
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14. ✓Supporting improvements of state and federal standards guiding application of street design and Deleted:
traffic control devices to allow more flexibility for local agencies to prioritize safety, particularly for
vulnerable road users, consistent with recent calls to action from groups such as the National
Transportation Safety Board, NACTO and others
Utilities
1. Supporting clean water and drinking water funding programs.
2Supporting recycling, waste diversion, and zero waste programs and enhancing local government's
ability to comply with solid waste reduction requirements.
3. Supporting measures that require the State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Deleted:
Quality Control Boards establish a process to evaluate, in advance of adoption, the costs of
compliance for pending and future regulatory actions on NPDES permittees.
4. Supporting legislation that requires the State's environmental agencies to conduct peer review of
proposed regulations to ensure that the proposal is based on sound science.
5. Supporting the elimination of mandatory minimum penalties for violations of NPDES Requirements
and returning discretionary control to the Regional Water Quality Control Board Executive Officers
(i.e. repeal SB 709).
6. Supporting measures to ensure reasonableness in the administration of NPDES permit governing City
operations, including pursuing a municipal representative on the Regional Water Quality Control
Board
7. Supporting the safe, responsible, and cost-effective reuse of Exceptional Quality or better biosolids.
8. Supporting sustainable energy programs.
9. Supporting legislation allowing cities/agencies to establish fees for the costs of operating mandated
water quality programs such as, but not limited to, municipal storm water and total maximum daily
loading.
10. Supporting federal legislative action and funding to transfer Salinas Reservoir from Army Corps of
Engineers Military Project to Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Project.
11. Supporting federal and state funding that would allow for transfer Salinas Reservoir from the Army
Corps of Engineers to a local jurisdiction.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLA'
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Item 18
12. Supporting water conservation and water use efficiency best management practices.
13. Supporting amendments to the Urban Water Management Planning Act to recognize past
investment in water conservation and the City's ability to comply with SBx7-7 and other water
conservation regulations.
14. Opposing legislation that requires recycled water to be included in water conservation regulations.
15. Opposing mandatory consolidation of water systems, Deleted: without acknowledgement ofwaterrights.
16. Supporting the expansion of recycled water production and use, including potable reuse.
17. Supporting legislation eliminating departing load charges which discourage the use of alternative
energy resources.
18. Supporting the use of Public Goods Funds for the development and installation of energy saving or
green energy generating projects to benefit local government.
19. Opposing legislation that diminishes the City's existing water rights.
20. Supporting the protection of water resources.
21. Supporting the protection of our natural resources from invasive species.
22. Supporting regional water resiliency initiatives
Deleted: f
23. Supporting streamlined water rights amendment processes for minor water rights permit changes. Deleted: supporting a two -track option of laboratory
accreditation, California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation
Program (ELAP) and the National Environmental Laboratory
24. Supporting federal and statewide funding of water Infrastructure projects. Accreditation Conference (NELAC) Institute also known as TNI.¶
25. Qpposing legislation that inhibits the City's ability to collect water and sewer bills either through Deleted: 11
terminating service for non-payment or other reasonable means absent public health or safety
emergencies.
26. Opposing legislation that restricts water and sewer rates for certain customers to below the cost to
provide service based on legitimate public interests such as affordable housing, senior housing, non
profit public beneficial uses, and/or educational uses.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLA'
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Item 18
County/Regional Priorities
v
Deleted: <#>Supporting legislation and other policy
1. Supporting County land use policies and practices that are consistent with the Memorandum of
considerations delivery of case
rug, alcohol,nd aingforthe
management, drug, alcohol, and detoxification services, and
Agreement adopted by the City Council and County Board of Supervisors in 2016 regarding
mental health services for all County residents, and the
development near the edges of the City and opposing inconsistent policies and practices.
establishment of shelter facilities for the unhoused.¶
¶
Advocating that the County lead in the area of expanding humane
shelter opportunities for the unhoused population, and expand
2. Encouraging participation by County in providing nearby parking for County employees and clients,
outreach and case management services specifically tailored to
and alternate transportation and parking demand reduction.
the needs of homeless individuals in the County.¶
11
11
3. Supporting Count development of a local ordinance providing additional local oversight and
pp g y p p g g
andregionalUnit
CommunityA Lionng Teseofdata from Mobile
Community Action Teams (CAT) and Mobile Crisis Units (MCU)
regulation of the land application of Polluta nt Concentration (PC) or better biosol ids.
outcomes, to advocate that the County allocate new resources to
scale up these programs to match the need.¶
4. Supporting the County's Flood Control and Water Conservation District efforts to solve City/County
Supporting an effective and efficient update of the 10-Year Plan to
End Chronic Homelessness that is action oriented and focused on
flood problems.
measurable, positive and realistic outcomes.l
5. Supporting the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District's legislative program, where
consistent with the City's adopted policies and platform.
6. Supporting the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments' legislative advocacy activities, where
consistent with the City's adopted policies,,platform, and public policy and project objectives. Deleted: platform
7. Supporting efforts to enhance dangerous animal regulation and enforcement.
8. Supporting the streamlining, clarification and simplification of conflict of interest regulations
applicable to local officials.
9. Supporting regional efforts to join the,�entral Coast Community Energy„ Deleted: Monterey Bay community Power
Deleted: community choice energy program
10. Supporting the Central Coast Regional Energy Network at the County Board of Supervisors, the CPUC,
and related relevant entities and supporting pilot proiects in the City as feasible.
11. Supporting regional and regulatory collaboration to fund and support climate change impact
projections and coordinate approaches for increasing regional resilience.
12. Supporting requirements that development outside City jurisdiction has adequate water supplies to
support development activities and intensities and does not indirectly impose water service
obligations to adjacent municipal water agencies.
13. Supporting assistance for those experiencing physical and mental health impacts of COVID-19
LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLA'
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Item 18
Central Coast Community Energy Policy Board and Deleted: Monterrey Bay Community Power Policy
Operations Board Positions
City Council approved joining Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) in September 2018 and City
representatives have been seated on 3CE's Policy Board, Operations Board, and Community
Advisory Council since 2019.1 This section of the City's Legislative Platform identifies City of San
Luis Obispo policy positions on key topics that may come before the various boards and advisory
bodies of 3CE. The policy positions contained herein are intended to guide Board member ( Deleted: MRCP
deliberation and voting and staff review of agenda, but are not an exhaustive list of issues that
may arise. These positions are intended to extend only to advocacy for or against generally
applicable policy proposals being considered by 3CE and does not extend to advocacy on any - Deleted: MRCP
individual project or entitlement application pending before any decision -making body, nor does
it extend to the larger legislative platform of the City. The City Council is supportive of CE policy , -- Deleted: MBCP
proposals:
1. Supporting environmental justice and economic equity* Deleted: economic, social, and environmental equity.
2. Supporting 3CE investment in and support for distributed energy resources (e.g., rooftop solar),
demand response, and energy efficiency.
3. Supporting climate mitigation e� g_. emissions reductions), adaptation (e.g. distributed energy Deleted: e.g.
resources and grid stability), and resilience (e.g. disaster preparedness).
4. Supporting the inclusion of all segments of the community in policy making and program design
processes.
5. Supporting processes that are transparent, collaborative, visible, and accessible.
6. Supporting rate, rebate, and revenue structures that rF eate a robust programs budget. Deleted: encourages
7. Supporting a portfolio of programs that focuses on economic, social, and environmental equity.
8. Supporting a portfolio of programs that focuses on strategic and intentional long-term economic
development consistent with sub -regional economic development approaches.
1 3CE was formerly known as Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP)
LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM,
Page 17
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Item 18
9. Supporting regional climate action and a portfolio of programs that are strategically implemented to
achieve regional climate targets.
10. Supporting a program design process that is transparent, collaborative, and inclusive.
11. Supporting staffing required to effectively design, advertise, implement, and monitor effectiveness of
the agency's project portfolio.
12. Supporting local government access to data, transparent GHG emissions reporting, and sub -annual
emissions factors as available.
13. Support programs that provide funding, technical support, or legislation that promotes grid
14. Supporting processes and governance approaches that provide sufficient time for Board members to
fully participate and drive decisions, from inception to implementation.
15. Supporting projects that focus on strategic and intentional regional economic development consistent
with regional economic development approaches, when feasible, and with entities that support fair
wage practices and maximize benefit to local workforces, when feasible.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLA'
Page 18
Deleted:
Deleted: Supporting fair distribution of resources and
representation among MBCP member jurisdictions. This may also
entail supporting local presence and staffing, as well as brand
identity that is reflective of the entire MBCP service territory.¶
Deleted: FOR 2021
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Item 18
BLANK PAGE
This page is intended to be blank so that you can print double -sided.
Packet Page 192
Amendments to the City's Legislative
°� •� Action Platform for 2021
IN
II'I'
General & Organizational Improvements
■ Added a cover page
■ Amended Table of Contents to reflect changes to headers and page
numbers of sections
■ Included intermittent grammar, syntax and format refinements
Changes to Climate Action (Part 1 of 2)
■ Added "supporting funding and resources to focus climate investments on
programs and projects that support environmental justice, economic and
racial equity, and head of household jobs."
■ Added "supporting reform of CPUC policies and state legislation that
supports equitable access to distributed energy resources."
Changes to Climate Action (Part 2 of 2)
■ Added "supporting extended producer responsibility for packaging and
single -use product manufacturing as to encourage source reduction and
the manufacturing of reusable and sustainable products."
■ Added "supporting measures that make waste diversion and reduction
more equitable for our residents and businesses."
■ Added "supporting legislation that makes edible food recovery and
distribution more easily accessible to residents and businesses in need."
*These three additions inadvertently appeared to be existing continuations from the
2020 Legislative Action Platform.
Changes to Homelessness Resources
Advocacy (Part 1 of 3)
■ Added "supporting legislation that supports a unified crisis response
system and enhances the ability of the County Behavioral Health Director
to compel assisted outpatient treatment for a person exiting a
conservatorship."
■ Added "supporting legislation that would allow the courts to consider a
person's medical condition or expand the definition of `gravely disabled'
and consider the impact on a court's decision to certify them as a danger
to themselves or others."
Changes to Homelessness Resources
Advocacy (Part 2 of 3)
■ Added "supporting legislation for Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to
allow for flexibility in funds earmarked for `Innovation' programs that are
aimed at finding new and different ways to provide services."
■ Moved from County/Regional Priorities: "supporting legislation and other
policy considerations to expand funding for the delivery of case
management, drug, alcohol, and detoxification services, and mental
health services for all County residents, and the establishment of shelter
facilities for the unhoused.)I
Changes to Homelessness Resources
Advocacy (Part 3 of 3)
■ Moved from County/Regional Priorities: "advocating that the County lead in
the area of expanding humane shelter opportunities for the unhoused
population, and expand outreach and case management services specifically
tailored to the needs of homeless individuals in the County."
■ Moved from County/Regional Priorities: "supporting the use of data from City
and regional Community Action Teams (CAT) and Mobile Crisis Units (MCU)
outcomes, to advocate that the County allocate new resources to scale up
these programs to match the need."
■ Moved from County/Regional Priorities: "supporting an effective and efficient
update of the 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness that is action
oriented and focused on measurable, positive and realistic outcomes."
Changes to Community Development
■ Removed "supporting modern and cost-efficient, thorough and accurate
methods for the population to exercise its civic obligation to be counted in
the 2020 census."
Changes to Public Safety
■ Removed "Supporting the Keeping California Safe Act legislative efforts
to address the negative impacts of AB 109, Proposition 47, and
Proposition 57 on local governments and provide local law enforcement
with the appropriate tools to reduce criminal activity."
*This removal was inadvertently not reflected in the Council Agenda Report and
relates to the defeat of Prop. 20 on the 2020 ballot
Changes to Finance
■ Removed "supporting fair tax allocations on catalog and internet sales;
and opposing legislation that limits state or local authority to tax catalog
or internet sales."
Changes to Transportation
■ Added "supporting funding strategies to reduce the personal cost of
transportation, especially cargo and electric -assist bicycles and their
supporting infrastructure."
■ Added "opposing proposed changes to statistical methodologies such as
Metropolitan Statistical Areas that have the potential to reduce funding for
transportation improvements."
■ Added "supporting improvements of state and federal standards guiding
application of street design and traffic control devices to allow more
flexibility for local agencies to prioritize safety, particularly for vulnerable
road users, consistent with recent calls to action from groups such as the
National Transportation Safety Board, NACTO and others."
Changes to Utilities
■ Added "supporting federal and state funding that would allow for transfer of
Salinas Reservoir from the Army Corps of Engineers to a local jurisdiction."
■ Removed "supporting a two -track option of laboratory accreditation,
California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) and the
National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC)
Institute also known as TNI."
■ Added "opposing legislation that inhibits the City's ability to collect water and
sewer bills either through terminating service for non-payment or other
reasonable means absent public health or safety emergencies."
■ Added "opposing legislation that restricts water and sewer rates for certain
customers to below the cost to provide service based legitimate public
interests such as affordable housing, senior housing, non profit public
beneficial uses, and/or educational uses."
Changes to Central Coast Community Energy
Policy Board and Operations Board Positions
(Part 1 of 2)
■ Amended previous section title from "Monterey Bay Community Power
Policy Board and Operations Board Positions" to above title.
■ Removed references to Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP) and
substituted with Central Coast Community Energy (3CE).
■ Added "supporting 3CE investment in and support for distributed energy
resources (e.g., rooftop solar), demand response, and energy efficiency."
Changes to Central Coast Community Energy
Policy Board and Operations Board Positions
(Part 2 of 2)
■ Added "support programs that provide funding, technical support, or
legislation that promotes grid independence and resiliency."
■ Removed "supporting fair distribution of resources and representation
among MBCP member jurisdictions. This may also entail supporting local
presence and staffing as well as brand identity that is reflective of the
entire MBCP service territory."
Council Suggested Additions
■ Add to County/Regional Priorities, "supporting the Integrated Waste
Management Authority's (IWMA) legislative platform, where consistent
with the City's adopted policies, platforms, and public policy and project
objectives."
■ Add to County/Regional Priorities, "Supporting regionally led and funded
efforts to explore Public Banking."