Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-15-2016 Item 14 - 2016 Legislative Platform Meeting Date: 3/15/2016 FROM: Christine Dietrick, City Attorney SUBJECT: 2016 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM RECOMMENDATION 1. Adopt a resolution establishing a Legislative Action Platform for 2016. 2. Provide direction to staff on limiting the application of the platform to legislative action and restricting use of the platform as a basis for advocacy for or against particular projects or adjudicative acts before other jurisdictions’ governing bodies. 3. Appoint the Mayor, City Attorney and City Manager to act as the primary legislative liaisons between the League of California Cities and the City of San Luis Obispo. DISCUSSION Legislative Action Program Attached for the Council’s consideration is a resolution establishing the City’s 2016 Legislative Action Platform. Similar resolutions have been adopted by the Council since 1993. The City Attorney's Office coordinates the Legislative Action Program with assistance from the Administration Department and from various City departments, as appropriate. 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 Exhibit A to the resolution (Attachment - A) and League of California Cities advocacy efforts. By establishing a broad legislative platform and delegating responsibility to the Mayor and 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 were brought to the Council at its regular meetings. The process has been efficient given the limited City resources available, and the City continues to be active in communicating its positions on Federal and State legislation. In 2015, the Mayor, on behalf of the City Council, sent 8 letters pertaining to pending legislation utilizing the Council Legislative Action Platform, as well as engaging in advocacy calls and direct outreach to legislators. In preparing this year’s draft program, input was solicited from all City Departments. Staff was asked to take a critical look at the items within their scope of operations and expertise and evaluate whether there was an opportunity to narrow or focus the platform. With that look, no significant 14 Packet Pg. 200 revisions were recommended by reviewing departments. All changes, including language clean-ups and issue consolidations, are shown in the legislative draft of the 2015 Platform attached to this report (Attachment - B). In addition to Council’s substantive direction on the platform, staff also is seeking direction as to the application of the platform to City positions on particular projects or applications that Councilmembers believe raise issues related to the platform. Historically, the platform has been utilized primarily to advocate for or against a particular piece of legislation and not for or against a particular project or permitting application (adjudicative acts before other jurisdictions’ legislative bodies). Staff recommends that the scope be expressly limited to legislative action to ensure consistent understanding among both Councilmembers and administering staff, but requests explicit direction from the Council majority on that issue to ensure clarity moving forward. Legislative Liaison Appointments The League of California Cities encourages cities to appoint a council member and a staff person to act as legislative liaison between the League and the City. It is recommended that Mayor Jan Marx act as the Council legislative liaison and the City Attorney and the City Manager serve as the staff liaisons. FISCAL IMPACT Because no additional staff workload is anticipated as a result of this ongoing program, no new fiscal impact will be incurred. Fiscal impacts are limited to staff time researching requests for action under the platform and preparing correspondence on those requests determined to be within the platform. ALTERNATIVES The Council may wish to include other issues, not included in the current draft or to consolidate certain issues. However, it is also important to note that the Legislative Platform allows the City to take action on any legislative priorities or actions formally supported by the League of California Cities. It is staff’s recommendation that desired additions to the Platform are fairly generally crafted and flexible to allow for quick responses to legislation important to cities. 14 Packet Pg. 201 R ____ RESOLUTION NO. XXXX (2016 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM FOR 2016 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, 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 2016 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; and 2. Appoint Mayor Jan Marx to act as Council Member legislative liaison and City Manager Katie Lichtig and City Attorney Christine Dietrick to act as staff legislative liaisons with the League of California Cities. 14.a Packet Pg. 202 At t a c h m e n t : a - 2 0 1 6 R e s o l u t i o n - L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Resolution No. XXXX (2016 Series) Page 2 Upon motion of ____________________ , seconded by ________________, and on the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this ___ day of __________ 2016. ___ Mayor Jan Marx ATTEST: _______________________ Lee Price Interim 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, this ______ day of ______________________, __________. _______________________ Lee Price Interim City Clerk 14.a Packet Pg. 203 At t a c h m e n t : a - 2 0 1 6 R e s o l u t i o n - L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Attachment 1 1 CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM FOR 2016 Community Development 1. Promoting reforms of the entire State mandated HCD Regional Housing Need Allocations process to recognize local resource limitations. 2. Providing funding (i.e. through Cap and Trade or other sources) for communities to pay for public infrastructure that meet mandated greenhouse reduction goals. 3. Providing funding to implement programs and related action items contained in Climate Action Plans to quantitatively reduce greenhouse gases. 4. Promoting funding sources to accomplish retrofitting of unreinforced masonry buildings. 5. Promoting funding of on-campus housing at Cal Poly for student and faculty housing and University acquisition of single family residences for staff and faculty housing. 6. Preserving local control of planning and zoning matters. 7. Supporting efforts to increase funding for affordable housing and supportive housing services for very low, low and moderate income individuals and/or families for all cities and communities and opposing the erosion of local inclusionary housing and in-lieu fee programs. 8. Supporting continued funding of National Housing Trust Fund and streamlined and efficient implementing regulations at the state level. 9. Promoting additional state funding to implement SB 375 through local general plan updates that implement the regional sustainable communities plan and alternative planning strategy, if needed. 10. Promoting funding for the identification, acquisition, maintenance and restoration of historic sites and structures. 11. Supporting continued or expanded funding for CDBG program. 14.b Packet Pg. 204 At t a c h m e n t : b - 2 0 1 6 D r a f t L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Attachment 1 2 12. Supporting reinstatement of protections from imposition of additional building or site conditions prior to issuance of a building permit for seismic related improvements to buildings subject to a mitigation program established according to state law (City URM Program) as previously provided in Government Code Section 8875.10 (this section was repealed effective January 1, 2009). 13. Supporting continued local control over mobile home park rent stabilization and the conversion of mobile home parks to other uses. Encourage the amendment of Section 66427.5 of the California Government Code and other relevant law for the purpose of ensuring that mobile home park residents are not involuntarily removed from homes or otherwise economically impacted if parks are subdivided or converted. 14. Promoting financing for and implementation of AB 811 property-assessed clean energy districts. 15. Encouraging continued viability of inclusionary housing provisions and avoidance of conflicts with Costa-Hawkins Act. 16. Encouraging consistency in state legislation dealing with transportation, housing and land use issues and eliminating potential conflicts between regional housing requirements, smart growth mandates and environmental legislation. 17. Enabling the issuance of parking citations on private property. 18. Advocating full funding of authorized programs under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, including providing more flexibility in the use of Federal funds on the local level to address housing for the homeless. 18.19. Supporting legislation that provides funding sources for appropriate human service agencies that support the mi ssion of the Human Relations Commission. 19.20. Supporting responsible review and revision of CEQA to ensure sound environmental determinations. Economic Development 20.21. Promoting funding and/or legislation using tax credits or other incentive programs to encourage research and development by businesses in California. 14.b Packet Pg. 205 At t a c h m e n t : b - 2 0 1 6 D r a f t L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Attachment 1 3 21.22. Supporting funding and policies for the promotion of California as a place to locate businesses. 22.23. Supporting funding for the state tourism promotion program. 23.24. Supporting the effective and efficient use of all communications technologies including voice, video, data, and information services over wired and wireless transmission technologies. 24.25. Supporting telecommunications reform legislation and other measures that preserve local control over public rights-of-way, protect local resources and guarantee access to, funding for, and local flexibility in utilizing funds for public, educational and government (PEG) access television. 25.26. Supporting the expansion of public infrastructure financing tools and funding for infrastructure to provide economic development opportunities. 26.27. Promoting development of green business and head of household jobs. Finance 27.28. Supporting 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. 28.29. 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. 29.30. Supporting efforts to collect the full amount of local transient occupancy tax from online sales of lodging. 30.31. Supporting the continuation of California Specialized Training Institute activities within San Luis Obispo County. 31.32. Opposing legislation that removes the municipal bond tax exemption. 32.33. Supporting clarity regarding local regulatory control and revenue equity for 14.b Packet Pg. 206 At t a c h m e n t : b - 2 0 1 6 D r a f t L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Attachment 1 4 cities in any statewide regulation or permitting of medical marijuana establishments or uses. Human Resources/Employee Relations/Human Relations 33.34. Supporting additional workers compensation reforms that lower employers' costs while still protecting workers. 34.35. Supporting pension and retiree health benefits reform efforts in concert with the League of California Cities and the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Board of Directors. 35.36. Opposing the expansion of the "Peace Officers' Bill of Rights," "Firefighters' Bill of Rights," or other attempts to curtail management rights. Supporting legislation that provides funding sources for appropriate human service agencies that support the mi ssion of the Human Relations Commission.[Note: Moved to Community Development priorities to reflect reassignment of HRC ]. 36.37. Supporting legislation to protect the City's continued ability to administer its Cafeteria benefit Plan. 37.38. Supporting reforms that limit the financial impacts of joint and several liability on public entities. 38.39. Supporting the clarification, modification or repeal of AB 646 fact finding requirements. 39.40. Opposing the expansion of procedural rights and requirements in administrative disciplinary proceedings that increase costs and expand the timeframe and scope of administrative processes. Public Safety 40.41. Continuing State and Federal funding support for school safety, disaster preparedness, earthquake preparedness, Homeland Security, hazardous material response, State COPS program and other local law enforcement activities. 14.b Packet Pg. 207 At t a c h m e n t : b - 2 0 1 6 D r a f t L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Attachment 1 5 41.42. Preserving the City's authority to investigate police misconduct. 42.43. Supporting efforts to expand the scope of parental responsibility for crimes committed by minors. 43.44. Preserving the authority of local control on issuance of concealed weapons permits. 44.45. Supporting legislation to help curb alcohol-related criminal behavior and underage drinking. 45.46. Opposing new or increased state fees for state provided law enforcement services. 46.47. Supporting the fair and efficient allocation of radio spectrum that provides quality frequencies, free from interference, for all local public safety communication needs. 47.48. Supporting efforts to reduce retention periods for video monitoring tapesdata not related to an identified incident or operation . 48.49. Preserving the City's right to regulate activities with adverse health and safety impacts on local streets, sidewalks and right-of-ways. 49.50. Supporting 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. 50.51. Supporting 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. Public Works 51.52. Supporting increased the availability of grant funding to replace aging 14.b Packet Pg. 208 At t a c h m e n t : b - 2 0 1 6 D r a f t L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Attachment 1 6 infrastructure of all types, e.g. streets, bridges, water, sewer, parks, and storm sewer systems, etc. 52.53. Supporting increased funding for projects that improve flood protection for the City. 53.54. Supporting funding for implementation of clean stormwater / low impact infrastructure replacement. 54.55. Ensuring cooperation and prompt approval from Federal and State regulatory agencies (such as the Department ofFish & Game, Regional Water Quality Control Board and the Army Corps of Engineers) for necessary projects involving the City's creek system. 55.56. Exempting assessments for vital infrastructure from Proposition 218 requirements. 56.57. Supporting monetary incentives or grant funding for alternative fuel vehicles for replacement of municipal fleet equipment. 57.58. Supporting monetary incentives or grant funding for retrofitting municipal buildings with Energy Management Systems to centrally control all lighting and HVAC systems. 58.59. Supporting realistic municipal clean stormwater requirements at the State Board or legislative level. Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources 59.60. Supporting State and Federal funding and other measures to promote the 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 and for the California Conservation Corps. 60.61. Supporting 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. 61.62. Opposing any development under existing or new offshore oil and gas leases off the Coast of San Luis Obispo County. 14.b Packet Pg. 209 At t a c h m e n t : b - 2 0 1 6 D r a f t L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Attachment 1 7 62.63. Supporting measures to prohibit discharge of pollutants into the ocean (e.g. selenium contaminated waters from the San Joaquin valley). 63.64. Supporting placement of the new water bond (Proposition 1) and encouraging the Resources Agency and its departments to expedite the distribution of bond funds to take advantage of the many favorable opportunities for land and easement acquisition and enhancement project contracting that exist at this time. 64.65. Seeking legislative exemption from property taxes on lands dedicated to open space purposes which are outside the boundaries of the jurisdiction owning such lands. 65.66. Protecting funding for vital regional and community services that negatively impact Californian's access to parks, open space, after school programming, senior services, facilities that promote physical activity, protect natural resources, and strengthen safety and security. 66.67. Promoting 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. 67.68. Supporting access to joint use of schools; parks and open space; development of streets and trails that encourage physical activity and healthy living. 68.69. Supporting extension or permanent legislation at the federal level of enhanced tax deductions for charitable donations of Conservation Easements Transportation 69.70. Supporting changes in gas tax laws that allow local tax for transportation purposes based on a majority vote of the public. 14.b Packet Pg. 210 At t a c h m e n t : b - 2 0 1 6 D r a f t L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Attachment 1 8 70.71. Supporting the continuation of, and increased funding sources for street maintenance projects, transportation improvements, transit operations and bicycle facility projects. 71.72. Supporting clean air transit funding for San Luis Obispo County, in particular funding that provides for alternative modes of transportation with clean air benefits. 72.73. 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. 73.74. Encouraging 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. 74.75. Opposing the proposed diversion of any funding source for transportation that reduces amounts designated for transit operations. 75.76. Supporting funding for projects to implement adopted complete street plans demonstrated to improve public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 76.77. Supporting provision of Cap and Trade funding for intercity rail. Utilities 77.78. Supporting clean water funding programs. 78.79. Supporting recycling and waste diversion programs such as green waste composting and enhancing local government's ability to comply with solid waste reduction requirements. 79.80. Supporting 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 NPDES permitees. 80.81. Supporting legislation that requires the State's environmental agencies to conduct peer review of proposed regulations to ensure that the proposal is based on 14.b Packet Pg. 211 At t a c h m e n t : b - 2 0 1 6 D r a f t L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Attachment 1 9 sound science. 81.82. Supporting 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 NPDES permitees. 82.83. Supporting the elimination of 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). 83.84. Supporting 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 84.85. Promoting the safe, responsible, and cost-effective reuse of Exceptional Quality or better biosolids. 85.86. Supporting any appropriate streamlining the state regulatory processes. 86.87. Supporting sustainable energy programs. 87.88. Supporting incentives for distributed energy generation projects such as solar power. 88.89. 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. 89.90. Supporting federal legislative action to transfer Salinas Reservoir from Army Corps of Engineers Military Project to Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Project. 90.91. Supporting the implementation of the California Urban Water Conservation Council's Best Management Practices regarding urban water conservation and compliance with AB 1420. 91.92. Supporting 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. 14.b Packet Pg. 212 At t a c h m e n t : b - 2 0 1 6 D r a f t L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Attachment 1 10 92.93. Supporting legislation eliminating departing load charges which discourage the use of alternative energy resources. 93.94. Allowing the use of Public Goods Funds for the development and installation of energy saving or green energy generating projects to benefit local government. 94.95. Promoting the protection of water resources, including water quality, watershed protection, and treatment discharge measures. 95.96. Supporting the protection of our natural resources from invasive species. 96.97. Promoting sustainability of our water resources through the use of recycled water and other best practices. County/Regional Priorities 97.98. Supporting legislation and other policy considerations to expand funding for the delivery of case management, drug, alcohol, and detoxification services, mental health services, and the establishment of shelter facilities. 98.99. Working with the County to assure land use practices that are consistent with the Memorandum of Agreement adopted by the City Council and County Board of Supervisors in 2005 regarding development near the edges of the City. 99.100. Encouraging participation by County in providing nearby parking for County employees and clients, and alternate transportation and parking demand reduction. 100.101. Supporting County development of a local ordinance providing additional local oversight and regulation of the land application of Pollutant Concentration (PC) or better biosolids. 101.102. Working cooperatively with the County to solve City/County flood problems. 102.103. Supporting the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District's legislative program, where consistent with the City's adopted policies and platform. 103.104. Supporting the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments' legislative programadvocacy activities, where consistent with the City's adopted policies, and platform and public project objectives. 14.b Packet Pg. 213 At t a c h m e n t : b - 2 0 1 6 D r a f t L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Attachment 1 11 105. Supporting County efforts to enhance dangerous animal regulation and enforcement. 104.106. Supporting the streamlining, clarification and simplification of conflict of interest regulations applicable to local officials. 14.b Packet Pg. 214 At t a c h m e n t : b - 2 0 1 6 D r a f t L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ( 1 2 8 7 : 2 0 1 6 L e g i s l a t i v e P l a t f o r m ) Page intentionally left blank.