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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5d. Approval of the 2023 Legislative Action Platform Item 5d Department: Administration Cost Center: 1001 For Agenda of: 4/4/2023 Placement: Consent Estimated Time: N/A FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager Prepared By: Hans Poschman, Assistant to the City Manager SUBJECT: 2023 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM RECOMMENDATION 1. As recommended by Council Members Francis and Pease, adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, establishing the City Legislative Action Platform for 2023 and appointing the Council Member and Staff Person to act as liaison between the City of San Luis Obispo and the League of California Cities”; and 2. Provide direction to staff on the scope and application of the legislative platform related to advocacy for non-legislative items or particular projects; and 3. Appoint the Mayor, City Manager, and City Attorney to act as the primary legislative liaisons between the League of California Cities and the City of San Luis Obispo. POLICY CONTEXT The Legislative Platform is a tool to promote the efficient use of staff and Council City time while also ensuring the City is actively engaged on relevant legislative issues . City Council approval is required for any modifications to the platform as updated through an annual review process. The City will be providing a copy of the City’s Legislative Platform to Federal and State legislators and will be also sharing a copy with the County Board of Supervisors. DISCUSSION Legislative Action Program Attached for the Council’s consideration is a Resolution (Attachment A) establishing the City’s 2023 Legislative Action Platform. Similar resolutions have been adopted by the Council since 1993. The City Administration and IT Department coordinates the Legislative Action Program with assistance from the Attorney’s Office and other City departments, as appropriate. This Resolution authorizes staff to respond to legislative issues affecting the City (via letters signed by the Mayor, City Manager and, occasionally, Department Heads), provided that the positions taken in the letters are consistent with the priorities identified in Exhibit A to the Resolution and League of California Cities advocacy efforts. Page 191 of 1211 Item 5d 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 changing 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 2022, the City sent 20 letters pertaining to pending legislation utilizing the Legislative Action Platform, six more than in 2021. During the December 13, 2022 City Council meeting the Council appointed Council Members Francis and Pease to an Ad Hoc Committee to review the 2023 Legislative Platform. Staff reviewed the Legislative Platform and suggested edits based on their subject matter expertise. In early March, the Ad Hoc Committee met after they had reviewed the platform and suggested additional edits. The Ad Hoc Committee made several changes to the platform that mostly expanded upon previous items in the platform. 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. As has been past practice, staff recommends that Mayor Erica A. Stewart act as the Council Legislative Liaison and the City Manager and the City Attorney serve as the Staff Liaisons. Previous Council or Advisory Body Action Similar resolutions have been adopted by the Council since 1993 following the advice and example of other cities (1993 Staff Report). The most recent Legislative Action Platform was approved on April 19, 2022. Public Engagement Public comment on the item can be provided to the City Council through written correspondence prior to the meeting and through public testimony at the meeting. CONCURRENCE In preparing this year’s draft platform, input was solicited from all City departments and several additions and clarifications were recommended. All changes, including language clean-ups and issue consolidations, are shown in the legislative draft of the 2023 Platform attached to this report (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. Historically, and as affirmed by the City Councils of the last three years, the platform has been utilized primarily to advocate for or against a particular piece of legisla tion 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, but again requests explicit direction from the council majority on that issue to ensure clarity in expectations moving forward. Page 192 of 1211 Item 5d 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: Budget Year: Funding Identified: Fiscal Analysis: Funding Sources Total Budget Available Current Funding Request Remaining Balance Annual Ongoing 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 that was not already included in the current budget appropriation. ALTERNATIVES 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 Le ague 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 adopting the 2023 Legislative Platform B – 2023 Legislative Action Platform (Legislative Version) C – Exhibit A to the Draft Resolution - 2023 Legislative Action Platform (Clean Version) Page 193 of 1211 Page 194 of 1211 R ______ RESOLUTION NO. _______ (2023 SERIES) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM FOR 2023 AND APPOINTING THE COUNCIL MEMBER AND STAFF PERSON 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, the City Council considered an update to the Legislative Action Platform on December 13, 2022 and formed an Ad-Hoc Subcommittee consisting of Councilmember Francis and Pease to provide further review and changes in response to Council and public input; 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 2023 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 Page 195 of 1211 Resolution No. ______ (2023 Series) Page 2 R ______ Section 2. Appoint Mayor Erica A. Stewart to act as Council Member Legislative Liaison and City Manager Derek Johnson and City Attorney Christine Dietrick within their respective capacities and to also serve 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 _______ 2023. ___________________________ Mayor Erica A. Stewart 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 Page 196 of 1211 EXHIBIT A CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Adopted by City Council Resolution No. XXXXX (2023 Series) Page 197 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 2 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 Major City Goals, and adopted City policy platforms, and does not otherwise extend to advocacy on any individual project or entitlement application pending before any decision-making body, unless specifically noted herein. Contents Climate Action ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Energy ........................................................................................................................................................... 3 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ..................................................................................................................... 5 Homelessness Resources Advocacy ............................................................................................................ 65 Community Development ........................................................................................................................... 87 Economic Development ................................................................................................................................ 9 Finance ........................................................................................................................................................ 10 Human Resources/Employee Relations .................................................................................................. 1110 Public Safety ............................................................................................................................................ 1211 Public Works ........................................................................................................................................... 1413 Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources ......................................................................................... 1413 Transportation ........................................................................................................................................ 1514 Utilities .................................................................................................................................................... 1716 County/Regional Priorities .................................................................................................................... 1918 Page 198 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 3 Climate Action 1. Support funding for communities to pay for public infrastructure that meet s state greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and adopted City objectives. 2. Support funding to implement programs and related action items contained in local and regional Climate Action Plans to quantitatively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advocate for regulatory reform, including but not limited to clean technologies, micro-grids, all electric buildings, electrified transportation, and behind the meter technology, and natural solutions (e.g., tree planting, open space conservation, and contemporary land management and restoration practices). 3. Support regulatory reform for the transition to clean technologies, microgrids, low and zero carbon energy generation, and decarbonized buildings. 3.4. Support legislation and regulation that is aligned with the City’s goals of carbon neutrality by 2035 and sub-goals related to municipal operations, clean electricity, building decarbonization, clean mobility, organic waste diversion, and natural solutions. 4. 5. Support legislation and regulation that is aligned with the policies and programs set forth by the Climate Adaptation and Safety Element including using future projections for climate hazards in planning decisions, investing in community resilience, and adapting built infrastructure and natural ecosystems to climate change hazards and disturbances. 6. Support funding and resources to focus climate investments on programs and projects that support environmental justice, economic and racial equity, and head of household jobs. 7. Support extended producer responsibility for packaging and single-use product manufacturing as to encourage source reduction and the manufacturing of reusable and sustainable products. 8. Support measures that make waste diversion and reduction more equitable for our residents and businesses. 9. Support legislation that makes recycling organic waste and edible food recovery and distribution more efficient and easily accessible to residents and businesses in need. Energy 1. Support local communities’ broad authority to form and administer Community Choice Energy (CCE) programs, reforming the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and limiting decisions that Page 199 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 4 negatively impact CCEs or otherwise shift the financial impacts of investor-owned utilities to CCEs. 2. Support California Community Choice Associations’ (Cal CCA) Regulatory and Legislative Platform, where consistent with the City’s legislative platform. 3. Support reform of CPUC policies to ensure investor-owned utilities are able and required to provide timely, accurate, and sufficiently detailed energy data. 4. Support reform of CPUC policies and state legislation that supports increased and equitable access to distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar. 5. Support legislation eliminating departing load charges which discourage the use of alternative energy resources. 5. 6. Central Coast Community Energy Policy Board and Operations Board Positions.1 a. Support environmental justice and economic equity. b. Support 3CE investment in and support for distributed energy resources (e.g., rooftop solar), virtual power plants, demand response, behind the meter technology and energy efficiency. c. Support 3CE in evaluating and deploying programs that are climate action force multipliers (e.g., tariffed on-bill financing, virtual power plants, etc.). c.d. Support climate mitigation (e.g., emissions reductions), adaptation (e.g. distributed energy resources and grid stability), and resilience (e.g. disaster preparedness). d.e. Support the inclusion of all segments of the community in policy making and program design processes. e.f. Support processes that are transparent, collaborative, visible, accessible and inclusive. f.g. Support rate, rebate, and revenue structures that create a robust programs budget. g.h. Support a portfolio of programs that focuses on economic, social, and environmental equity. h.i. Support a portfolio of programs that focuses on strategic and intentional long-term economic development consistent with sub-regional economic development approaches. i.j. Support regional climate action and a portfolio of programs that are strategically 1 The City Council approved the City 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. 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 deliberation, and voting and sta ff 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 indivi dual project or entitlement application pending before any decision-making body, nor does it extend to the larger legislative platform of the City. Page 200 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 5 implemented to achieve regional climate targets. j.k. Support staffing required to effectively design, advertise, implement, and monitor effectiveness of the agency’s project portfolio. k.l. Support local government access to data, transparent GHG emissions reporting, and sub- annual emissions factors as available. l.m. Support programs that provide funding, technical support, or legislation that promotes grid independence and resiliency. m.n. Support processes and governance approaches that provide sufficient time for Board members to fully participate and drive decisions, from inception to implementation. n.o. Support 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. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 1. Support programs and policies to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and address systemic inequities that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized racial, ethnic, and faith-based communities. 2. Support programs and policies that disrupt anti-immigrant ideologies and center strategies for undocumented individuals’ health, well-being, and success. 3. Support education and employment opportunities and advancement of upward economic mobility and access to programs such as childcare, after-school activities, school’s family support networks and supportive services for people aging out of the foster care system. 4. Support increased availability of grant funding for ADA accessibility improvements and connectivity to streets, parks, and other public infrastructure. 5. Support amendments to the California Voting Rights Act to expand safe harbor provisions to include remedies, in addition to district elections, to enhance quantifiable equity gains in participation and representation in local elections. Support the expansion of the safe harbor provisions of the California Voting Rights Act to include options other than district elections. 6.5. Support policies that protect voting rights and work to disrupt voter suppression tactics that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. 7.6. Support legislation that provides funding sources for appropriate human service agencies that support the mission of the Human Relations Commission. 7. Support legislation and funding to increase affordable and equitable childcare services and activities, Page 201 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 6 and options for working low-income families. 8. Support legislation related to implementation of the Racial Equity Framework and resources and tools to promote racial equity and address structural racism. 8.9. Homelessness Resources Advocacy 1. Support legislation and funding for the prevention of homelessness and support of families and individuals vulnerable to becoming homeless. 2. Support funding for project-based, permanent affordable housing. 3. Support funding for the entire housing spectrum (including affordable units, ADUs, Tiny Homes, Temporary Emergency Shelters and family housing, and supportive housing for all homeless individuals and families including the mentally ill and aging adults). 4. Advocate for increased flexibility in the use of Federal Funds at the local level to address the full spectrum of services and transitional housing for individuals who are unhoused. 5. Support nonprofit eviction prevention services for low-income individuals and families. 6. Support programs and funding to encourage private market landlords to provide affordable units, participate in housing voucher programs and upgrade units for energy efficiency. 7. Support 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 Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU), as well as Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for public safety personnel. 8. Support employment services and job training for individuals who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. 9. Support funding for federal, state, county and local, non-profit and faith community’s coordination in preventing and ending homelessness. 10. Support funding for the removal and storage of homeless individual’s belongings and the cleaning of sites used by unhoused residents. 11. Support funding and county programs that promote whole person care approaches that include 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 Page 202 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 7 reduce avoidable emergency room visits, hospital stays and readmissions. 12. Support increased funding and statutory authorization for crisis intervention, involuntary assessment and commitment, guardianship control, and health welfare intervention and supervision of those suffering from chronic homelessness, mental illness and addiction and recognition of mental illness and addiction as contributors to chronic homelessness. 13. Support 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. 14. Oppose legislation that seeks to circumvent local control and consideration of local circumstances and safety of the general public when addressing homelessness. 15. Support legislation , programs, funding, court intervention, and statutory authorization for a unified crisis response system and enhances the ability of the County Behavioral Health Director, crisis response personnel, family members and social service providers to share information necessary for effective treatment interventions and to compel assisted outpatient treatment for a person exiting a conservatorship and those lacking capacity to provide for their own healthcare, shelter and food needs. 16. Support legislation that would allow the courts and crisis intervention personnel to consider a person’s medical, addiction and mental health conditions, history of adverse impacts on community health and safety, and capacity of individuals to provide for their own health, shelter and food needs in mandating program participation in connection with criminal justice and other contacts, including or expansion of the definition of “gravely disabled” under code section 5150 et seq. in evaluating whether an individual is a danger to themselves or others. 17. Support 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. 18. Support legislation, funding, programs and policies to help expand capacity in local psychiatric health facilities, delivery of case management, drug, alcohol, and detoxification services and facilities, and mental health services for all County residents. 19. Advocate that the County lead in the area of expanding humane shelter and housing opportunities for the unhoused population and expand outreach and case management services specifically tailored to the needs of homeless individuals in the County to transition out of homelessness. 20. Support the use of data from public safety, City, and regional Community Action Teams (CAT) and Page 203 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 8 Mobile Crisis Units (MCU) outcomes, to advocate that the County allocate new resources to scale up these programs to match the need. 21. Support an effective and efficient update implementation of the 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness that is action-oriented and focused on measurable, positive and realistic outcomesSan Luis Obispo County’s 5 Year Plan to Address Homelessness. 22. Support state and federal funding of mandates to provide care and services to vulnerable populations. 23. Support legislative efforts to repeal Article 34 of the California Constitution, which requires majority approval by the voters of a city or county for the development, construction, or acquisition of a publicly funded affordable housing project. Community Development 1. Support local control of land use planning and zoning matters. 2. Support State and Federal assistance to prevent the loss of housing for those impacted by local, state, or federal disasters. 3. Support reforms of the State mandated HCD Regional Housing Need Allocations process to recognize local resource limitations and align infrastructure and other funding to help communities meet mandated housing requirements. 4. Support funding of on-campus housing at Cal Poly for students, staff and faculty, and University acquisition of residences for staff and faculty housing. 5. Support increased funding for affordable housing and supportive housing services for very low, low, and moderate income individuals and families in all cities and communities and opposing the erosion of local inclusionary housing and in-lieu fee programs. 6. Support continued funding of National Housing Trust Fund and streamlined and efficient implementation regulations at the state level. 7. Support 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. Advocate for funding for the identification, acquisition, maintenance and restoration of historic sites and structures. Page 204 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 9 9. Support continued and expanded funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. 10. Support continued local control over mobile home park rent stabilization and local control over the conversion of mobile home parks to other uses to ensure that low-income mobile home park residents are not involuntarily removed from homes or otherwise subject to involuntary displacement due to economic impacts of parks subdivision or conversion. 11. Encourage the protection, enhancement and increased production of mobile home park residency opportunities. 12. Promote resolving regulatory or financial barriers to implement AB 811 (2008) property-assessed clean energy districts. 13. Encourage continued viability and expansion of inclusionary housing provisions and avoidance of conflicts with Costa-Hawkins Act. 14. Advocate for the ability to issue parking citations on private property. 15. Support responsible review and revision of CEQA to ensure sound environmental determinations. 16. Promote 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. 17. Support increased relocation assistance (AB 1482 2019) when a tenant is evicted due to no -fault of their own. 18. Support a comprehensive approach to renter protections for rental housing. 16.19. Support funding for seismic retrofitting for buildings that haven't been retrofitted. Economic Development 1. Support state and federal assistance for those people and businesses facing severe economic losses due to pandemic or other disasters. 2. Support regional economic activities except for those that promote weapons or fossil fuel production or distribution activities. Page 205 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 10 3. Support direct assistance and/or legislation that supports local agencies with recovering costs related to the pandemic or other disasters and stimulate economic development, resiliency, and recovery. 4. Support funding and legislation using tax credits or other incentive programs to encourage research and development by businesses in California. 5. Support funding and policies for the promotion of California and the City and County of San Luis Obispo as a place to locate businesses that provide head-of-household jobs. 6. Support economic development that is integrated with articulated Major City Goals such as climate action, environmental protection and social justice and diversity objectives. 7. Support funding for the state tourism promotion program. 8. Support 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. Support telecommunications reform legislation and other measures that preserve local control over public rights-of-way, protect local resources, broadband for all residents and guarantee access to, funding for, and local flexibility in utilizing funds for public, educational and government (PEG) access television. 10. Support the expansion of public infrastructure financing tools and funding for infrastructure. Finance 1. Support 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. Oppose initiatives that unduly burden and/or prohibit local government ability to support essential services to the community. 3. Support collection of the full amount of local transient occupancy tax from online sales of lodging. 4. Support the continuation of California Specialized Training Institute activities within San Luis Obispo County. 5. Oppose removal of the municipal bond tax exemption. Page 206 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 11 6. Support legislation to modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act to provide increased flexibility for remote participation in public meetings by elected and appointed officials and provide increased opportunities for public engagement. Human Resources/Employee Relations 1. Support additional workers’ compensation reforms that lower employers' costs while still protecting workers and oppose legislation that would restrict appropriate cost controls in the workers’ compensation system. 2. Support 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. Oppose 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. Support 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. Support reforms that limit the financial impacts of joint and several liability on public entities. 6. Support the clarification, modification or repeal of AB 646 fact finding requirements and oppose measures that reduces local control over public employee disputes. 7. Oppose measures that curtail management rights or impose local government mandated employee benefits that should be directly negotiated between labor groups and employers. 8. Support 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). 10. Support meaningful statewide and national efforts to make quality health care more affordable and Page 207 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 12 accessible to residents and reduce costs for cities and employers. Public Safety 1. Support new and continued State and Federal funding for school safety, disaster preparedness, earthquake preparedness, Homeland Security, hazardous material response, State COPS (Citizen’s Options for Public Safety) program, CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) and other public safety activities. 2. Support preservation of the City's authority to investigate police misconduct. 3. Support local control on issuance of concealed weapons permits. 4. Support legislation to help curb drug and alcohol-related criminal behavior and underage consumption. 5. Support legislation to limit or end the sale of all nonflavored and flavored electronic smoking device products, including mint and menthol and to increase enforcement and education related to their use. 6. Oppose new or increased state fees for state-provided law enforcement services. 7. Support the fair and efficient allocation of radio spectrum that provides quality frequencies, free from interference, for all local public safety communication needs. 8. Support efforts to enhance radio and data system(s) stability and interoperability among public safety agencies and jurisdictions. 9. Support efforts to reduce retention periods for video monitoring data not related to an identified incident or operation. 10.9. Preserve the City's right to regulate activities with adverse health and safety impacts on local streets, sidewalks, public spaces and rights-of-way. 11.10. Support 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 Page 208 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 13 information dissemination to local governments, especially public safety agencies. 12.11. Support and expand funding and programs to local jurisdictions 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. 13.12. Support 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. 14.13. Support 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. 15.14. Support 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 and legislation that would result in the implementation of a statewide modern earthquake notification and 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. 16.15. Support uniformity of state and federal regulations of drones and the study and adoption of appropriate local airport protections and public safety exemptions. 17.16. Support legislation regarding the safe transport and storage of nuclear waste. 18.17. Support legislation to address the education, funding, and treatment of opioid addiction. 19.18. Support legislation that expands funding to manage vegetation and fuel sources in the wildland urban interface. 20.19. Support legislation to provide funding to help communities prepare for response, recovery and be resilient after natural disasters. 20. Support regional economic development programs and funding to remove unwanted firearms from homes and businesses. 21. Support responsive intervention programs that promote accountability and divert people away from both crime and prison. Page 209 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 14 Public Works 1. Support 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. Support increased funding for flood protection, clean stormwater and low impact infrastructure projects. 3. Support 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. Support monetary incentives or grant funding for electric vehicles for replacement of municipal fleet equipment. 5. Support funding and policies that support and enhance active transportation modes such as bicycles, pedestrian, and transit. 6. Support continued protection of SB-1 and other funding for transportation infrastructure maintenance. 7. Support policies and legislation that maintains local control of parking rules, regulations, rates and citation fees. 6.8. Support permanently allowing local governments to use design-build processes and expand the types of projects that cities can use design build and progressive design-build. Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources 1. Support State and Federal funding and other measures to promote the acquisition, protection, preservation and restoration of natural resources, open space, coastal resources, signature landforms, wetlands and park development, including continued funding for the Land and Water Conservation Grant Program and for the California Conservation Corps. 2. Support 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. Oppose any development under existing or new offshore oil and gas leases off the Coast of San Luis Obispo County. 4. Oppose any development under existing or new oil and gas leases in San Luis Obispo County. Page 210 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 15 5. Support and seek State and Federal funding and other measures to conduct research and implement land management measures for the purpose of carbon sequestration. 6. Support measures to prohibit discharge of pollutants into the creeks and ocean (e.g. selenium contaminated waters from the San Joaquin valley). 7. Support State and Federal funding and other measuresexpedited distribution of remaining Proposition 1 bond funds to take advantage of the many favorable opportunities for land and easement acquisition and enhancement project contracting. 8. Support legislative exemption from property taxes on lands dedicated to open space purposes, which may be outside the boundaries of the jurisdiction owning such lands. 9. Support funding to reduce or mitigate negative impacts to vital regional and community services and enhance public access to parks, open space, after school programming, senior services, facilities that promote physical activity, protect natural resources, and strengthen safety and security. 10. Promote 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 (2008). 11. Support access and connectivity to joint use of schools; parks and open space; development of streets and trails that encourage physical activity and healthy living. 12. Support extension or permanent legislation at the federal level of enhanced tax deductions for charitable donations of Conservation Easements. 13. Support legislation to limit the opening of national parks (or other protected public lands, e.g. Carrizo Plain,) to fossil fuel extraction. Transportation 1. Support changes in gas tax laws that allow local tax for transportation purposes based on a majority vote of the public, as well as revenue replacement for electric vehicles to support transportation infrastructure. 2. Support the continuation of, and increased funding sources for street maintenance projects, Page 211 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 16 transportation improvements, transit operations and multimodal facility projects. 3. Support funding sources for fleet and transit electrification. 4. Support transportation funding for San Luis Obispo County, in particular funding that provides for alternative modes of transportation with clean air benefits or reductions in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gases. 5. Support transportation funding and policy that promote regional bike and pedestrian connections between cities and other population centers. 6. Support 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. 7. Support cooperation of private transportation companies (such as Union Pacific Railroad) to reach agreements for sharing of properly secured right of way corridors for other compatible uses such as bicycle and pedestrian facilities. 8. Oppose the proposed diversion of any funding source for transportation that reduces amounts designated for transit operations. 9. Support funding for projects to implement adopted complete street plans demonstrated to improve public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 10. Support provision of Cap-and-Trade funding for transportation projects. 11. Support increased funding for existing Active Transportation Program (ATP) and other sources of bicycle and pedestrian transportation funding. 12. Support funding for existing and future transportation needs. 13. Support funding strategies to reduce the personal cost of transportation, especially cargo and electric- assist bicycles and their supporting infrastructure. 14. Oppose proposed changes to statistical methodologies such as Metropolitan Statistical Areas that have the potential to reduce funding for transportation improvements. 15. Support 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 calls to action from groups like the National Transportation Page 212 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 17 Safety Board, NACTO and others. 16. In alignment with the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), support legislation for a Bike Safety Stop that would authorize a person bicycling to treat a stop sign like a yield sign, giving right-of-way to other traffic at an intersection before proceeding safely through, but without the requirement to come to a full stop. 15.17. Support consideration of increased funding and options for safe bike and pedestrian crossing of railroad tracks, including bridges, underpasses and controlled at-grade crossings. Utilities 1. Support clean water and drinking water funding programs. 2. Support recycling, waste diversion, and zero waste programs and enhancing local government's ability to comply with solid waste reduction requirements (includes building of recycling infrastructure and organics / biosolids composting facilities). 3. Support measures that require the State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards establish a process to evaluate, in advance of adoption, the costs of compliance for pending and future regulatory actions on National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permittees. 4. Support 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. Support 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) (i.e., California Water Code Section 13385[h]). 6. Support 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. Support the safe, responsible, and cost-effective reuse of Exceptional Quality or better biosolids. 8. Support sustainable and resilient energy programs. 9. Support legislation allowing cities/agencies to establish fees for the costs of operating mandated Page 213 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 18 water quality programs such as, but not limited to, municipal storm water and total maximum daily loading. 10. Support 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. Support federal and state funding that would allow for transfer of Salinas Reservoir from the Army Corps of Engineers to the County or City of San Luis Obispo. 12. Support water conservation and water use efficiency best management practices. 13. Support 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 (2009) and other water conservation regulations. 14. Oppose legislation that requires recycled water to be included in water conservation regulations. 15. Oppose mandatory consolidation of water systems. 16. Support the expansion of recycled water production and use, including potable reuse. 17. Support the use of Public Goods Funds for the development and installation of energy saving or green energy generating projects to benefit local government. 18. Oppose legislation that diminishes the City’s existing or potential water rights. 19. Support the protection of water resources. 20. Support the protection of our natural resources from invasive species. 21. Support regional water resiliency initiatives. 22. Support streamlined water rights amendment processes for minor water rights permit changes. 23. Support federal and statewide funding of water infrastructure projects. 24. Oppose 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. 25. Oppose legislation that restricts water and sewer rates for certain customers to below the cost to Page 214 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 19 provide service based on legitimate public interests such as affordable housing, senior housing, nonprofit public beneficial uses, and/or educational uses. 26. Support 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. 27. Support stormwater requirements that are related to specific issues and include reasonable implementation timeframes and funding. 28. Support autonomy for management of individual Sustainable Groundwater Management Act designated basins within the county. 29. Support funding for implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans including the San Luis Obispo/Edna Valley Basin. County/Regional Priorities 1. Support County land use policies and practices that are consistent with the Memorandum of Agreement adopted by the City Council and County Board of Supervisors in 2016 regarding development near the edges of the City and opposing inconsistent policies and practices. 2. Encourage participation by County in providing nearby parking for County employees and clients, and alternate transportation and parking demand reduction. 3. Support County development of a local ordinance providing additional local oversight and regulation of the land application of Pollutant Concentration (PC) or better biosolids. 4. Support the County’sSan Luis Obispo County Zone 9 Flood Control and Water Conservation District efforts to solve City/County flood problems. 5. Support the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District's legislative program, where consistent with the City's adopted policies and platform. 6. Support 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. 7. Support efforts to enhance dangerous animal regulation and enforcement. 8. Support the streamlining, clarification, and simplification of conflict-of-interest regulations applicable to local officials. Page 215 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 20 9. Support efforts of other regional entities to join Central Coast Community Energy. 10. Support the Central Coast Regional Energy Network at the County Board of Supervisors, the CPUC, and related relevant entities and supporting pilot projects in the City as feasible. 11. Support 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 have adequate water supplies to support development activities and intensities and does not indirectly impose water service obligations to adjacent municipal water agencies. 13. Support assistance for those experiencing physical and mental health impacts of a pandemic or other disaster. 14. Support the Integrated Waste Management Authority’s (IWMA) legislative platform, where consistent with the City’s adopted policies, platforms, and public policy and project objectives. 15. Support regional efforts to create a spectrum of housing types (including board and care and housing types that include other supportive services) within the County to house the unhoused. 16. Encourage the County of San Luis Obispo to build complete streets when building new roads, and to upgrade existing roadways to be complete streets. Page 216 of 1211 EXHIBIT A CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Adopted by City Council Resolution No. XXXXX (2023 Series) Page 217 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 2 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 Major City Goals, and adopted City policy platforms, and does not otherwise extend to advocacy on any individual project or entitlement application pending before any decision-making body, unless specifically noted herein. Contents Climate Action ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Energy ........................................................................................................................................................... 3 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ..................................................................................................................... 5 Homelessness Resources Advocacy .............................................................................................................. 6 Community Development ............................................................................................................................. 8 Economic Development ................................................................................................................................ 9 Finance ........................................................................................................................................................ 10 Human Resources/Employee Relations ...................................................................................................... 11 Public Safety ................................................................................................................................................ 12 Public Works ............................................................................................................................................... 13 Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources ............................................................................................. 14 Transportation ............................................................................................................................................ 15 Utilities ........................................................................................................................................................ 17 County/Regional Priorities ........................................................................................................................ 19 Page 218 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 3 Climate Action 1. Support funding for communities to pay for public infrastructure that meet s state greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and adopted City objectives. 2. Support funding to implement programs and related action items contained in local and regional Climate Action Plans to quantitatively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advocate for regulatory reform, including but not limited to clean technologies, micro-grids, all electric buildings, electrified transportation, behind the meter technology, and natural solutions (e.g., tree planting, open space conservation, and contemporary land management and restoration practices). 3. Support regulatory reform for the transition to clean technologies, microgrids, low and zero carbon energy generation, and decarbonized buildings. 4. Support legislation and regulation that is aligned with the City’s goals of carbon neutrality by 2035 and sub-goals related to municipal operations, clean electricity, building decarbonization, clean mobility, organic waste diversion, and natural solutions. 5. Support legislation and regulation that is aligned with the policies and programs set forth by the Climate Adaptation and Safety Element including using future projections for climate hazards in planning decisions, investing in community resilience, and adapting built infrastructure and natural ecosystems to climate change hazards and disturbances. 6. Support funding and resources to focus climate investments on programs and projects that support environmental justice, economic and racial equity, and head of household jobs. 7. Support extended producer responsibility for packaging and single-use product manufacturing as to encourage source reduction and the manufacturing of reusable and sustainable products. 8. Support measures that make waste diversion and reduction more equitable for our residents and businesses. 9. Support legislation that makes recycling organic waste and edible food recovery and distribution more efficient and easily accessible to residents and businesses in need. Energy 1. Support local communities’ broad authority to form and administer Community Choice Energy (CCE) programs, reforming the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and limiting decisions that Page 219 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 4 negatively impact CCEs or otherwise shift the financial impacts of investor-owned utilities to CCEs. 2. Support California Community Choice Associations’ (Cal CCA) Regulatory and Legislative Platform, where consistent with the City’s legislative platform. 3. Support reform of CPUC policies to ensure investor-owned utilities are able and required to provide timely, accurate, and sufficiently detailed energy data. 4. Support reform of CPUC policies and state legislation that supports increased and equitable access to distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar. 5. Support legislation eliminating departing load charges which discourage the use of alternative energy resources. 6. Central Coast Community Energy Policy Board and Operations Board Positions.1 a. Support environmental justice and economic equity. b. Support 3CE investment in and support for distributed energy resources (e.g., rooftop solar), virtual power plants, demand response, behind the meter technology and energy efficiency. c. Support 3CE in evaluating and deploying programs that are climate action force multipliers (e.g., tariffed on-bill financing, virtual power plants, etc.). d. Support climate mitigation (e.g., emissions reductions), adaptation (e.g. distributed energy resources and grid stability), and resilience (e.g. disaster preparedness). e. Support the inclusion of all segments of the community in policy making and program design processes. f. Support processes that are transparent, collaborative, visible, accessible and inclusive. g. Support rate, rebate, and revenue structures that create a robust programs budget. h. Support a portfolio of programs that focuses on economic, social, and environmental equity. i. Support a portfolio of programs that focuses on strategic and intentional long-term economic development consistent with sub-regional economic development approaches. j. Support regional climate action and a portfolio of programs that are strategically implemented to achieve regional climate targets. 1 The City Council approved the City 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. 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 deliberation, and voting and sta ff 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 indivi dual project or entitlement application pending before any decision-making body, nor does it extend to the larger legislative platform of the City. Page 220 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 5 k. Support staffing required to effectively design, advertise, implement, and monitor effectiveness of the agency’s project portfolio. l. Support local government access to data, transparent GHG emissions reporting, and sub- annual emissions factors as available. m. Support programs that provide funding, technical support, or legislation that promotes grid independence and resiliency. n. Support processes and governance approaches that provide sufficient time for Board members to fully participate and drive decisions, from inception to implementation. o. Support 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. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 1. Support programs and policies to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and address systemic inequities that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized racial, ethnic, and faith-based communities. 2. Support programs and policies that disrupt anti-immigrant ideologies and center strategies for undocumented individuals’ health, well-being, and success. 3. Support education and employment opportunities and advancement of upward economic mobility and access to programs such as childcare, after-school activities, school’s family support networks and supportive services for people aging out of the foster care system. 4. Support increased availability of grant funding for ADA accessibility improvements and connectivity to streets, parks, and other public infrastructure. Support amendments to the California Voting Rights Act to expand safe harbor provisions to include remedies, in addition to district elections, to enhance quantifiable equity gains in participation and representation in local elections. 5. Support policies that protect voting rights and work to disrupt voter suppression tactics that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. 6. Support legislation that provides funding sources for appropriate human service agencies that support the mission of the Human Relations Commission. 7. Support legislation and funding to increase affordable and equitable childcare services and activities, and options for working low-income families. 8. Support legislation related to implementation of the Racial Equity Framework and resources and tools to promote racial equity and address structural racism. Page 221 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 6 9. Homelessness Resources Advocacy 1. Support legislation and funding for the prevention of homelessness and support of families and individuals vulnerable to becoming homeless. 2. Support funding for project-based, permanent affordable housing. 3. Support funding for the entire housing spectrum (including affordable units, ADUs, Tiny Homes, Temporary Emergency Shelters and family housing, and supportive housing for all homeless individuals and families including the mentally ill and aging adults). 4. Advocate for increased flexibility in the use of Federal Funds at the local level to address the full spectrum of services and transitional housing for individuals who are unhoused. 5. Support nonprofit eviction prevention services for low-income individuals and families. 6. Support programs and funding to encourage private market landlords to provide affordable units, participate in housing voucher programs and upgrade units for energy efficiency. 7. Support 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 Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU), as well as Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for public safety personnel. 8. Support employment services and job training for individuals who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. 9. Support funding for federal, state, county and local, non-profit and faith community’s coordination in preventing and ending homelessness. 10. Support funding for the removal and storage of homeless individual’s belongings and the cleaning of sites used by unhoused residents. 11. Support funding and county programs that promote whole person care approaches that include 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. 12. Support increased funding and statutory authorization for crisis intervention, involuntary assessment Page 222 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 7 and commitment, guardianship control, and health welfare intervention and supervision of those suffering from chronic homelessness, mental illness and addiction and recognition of mental illness and addiction as contributors to chronic homelessness. 13. Support 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. 14. Oppose legislation that seeks to circumvent local control and consideration of local circumstances and safety of the general public when addressing homelessness. 15. Support legislation , programs, funding, court intervention, and statutory authorization for a unified crisis response system and enhances the ability of the County Behavioral Health Director, crisis response personnel, family members and social service providers to share information necessary for effective treatment interventions and to compel assisted outpatient treatment for a person exiting a conservatorship and those lacking capacity to provide for their own healthcare, shelter and food needs. 16. Support legislation that would allow the courts and crisis intervention personnel to consider a person’s medical, addiction and mental health conditions, history of adverse impacts on community health and safety, and capacity of individuals to provide for their own health, shelter and food needs in mandating program participation in connection with criminal justice and other contacts, including or expansion of the definition of “gravely disabled” under code section 5150 et seq. in evaluating whether an individual is a danger to themselves or others. 17. Support 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. 18. Support legislation, funding, programs and policies to help expand capacity in local psychiatric health facilities, delivery of case management, drug, alcohol, and detoxification services and facilities, and mental health services for all County residents. 19. Advocate that the County lead in the area of expanding humane shelter and housing opportunities for the unhoused population and expand outreach and case management services specifically tailored to the needs of homeless individuals in the County to transition out of homelessness. 20. Support the use of data from public safety, 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. Page 223 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 8 21. Support an effective and efficient implementation of San Luis Obispo County’s 5 Year Plan to Address Homelessness. 22. Support state and federal funding of mandates to provide care and services to vulnerable populations. 23. Support legislative efforts to repeal Article 34 of the California Constitution, which requires majority approval by the voters of a city or county for the development, construction, or acquisition of a publicly funded affordable housing project. Community Development 1. Support local control of land use planning and zoning matters. 2. Support State and Federal assistance to prevent the loss of housing for those impacted by local, state, or federal disasters. 3. Support reforms of the State mandated HCD Regional Housing Need Allocations process to recognize local resource limitations and align infrastructure and other funding to help communities meet mandated housing requirements. 4. Support funding of on-campus housing at Cal Poly for students, staff and faculty, and University acquisition of residences for staff and faculty housing. 5. Support increased funding for affordable housing and supportive housing services for very low, low, and moderate income individuals and families in all cities and communities and opposing the erosion of local inclusionary housing and in-lieu fee programs. 6. Support continued funding of National Housing Trust Fund and streamlined and efficient implementation regulations at the state level. 7. Support 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. Advocate for funding for the identification, acquisition, maintenance and restoration of historic sites and structures. 9. Support continued and expanded funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Page 224 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 9 10. Support continued local control over mobile home park rent stabilization and local control over the conversion of mobile home parks to other uses to ensure that low-income mobile home park residents are not involuntarily removed from homes or otherwise subject to involuntary displacement due to economic impacts of parks subdivision or conversion. 11. Encourage the protection, enhancement and increased production of mobile home park residency opportunities. 12. Promote resolving regulatory or financial barriers to implement AB 811 (2008) property-assessed clean energy districts. 13. Encourage continued viability and expansion of inclusionary housing provisions and avoidance of conflicts with Costa-Hawkins Act. 14. Advocate for the ability to issue parking citations on private property. 15. Support responsible review and revision of CEQA to ensure sound environmental determinations. 16. Promote 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. 17. Support increased relocation assistance (AB 1482 2019) when a tenant is evicted due to no -fault of their own. 18. Support a comprehensive approach to renter protections for rental housing. 19. Support funding for seismic retrofitting for buildings that haven't been retrofitted. Economic Development 1. Support state and federal assistance for those people and businesses facing severe economic losses due to pandemic or other disasters. 2. Support regional economic activities except for those that promote weapons or fossil fuel production or distribution activities. 3. Support direct assistance and/or legislation that supports local agencies with recovering costs related to the pandemic or other disasters and stimulate economic development, resiliency, and recovery. 4. Support funding and legislation using tax credits or other incentive programs to encourage research Page 225 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 10 and development by businesses in California. 5. Support funding and policies for the promotion of California and the City and County of San Luis Obispo as a place to locate businesses that provide head-of-household jobs. 6. Support economic development that is integrated with articulated Major City Goals such as climate action, environmental protection and social justice and diversity objectives. 7. Support funding for the state tourism promotion program. 8. Support 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. Support telecommunications reform legislation and other measures that preserve local control over public rights-of-way, protect local resources, broadband for all residents and guarantee access to, funding for, and local flexibility in utilizing funds for public, educational and government (PEG) access television. 10. Support the expansion of public infrastructure financing tools and funding for infrastructure. Finance 1. Support 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. Oppose initiatives that unduly burden and/or prohibit local government ability to support essential services to the community. 3. Support collection of the full amount of local transient occupancy tax from online sales of lodging. 4. Support the continuation of California Specialized Training Institute activities within San Luis Obispo County. 5. Oppose removal of the municipal bond tax exemption. 6. Support legislation to modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act to provide increased flexibility for remote participation in public meetings by elected and appointed officials and provide increased opportunities for public engagement. Page 226 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 11 Human Resources/Employee Relations 1. Support additional workers’ compensation reforms that lower employers' costs while still protecting workers and oppose legislation that would restrict appropriate cost controls in the workers’ compensation system. 2. Support 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. Oppose 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. Support 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. Support reforms that limit the financial impacts of joint and several liability on public entities. 6. Support the clarification, modification or repeal of AB 646 fact finding requirements and oppose measures that reduces local control over public employee disputes. 7. Oppose measures that curtail management rights or impose local government mandated employee benefits that should be directly negotiated between labor groups and employers. 8. Support 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). 10. Support meaningful statewide and national efforts to make quality health care more affordable and accessible to residents and reduce costs for cities and employers. Page 227 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 12 Public Safety 1. Support new and continued State and Federal funding for school safety, disaster preparedness, earthquake preparedness, Homeland Security, hazardous material response, State COPS (Citizen’s Options for Public Safety) program, CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) and other public safety activities. 2. Support preservation of the City's authority to investigate police misconduct. 3. Support local control on issuance of concealed weapons permits. 4. Support legislation to help curb drug and alcohol-related criminal behavior and underage consumption. 5. Support legislation to limit or end the sale of all nonflavored and flavored electronic smoking device products, including mint and menthol and to increase enforcement and education related to their use. 6. Oppose new or increased state fees for state-provided law enforcement services. 7. Support the fair and efficient allocation of radio spectrum that provides quality frequencies, free from interference, for all local public safety communication needs. 8. Support efforts to enhance radio and data system(s) stability and interoperability among public safety agencies and jurisdictions. 9. Preserve the City's right to regulate activities with adverse health and safety impacts on local streets, sidewalks, public spaces and rights-of-way. 10. Support 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. Support and expand funding and programs to local jurisdictions 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. Page 228 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 13 12. Support 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. Support 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. Support 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 and legislation that would result in the implementation of a statewide modern earthquake notification and 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. Support uniformity of state and federal regulations of drones and the study and adoption of appropriate local airport protections and public safety exemptions. 16. Support legislation regarding the safe transport and storage of nuclear waste. 17. Support legislation to address the education, funding, and treatment of opioid addiction. 18. Support legislation that expands funding to manage vegetation and fuel sources in the wildland urban interface. 19. Support legislation to provide funding to help communities prepare for response, recovery and be resilient after natural disasters. 20. Support funding to remove unwanted firearms from homes and businesses. 21. Support responsive intervention programs that promote accountability and divert people away from both crime and prison. Public Works 1. Support 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. Support increased funding for flood protection, clean stormwater and low impact infrastructure projects. 3. Support cooperation and prompt approval from Federal and State regulatory agencies (such as the Page 229 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 14 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. Support monetary incentives or grant funding for electric vehicles for replacement of municipal fleet equipment. 5. Support funding and policies that support and enhance active transportation modes such as bicycles, pedestrian, and transit. 6. Support continued protection of SB-1 and other funding for transportation infrastructure maintenance. 7. Support policies and legislation that maintains local control of parking rules, regulations, rates and citation fees. 8. Support permanently allowing local governments to use design-build processes and expand the types of projects that cities can use design build and progressive design-build. Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources 1. Support State and Federal funding and other measures to promote the acquisition, protection, preservation and restoration of natural resources, open space, coastal resources, signature landforms, wetlands and park development, including continued funding for the Land and Water Conservation Grant Program and for the California Conservation Corps. 2. Support 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. Oppose any development under existing or new offshore oil and gas leases off the Coast of San Luis Obispo County. 4. Oppose any development under existing or new oil and gas leases in San Luis Obispo County. 5. Support and seek State and Federal funding and other measures to conduct research and implement land management measures for the purpose of carbon sequestration. 6. Support measures to prohibit discharge of pollutants into the creeks and ocean (e.g. selenium contaminated waters from the San Joaquin valley). 7. Support State and Federal funding and other measures to take advantage of opportunities for land and easement acquisition and enhancement project contracting. Page 230 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 15 8. Support legislative exemption from property taxes on lands dedicated to open space purposes, which may be outside the boundaries of the jurisdiction owning such lands. 9. Support funding to reduce or mitigate negative impacts to vital regional and community services and enhance public access to parks, open space, after school programming, senior services, facilities that promote physical activity, protect natural resources, and strengthen safety and security. 10. Promote 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 (2008). 11. Support access and connectivity to joint use of schools; parks and open space; development of streets and trails that encourage physical activity and healthy living. 12. Support extension or permanent legislation at the federal level of enhanced tax deductions for charitable donations of Conservation Easements. 13. Support legislation to limit the opening of protected public lands, e.g. Carrizo Plain, to fossil fuel extraction. Transportation 1. Support changes in gas tax laws that allow local tax for transportation purposes based on a majority vote of the public, as well as revenue replacement for electric vehicles to support transportation infrastructure. 2. Support the continuation of, and increased funding sources for street maintenance projects, transportation improvements, transit operations and multimodal facility projects. 3. Support funding sources for fleet and transit electrification. 4. Support transportation funding for San Luis Obispo County, in particular funding that provides for alternative modes of transportation with clean air benefits or reductions in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gases. 5. Support transportation funding and policy that promote regional bike and pedestrian connections between cities and other population centers. Page 231 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 16 6. Support 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. 7. Support cooperation of private transportation companies (such as Union Pacific Railroad) to reach agreements for sharing of properly secured right of way corridors for other compatible uses such as bicycle and pedestrian facilities. 8. Oppose the proposed diversion of any funding source for transportation that reduces amounts designated for transit operations. 9. Support funding for projects to implement adopted complete street plans demonstrated to improve public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 10. Support provision of Cap-and-Trade funding for transportation projects. 11. Support increased funding for existing Active Transportation Program (ATP) and other sources of bicycle and pedestrian transportation funding. 12. Support funding for existing and future transportation needs. 13. Support funding strategies to reduce the personal cost of transportation, especially cargo and electric- assist bicycles and their supporting infrastructure. 14. Oppose proposed changes to statistical methodologies such as Metropolitan Statistical Areas that have the potential to reduce funding for transportation improvements. 15. Support 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 calls to action from groups like the National Transportation Safety Board, NACTO and others. 16. In alignment with the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), support legislation for a Bike Safety Stop that would authorize a person bicycling to treat a stop sign like a yield sign, giving right-of-way to other traffic at an intersection before proceeding safely through, but without the requirement to come to a full stop. 17. Support consideration of increased funding and options for safe bike and pedestrian crossing of railroad tracks, including bridges, underpasses and controlled at-grade crossings. Page 232 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 17 Utilities 1. Support clean water and drinking water funding programs. 2. Support recycling, waste diversion, and zero waste programs and enhancing local government's ability to comply with solid waste reduction requirements (includes building of recycling infrastructure and organics / biosolids composting facilities). 3. Support measures that require the State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards establish a process to evaluate, in advance of adoption, the costs of compliance for pending and future regulatory actions on National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permittees. 4. Support 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. Support 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., California Water Code Section 13385[h]). 6. Support 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. Support the safe, responsible, and cost-effective reuse of Exceptional Quality or better biosolids. 8. Support sustainable and resilient energy programs. 9. Support 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. Support 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. Support federal and state funding that would allow for transfer of Salinas Reservoir from the Army Corps of Engineers to the County or City of San Luis Obispo. 12. Support water conservation and water use efficiency best management practices. Page 233 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 18 13. Support 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 (2009) and other water conservation regulations. 14. Oppose legislation that requires recycled water to be included in water conservation regulations. 15. Oppose mandatory consolidation of water systems. 16. Support the expansion of recycled water production and use, including potable reuse. 17. Support the use of Public Goods Funds for the development and installation of energy saving or green energy generating projects to benefit local government. 18. Oppose legislation that diminishes the City’s existing or potential water rights. 19. Support the protection of water resources. 20. Support the protection of our natural resources from invasive species. 21. Support regional water resiliency initiatives. 22. Support streamlined water rights amendment processes for minor water rights permit changes. 23. Support federal and statewide funding of water infrastructure projects. 24. Oppose 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. 25. Oppose 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, nonprofit public beneficial uses, and/or educational uses. 26. Support 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. 27. Support stormwater requirements that are related to specific issues and include reasonable implementation timeframes and funding. Page 234 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 19 28. Support autonomy for management of individual Sustainable Groundwater Management Act designated basins within the county. 29. Support funding for implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans including the San Luis Obispo/Edna Valley Basin. County/Regional Priorities 1. Support County land use policies and practices that are consistent with the Memorandum of Agreement adopted by the City Council and County Board of Supervisors in 2016 regarding development near the edges of the City and opposing inconsistent policies and practices. 2. Encourage participation by County in providing nearby parking for County employees and clients, and alternate transportation and parking demand reduction. 3. Support County development of a local ordinance providing additional local oversight and regulation of the land application of Pollutant Concentration (PC) or better biosolids. 4. Support the San Luis Obispo County Zone 9 Flood Control and Water Conservation District efforts to solve City/County flood problems. 5. Support the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District's legislative program, where consistent with the City's adopted policies and platform. 6. Support 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. 7. Support efforts to enhance dangerous animal regulation and enforcement. 8. Support the streamlining, clarification, and simplification of conflict-of-interest regulations applicable to local officials. 9. Support efforts of other regional entities to join Central Coast Community Energy. 10. Support the Central Coast Regional Energy Network at the County Board of Supervisors, the CPUC, and related relevant entities and supporting pilot projects in the City as feasible. 11. Support regional and regulatory collaboration to fund and support climate change impact projections and coordinate approaches for increasing regional resilience. 12. Support requirements that development outside City jurisdiction have adequate water supplies to support development activities and intensities and does not indirectly impose water service Page 235 of 1211 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM Page 20 obligations to adjacent municipal water agencies. 13. Support assistance for those experiencing physical and mental health impacts of a pandemic or other disaster. 14. Support the Integrated Waste Management Authority’s (IWMA) legislative platform, where consistent with the City’s adopted policies, platforms, and public policy and project objectives. 15. Support regional efforts to create a spectrum of housing types (including board and care and housing types that include other supportive services) within the County to house the unhoused. 16. Encourage the County of San Luis Obispo to build complete streets when building new roads, and to upgrade existing roadways to be complete streets. Page 236 of 1211