HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-11557 establishing the City Legislative Action Platform for 2025 and appointing the Council MemberR 11557
RESOLUTION NO. 11557 (2025 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY LEGISLATIVE
ACTION PLATFORM FOR 2025 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 February 25, 2025, and formed an Ad-Hoc Subcommittee consisting of
Councilmember Marx and Councilmember Boswell to provide further review and changes
in response to Council and public input; and
WHEREAS, on March 12, 2025, the Ad-Hoc Subcommittee reviewed staff
recommended changes and provided additional recommendations in consideration of the
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 by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
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Resolution No. 11557 (2025 Series) Page 2
R 11557
SECTION 1. Establish the Legislative Action Platform for 2025 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.
Upon motion of Vice Mayor Shoresman, seconded by Council Member Boswell,
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Member Boswell, Francis, Marx, Vice Mayor Shoresman,
and Mayor Stewart
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 15th day of April 2025.
___________________________
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
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4/17/2025 | 3:23 PM PDT
EXHIBIT A
2025
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM
ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 11557 (2025 SERIES)
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LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM
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About this Legislative Platform
This Legislative Platform, adopted by the City of San Luis Obispo Council, will establish the City’s
position on legislative matters of priority and importance to the City. The Legislative Platform is
reviewed regularly and updated on an annual basis. The Legislative Platform shall be published
and disseminated widely to promote transparency and awareness among the public. The City
shares its Legislative Platform with Federal and State legislators, as well as the County Board of
Supervisors. This public document serves as a guiding framework for the City's legislative
advocacy efforts throughout the year.
Advocacy
The Legislative Platform 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 (including those
pertaining to budget, regulations, policies, and programs) being considered by local, regional,
state and/or federal policy makers or regulators consistent with Major City Goals and adopted
City policy platforms. It does not otherwise extend to advocacy for or against any individual
project, program, or entitlement application pending before any decision‐making body, unless
specifically noted herein.
The League of California Cities (Cal Cities)
The City actively participates in the Cal Cities, a statewide association representing most of
California’s 482 cities. Cal Cities advocates for local control through legislative efforts, ballot
measures, legal action, and strategic outreach to educate policymakers, opinion leaders, and the
public. It also conducts legislative analysis and advocacy on behalf of cities for key State and
Federal issues. Through the Council’s adopted Legislative Platform resolution, the City takes
positions consistent with Cal Cities’ recommendations. The 2025 Cal Cities advocacy priorities
include:
1.Protecting local revenues and expanding economic development tools.
2.Strengthening climate change resiliency and disaster preparedness.
3.Strengthening and modernizing critical infrastructure.
4.Securing investments to prevent and reduce homelessness and increase the supply of
affordable housing.
Consistency with City Goals and Policies
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The City of San Luis Obispo’s Legislative Action Platform is designed to align with the City’s and
broader strategic priorities. The platform provides a framework for legislative advocacy;
however, all positions that the City takes should be consistent with adopted City policies,
strategic plans, and/or overarching Major City Goals where feasible. This ensures a cohesive and
strategic approach to legislative engagement that reflects the City’s priorities and values. For
emerging issues or situations not outlined in the Legislative Platform or recommended through
Cal Cities, City staff will work with the City Council for further direction.
Figure 1 ‐ 2025‐27 Council Adopted Major City Goals
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Contents
Climate Action ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Energy ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for All .......................................................................................................... 7
Homelessness Resources .............................................................................................................................. 9
Community Development ........................................................................................................................... 11
Tenant Protections ...................................................................................................................................... 12
Economic Development .............................................................................................................................. 13
Finance & Governance ................................................................................................................................ 14
Human Resources/Employee Relations ...................................................................................................... 14
Public Safety ................................................................................................................................................ 15
Public Works ............................................................................................................................................... 17
Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources ............................................................................................. 18
Transportation ............................................................................................................................................ 20
Utilities ........................................................................................................................................................ 22
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Climate Action
Support:
1.Funding for communities to pay for public infrastructure that meets state greenhouse gas emission
reduction goals and adopted City objectives.
2.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/zero‐emission 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.Regulatory reform to facilitate the transition to clean technologies, microgrids, low and zero carbon
energy generation, and decarbonized buildings.
4.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.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.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.Legislation, policies, and regulation that extend producer responsibility for packaging and single‐use
product manufacturing as to encourage source reduction and the manufacturing of reusable and
sustainable products.
8.Legislation, policies, and regulation that that make waste diversion and reduction more equitable for
our residents and businesses.
9.Legislation that makes recycling organic waste and edible food recovery and distribution more
efficient and easily accessible to residents and businesses in need.
Oppose:
10.Legislation and regulation that limits the City’s ability to achieve its 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.
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Energy
Support:
1.Reform of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) structure and policies, state regulation,
and state legislation to accelerate equitable building and transportation decarbonization.
2.CPUC reform that ties investor‐owned utility compensation to performance consistent with state
policy objectives.
3.California Community Choice Associations’ (Cal CCA) Regulatory and Legislative Platform, where
consistent with the City’s legislative platform.
4.Reform of CPUC policies and state legislation to ensure investor‐owned utilities are able and required
to provide timely, accurate, and sufficiently detailed energy data.
5.Reform of CPUC policies and state legislation that supports increased, equitable, and affordable access
to distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar.
6.Reform of CPUC policies, state regulation, and state legislation that support all zero emission
buildings, including support for mobile home parks, low‐income households, and other disadvantaged
community members.
7.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.
8.Regional and regulatory collaboration to fund and support climate change impact projections and
coordinate approaches for increasing regional resilience.
9.Sustainable and resilient energy programs.
10.Legislation in alignment with Central Coast Community Energy Policy Board and Operations Board
Positions.1
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 staff review of agenda, but are not an exhaustive list
of issues that may arise. These positions are intended to extend only to advocacy for or against generally
applicable policy proposals being considered by 3CE and does not extend to advocacy on any individual project or
entitlement application pending before any decision‐making body, nor does it extend to the larger legislative
platform of the City.
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a. 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.
b. 3CE in evaluating and deploying programs that are climate action force multipliers (e.g.,
tariffed on‐bill financing, virtual power plants, etc.).
c. Processes that are transparent, collaborative, visible, accessible, and inclusive.
d. Rate, rebate, and revenue structures that create a robust programs budget.
e. Regional climate action and a portfolio of programs that are strategically implemented to
achieve regional climate targets.
f. Local government access to data, transparent GHG emissions reporting, and sub‐annual
emissions factors as available.
g. Processes and governance approaches that provide sufficient time for Board members to fully
participate and drive decisions, from inception to implementation.
11. Legislation and regulatory efforts that promote the safe deployment, operation, and
decommissioning of battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Oppose:
12. Legislative and CPUC decisions that negatively impact CCAs or otherwise shift the financial obligations
of investor‐owned utilities to CCAs.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for All
Support:
1. Legislation that creates, expands, and/or provides broad authority to jurisdictions to develop and
implement diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, policies, or initiatives to address systemic
inequities that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, and
other marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities.
2. Legislation that centers reforms for advancing access for undocumented individuals’ health, well‐
being, and success.
3. Education and employment opportunities and development of upward economic mobility and access
to programs such as childcare, after‐school activities, school’s family support networks and supportive
services for individuals aging out of the foster care system.
4. Increased availability of grant funding for ADA accessibility improvements and connectivity to streets,
parks, and other public infrastructure.
5. Amendments to the California Elections Code to expand safe harbor provisions in response to district
elections demands under the California Voting Rights Act to include remedies, in addition to district
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elections, to enhance quantifiable equity gains in participation and representation in local elections,
including, but not limited to cumulative voting, limited voting, ranked choice voting and other voting
structures that can be demonstrated to advance voter engagement and equity.
6.Legislation that furthers jurisdictions’ abilities to create policies that protect voting rights and work
to disrupt voter suppression tactics that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and other
communities of color.
7.Legislation that provides funding sources for appropriate human service agencies that support the
mission of the Human Relations Commission.
8.Legislation and funding to increase affordable and equitable childcare services, and activities, and
options for working low‐income families.
9.Legislation related to implementation of the Racial Equity Framework2 and resources and tools to
promote racial equity and address structural racism.
10.Legislation that creates programs or policies that contribute to family friendly workplace
environments that may include, but are not limited to, leave for reproductive loss, paid parental leave,
flextime, and job sharing.
11.Legislation that advances access and expands funding for services, programs, and/or projects
centered in addressing inequities that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, People of Color
(BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities.
12.Legislation that subsidizes or provides funding for translation and interpretation services for local
governments to ensure all members of a community can be civically engaged and easily access
government programs and services.
13.Legislation that strengthens the California Civil Rights Department and its ability to respond to and
address hate and discrimination cases appropriately.
14.Meaningful statewide and national efforts to make quality health care more affordable and accessible
to residents and reduce costs for cities and employers.
15.Medicare reforms, including updates to geographic designation criteria, that promote equity, expand
access to care, enhance regional collaboration, and ensure healthcare sustainability on the Central
Coast.
2 Executive Order N‐16‐22 establishes the State's authority to develop plans and strategies to advance equity and
identify disparities. Within the Executive Order, there are specifics for the Governor's Office of Planning &
Research to create the Racial Equity Commission (REC). One of the duties of the REC is to produce a Racial Equity
Framework, which will contain strategies for state, county, and local governments to implement.
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Homelessness Resources
Support:
1.Legislation and funding for the prevention of homelessness and support of families and individuals
vulnerable to becoming homeless.
2.Funding for project‐based, permanent affordable housing.
3.Funding for the entire housing spectrum (including affordable units, ADUs, Tiny Homes, Temporary
Emergency Shelters and family housing, and supportive housing for all unhoused individuals and
families including those with mental health needs, the medically fragile, and aging adults.)
4.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.Nonprofit eviction prevention services for low‐income individuals and families.
6.Programs and funding to encourage private market landlords to provide affordable units, participate
in housing voucher programs, and upgrade units for energy efficiency.
7.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.Employment services and job training opportunities for individuals who are homeless or at‐risk of
becoming homeless.
9.Funding for federal, state, county and local coordination with non‐profit and faith‐based organizations
to prevent and address homelessness.
10.Funding for the removal and storage of unhoused individual’s belongings and the cleaning of sites
used by unhoused residents, in alignment with the City’s Compassionate Assistance, Mitigation &
Prevention (CAMP) Standards and Temporary Storage Guidelines.
11.Funding and 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.Increased funding and statutory authorization for crisis intervention, involuntary assessment and
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commitment, guardianship control, and health welfare intervention and supervision of those suffering
from chronic homelessness, mental health conditions and addiction, and recognition of mental illness
and addiction as contributors to chronic homelessness.
13.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 and capacity rates, in‐flow and out‐flow information, cost‐reporting
of services provided and rendered, and individuals successfully housed.
14.Legislation, programs, funding, court intervention, and statutory authorization for a unified crisis
response system to enhance 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.
15.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.
16.Legislation for Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) to allow for flexibility in funds earmarked for
“Innovation” programs that are aimed at finding new and different ways to provide services.
17.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, assisted living
beds for medically fragile people, and mental health services for all County residents.
18.Advocation 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 unhoused individuals in the County to transition out of homelessness.
19.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.
20.An effective and efficient implementation of San Luis Obispo County’s 5‐Year Plan to Address
Homelessness.
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21.State and federal funding of mandates to provide care and services to vulnerable populations.
22.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.
23.Assistance for those experiencing physical and mental health impacts of a pandemic or other disaster.
24.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.
Oppose:
25.Legislation that seeks to circumvent local control and consideration of local circumstances and safety
of the general public when addressing homelessness.
Community Development
Support:
1.Local control of land use planning and zoning matters.
2.State and Federal assistance to prevent the loss of housing for those impacted by local, state, or
federal disasters.
3.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.Planning and funding of on‐campus housing at Cal Poly for students, staff and faculty as included in
the Cal Poly Master Plan, including an on campus Greek row.
5.Increased and ongoing funding sources 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.Continued funding of National Housing Trust Fund and streamlined and efficient implementation
regulations at the state level.
7.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.
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8.Funding for the identification, acquisition, maintenance and restoration of historic sites and
structures.
9.Continued and expanded funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
10.Policies, programs and funding to support opportunities to convert vacant commercial spaces to
affordable housing and childcare facilities.
11.State and federal level down‐payment assistance programs and the expansion of below‐market rate
assistance programs.
12.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.
13.The protection, enhancement, and increased production of mobile home park residency
opportunities.
14.The ability to issue parking citations on private property.
15.Responsible review and revision of CEQA to ensure sound environmental determinations with a focus
on CEQA reform that specifically addresses housing production and rezoning efforts to facilitate
housing.
16.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.Funding for seismic retrofitting for buildings that haven't been retrofitted.
18.Participation in the study period for AB 835 regarding building standards for single exit, single stairway
apartment houses.
Tenant Protections
Support:
1.Increased relocation assistance (AB 1482 2019) when a tenant is evicted due to no‐fault of their own.
2.Increases in state and federal approaches to renter protections for rental housing and enforcement
of existing renter protections in accordance with the California Civil Codes including but not limited
to Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940‐1954.1 (includes Tenant Protection Act).
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3.Legislation, policies, and programs that expand tenant affordability and stability.
Economic Development
Support:
1.State and federal assistance for those people and businesses facing severe economic losses due to
pandemic or other disasters.
2.Regional economic activities except for those that promote weapons or fossil fuel production or
distribution activities.
3.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.Funding and legislation using tax credits or other incentive programs to encourage research and
development by businesses in California.
5.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.Economic development that is integrated with articulated Major City Goals such as climate action,
environmental protection and social justice and diversity objectives.
7.Funding for the state tourism promotion program.
8.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.Telecommunications reform legislation and other measures that preserve local control over public
rights‐of‐way, protect local resources, broadband and telecommunications for all residents and
guarantee access to, funding for, and local flexibility in utilizing funds for public, educational and
government (PEG) access television.
10.Federal and state funding of broadband infrastructure.
11.The expansion of public infrastructure financing tools and funding for infrastructure.
12.Legislation exempting public art projects from contractor licensing requirements to expand artist
eligibility and reduce project costs.
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Finance & Governance
Support:
1.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.Collection of the full amount of local transient occupancy tax from online sales of lodging.
3.The continuation of California Specialized Training Institute activities within San Luis Obispo County.
4.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.
5.Legislation that furthers SB 1439’s intent to restrict “Pay‐to‐play” campaign financing but provides
clarifications and modifications that reduce the administrative burden associated with the
implementation as currently written.
6.The streamlining, clarification, and simplification of conflict‐of‐interest regulations applicable to local
officials.
7.Legislation that would provide an exemption from the current Bradley‐Burns two percent local sales
tax cap for the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) to pursue a regional sales tax
measure for transportation, subject to voter approval.3
Oppose:
8.Initiatives that unduly burden and/or prohibit local government ability to support essential services
to the community.
9.Removal of the municipal bond tax exemption.
Human Resources/Employee Relations
Support:
1.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.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
3 This was approved by Council on January 21, 2025, as a standalone legislative advocacy item.
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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.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.
4.Reforms that limit the financial impacts of joint and several liability on public entities.
5.The clarification, modification or repeal of AB 646 fact finding requirements and oppose measures
that reduces local control over public employee disputes.
6.Federal legislation to modify, refine, or eliminate Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements on
public agencies.
7.Reforms that limit the joint and several liability to agencies who have entered into Joint Powers
Agreements (JPAs).
Oppose:
8.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.
9.Measures that curtail management rights or impose local government mandated employee benefits
that should be directly negotiated between labor groups and employers.
Public Safety
Support:
1.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.Preservation of the City's authority to investigate police misconduct.
3.Local control on issuance of concealed weapons permits.
4.Legislation to help curb drug and alcohol‐related criminal behavior and underage consumption.
5.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.The fair and efficient allocation of radio spectrum that provides quality frequencies, free from
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interference, for all local public safety communication needs.
7.Efforts to enhance radio and data system(s) stability and interoperability among public safety agencies
and jurisdictions.
8.The City's right to regulate activities with adverse health and safety impacts on local streets, sidewalks,
public spaces, and rights‐of‐way, including illegal street parties.
9.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.
10.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.
11.Streamlining CEQA, including allowing exemptions, for fuel modification and reduction projects to
strengthen wildfire prevention efforts while maintaining appropriate environmental safeguards.
12.Funding to support implementation of State‐mandated actions within designated Fire Hazard Severity
Zones.
13.Grants and aid to land/property owners with properties located within designated fire hazard severity
zones (as designated by Cal Fire), which are threatened by wind‐driven fire events, to harden
structures again fire impingement and create sustainable defensible spaces.
14.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.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.Uniformity of state and federal regulations of drones and the study and adoption of appropriate local
airport protections and public safety exemptions.
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17.Legislation regarding the safe transport and storage of nuclear and hazardous waste.
18.Legislation to address the education, funding, and treatment of opioid addiction.
19.Legislation that expands funding to manage vegetation and fuel sources in the wildland urban
interface.
20.Legislation to provide funding to help communities prepare for response, recovery and be resilient
after natural disasters.
21.Funding to remove unwanted firearms from homes and businesses.
22.Responsive intervention programs that promote accountability and divert people away from both
crime and prison.
23.Funding and training for emergency response to electrified vehicles and infrastructure.
24.Legislation and policies that protect and support individuals who are targeted by hate crimes and hate
biased incidents.
25.Legislation and funding for Electric Vehicle (EV) fire mitigation, including specialized equipment and
training for emergency responders, with potential contributions from EV manufacturers.
26.The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District's legislative program, where consistent with
the City's adopted policies and platform.
27.Efforts to enhance dangerous animal regulation and enforcement.
Oppose:
28.New or increased state fees for state‐provided law enforcement services.
Public Works
Support:
1.Increased availability of grant funding to create new infrastructure and replace aging infrastructure of
all types, e.g., streets, bridges, water, sewer, parks, and storm sewer systems, etc.
2.Any funding opportunities, including grants and infrastructure programs, to support the planning,
design, and construction of the Prado Road Interchange.
3.Increased funding for flood protection, clean stormwater, and low impact infrastructure projects.
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4.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.
5.Monetary incentives or grant funding for electric vehicles for replacement of municipal fleet
equipment.
6.Funding and policies that support and enhance active transportation modes such as bicycles,
pedestrian, and transit.
7.Continued protection of SB‐1 and other funding for transportation infrastructure maintenance.
8.Policies and legislation that maintains local control of parking rules, regulations, rates, and citation
fees.
9.Policies and legislation that allow for increased enforcement ability for on and off‐street parking with
an emphasis on allowing automated parking control devices (e.g. parking structure cameras) for the
purpose of issuing parking violations.
10.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.
11.Participation by County in providing nearby parking for County employees and clients, and alternate
transportation and parking demand reduction.
12.The San Luis Obispo County Zone 9 Flood Control and Water Conservation District efforts to solve
City/County flood problems.
13.Legislation that authorizes and facilitates the use of Community Workforce Agreements (CWAs),
enabling local governments to establish project labor agreements that promote local hiring, fair
wages, and workforce development while ensuring efficient project delivery.
Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources
Support:
1.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.The expansion of National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of San Luis Obispo County to further protect
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this fragile habitat from offshore oil and gas development.
3.State and Federal funding and other measures to conduct research and implement land management
measures for the purpose of carbon sequestration.
4.Measures to prohibit discharge of pollutants into the creeks and ocean (e.g., selenium contaminated
waters from the San Joaquin valley).
5.State and Federal funding and other measures to take advantage of opportunities for land and
easement acquisition and enhancement project contracting.
6.Legislative exemption from property taxes on lands dedicated to open space purposes, which may be
outside the boundaries of the jurisdiction owning such lands.
7.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.
8.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).
9.Access and connectivity to joint use of schools; parks and open space; development of streets and
trails that encourage physical activity and healthy living.
10.The extension or permanent legislation at the federal level of enhanced tax deductions for charitable
donations of Conservation Easements.
11.Legislation to limit the opening of protected public lands, e.g., Carrizo Plain, to fossil fuel extraction.
12.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.
Oppose:
13.Any development under existing or new offshore oil and gas leases off the Coast of San Luis Obispo
County.
14.Any development under existing or new oil and gas leases in San Luis Obispo County.
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Transportation
Support:
1.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.The continuation of, and increased funding sources for street maintenance projects, transportation
improvements, mass transportation, transit operations and multimodal facility projects.
3.Funding sources for fleet and transit electrification.
4.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.Transportation funding and policy that promote regional bike and pedestrian connections between
cities and other population centers.
6.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.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.Funding for projects to implement adopted complete street plans demonstrated to improve public
health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
9.Provision of Cap‐and‐Trade funding for active transportation projects.
10.Increased funding for existing Active Transportation Program (ATP) and other sources of bicycle and
pedestrian transportation funding.
11.Funding for existing and future transportation needs.
12.Funding strategies to reduce the personal cost of transportation, especially cargo and electric‐assist
bicycles and their supporting infrastructure.
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13.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, and including locations that interface with the state highway system, consistent with calls to
action from groups like the National Transportation Safety Board, NACTO and others.
14.Opportunities for improved coordination between state and local governments to advance common
goals and priorities, such as opportunities for partnership projects between the City and Caltrans to
advance safety and multimodal improvements to state highway facilities within and in the vicinity of
the City.
15.Legislation for a Bike Safety Stop, in alignment with the National Association of City Transportation
Officials (NACTO), 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.
16.Consideration of increased funding and options for safe bike and pedestrian crossing of railroad
tracks, including bridges, underpasses and controlled at‐grade crossings.
17.Legislation to improve safety features for new motor vehicles, including requirements for side guards
on certain trucks and trailers and/or addition of devices that would limit the ability of drivers to
unreasonably exceed posted speed limits.
18.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.
19.Advocacy for the County of San Luis Obispo to build complete streets when building new roads, and
to upgrade existing roadways to be complete streets.
20.Legislation and regulatory efforts that give cities the option to consider automated speed
enforcement as a potential tool for improving traffic safety and reducing speeding‐related accidents.
Oppose:
21.Proposed changes to statistical methodologies such as Metropolitan Statistical Areas that have the
potential to reduce funding for transportation improvements.
22.The proposed diversion of any funding source for transportation that reduces amounts designated for
transit operations.
23.Legislation that would modify current restrictions to allow longer or heavier tractor‐trailers to use
public roadways, which would increase roadway wear and tear and degrade safety for other road
users.
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Utilities
Support:
1.Clean water and drinking water funding programs.
2.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.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.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.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.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.The safe, responsible, and cost‐effective reuse of Exceptional Quality or better biosolids.
8.County development of a local ordinance providing additional local oversight and regulation of the
land application of Pollutant Concentration (PC) or better biosolids.
9.The Integrated Waste Management Authority’s (IWMA) legislative platform, where consistent with
the City’s adopted policies, platforms, and public policy and project objectives.
10.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.
11.Federal legislative action and funding to transfer the property ownership of Salinas Reservoir from
Army Corps of Engineers Military Project to Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Project.
12.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.
13.Water conservation and water use efficiency best management practices.
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14.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.
15.The expansion of recycled water production and use, including potable reuse.
16.The use of Public Goods Funds for the development and installation of energy saving or green energy
generating projects to benefit local government.
17.The protection of water resources.
18.The protection of our natural resources from invasive species.
19.Regional water resiliency initiatives and oppose measures reducing the city’s water security.
20.Requirements that development outside City jurisdiction have adequate water supplies to support
development activities and intensities and does not indirectly impose water service obligations to
adjacent municipal water agencies.
21.Streamlined water rights amendment processes for minor water rights permit changes.
22.Federal and statewide funding of water infrastructure projects.
23.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.
24.Stormwater requirements that are related to specific issues and include reasonable implementation
timeframes and funding.
25.Autonomy for management of individual Sustainable Groundwater Management Act designated
basins within the county.
26.Funding for implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans including the San Luis Obispo/Edna
Valley Basin.
27.Federal and state policies that require per‐ or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) source control and
labelling by product manufacturers, producers, packagers, importers, suppliers, or distributors.
28.Federal and state funding to assist with identification and cleanup of per‐ or polyfluoroalkyl
substances (PFAS) contamination in public source water supplies.
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29.Federal or state legislation to protect and limit the liability of passive receivers such as public water
and wastewater agencies facing the threat of either USEPA enforcement actions or third‐party
litigation from the decision to list PFAS as a hazardous substance.
Oppose:
30.Legislation that requires recycled water to be included in water conservation regulations.
31.Mandatory consolidation of water systems.
32.Legislation that diminishes the City’s existing or potential water rights.
33.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.
34.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.
35.State or local per‐ or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulations that are more restrictive than
federal regulations.
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