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Home My WebLink About03/07/1995, C-6 - 1995 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PROGRAM ��ul►IUII�IIIII�III V`II`I "J c MEETING GATE: �p�uq ull c� or san suis os�spo AL COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER: FROM: Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer #VW-� Prepared by: Deb Hossli, Administration SUBJECT: 1995 Legislative Action Program CAO RECOMMENDATION: (1) Adopt a resolution establishing legislative priorities for 1995. (2) Appoint Councilmember Smith to serve as the City's delegate to the League of California Cities "City Legislative Delegate Program" DISCUSSION: Attached for the Council's consideration is the 1995 Legislative Action Resolution. This resolution authorizes staff to respond to legislative issues affecting the City (via letters signed by the Mayor, or in his absence, a Councilmember), provided that the positions taken in the letters are consistent with the formal,positions of the League of California Cities and/or the priorities identified in Exhibit A of the resolution. In addition to the submission of letters to Federal and State officials, the resolution also encourages "face-to-face" communication, which in 1995 should emphasize our relationship with north county Cities and agencies. Staff is also recommending that the Council appoint Councilwomen Smith to serve as the City's delegate to the League of California Cities newly created "Cities Legislative Delegate" Program. The purpose of this program is to strengthen the grassroots efforts of the League in critical legislative issues by encouraging more pro-active, regular interaction between local elected officials and their State Assembly and Senate representatives. As a participant in this program, the City is committing to make at least one contact a month with our State Assembly and Senate representatives to familiarize them with City issues. ATTACB31ENTS: ■ Resolution ■ Legislative Action Program ■ Letter from League on Legislative Delegate Program \legact RESOLUTION NO. (1995 Series) ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION PROGRAM AND PRIORITIES FOR 1995 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 the adoption of State and Federal legislation, regulations and grant requests; and WHEREAS, the League of California Cities conducts an effective legislative analysis and influential advocacy program on behalf of cities for State issues and major Federal issues; and WHEREAS, with four County Supervisors representing different portions of the city, it is imperative that the City develop an improved system for regular communication with the Board of Supervisors and north county agencies; 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 recommended by the League of California Cities; and WHEREAS, the City must have an efficient process in place which allows for a rapid response that effectively communicates the interests of the City to other officials; and WHEREAS, a key component of the City's Legislative Action Program is face-to- face meetings between City representatives and elected officials at the Federal, State and, in particular, County levels, and coordination with similar efforts made by other local government entities. ATTACHMENT 1 Page Two Resolution No. (1995 Series) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT-RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo does hereby establish the Legislative Action Priorities for 1995 to take positions on legislation generally consistent with the resolutions and recommendations i of the League of California Cities and inclusive of the legislative priorities identified in Exhibit A attached hereto. Upon motion of seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 1993. MAYOR ALLEN SETTLE ATTEST: i City Clerk . APPROVED: i tt n g:legact i i I EXE IBIT A: CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION PRIORITIES FOR 1995 I - ER! -- ■ Requiring funding of federally mandated programs, including new water/wastewater regulations, or eliminating such mandates i ■ Promoting continued and increased funding sources for transportation ■ Obtaining new funding sources to expand low and moderate income housing ■ Supporting legislation to transfer ownership of Salinas Reservoir to the County of San Luis Obispo, if necessary ■ Supporting legislation on coastal preservation ■ Supporting legislation that provides regulatory relief to local government in complying with the Fair Labor Standards Act and;overtime provisions for exempt employees ■ Supporting continued funding for the Land and Water Conservation Grant Program '< p. FINANCE ■ Balancing the State Budget without further losses to City revenues ■ Supporting efforts to protect the City from loss of revenues due to State mandates ■ Supporting legislation that strengthens opportunities for local fiscal independence COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ■ Opposing mandated State approval of local General Plan Elements, such as implementing, and compliance with, State General Plan Housing Element law ■ Promoting funding sources to encourage the retro-fitting of un-reinforced masonry buildings i of-G—� i Page 2 PUBLIC SAFETY ■ Repealing legislation that requires cities to pay booking fees (SB 2557)• i ■ Preserving City's authority to investigate police misconduct ■ Preserving City's authority to establish emergency medical service levels ■ Increasing City authority to regulate group homes for juvenile offenders ■ Continuing support for disaster preparedness/earthquake awareness ■ Supporting grant requests for Regional Hazardous Material Response Team, disaster preparedness, and training facility ■ Supporting efforts to secure higher levels of cost recovery for DUI's. ■ Supporting efforts to expand the scope of parental responsibility for crimes committed by minors ■ Supporting efforts to provide the Governor with authority to override the parole board when anyone convicted of a violent off, ense is proposed to be released on parole TRANSPORTATION ■ Changing gas tax laws to allow local tax for transportation purposes based on a majority vote of the public (ESTE recommendation) ■ Increasing transportation funding (including transit; bicycles, others) PERSONNEL/EMPLOYEE RELATIONS ■ Further reforming Worker's Compensation ■ Preserving the fiscal integrity of PERS ■ Opposing binding arbitration and expansion of the "Peace Officers' Bill of Rights" ■ Monitoring employee healthcare/benefit changes i Page 3 PUBLIC WORKS ■ Redefining prevailing wages as "average" local wages ■ Streamlining Federal and State process for funding street projects PARKS AND RECREATION ■ Supporting recreational programming, particularly community child care program development and incentives ■ Supporting funding for: protection of natural resources (e.g., the Morros), open space, and parks development ■ Supporting efforts to streamline regulatory requirements associated with child care and aquatic programs UTILITIES ■ Providing funding for reclaimed water programs ■ Supporting clean water grant programs I ■ Supporting efforts to enhance local government's ability to comply with solid waste requirements r NtlG'A W tl x... ARVlR.tRCL'40.tlStlR ' AAtl tlCAt ■ Reaching agreement with the County and north county communities on solutions . for Salinas Reservoir expansion and Nacimiento pipeline projects ■ Promoting consistency between the City and County General Plans, especially by opposing urban-like development in areas adjacent to the City limits, and establishing stronger greenbelt protection policies ■ Resolving annexation tax transfer issues (in conjunction with other cities) with the County and establishing a consistent countywide policy i ■ Increasing local funding of the Transit Transfer Center i ■ Retaining County offices in the downtown area ■ Revising local medical edical service response � ' i ■ Improving regionol solid waste management �!G-6 II , II Page 4 ■ Developing_ cooperative approaches for providing_ services on a regional basis Effectively and cooperatively implementing the Community Development Block Grant Program ■ Streamlining and consolidating hazardous materials inspection, permit and fee programs glegact I . : 1 j. li 1 i l