HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/16/1996, C-2 - 1996 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PROGRAM�I�Iry11l�lll�l��ll'��Q�I`I CIty Of San LUIS OBI SPO MEETING DATE:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT I NUMBBa:/J�
FROM: Jeff Jorgensen ity Attorney
SUBJECT: 1996 Legislative Action Program
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
(1) Adopt a resolution establishing legislative priorities
for 1996
(2) Re- 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 1996 Legislative
Action Program Resolution. Similar resolutions were adopted by the
Council in 1993, 1994, and 1995. 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
1996 should continue to emphasize our relationship with north
county cities and agencies.
Also attached for your information are the Legislative Priorities
established by the League of California Cities (Exhibit B).
Staff is also recommending that the Council re- appoint Councilwoman
Smith to serve as the City's delegate to the League of California
Cities "Cities Legislative Delegate" Program. This program was
created in 1995 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.
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Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Legislative Action Program
3. Exhibit B (League Legislative Priorities)
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RESOLUTION NO. (1996 Series)
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION
PROGRAM AND PRIORITIES FOR 1996
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 may from time to time be recommended by the
League of California Cities; 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the
City of San Luis Obispo does hereby establish the Legislative
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Resolution No. (1996 Series)
Page Two
Action Priorities for 1996, as set forth in the attached Exhibit A,
and authorizes staff to take positions on legislation generally
consistent with the Legislative Action Priorities 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
seconded by
and on the following roll call vote
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of
1996.
Mayor Allen Settle
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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EXHIBIT A CTTY LEGISLATIVE ACTION PRIORMES FOR 1993
• Requiring funding of federally mandated programs, including new
water /wastewater regulations, or eliminating such mandates
• 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
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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
COMMUN1Ty DEVELOPMENT
• Opposing mandated State approval of local General Plan Elements, such as
implementing, and compliance with, State General Plan Housing element law
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• Promoting funding sources to encourage the retro - fitting of un- reinforced
masonry buildings
PUBLIC SAFETY
• Repealing legislation that requires cities to pay booking fees (SB 2557)
• 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 offense is proposed to be
released on parole
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• Changing gas tax laws to allow local tax for transportation purposes based on
a majority vote of the public (ESTF 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
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
• 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
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• Providing funding for reclaimed water programs
• Supporting clean water grant programs
• Supporting efforts to enhance local government's ability to comply with solid
waste requirements
• 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 polity
• Increasing local funding of the Transit Transfer Center
• Retaining County offices in the downtown area
• Revising local emergency medical service response
• Improving regional solid waste management
• Developing cooperative approaches for providing services on a regional basis
• Effectively and cooperatively implementing the Community Development Bloc
Grant Program
• Streamlining and consolidating hazardous materials inspection, permit
and fee programs Se
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LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIL_
Program Objectives: Legislative Priorities
Because cities play a large defensive role in the Legislature and Congress does not mean that
defense is the only role for the organization to play. The legislative department plays a
significant leadership role in implementing the policy direction of the Board and membership.
With the "nevi' term - limited Legislature Opportunities exist that before were not possible.
The Board's�strategicplan goals adopted last year outline a number oflegislative opportunities
for cities in the next legislative session and legislative sessions in the near future. Consistent
'witif the Board's strategic plan goals, the following recommendations are made for
projects / activities /objectives to. support the Board strategic plan goals:
Objective #1: New FederalicmM hin
eto�. Congress is currently debating a new
and a very different means to deliver federal programs and services. The issue under
debate is to provide massive block grants of federal dollars to states, giving the states the
flexibility to administer Programs is the best manner to meet federal, state and local
goals. The proposals presently being debated could have tremendous impact on cities,
directly on federal programs where cities are direct recipients of federal program dollars
and indirectly on health and welfare programs that affect the well -being of citizens in
California cities. This project represents one of the most important and massive changes
in intergovernmental relations in perhaps 30 years and could set the direction for federal,
state, and local governments for the next 30 years.
Pr °: This project proposes representation in Washington, D.C. to advocate on
behalf of California cities and, any extraordinary legislative activities in Cal fomia to
implement the federal block grant approach to the delivery of these federal services and
programs.
Objective #2: Urban Develo pment kuthori One of the more volatile areas of city and
county relations is the approval and control of urban development on the fringe of city
boundaries. The issue has been present for a number of years in California, but the
Problems have intensified in recent years with the economic downturn California has
experienced in its economy. Essentially, these important and critical land use decisions
are taking a backseat to the fiscal concerns that have been driving county policies in this
area.
One of the clear goals of the Board strategic planning process is to strengthen city.
authority over urban development. Cities are better suited from both a structural and
accountability standpoint to make these urban development decisions.
ZOMBI: This Pmject proposes to perform a study of major areas of expanding urban
development and document the problems caused by the current ambiguity in law between
county and city authority in these developing areas. The study would then be -used to
support legislative efforts already underway in the Assembly.
Exhibit 8
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PPL
Objective #3: Suassrootc/i.eadershin Devei�pme_•�r,. To achieve the goals established by
the Board in its strategic planning process requires an organization that is ready from an
educational standpoint to perform the tasks necessary, to make these needed changes.
This requires educational opportunities, technological support and a strong
communication effort. It also involves the active participation of the Board, Division and
Department Officers and policy Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs. In short, i
have the active involvement of the League leadership. t'must
A thorough understanding of the intergovernmental relations process in California is
necessary to strengthen the organization's efforts to shape =d influence the change
needed in the system
Pro o al: This project includes a number of components. First, there is need to establish
a leadership training session /conference early in the calendar year, preferably is
Sacramento. The conference would provide training for our City Legislative Delegates in
the legislative process, the politics of the elections process, grassroots communication
and an issue and personality orientation session. Coupled with the City Legislative
Delegate Conference would be the Division and Department Officers who would be
trained as to the League's goals and major projects being undertaken by the organization
to achieve those goals. It would also provide an opportunity for strengthening the roles
the Divisions play in carrying out the action plans of the League. This project would also
involve a thorough examination of the League's communication network and a
recommendation for strengthening that communication component.
Objective #4: Tort Reform R a arch, One of the issues that appears to be emerging grog once
again from a dormant state is the reform of the state's civil justice or tort system. Both
private sector businesses and the public sector have substantial complaints about the drain
of valuable resources to fight against lawsuits that by any sense of good judgment are
frivolous in nature.
While the private sector plays a lead role through the Association for California Tort
Reform, the public sector plays a very important role in the development of any
legislative or initiative campaign strategy. public sector agencies have traditionally
provided the data and anecdotal information demonstrating the "deep pocket"
Phenomenon that drains scare public resources. This information has been useful in the
Past to make th e case for tort reform proposals.
This project would center around a comprehensive statewide survey of cities
to examine the deep pocket problem in California cities and the financial impact frivolous
lawsuits are having on scarce public resources. The effort would attempt to piggyback on similar
efforts completed by the National Institute of Municipal Law Officers MvILO), making the data
available for comparison with other states.
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