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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/15/2005, C8 - 2005 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM counat Maa � j acEnba aEpont IN CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: Jonathan P. Lowell, City Attorney O PL- SUBJECT: 2005 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM CAO RECOMMENDATION 1. Adopt a resolution establishing a Legislative Action Platform for 2005; 2. Appoint a Council member and a. staff person to act as legislative liaison between the League of California Cities and the City of San Luis Obispo. DISCUSSION 1. Legislative Action Program. Attached for the Council's consideration is the 2005 Legislative Action Platform Resolution. Similar resolutions have been adopted by the Council since 1993. The City Attorney's Office coordinates the Legislative Action Program with the assistance of the City Administrator's Office and the various City departments. This resolution authorizes staff to respond to legislative issues affecting the City (via letters signed by the Mayor or relevant Department Head), provided that the positions taken in the letters are consistent with the priorities identified in Exhibits A and B to the resolution.. As you are aware, by establishing a broad legislative platform and delegating responsibility to staff to respond to proposed legislation and recommendations from the League of California Cities, the City is better able to react quickly to changed circumstances and urgent requests than it would be if each item needed to be brought to the Council on a formal agenda. The process has been efficient given the limited City resources available, and the City has been very active in communicating our positions on Federal and State legislation. In addition to the submission of letters to Federal and State officials, the resolution also encourages "face-to-face"communications with our Federal and State representatives and elected officials at all levels of government in order to further ensure implementation of the City's Legislative Action Program. Council will note that this year's Legislative Action Platform has been reorganized. To make the document easier to use, and to avoid duplication, the platform no longer is divided according to federal, state and local priorities. The new platform simply sets forth issues of concern without regard to which particular legislative body is addressing them. Council Agenda Report—2005 Legislative Action Platform Page 2 2. Leidslative. Liaison Anaointments. The League of California Cities encourages cities to appoint a councilmember and a staff person to act as legislative liaison between the League and the City. It is recommended that Mayor Romero continue as councilmember legislative liaison and the City Attorney serve as the staff liaison as in previous years. FISCAL IMPACT No additional staff workload is anticipated. ALTERNATIVES The Council is encouraged to provide any additional recommendations on the process or specific priorities. Attachments Resolution, includes Exhibits A (City Legislative Action Platform for 2005) and B (League of California Cities 2005 Strategic Goals) G:\Legislative-GovtUxgislative Priorities\2005 Agenda Report.DOC Attachment I RESOLUTION NO. (2005 Series) ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM FOR 2005 AND APPOINTMENT OF COUNCII.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", the League of California Cities legislative priorities identified in Exhibit "B", and other selected issues as may from time to time be recommended by the League of California Cities; and WHEREAS, a key component of the City's Legislative Action Platform is face-to-face meetings between City representatives and elected officials at the Federal, State, and County levels, and coordination with similar efforts made by other local government entities. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo does hereby: (1) Establish the Legislative Action Platform for 2005; as set forth in the attached Exhibits "A and "B", and authorize 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 (2)Appoint David F.Romero to act as Councilmember legislative liaison and Jonathan Lowell to act as staff legislative liaison with the League of California Cities. Resolution No. (2005 Series) Attachment 1 Page 2 Upon motion of seconded by and on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Noes: Absent: the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of , 2005. David F. Romero Mayor ATTEST: Audrey Hooper City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: fonwffa"n P. Lowell City Attorney H:\Prows\CP\LegislativeV.egislative Priorities\Resolution.DOC 1 y-� Exhibit A EXHIBIT A: CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM FOR-2005 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 1. Promoting reforms of the entire State mandated HCD Regional Housing Need Allocations process to recognize local urban plans and local resource limitations 2. Promoting funding sources to accomplish retrofitting of unreinforced masonry buildings 3. Promoting funding of on-campus housing at Community Colleges and CSU for student and faculty housing 4. Encouraging the review and court appeal of the San Marcos decision so that the CSU system can mitigate within the City for the impacts of projects built on campus 5. Preserving local control of planning and zoning matters(such as the prohibition of drive-through windows and highway signage) 6. Supporting efforts to increase funding for affordable housing for very low, low and moderate income families for all cities and communities 7. Promoting funding for the identification, acquisition, maintenance and restoration of historic sites and structures 8. Supporting continued or expanded funding for CDBG program ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 9. Promoting funding and/or legislation that encourages research and development by businesses in California through tax credits or other incentive programs 10. Supporting funding and policies for the promotion of California as a place to locate businesses 11. Supporting funding for a state tourism promotion program 12. Promoting funding for the arts, especially public art 13. Supporting the effective and efficient use of all communications technologies including voice, video,data, and information services over wired and wireless transmission technologies FINANCE 14. Continuing to support efforts to protect the City from loss of revenues due to State take-aways and unfunded State or Federal mandates 15. Returning revenues lost due to State take-aways, such as the Education Revenue Augmentation Fund and Vehicle License Fees Exhibit A 16. Endorsing legislation that provides local government with a fair share tax on catalog and Internet sales; and opposing legislation that limits state or local authority to tax catalog or Internet sales HUMAN RESOURCES/EMPLOYEE RELATIONS/HUMAN RELATIONS 17. Supporting additional workers compensation reforms that lower employers' costs while still protecting workers 18. Supporting pension reform efforts in concert with the League of California Cities positions 19. Opposing the expansion of the"Peace Officers' Bill of Rights" or other attempts to curtail management rights 20. Supporting legislation that provides funding sources for appropriate human service agencies that support the mission of the Human Relations Commission. PUBLIC SAFETY 21. Continuing State and Federal funding support for disaster preparedness,earthquake preparedness, Homeland Security,hazardous material response, State COPS program and other local law enforcement activities 22. Preserving the City's authority to investigate police misconduct 23. Preserving the City's authority to establish both medical and non-medical emergency service levels 24. Supporting efforts to expand the scope of parental responsibility for crimes committed by minors 25. 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 26. Preserving the authority of local control on issuance of concealed weapons permits 27. Supporting legislation to help curb alcohol-related criminal behavior and underage drinking 28. Opposing new or increased state fees for state provided law enforcement services 29. Supporting legislation imposing sanctions on college students who participate in riots or other similar criminal behavior, such as eliminating State supported financial aid 30. Supporting the fair and efficient allocation of radio spectrum that provides quality frequencies, free from interference,for all local public safety communication needs C4LP Exhibit A PUBLIC WORKS 31. Supporting legislation to increase the availability of grant funding to replace aging infrastructure of all types,e.g. streets,bridges, water, sewer and storm sewer systems,etc. 32. Obtaining funding, cooperation and prompt approval from the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers for necessary flood control projects. PARKS AND RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES 33. Supporting State and Federal funding for acquisition, protection, preservation and restoration of natural resources, open space, coastal resources, signature land forms, wetlands and park development, including continued funding for the Land and Water Conservation Grant Program 34. Supporting the creation of National Marine Sanctuary off the Coast of San Luis Obispo County to protect this fragile habitat from offshore oil and gas development 35. Supporting funding for rehabilitation of urban parks and unmet community recreational needs, in particular"at risk" youth 36. Encouraging the State Department of Parks and Recreation to expedite the distribution of bond funds and other funds resulting from special legislation (e.g..Irish Hills funds) 37. Seeking legislative exemption from property taxes on lands dedicated to open space purposes which are outside the boundaries of the jurisdiction owning such lands TRANSPORTATION 38. Changing gas tax laws to allow local tax for transportation purposes based on a majority vote of the public 39. Promoting continued and increased funding sources for street maintenance and transportation, including transit,bicycles,others 40. Working with the Caltrans, SLOCOG and the California Transportation Commission to expeditiously fund Hwy 227 road overlay and reconstruction project and subsequent relinquishment of Hwy 227 within the City limits 41. Supporting clean air transit funding for San Luis Obispo County, in particular funding that supports alternative modes of transportation with clean air benefits 42. Supporting actions to: (1)promote cooperation and mutual support between metropolitan planning organization(MPO)agencies and local transit providers, and(2) discourage trends toward MPO agencies/regional "control'of local transit providers - Exhibit A UTILITIES 43. Supporting clean water funding programs 44. Supporting legislation to facilitate recycling program development and enhance local government's ability to comply with solid waste requirements 45. Supporting legislation to eliminate mandatory penalties for violations of NPDES Requirements and returning discretionary control to the Regional Water Quality Control Board Executive Officers (i.e. repeal SB 709) 46. Supporting legislation promoting the safe,responsible, and cost-effective reuse of biosolids 47. Supporting legislation to streamline the state regulatory processes 48. Supporting sustainable energy programs 49. Supporting legislation allowing cities/agencies to establish fees for the costs of operating mandated water quality programs such as,but not limited to, municipal storm water and total maximum daily loading 50. Supporting federal legislative action to transfer Salinas Reservoir properties to a local agency 51. Supporting legislation that aids in the implementation of the California Urban Water Conservation Council's Best Management Practices regarding urban water conservation COUNTY/REGIONAL.PRIORITIES 52. Developing consistency between the City and County General Plans,particularly to emphasize the concepts that: (1)urban development should not occur beyond the City's urban reserve line, and(2) unincorporated areas should remain rural,agricultural,or open space in character 53. Continuing to encourage the County Board of Supervisors to place a measure before voters that would create a vector control program benefit assessment program for San Luis Obispo County 54. Encouraging participation by County in providing nearby parking for County employees and clients, and alternate transportation and parking demand reduction 55. Supporting County development of a local ordinance providing additional local oversight and regulation of the land application of Exceptional Quality biosolids 56. Working with the Airport Land Use Commission to develop a mutually acceptable plan for City's expansion areas so that the City's housing goals can be achieved 57. Working cooperatively with the County to solve City/County flood problems Exhibit B 2005-02-01 2005 Strategic Goals Strategies The following are suggested strategies for implementing the League's 2005 strategic goals.These,and other strategies, will be discussed and decided upon at the League board's February 25-26 meeting. GOAL 1 :Expand Housing Supply and Affordability.Consistent with the planning and environmental quality objectives of the League's Principles for Smart Growth,expand the supply and affordability of housing in California in balance with the creation of new jobs. ■ Complete the work of the Housing/General Plan Task.Force in partnership with homebuilders. ■ Develop and implement a communications strategy for engaging membership in discussion and debate on housing policy issues, including the work of the Task Force. • Submit the recommendations of the Task Force to the appropriate League policy committee(s) and League Board of Directors. • Advocate new state housing policies that expand housing opportunities in balance with new job creation that preserve maximum local discretion,protect critical environmental resources, reduce commute times and maximize pedestrian experiences. • Advocate new state and federal funding sources to support the construction and operation of affordable housing. • Advocate the.modification of regulatory and financial barriers to the reuse of urban land through infill housing development projects. GOAL 2: Expand Investment in Infrastructure.Expand investment by federal,state and local governments in critically needed infrastructure across California. • Work with and through the California Infrastructure Commission (CIC)and other coalitions to advance an agenda to expand infrastructure investment in California. ■ Through a targeted public relations program help expand public awareness of the infrastructure deficit and the consequences of long-term inattention of infrastructure in an expanding state. • Support legislation and ballot measures that will close loopholes in existing legislation(e.g., Prop.42)that allow the legislature to divert sales tax collected on gasoline to non-transportation spending priorities. • Evaluate and consider support of legislation that will index existing tax revenues(e.g.,motor fuel tax)to account for inflation. GOAL 3: Protect Critical Redevelopment Funding.Protect local funding sources available for critical investment in future housing and infrastructure-particularly redevelopment funding sources-to support continued expansion of the California economy and create new jobs. ■ Actively oppose any state efforts to redirect RDA funding to support the state budget. ■ Partner with the California Redevelopment Association (CRA)to promote greater understanding of the critical need for redevelopment funding in revitalizing urban areas,building new infrastructure,creating new jobs,and building affordable housing. ■ Develop and consider supporting legislation that would authorize the use of redevelopment powers in conjunction with state tax incentives(e.g.,MIC) in priority investment zones that would meet critical regional and local housing and job needs, reduce commute times, and promote efficient use of transportation resources. ■ Use League communication resources and training programs to better educate city officials on the value of redevelopment as an infrastructure and housing tool. last updated:1/17/2005 C�- 9