HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-11484 establishing a City Legislative Action Platform for 2024R 11484
RESOLUTION NO. 11484 (2024 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY LEGISLATIVE
ACTION PLATFORM FOR 2024 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 January 8, 2024 and formed an Ad-Hoc Subcommittee consisting of Mayor
Stewart and Councilmember Shoresman to provide further review and changes in
response to Council and public input; and
WHEREAS, on February 27, 2024 the Ad-Hoc Subcommittee reviewed staff
recommended changes in response the 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. 11484 (2024 Series) Page 2
R 11484
SECTION 1. Establish the Legislative Action Platform for 2024 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 Pease, seconded by Council Member Shoresman, and
on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Member Francis, Marx, Shoresman, Vice Mayor Pease and
Mayor Stewart
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 2nd day of April 2024.
___________________________
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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4/9/2024 | 1:44 PM PDT
EXHIBIT A
2024
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM
ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO.11484 (2024 SERIES)
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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 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 Legislative Platform shall be 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.
For emerging issues or situations not outlined in the Legislative Platform, City staff
will work with the City Council for further direction.
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Contents
Climate Action ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Energy ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ..................................................................................................................... 6
Homelessness Resources .............................................................................................................................. 7
Community Development ........................................................................................................................... 10
Economic Development .............................................................................................................................. 11
Finance & Governance ................................................................................................................................ 12
Human Resources/Employee Relations ...................................................................................................... 13
Public Safety ................................................................................................................................................ 14
Public Works ............................................................................................................................................... 15
Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources ............................................................................................. 16
Transportation ............................................................................................................................................ 17
Utilities ........................................................................................................................................................ 19
County/Regional Priorities ........................................................................................................................ 22
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Climate Action
1. Support funding for communities to pay for public infrastructure that meets state greenhouse gas
emission reduction goals and adopted City objectives.
2. Support funding to implement programs and related action items contained in local and regional
Climate Action Plans to quantitatively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advocate for regulatory
reform, including but not limited to clean technologies, micro-grids, all electric/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. Support regulatory reform to facilitate the transition to clean technologies, microgrids, low and zero
carbon energy generation, and decarbonized buildings.
4. Support legislation and regulation that is aligned with the City’s goals of carbon neutrality by 2035
and sub-goals related to municipal operations, clean electricity, building decarbonization, clean
mobility, organic waste diversion, and natural solutions.
5. Oppose 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.
6. Support legislation and regulation that is aligned with the policies and programs set forth by the
Climate Adaptation and Safety Element including using future projections for climate hazards in
planning decisions, investing in community resilience, and adapting built infrastructure and natural
ecosystems to climate change hazards and disturbances.
7. Support funding and resources to focus climate investments on programs and projects that support
environmental justice, economic and racial equity, and head of household jobs.
8. Support 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.
9. Support legislation, policies, and regulation that that make waste diversion and reduction more
equitable for our residents and businesses.
10. Support legislation that makes recycling organic waste and edible food recovery and distribution
more efficient and easily accessible to residents and businesses in need.
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Energy
1. Support local communities’ broad authority to form and administer Community Choice Energy (CCE)
programs, reforming the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and limiting decisions that
negatively impact CCEs or otherwise shift the financial impacts of investor-owned utilities to CCEs.
2. Support California Community Choice Associations’ (Cal CCA) Regulatory and Legislative Platform,
where consistent with the City’s legislative platform.
3. Support reform of CPUC policies and state legislation to ensure investor-owned utilities are able and
required to provide timely, accurate, and sufficiently detailed energy data.
4. Support reform of CPUC policies and state legislation that supports increased and equitable access to
distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar.
5. Support reform of CPUC policies, state regulation, and state legislation that support cost effective zero
emission buildings, including support for lower electric rates specific for all-electric buildings,
increased value for net energy metering, and increased and equitable access to distributed energy
resources, including rooftop solar and battery energy storage systems.
6. Support reform of CPUC policies, state regulation, and state legislation that support low income zero
emission buildings, including support for mobile home parks, low-income households, and other
disadvantaged community members.
7. Support reform of CPUC policies and state legislation eliminating or reducing departing load charges
which discourage the use of alternative energy resources.
Support legislation in alignment with Central Coast Community Energy Policy Board and Operations
Board Positions.1
a. Support environmental justice and economic equity.
b. Support 3CE investment in and support for distributed energy resources (e.g., rooftop solar),
virtual power plants, demand response, behind the meter technology and energy efficiency.
c. Support 3CE in evaluating and deploying programs that are climate action force multipliers
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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(e.g., tariffed on-bill financing, virtual power plants, etc.).
d. Support climate mitigation (e.g., emissions reductions), adaptation (e.g., distributed energy
resources and grid stability), and resilience (e.g., disaster preparedness).
e. Support the inclusion of all segments of the community in policy making and program design
processes.
f. Support processes that are transparent, collaborative, visible, accessible, and inclusive.
g. Support rate, rebate, and revenue structures that create a robust programs budget.
h. Support a portfolio of programs that focuses on economic, social, and environmental equity.
i. Support a portfolio of programs that focuses on strategic and intentional long-term economic
development consistent with sub-regional economic development approaches.
j. Support regional climate action and a portfolio of programs that are strategically
implemented to achieve regional climate targets.
k. Support staffing required to effectively design, advertise, implement, and monitor
effectiveness of the agency’s project portfolio.
l. Support local government access to data, transparent GHG emissions reporting, and sub-
annual emissions factors as available.
m. Support programs that provide funding, technical support, or legislation that promotes grid
independence and resiliency.
n. Support processes and governance approaches that provide sufficient time for Board
members to fully participate and drive decisions, from inception to implementation.
o. Support projects that focus on strategic and intentional regional economic development
consistent with regional economic development approaches, when feasible, and with entities
that support fair wage practices and maximize benefit to local workforces, when feasible.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
1. Support 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. Support legislation that disrupts anti-immigrant ideologies and centers reforms for advancing access
for undocumented individuals’ health, well-eing, and success.
3. Support 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 people aging out of the foster care system.
4. Support increased availability of grant funding for ADA accessibility improvements and connectivity
to streets, parks, and other public infrastructure.
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5. Support 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 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. Support legislation that furthers jurisdictions 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. Support legislation that provides funding sources for appropriate human service agencies that support
the mission of the Human Relations Commission.
8. Support legislation and funding to increase affordable and equitable childcare services and activities,
and options for working low-income families.
9. Support legislation related to implementation of the Racial Equity Framework 2 and resources and
tools to promote racial equity and address structural racism.
10. Support legislation that creates programs or policies that identify and enhance opportunities for
expanded programs 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. Support 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.
Homelessness Resources
1. Support legislation and funding for the prevention of homelessness and support of families and
individuals vulnerable to becoming homeless.
2. Support funding for project-based, permanent affordable housing.
3. Support funding for the entire housing spectrum (including affordable units, ADUs, Tiny Homes,
Temporary Emergency Shelters and family housing, and supportive housing for all unhoused
individuals and families including the mentally ill, medically fragile, and aging adults).
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 by 2024, which will contain strategies for state, county, and local governments to implement.
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4. Advocate for increased flexibility in the use of Federal Funds at the local level to address the full
spectrum of services and transitional housing for individuals who are unhoused.
5. Support nonprofit eviction prevention services for low-income individuals and families.
6. Support programs and funding to encourage private market landlords to provide affordable units,
participate in housing voucher programs, and upgrade units for energy efficiency.
7. Support additional funding that encourages unique multi-departmental and inter-governmental
collaboration to assist individuals experiencing homelessness, such as the City’s Community Action
Team (CAT) and Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU), as well as Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for public safety
personnel.
8. Support employment services and job training opportunities for individuals who are homeless or at-
risk of becoming homeless.
9. Support funding for federal, state, county and local coordination with non-profit and faith-based
organizations to prevent and address homelessness.
10. Support 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. Support 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. Support increased funding and statutory authorization for crisis intervention, involuntary assessment
and commitment, guardianship control, and health welfare intervention and supervision of those
suffering from chronic homelessness, mental illness and addiction, and recognition of mental illness
and addiction as contributors to chronic homelessness.
13. Support streamlined protocols and metrics to be used by homeless service providers, local agencies,
and other non-governmental partners to capture and share accurate statistics of individuals
experiencing homelessness, including vacancy and capacity rates, in-flow and out-flow information,
cost-reporting of services provided and rendered, and individuals successfully housed.
14. Oppose legislation that seeks to circumvent local control and consideration of local circumstances and
safety of the general public when addressing homelessness.
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15. Support 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.
16. Support legislation that would allow the courts and crisis intervention personnel to consider a
person’s medical, addiction and mental health conditions, history of adverse impacts on community
health and safety, and capacity of individuals to provide for their own health, shelter, and food needs
in mandating program participation in connection with criminal justice and other contacts, including
or expansion of the definition of “gravely disabled” under code section 5150 et seq. in evaluating
whether an individual is a danger to themselves or others.
17. Support legislation for Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to allow for flexibility in funds earmarked
for “Innovation” programs that are aimed at finding new and different ways to provide services.
18. Support legislation, funding, programs, and policies to help expand capacity in local psychiatric health
facilities, delivery of case management, drug, alcohol, and detoxification services and facilities,
assisted living beds for medically fragile people, and mental health services for all County residents.
19. Advocate that the County lead in the area of expanding humane shelter and housing opportunities
for the unhoused population and expand outreach and case management services specifically tailored
to the needs of unhoused individuals in the County to transition out of homelessness.
20. Support the use of data from public safety, City, and regional Community Action Teams (CAT) and
Mobile Crisis Units (MCU) outcomes, to advocate that the County allocate new resources to scale up
these programs to match the need.
21. Support an effective and efficient implementation of San Luis Obispo County’s 5-Year Plan to Address
Homelessness.
22. Support state and federal funding of mandates to provide care and services to vulnerable populations.
23. Support legislative efforts to repeal Article 34 of the California Constitution, which requires majority
approval by the voters of a city or county for the development, construction, or acquisition of a
publicly funded affordable housing project.
24. Support legislation, policies, and programs that expand tenant affordability and stability.
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Community Development
1. Support local control of land use planning and zoning matters.
2. Support State and Federal assistance to prevent the loss of housing for those impacted by local, state,
or federal disasters.
3. Support reforms of the State mandated HCD Regional Housing Need Allocations process to recognize
local resource limitations and align infrastructure and other funding to help communities meet
mandated housing requirements.
4. Support planning and funding of on-campus housing at Cal Poly for students, staff and faculty, as
identified in the Cal Poly Master Plan and University acquisition of residences for staff and faculty
housing.
5. Support increased funding for affordable housing and supportive housing services for very low, low,
and moderate income individuals and families in all cities and communities and opposing the erosion
of local inclusionary housing and in-lieu fee programs.
6. Support continued funding of National Housing Trust Fund and streamlined and efficient
implementation regulations at the state level.
7. Support additional state funding to implement AB 32 (The California Global Warming Solutions Act of
2006) and SB 375 (The Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008) through local
general plan updates that implement the regional sustainable communities plan and alternative
planning strategy, if needed.
8. Advocate for funding for the identification, acquisition, maintenance and restoration of historic sites
and structures.
9. Support continued and expanded funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
program.
10. Support policies, programs and funding to support opportunities to convert vacant commercial spaces
to affordable housing and child care facilities.
11. Support state and federal level down-payment assistance programs and the expansion of below-
market rate assistance programs.
12. Support continued local control over mobile home park rent stabilization and local control over the
conversion of mobile home parks to other uses to ensure that low-income mobile home park residents
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are not involuntarily removed from homes or otherwise subject to involuntary displacement due to
economic impacts of parks subdivision or conversion.
13. Encourage the protection, enhancement, and increased production of mobile home park residency
opportunities.
14. Advocate for the ability to issue parking citations on private property.
15. Support responsible review and revision of CEQA to ensure sound environmental determinations.
16. Promote pragmatic and clarifying actions to implement Proposition 64 Cannabis legalization, including
increased funding for health education, the preservation of local land use decision making,
reconciliation of conflicts in state and federal law, and systems for legal banking.
17. Support increased relocation assistance (AB 1482 2019) when a tenant is evicted due to no-fault of
their own.
18. Support 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
19. Support funding for seismic retrofitting for buildings that haven't been retrofitted.
20. Support and participate in the study period for AB 835 regarding building standards for single exit,
single stairway apartment houses.
Economic Development
1. Support state and federal assistance for those people and businesses facing severe economic losses
due to pandemic or other disasters.
2. Support regional economic activities except for those that promote weapons or fossil fuel production
or distribution activities.
3. Support direct assistance and/or legislation that supports local agencies with recovering costs related
to the pandemic or other disasters and stimulate economic development, resiliency, and recovery.
4. Support funding and legislation using tax credits or other incentive programs to encourage research
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and development by businesses in California.
5. Support funding and policies for the promotion of California and the City and County of San Luis
Obispo as a place to locate businesses that provide head-of-household jobs.
6. Support economic development that is integrated with articulated Major City Goals such as climate
action, environmental protection and social justice and diversity objectives.
7. Support funding for the state tourism promotion program.
8. Support the effective and efficient use of all communications technologies including voice, video,
data, and information services over wired and wireless transmission technologies and supporting net
neutrality.
9. Support telecommunications reform legislation and other measures that preserve local control over
public rights-of-way, protect local resources, broadband 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. Support the expansion of public infrastructure financing tools and funding for infrastructure.
Finance & Governance
1. Support meaningful fiscal reform that allows each level of government to adequately finance its
service responsibilities while continuing to support efforts to protect the City from loss of revenues
due to State take-aways and unfunded State or Federal mandates.
2. Oppose initiatives that unduly burden and/or prohibit local government ability to support essential
services to the community.
3. Support collection of the full amount of local transient occupancy tax from online sales of lodging.
4. Support the continuation of California Specialized Training Institute activities within San Luis Obispo
County.
5. Oppose removal of the municipal bond tax exemption.
6. Support legislation to modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act to provide increased flexibility for remote
participation in public meetings by elected and appointed officials and provide increased
opportunities for public engagement.
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7. Support 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.
Human Resources/Employee Relations
1. Support additional workers’ compensation reforms that lower employers' costs while still protecting
workers and oppose legislation that would restrict appropriate cost controls in the workers’
compensation system.
2. Support pension and retiree health benefits reform efforts, policy changes, and permissible
administration decisions aimed at reducing unfunded liabilities, reducing costs, and ensuring the long-
term viability of the defined benefit pension system in concert with the League of California Cities and
the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Board of Directors.
3. Oppose the expansion of property rights in public employment and procedural requirements that
hinder or significantly increase the public costs of effective performance management, including
legislation that curtails management rights or obstructs the timely, efficient, and cost-effective
implementation of performance management or disciplinary measures.
4. Support legislation to protect the City's continued ability to administer its Cafeteria Benefit Plan and
maintain comprehensive health care coverage for eligible employees, in a financially sustainable
manner.
5. Support reforms that limit the financial impacts of joint and several liability on public entities.
6. Support the clarification, modification or repeal of AB 646 fact finding requirements and oppose
measures that reduces local control over public employee disputes.
7. Oppose measures that curtail management rights or impose local government mandated employee
benefits that should be directly negotiated between labor groups and employers.
8. Support Federal legislation to modify, refine, or eliminate Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
requirements on public agencies.
9. Support reforms that limit the joint and several liability to agencies who have entered into Joint
Powers Agreements (JPAs).
10. Support meaningful statewide and national efforts to make quality health care more affordable and
accessible to residents and reduce costs for cities and employers.
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Public Safety
1. Support new and continued State and Federal funding for school safety, disaster preparedness,
earthquake preparedness, Homeland Security, hazardous material response, State COPS (Citizen’s
Options for Public Safety) program, CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) and other public safety activities.
2. Support preservation of the City's authority to investigate police misconduct.
3. Support local control on issuance of concealed weapons permits.
4. Support legislation to help curb drug and alcohol-related criminal behavior and underage
consumption.
5. Support legislation to limit or end the sale of all nonflavored and flavored electronic smoking device
products, including mint and menthol and to increase enforcement and education related to their
use.
6. Oppose new or increased state fees for state-provided law enforcement services.
7. Support the fair and efficient allocation of radio spectrum that provides quality frequencies, free from
interference, for all local public safety communication needs.
8. Support efforts to enhance radio and data system(s) stability and interoperability among public safety
agencies and jurisdictions.
9. Preserve the City's right to regulate activities with adverse health and safety impacts on local streets,
sidewalks, public spaces, and rights-of-way.
10. Support legislation to improve and enhance the safety of cargo transported via rail, including but not
limited to: safety enhancements for rail vessel construction with an emphasis on efforts to rapidly
improve the safe transport of volatile crude oil and limit the use of older, “grandfathered” containers
and vessels; enhancements in remote monitoring and control of railcar speeds; reduction of railcar
speeds in populated areas like San Luis Obispo; enhancements in communications, notifications and
information dissemination to local governments, especially public safety agencies.
11. Support and expand funding and programs to local jurisdictions to proactively reduce fire risk
attributed to heavy vegetative fuels loads, high tree mortality, drought, and climate change to remove
diseased, dead and/or down combustible vegetation, thin forests to improve forest health, and create
effective defensible space between the undeveloped and developed environments.
12. Support grants and aid to land/property owners with properties one mile or less from natural
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vegetation, which are threatened by wind-driven fire events, to harden structures again fire
impingement and create sustainable defensible spaces.
13. Support grants and aid to local governments to develop modern evacuation communications systems
to effectively reach all residents in a timely fashion via voice, text, email, and other electronic means.
14. Support legislation to preserve and enhance local control, at the city level, for the provision of public
safety services, including the scope and provision of medical and non-medical emergency services and
legislation that would result in the implementation of a statewide modern earthquake notification
and evacuation communications system to effectively reach all residents in a timely fashion via voice,
text, email, and other electronic means, which is available for use by local governments at the
discretion of local governments.
15. Support uniformity of state and federal regulations of drones and the study and adoption of
appropriate local airport protections and public safety exemptions.
16. Support legislation regarding the safe transport and storage of nuclear waste.
17. Support legislation to address the education, funding, and treatment of opioid addiction.
18. Support legislation that expands funding to manage vegetation and fuel sources in the wildland urban
interface.
19. Support legislation to provide funding to help communities prepare for response, recovery and be
resilient after natural disasters.
20. Support funding to remove unwanted firearms from homes and businesses.
21. Support responsive intervention programs that promote accountability and divert people away from
both crime and prison.
22. Support funding and training for emergency response to electrified vehicles and infrastructure.
23. Support legislation and policies that protect and support individuals who are targeted by hate crimes
and hate biased incidents.
Public Works
1. Support increased availability of grant funding to replace aging infrastructure of all types, e.g., streets,
bridges, water, sewer, parks, and storm sewer systems, etc.
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2. Support increased funding for flood protection, clean stormwater, and low impact infrastructure
projects.
3. Support cooperation and prompt approval from Federal and State regulatory agencies (such as the
Department of Fish & Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Army Corps of
Engineers) for necessary projects involving the City's creek system.
4. Support monetary incentives or grant funding for electric vehicles for replacement of municipal fleet
equipment.
5. Support funding and policies that support and enhance active transportation modes such as bicycles,
pedestrian, and transit.
6. Support continued protection of SB-1 and other funding for transportation infrastructure
maintenance.
7. Support policies and legislation that maintains local control of parking rules, regulations, rates, and
citation fees.
8. Support policies and legislation that allow for increased enforcement ability for off-street parking,
including but not limited to use of automated parking control devices on public agency owned or
operated off-street parking facilities for the purpose of issuing parking violations.
9. Support permanently allowing local governments to use design-build processes and expand the types
of projects that cities can use design build and progressive design-build.
Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources
1. Support State and Federal funding and other measures to promote the acquisition, protection,
preservation and restoration of natural resources, open space, coastal resources, signature
landforms, wetlands, and park development, including continued funding for the Land and Water
Conservation Grant Program and for the California Conservation Corps.
2. Support the expansion of National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of San Luis Obispo County to protect
this fragile habitat from offshore oil and gas development.
3. Oppose any development under existing or new offshore oil and gas leases off the Coast of San Luis
Obispo County.
4. Oppose any development under existing or new oil and gas leases in San Luis Obispo County.
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5. Support and seek State and Federal funding and other measures to conduct research and implement
land management measures for the purpose of carbon sequestration.
6. Support measures to prohibit discharge of pollutants into the creeks and ocean (e.g., selenium
contaminated waters from the San Joaquin valley).
7. Support State and Federal funding and other measures to take advantage of opportunities for land
and easement acquisition and enhancement project contracting.
8. Support legislative exemption from property taxes on lands dedicated to open space purposes, which
may be outside the boundaries of the jurisdiction owning such lands.
9. Support funding to reduce or mitigate negative impacts to vital regional and community services and
enhance public access to parks, open space, after school programming, senior services, facilities that
promote physical activity, protect natural resources, and strengthen safety and security.
10. Promote policies that recognize the benefits of parks and recreational facilities in the advancement
of "sustainable communities" and curbing greenhouse gas emissions including: strengthening policies
that fund parks, open-space, bike lanes and non-motorized trails through the development and
implementation of a carbon credit and offset program, and advocating for the strong integration of
local and regional park and non-motorized transportation improvements into "Smart Growth
Scenarios" pursuant to SB 375 (2008).
11. Support access and connectivity to joint use of schools; parks and open space; development of streets
and trails that encourage physical activity and healthy living.
12. Support extension or permanent legislation at the federal level of enhanced tax deductions for
charitable donations of Conservation Easements.
13. Support legislation to limit the opening of protected public lands, e.g., Carrizo Plain, to fossil fuel
extraction.
Transportation
1. Support changes in gas tax laws that allow local tax for transportation purposes based on a majority
vote of the public, as well as revenue replacement for electric vehicles to support transportation
infrastructure.
2. Support the continuation of, and increased funding sources for street maintenance projects,
transportation improvements, transit operations and multimodal facility projects.
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3. Support funding sources for fleet and transit electrification.
4. Support transportation funding for San Luis Obispo County, in particular funding that provides for
alternative modes of transportation with clean air benefits or reductions in Vehicle Miles Traveled
(VMT) and greenhouse gases.
5. Support transportation funding and policy that promote regional bike and pedestrian connections
between cities and other population centers.
6. Support actions to: (1) promote cooperation and mutual support between metropolitan planning
organization (MPO) agencies and local transit providers, and (2) discourage trends toward MPO
agencies/regional "control" of local transit providers.
7. Support cooperation of private transportation companies (such as Union Pacific Railroad) to reach
agreements for sharing of properly secured right of way corridors for other compatible uses such as
bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
8. Oppose the proposed diversion of any funding source for transportation that reduces amounts
designated for transit operations.
9. Support funding for projects to implement adopted complete street plans demonstrated to improve
public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
10. Support provision of Cap-and-Trade funding for transportation projects.
11. Support increased funding for existing Active Transportation Program (ATP) and other sources of
bicycle and pedestrian transportation funding.
12. Support funding for existing and future transportation needs.
13. Support funding strategies to reduce the personal cost of transportation, especially cargo and electric-
assist bicycles and their supporting infrastructure.
14. Oppose proposed changes to statistical methodologies such as Metropolitan Statistical Areas that
have the potential to reduce funding for transportation improvements.
15. Support improvements of state and federal standards guiding application of street design and traffic
control devices to allow more flexibility for local agencies to prioritize safety, particularly for
vulnerable road users, 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.
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16. Support 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.
17. In alignment with the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), support
legislation for a Bike Safety Stop that would authorize a person bicycling to treat a stop sign like a yield
sign, giving right-of-way to other traffic at an intersection before proceeding safely through, but
without the requirement to come to a full stop.
18. Support consideration of increased funding and options for safe bike and pedestrian crossing of
railroad tracks, including bridges, underpasses and controlled at-grade crossings.
19. Support 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.
20. Oppose 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.
Utilities
1. Support clean water and drinking water funding programs.
2. Support recycling, waste diversion, and zero waste programs and enhancing local government's ability
to comply with solid waste reduction requirements (includes building of recycling infrastructure and
organics / biosolids composting facilities).
3. Support measures that require the State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Quality
Control Boards establish a process to evaluate, in advance of adoption, the costs of compliance for
pending and future regulatory actions on National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permittees.
4. Support legislation that requires the State's environmental agencies to conduct peer review of
proposed regulations to ensure that the proposal is based on sound science.
5. Support the elimination of mandatory minimum penalties for violations of NPDES Requirements and
returning discretionary control to the Regional Water Quality Control Board Executive Officers (i.e.,
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California Water Code Section 13385[h]).
6. Support measures to ensure reasonableness in the administration of NPDES permit governing City
operations, including pursuing a municipal representative on the Regional Water Quality Control
Board.
7. Support the safe, responsible, and cost-effective reuse of Exceptional Quality or better biosolids.
8. Support sustainable and resilient energy programs.
9. Support legislation allowing cities/agencies to establish fees for the costs of operating mandated
water quality programs such as, but not limited to, municipal storm water and total maximum daily
loading.
10. Support federal legislative action and funding to transfer Salinas Reservoir from Army Corps of
Engineers Military Project to Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Project.
11. Support federal and state funding that would allow for transfer of Salinas Reservoir from the Army
Corps of Engineers to the County or City of San Luis Obispo.
12. Support water conservation and water use efficiency best management practices.
13. Support amendments to the Urban Water Management Planning Act to recognize past investment
in water conservation and the City's ability to comply with SBx7-7 (2009) and other water
conservation regulations.
14. Oppose legislation that requires recycled water to be included in water conservation regulations.
15. Oppose mandatory consolidation of water systems.
16. Support the expansion of recycled water production and use, including potable reuse.
17. Support the use of Public Goods Funds for the development and installation of energy saving or green
energy generating projects to benefit local government.
18. Oppose legislation that diminishes the City’s existing or potential water rights.
19. Support the protection of water resources.
20. Support the protection of our natural resources from invasive species.
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21. Support regional water resiliency initiatives.
22. Support streamlined water rights amendment processes for minor water rights permit changes.
23. Support federal and statewide funding of water infrastructure projects.
24. Oppose legislation that inhibits the City's ability to collect water and sewer bills either through
terminating service for non-payment or other reasonable means absent public health or safety
emergencies.
25. Oppose legislation that restricts water and sewer rates for certain customers to below the cost to
provide service based on legitimate public interests such as affordable housing, senior housing,
nonprofit public beneficial uses, and/or educational uses.
26. Support amendments to stormwater regulatory requirements to reduce mandatory minimum fines
and penalties and the recovery of private attorneys’ fees for technical non-compliance issues that do
not result in adverse public health impacts or environmental harm.
27. Support stormwater requirements that are related to specific issues and include reasonable
implementation timeframes and funding.
28. Support autonomy for management of individual Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
designated basins within the county.
29. Support funding for implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans including the San Luis
Obispo/Edna Valley Basin.
30. Support federal and state policies that require per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) source
control and labelling by product manufacturers, producers, packagers, importers, suppliers, or
distributors.
31. Support federal and state funding to assist with identification and clean up of per- or polyfluoroalkyl
substances (PFAS) contamination in public source water supplies.
32. Support 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.
33. Oppose state or local per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulations that are more restrictive
than federal regulations.
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County/Regional Priorities
1. Support County land use policies and practices that are consistent with the Memorandum of
Agreement adopted by the City Council and County Board of Supervisors in 2016 regarding
development near the edges of the City and opposing inconsistent policies and practices.
2. Encourage participation by County in providing nearby parking for County employees and clients, and
alternate transportation and parking demand reduction.
3. Support County development of a local ordinance providing additional local oversight and regulation
of the land application of Pollutant Concentration (PC) or better biosolids.
4. Support the San Luis Obispo County Zone 9 Flood Control and Water Conservation District efforts to
solve City/County flood problems.
5. Support the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Contro l District's legislative program, where
consistent with the City's adopted policies and platform.
6. Support the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments' legislative advocacy activities, where consistent
with the City's adopted policies, platform, and public policy and project objectives.
7. Support efforts to enhance dangerous animal regulation and enforcement.
8. Support the streamlining, clarification, and simplification of conflict-of-interest regulations applicable
to local officials.
9. Support efforts of other regional entities to join Central Coast Community Energy.
10. Support the Central Coast Regional Energy Network at the County Board of Supervisors, the CPUC,
and related relevant entities and supporting pilot projects in the City as feasible.
11. Support regional and regulatory collaboration to fund and support climate change impact projections
and coordinate approaches for increasing regional resilience.
12. Support requirements that development outside City jurisdiction have adequate water supplies to
support development activities and intensities and does not indirectly impose water service
obligations to adjacent municipal water agencies.
13. Support assistance for those experiencing physical and mental health impacts of a pandemic or other
disaster.
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14. Support the Integrated Waste Management Authority’s (IWMA) legislative platform, where consistent
with the City’s adopted policies, platforms, and public policy and project objectives.
15. Support regional efforts to create a spectrum of housing types (including board and care and housing
types that include other supportive services) within the County to house the unhoused.
16. Encourage the County of San Luis Obispo to build complete streets when building new roads, and to
upgrade existing roadways to be complete streets.
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