HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/17/1998, C-5 - 1998 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PROGRAM council 2/17/98
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CITY OF SAN LUIS O B I S P O
FROM: Jeffrey G.Jorgensen
SUBJECT: 1998 Legislative Action Program
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution establishing legislative priorities for 1998
DISCUSSION
Attached for the Council's consideration is the 1998 Legislative Action Program Resolution.
Similar resolutions have been adopted by the Council since 1993. 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 position 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 1998 should continue to emphasize our relationship with
north county cities and agencies, and establishing effective communication with the County
concerning land use issues adjacent to the City. Also attached for your information is-a draft of
the Legislative Priorities established by the League of California Cities(Exhibit B).
FISCAL IMPACT
Minor additional staff workload is anticipated.
ALTERNATIVES
Do not adopt a legislative priority program,or recommend additions or deletions.
Attachments
1. Resolution
2. Exhibit A,Legislative Action Program
3. Exhibit B (League Legislative Priorities)
RESOLUTION NO. (1998 Series)
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION
PROGRAM AND PRIORITIES FOR 1998
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 a legislative analysis and
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,particularly concerning land use issues adjacent to the City;
and
WHEREAS,the City should continue to emphasize developing a positive
relationship with North County Cities and agencies concerning water issues; and
WHEREAS,the City desires to be proactive and involved in the governmental
decision malting 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.
Resolution No. (1998)
Page Two
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED,that the City Council of the City of San
Luis Obispo does hereby establish the Legislative Action Priorities for 1998,as set forth in
the attached Exhibit"A", and authorizes staff to take positions on legislation generally
consistent with the Legislation 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 1998.
Mayor Allen Settle
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS FORM:
i o y
EXHIBIT A: CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION PRIORITIES FOR 1998q
FEDERAL PRIORITIES
• Requiring funding of federally mandated programs, including new water/wastewater
regulations,or eliminating such mandates
• Promoting continued and increased funding sources for transportation,especially transit
• Obtaining new funding sources to expand low and moderate income housing
• Supporting legislation to transfer ownership of Salinas Reservoir to a local agency for
the purpose of facilitating the Salinas Dam Expansion Project
• 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
• Supporting legislation to exempt cities from liability for leakage of hazardous waste
discharge to POTW's from sewer
• Supporting legislation which strengthens the ability of cities to control their public
rights-of-way and apply zoning regulations relative to the telecommunications industry
• Supporting legislation to increase the availability of grant funding to replace aging
infrastructure
• Opposing legislation that limits state or local authority to tax catalog or internet sales
• Supporting legislation which assists welfare reform to work in a positive way and
provides funding for the social service programs of local non-profit organizations.
• Obtaining cooperation and prompt approval from the EPA and Army Coros of
Engineers for necessary flood control projects.
• Supporting legislative action to retain the existing process of local judicial review of
land use decisions thus avoiding preemptory.premature intrusion of federal courts into
matters best handled at the local level.
Exhibit A (Legistati.ve t)naJt) C-S�
STATE PRIORITIES
FINANCE
b the&ate b
• Supporting efforts to protect the City€ei-*om loss of revenues due to State mandates
• Supporting legislation that strengthens opportunities for local fiscal independence
• Returning ERAF
• Supporting efforts to "protect,preserve and reform" local government finances
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 retrofitting of unreinforced masonry
buildings
• Promoting state efforts toward preservation of open space,coastal resources,signature
land forums,wetlands, and other natural resources or areas threatened by development
PUBLIC SAFETY
• b b
fees (SB -2667)
• 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 and earthquake preparedn
• Supporting grant requests for Regional Hazardous Material Response Team,diseste
prepafedaess-,and a regional 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
Bmeeumge Highway nr
• Preserving the authority of local control on issuance of concealed weapons permits
• Supporting a state-wide gaming commission to oversee all forms of gambling in the
state
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• Spporting SCA 4 on trial court consolidaton
• Retaining budget commitments for Public Safety supplemental funding-State COPS
Pro
• Supporting federal legislative action to retain the existing process of local iudicial
review of land use decisions thus avoiding preemgtory premature intrusion of federal
courts into matters best handled at the local level.
TRANSPORTATION
• Changing Gas tax laws to allow local tax for transportation purposes based on a
majority vote of the public
• Increasing transportation funding(including transit,bicycles,others)especially transit
• Encourage the Department of Transportation to improve traffic safety on the Highway
41-46 corridor through engineering solutions such as additional passing lanes,median
barriers, etc.
PERSONNEIJEMPLOYEE RELATIONS
• Further reforming Worker's compensation
• Preserving the fiscal integrity of PERS
• Opposing binding arbitration and expandingsien of the"Peace Officers' Bill of Rights"
3�
• Monitoring employee healthcare/benefit changes
PUBLIC WORKS
• Better defining"qualified"bidders in public contracts bidding
• Redefining Prevailing wages as"average"local wages
• Streamlining Federal and State process for funding street projects
• Install median barriers on multi-lane segments of Hwy.46(Paso to Hwy.41)
• Increase to$20,000 limits of work(from$5,000) for public projects not requiring
competitive bidding
PARKS AND RECREATION
• Supporting recreational programmiag-fimdin particularly for"at risk"individuals
within the City
• Supporting funding for: protection of natural resources(e.g.,the Morros),open space,
and parks development
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• Support funding for rehabilitation of urban parks
• Support efforts at the State level for a park and open space bond measure
UTILITIES
• 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
• Supporting legislation to exempt cities from liability for leakage of hazardous waste
discharged to POTW's from sewer
r.: 4-5,
i
• Supporting legislation to increase availability of grant fundingfor or replacement of aging,
infrastructure
COUNTY PRIORITIES
• Reaching agreement with the County and north county communities on solutions for
Salinas Reservoir expansion and Nacimiento pipeline projects
• Developing consistency between the City and County General Plans,particularly to
emphasize the concepts that(1)urban development should be municipal,and(2)
unincorporated areas shall remain rural,agricultural,or open space in character
• Increasing local funding of the Transit Transfer Center
• Retaining County offices in the downtown area
• Improving regional solid waste management
• Developing cooperative approaches for providing services on a regional basis
• Effectively and cooperatively implementing the Community Development Block
Grant Program
• Discussing and resolving issues on the City periphery, such as conversion of
agricultural zoning to residential subdivision and industrial use, allowing increases in
density in residential and industrial areas,allowing substantial development beyond the
City's urban reserve line,and giving greater credence to and respecting the integrity of
the City's planning process
• Discussing uses for the County-owned"garage"adjacent to the Fremont Theater that
are more consistent with the Downtown Plan and provide more contribution to the
economic vitality of the downtown
.55
• - � ti p
EXFIlBIT A: CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION PRIORITIES FOR 1998
FEDERAL PRIORITIES
• Requiring funding of federally mandated programs, including new water/wastewater
regulations, or eliminating such mandates
• Promoting continued and increased funding sources for transportation, especially transit
• Obtaining new funding sources to expand low and moderate income housing
• Supporting legislation to transfer,ownership of Salinas Reservoir to a local agency for
the purpose of facilitating the Salinas Dam Expansion Project
• 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
• Supporting legislation to exempt cities from liability for leakage of hazardous waste
discharge to POTW's from sewer
• Supporting legislation which strengthens the ability of cities to control their public
rights-of-way and apply zoning regulations relative to the telecommunications industry
• Supporting legislation to increase the availability of grant funding to replace aging
infrastructure
• Opposing legislation that limits state or local authority to tax catalog or internet sales
• Supporting legislation which assists welfare reform to work in a positive way and
provides funding for the social service programs of local non-profit organizations.
Obtaining cooperation and prompt approval from the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers
for necessary flood control projects.
• Supporting legislative action to retain the existing process of local judicial review of
land use decisions,thus avoiding preemptory,premature intrusion of federal courts into
matters best handled at the local level.
Exhibit A
STATE PRIORr=
FINANCE
• Supporting efforts to protect the City from loss of revenues due to State mandates
• Supporting legislation that strengthens opportunities for local fiscal independence
• Returning ERAF
• Supporting efforts to "protect,preserve and reform" local government finances
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 retrofitting of unreinforced masonry
buildings
• Promoting state efforts toward preservation of open space,coastal resources,signature
land forums,wetlands,and other natural resources or areas threatened by development
PUBLIC SAFETY
• 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 and earthquake preparedness
• Supporting grant requests for Regional Hazardous Material Response Team, and a
regional 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
2
C-5/L
• Preserving the authority of local control on issuance of concealed weapons permits
• Supporting a state-wide gaming commission to oversee all forms of gambling in the
state
• Supporting SCA 4 on trial court consolidaton
• Retaining budget commitments for Public Safety supplemental funding-State COPS
Program
• Supporting federal legislative action to retain the existing process of local judicial
review of land use decisions,thus avoiding preemptory,premature intrusion of federal
courts into matters best handled at the local level.
TRANSPORTATION -
• Changing Oras tax laws to allow local tax for transportation purposes based on a
majority vote of the public
• Increasing transportation funding(including transit,bicycles, others)especially transit
• Encourage the Department of Transportation to improve traffic safety on the Highway
41-46 corridor through engineering solutions such as additional passing lanes,median
barriers, etc.
PERSONNEL/EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
• Further reforming Worker's compensation
• Preserving the fiscal integrity of PERS
• Opposing binding arbitration and expanding of the"Peace Officers' Bill of Rights"
• Monitoring employee healthcarelbenefit changes
PUBLIC WORKS
• Better defining"qualified"bidders in public contracts bidding
• Redefining Prevailing wages as"average"local wages
• Streamlining Federal and State process for funding street projects
3
• Install median barriers on multi-lane segments of Hwy.46(Paso to Hwy. 41)
• Increase to$20,000 limits of work(from$5,000)for public projects not requiring
competitive bidding
PARKS AND RECREATION
• Supporting recreational program funding,particularly for"at risk"individuals within
the City
• Supporting funding for. protection of natural resources(e.g.,the Morros),open space,
and parks development
• Support funding for rehabilitation of urban parks
• Support efforts at the State level for a park and open space bond measure
UTILITIES
• 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
• Supporting legislation to exempt cities from liability for leakage of hazardous waste
discharged to POTW's from sewer
• Supporting legislation to increase availability of grant funding for replacement of aging
infrastructure
COUNTY PRIORITIES
• Reaching agreement with the County and north county communities on solutions for
Salinas Reservoir expansion and Nacimiento pipeline projects
• Developing consistency between the City and County General Plans,particularly to
emphasize the concepts that(1)urban development should be municipal,and(2)
unincorporated areas shall remain rural,agricultural,or open space in character
4
• Increasing local funding of the Transit Transfer Center
• Retaining County offices in the downtown area
• Improving regional solid waste management
• Developing cooperative approaches for providing services on a regional basis
• Effectively and cooperatively implementing the Community Development Block Grant
Program
• Discussing and resolving issues on the City periphery,such as conversion of
agricultural zoning to residential subdivision and industrial use,allowing increases in
density in residential and industrial areas,allowing substantial development beyond the
City's urban reserve line, and giving greater credence to and respecting the integrity of
the City's planning process
• Discussing uses for the County-owned"garage"adjacent to the Fremont Theater that
are more consistent with the Downtown Plan and provide more contribution to the
economic vitality of the downtown
FEB. 2. 1998 8: 12AM LEAGUE OF GAL CITIES K Hu'l r. Z
League of California Cities
1998 Legislative Priorities
DRAFT
While the entire universe of legislation 1998 will not be(mown until early in March of this year,
most of the priority issues for 1998 can be reasonably predicted, recognizing that there may be
some real surprises that add to the League's priority list as the session progresses. The following
issues promise to draw more of the League's focus and resources in 1998.
Constitutional Protection. The primary focus of attention for 1998 will be to secure legislative
passage of a constitutional amendment designed to protect local government revenues. The
measure is directed at protecting sales taxes, property taxes and locally enacted taxes ftin
manipulation by the state. It is a measure that will give local government the financial stability
needed.to plan and deliver local services without major upheaval.
Property Tax Return. The property tax is a key local government revenue needed to support
local services to homeowners, other residents and commercial property in a community. The state
used local property tax money to assist in balancing the state budget during a budget deficit
period. The economy has recovered.It promises to be healthy for the foreseeable future.It is time
to return the property tax to local governments in order that urban development and growth is a
robust economy can be supported with needed local governmental services. The return of the
Property tax shifted in the recessionary period of the early 19907S will be a League priority in
1998.
Modify Local Voter Aonroved Sales Tax Revenues.,
evenue Current law permits county government to
Pass up to 1/2 Deaf in a local sales tax to support localservices. This law needs to be changed to
permit city government, in partnership with county government,to pursue local sales tax revenues
with voter approval.
School Facilities.Discussion continues after the attempt last session to craft a finance package
for school facilities. The proposal that surfaced last session posed a serious threat to local land use
authority by cmrb*g the amount of development fees that could be collected for school facilities
Md removing the land use authority of cities and counties to approve, site and modify proposals
in order to ensure adequate school facilities. There are alternatives to the school facility problems
without taking away local government authority over land use decisions or without removing the
only sure source of revenue to finance school facilities.
Emereenev Medical Services.The League will be co-sponsoring legislation to preserve
emergency medical services provided by cities. A court case threatens the delivery system for
these services to city residents.A solution has to be crafted to preserve the services and the
resources already expended to support those services to city governments. This promises to be a
lengthy debated this session.
Exhibit 8