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HomeMy WebLinkAboutr10254legactionplatformappointmentRESOLUTION NO . 10254 (2011 Series ) ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM FOR 201 1 AND APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBER AND STAFF PERSON TO ACT A S LIAISON BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND THE LEAGUE O F CALIFORNIA CITIE S WHEREAS,a major objective of the City Council is to adopt an aggressive legislativ e action platform which strengthens local government, promotes City goals and defends the Cit y against legislative actions by State and Federal governments that would weaken local governmen t and/or take away traditional revenue sources ; and WHEREAS,it is vital to the fiscal health and the self determination of the City t o effectively communicate with State Legislators and Federal representatives in order to favorabl y influence State and Federal legislation, regulations and grant requests ; and WHEREAS,the League of California Cities conducts a legislative analysis and advocac y 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", th e League of California Cities federal priorities identified in Exhibit "B", the San Luis Obispo Count y Air Pollution Control District's legislative program identified in Exhibit "C," the San Luis Obisp o Council of Governments' legislative program identified in Exhibit "D" and other selected issues a s may from time to time be recommended by the League of California Cities ; an d WHEREAS,a key component of the City's Legislative Action Platform is face-to-fac e 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 Lui s Obispo does hereby : 1.Establish the Legislative Action Platform for 2011 as set forth in the attached Exhibit s "A," "B," "C" and "D" and authorize staff to take positions on legislation generally consistent wit h the Legislative Action Platform and such other resolutions and recommendations of the League o f 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 Cit y Manager Katie Lichtig and City Attorney J . Christine Dietrick to act as staff legislative liaisons wit h the League of California Cities . R 10254 Resolution No . 10254 (2011 Series ) Page 2 Upon motion of Council Member Carpenter , seconded by Vice Mayor Ashbaugh, and o n the following vote : AYES : Council Members Carpenter, Carter and Smith, Vice Mayor Ashbaugh an d Mayor Marx NOES : Non e ABSENT : Non e the foregoing resolution was adopted this 5th day of April, 2011 . ATTEST : Elaina Can o City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM : G :\Legislative Priorities\2011 Docs\2011 Resolution .doc Exhibit A CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISP O LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM FOR 201 1 Community Developmen t 1.Promoting reforms of the entire State mandated HCD Regional Housing Need Allocation s process to recognize local resource limitations . 2.Promoting funding sources to accomplish retrofitting of unreinforced masonry buildings . 3.Promoting funding of on campus housing at Cal Poly for student and faculty housing . 4.Preserving local control of planning and zoning matters . 5.Supporting efforts to increase funding for affordable housing for very low, low and moderat e income families for all cities and communities and opposing the erosion of local inclusionar y housing and in-lieu fee programs . 6.Promoting additional state funding to implement SB 375 through local general plan updates tha t implement the regional sustainable communities plan and alternative planning strategy, i f needed . 7.Promoting funding for the identification, acquisition, maintenance and restoration of histori c sites and structures . 8.Supporting continued or expanded funding for CDBG program . 9.Supporting reinstatement of protections from imposition of additional building or sit e conditions prior to issuance of a building permit for seismic related improvements to building s subject to a mitigation program established according to state law (our URM Program) a s previously provided in Government Code Section 8875 .10 (this section was repealed effectiv e January 1, 2009). 10.Supporting continued local control over mobile home park rent stabilization and the conversio n of mobile home parks to other uses . 11.Promoting a legislative "fix" to lending constraints that prevent implementation of AB 81 1 property-assessed clean energy districts . 12.Encouraging a legislative "fix" to inclusionary housing provisions and Costa-Hawkins Act . 13.Encouraging consistency in state legislation dealing with transportation, housing and land us e issues . For example, HCD insists that RHNAs for low income housing can only be met by providing large open tracts of vacant residentially zoned land is in conflict with SB 375, AB 32 , Regional Blueprints and other "smart growth" mandates . Exhibit A Economic Developmen t 14.Promoting funding and/or legislation using tax credits or other incentive programs to encourag e research and development by businesses in California. 15.Supporting funding and policies for the promotion of California as a place to locate businesses . 16.Supporting funding for the state tourism promotion program . 17.Supporting the effective and efficient use of all communications technologies including voice , video, data, and information services over wired and wireless transmission technologies . 18.Supporting telecommunications reform legislation and other measures that preserve loca l 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) acces s television . Financ e 19.Continuing to support efforts to protect the City from loss of revenues due to State take-away s and unfunded State or Federal mandates . 20.Endorsing legislation that provides local government with a fair share tax on catalog an d Internet sales ; and opposing legislation that limits state or local authority to tax catalog o r Internet sales . 21.Supporting legislation and other measures to change processes in California regarding : determining legislative district boundaries, modifying term limit restrictions, and reducing th e two-thirds vote required for adoption of the State budget . Human Resources/Employee Relations/Human Relation s 22.Supporting additional workers compensation reforms that lower employers' costs while stil l protecting workers . 23.Supporting pension and retiree health benefits reform efforts in concert with the League o f California Cities and the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Board o f Directors . 24.Opposing the expansion of the "Peace Officers' Bill of Rights," "Firefighters' Bill of Rights," or other attempts to curtail management rights . 25.Supporting legislation that provides funding sources for appropriate human service agencie s that support the mission of the Human Relations Commission . Exhibit A 26.Supporting legislation to protect the City's continued ability to administer its Cafeteria Benefit Plan . 27.Supporting reforms that limit the financial impacts of joint and several liability on publi c entities . Public Safet y 28.Continuing State and Federal funding support for disaster preparedness, earthquak e preparedness, Homeland Security, hazardous material response, State COPS program and othe r local law enforcement activities . 29.Preserving the City's authority to investigate police misconduct . 30.Preserving the City's authority to establish both medical and non-medical emergency servic e levels . 31.Supporting efforts to expand the scope of parental responsibility for crimes committed b y minors . 32.Preserving the authority of local control on issuance of concealed weapons permits . 33.Supporting legislation to help curb alcohol-related criminal behavior and underage drinking . 34.Opposing new or increased state fees for state provided law enforcement services . 35.Supporting the fair and efficient allocation of radio spectrum that provides quality frequencies , free from interference, for all local public safety communication needs . 36.Supporting efforts to reduce retention periods for video monitoring tapes . Public Work s 37.Supporting legislation to increase the availability of grant funding to replace agin g infrastructure of all types, e .g . streets, bridges, water, sewer and storm sewer systems, etc . 38.Supporting legislation that would increase funding for projects that improve flood protection fo r the City . 39.Ensuring cooperation and prompt approval from Federal and State regulatory agencies (such a s the Department of Fish & Game and the Army Corps of Engineers) for necessary project s involving the City's creek system . Exhibit A 40.Supporting legislation which would exclude assessments for vital infrastructure from Prop . 21 8 requirements . 41.Supporting legislation to provide monetary incentives or grant funding for alternative fue l vehicles for replacement of municipal fleet equipment . 42.Supporting legislation to provide monetary incentives or grant funding for retrofitting municipa l buildings with Energy Management Systems to centrally control all lighting and HVA C systems . Parks and Recreation and Natural Resource s 43.Supporting State and Federal funding and other measures to promote the acquisition, protection , preservation and restoration of natural resources, open space, coastal resources, signature lan d forms, wetlands and park development, including continued funding for the Land and Wate r Conservation Grant Program and for the California Conservation Corps . 44.Supporting the expansion of National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of San Luis Obisp o County to protect this fragile habitat from offshore oil and gas development . 45.Opposing any development under existing or new offshore oil and gas leases off the coast o f San Luis Obispo County . 46.Supporting measures to prohibit discharge of pollutants into the ocean (e .g . selenium contaminated waters from the San Joaquin valley). 47.Encouraging the Resources Agency and its departments to reinstate and expedite th e distribution of bond funds and other funds resulting from special legislation and voter-approve d bond measures, to take advantage of the many favorable opportunities for land and easemen t acquisition and enhancement project contracting that exist at this time . 48.Seeking legislative exemption from property taxes on lands dedicated to open space purpose s which are outside the boundaries of the jurisdiction owning such lands . 49.Protecting funding for vital regional and community services that negatively impac t Californian's access to parks, open space, after school programming, senior services, facilitie s that promote physical activity, protect natural resources, and strengthen safety and security . 50.Promoting policies that recognize the benefits of parks and recreational facilities in th e 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 fo r the strong integration of local and regional park and non-motorized transportatio n improvements into "Smart Growth Scenarios" pursuant to SB 375 . Exhibit A 51.Supporting legislation that promotes access to joint use of schools ; parks and open space ; development of streets and trails that encourage physical activity and healthy living . Transportatio n 52.Supporting changes in gas tax laws that allow local tax for transportation purposes based on a majority vote of the public . 53.Supporting the continuation of, and increased funding sources for street maintenance projects , transportation improvements, transit operations and bicycle facility projects . 54.Supporting clean air transit funding for San Luis Obispo County, in particular funding tha t provides for alternative modes of transportation with clean air benefits . 55.Supporting actions to : (1) promote cooperation and mutual support between metropolita n planning organization (MPO) agencies and local transit providers, and (2) discourage trend s toward MPO agencies/regional "control" of local transit providers . 56.Supporting legislation that would encourage private transportation companies (such as Unio n Pacific Railroad) to reach agreements for sharing of properly secured right of way corridors fo r other compatible uses such as bicycle and pedestrian facilities . 57.Opposing the proposed diversion of any funding source for transportation that reduces amount s designated for transit operations . Utilitie s 58.Supporting clean water funding programs . 59.Supporting legislation to further recycling and waste diversion programs such as green wast e composting and enhance local government's ability to comply with solid waste reduction requirements . 60.Supporting legislation to eliminate mandatory penalties for violations of NPDES Requirement s and returning discretionary control to the Regional Water Quality Control Board Executiv e Officers (i .e . repeal SB 709). 61.Supporting legislation and other measures to ensure reasonableness in the administration o f NPDES permit governing City operations, including pursuing a municipal representative on th e Regional Water Quality Control Board . 62.Supporting legislation promoting the safe, responsible, and cost-effective reuse of Exceptiona l Quality or better biosolids . 63.Supporting legislation to streamline the state regulatory processes . Exhibit A 64.Supporting sustainable energy programs . 65.Supporting incentives for distributed energy generation projects such as solar power . 66.Supporting legislation allowing cities/agencies to establish fees for the costs of operatin g mandated water quality programs such as, but not limited to, municipal storm water and tota l maximum daily loading . 67.Supporting federal legislative action to transfer Salinas Reservoir properties to a local agency , to the benefit of the City and federal funding of costs associated with ownership transfer . 68.Supporting legislation that aids in the implementation of the California Urban Wate r Conservation Council's Best Management Practices regarding urban water conservation and compliance with AB 1420 . 69.Supporting legislation that amends the Urban Water Management Planning Act to recogniz e past investment in water conservation and the City's ability to comply with SBx7-7 . 70.Supporting legislation eliminating departing load charges which discourage the use o f alternative energy resources . 71.Supporting legislation to allow use of Public Goods Funds for the development and installatio n of energy saving or green energy generating projects to benefit local government . 72.Supporting legislation promoting the protection of water resources, including water quality , watershed protection, and treatment discharge measures . 73.Support legislation relative to protection of our natural resources from invasive species . 74.Support legislation promoting sustainability of our water resources through the use of recycle d water, rainwater harvesting, greywater use, and other best practices . County/Regional Prioritie s 75.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 regardin g development near the edges of the City . 76.Supporting a vector control program benefit assessment for San Luis Obispo County . 77.Encouraging participation by County in providing nearby parking for County employees an d clients, and alternate transportation and parking demand reduction . Exhibit A 78.Supporting County development of a local ordinance providing additional local oversight an d regulation of the land application of Pollutant Concentration (PC) or better biosolids . 79.Working cooperatively with the County to solve City/County flood problems . 80.Supporting the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District's legislative program . 81.Supporting the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments' legislative program . G :\Legislative Priorities\2011 Docs\2011 Legislative Action Platform .Exh A.doc Exhibit B 1400 K Street, Suite 400 • Sacramento, California 9581 4 Phone : (916) 658-8200 Fax : (916) 658-8240 www .cacities .org 2011 FEDERAL PRIORITIE S PROTECTING LOCAL REVENUE AND LAND USE AUTHORIT Y California local governments are enduring extremely difficult fiscal circumstances in the nationa l economic downturn, and already face limited options to generate revenue to provide valuabl e services . Local government land use and revenue authority is critical to the Federal-state-loca l partnership effort to advance community and economic development and must be preserved . As such the League urges Congress to : •Oppose legislation that would reduce or eliminate local government resources by providing a tax moratorium for the expanding and profitable cellular telecommunications industry ; •Oppose legislative and administrative efforts by online travel companies to circumven t remittance of transient occupancy taxes to local governments from hotel reservation s purchased using the internet ; •Oppose legislation that would preempt California local government's ability to regulate an d collect revenue derived from state and local use taxes ; •Ensure that Federal legislation addressing eminent domain does not severely impact states , like California, which have strong laws that limit the use of the tool and have stron g protections for property owners . The seldom-used but important tool allows communities i n California to convert to safe and affordable housing, to clean up environmentally toxic areas , and to assist impoverished, economically depressed neighborhoods ; an d •Ensure that local polices retain as much discretion as possible in the time, place, an d manner in which telecommunications equipment may be sited on public and private property . COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMEN T With the statewide unemployment rate at over 12% and an ongoing state budget deficit of $2 5 billion, California cities need jobs and economic investment to overcome the national economi c crisis . The League urges Congress to : •Preserve full funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, whic h is critical in assisting urban and rural cities throughout California with creating jobs, providin g affordable housing, eliminating blight and generating new economic investment . In addition , seek flexibility in the CDBG state program to enhance the use of the program by California's 314 non-entitlement cities (cities under 50,000); an d •Renew federal tax incentives that facilitate job creation and economic expansion throug h investment in critical public infrastructure and community development projects such as th e Build America Bonds and Recovery Zone Academy Bonds programs . CITIES AFFORDABLE HOUSIN G As the state's population continues to grow and California grapples with the effects of th e national mortgage crisis, our cities are deeply concerned with the need for affordable housing . The League urges Congress to : •Resource Efficient Development .Support legislation and proposals that provide incentive s and resources to expand local redevelopment planning policies that integrate housing , transportation and land use and assist in the reorganization and replacement of existin g support infrastructure for California's growing population ; •Foreclosures :Support the allocation of increased resources for the Neighborhoo d Stabilization Program that truly target communities with the highest foreclosure rates in th e nation ; •Workforce Housing :Seek the creation of new initiatives that provide affordable housing t o working families . The housing shortage has particularly affected low- and middle-incom e families . In many areas, workers who provide basic services to local governments, such a s teachers, firefighters, and police officers, cannot afford to live in the communities where the y work ; •Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers :Preserve full funding of the Section 8 program, whic h assists very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled afford decent and safe housing ; •Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Program :Preserve funding for the HOM E program, which directs formula grants to local governments to create affordable housing fo r low-income households ; •National Affordable Housing Trust Fund :Identify and dedicate a reliable source of funding t o the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund enacted in Housing and Economic Recovery Ac t of 2008 (P .L . 110-289) to help fund the production of new housing, and the rehabilitation o f existing housing that is affordable for low-income people ; •Preservation of Affordable Housing :Support initiatives that provide a variety of financia l restructuring options, such as loan forgiveness, payment deferrals, grants, loans and loa n guarantees to preserve rental housing for long-term affordable use ; an d •Housing Tax Incentives :Seek tax incentives to promote investment in the production o f multifamily rental housing, including expanding the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to creat e mixed income developments . WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTUR E California cities' water and wastewater systems need a significant overhaul to keep the world's eighth largest economy moving . There has been almost no new investment in California's wate r and wastewater systems in more than 30 years . This delay puts increasing pressure on th e state for action as California is expected to grow by 10 million by 2020 and is working to mee t new, more stringent standards for safe drinking water and clean water . The League urge s Congress to : •Provide adequate and reliable long-term financing solutions for municipal water delivery , maintenance and treatment needs to meet federally mandated water quality standards an d maintain the vital infrastructure necessary to ensure the availability of clean water for a n increasing population . REAUTHORIZATION OF SAFETEA-L U California has more than 186,000 miles of roadway and one of the most developed transit systems in the nation . California's cities are responsible for administering the local streets an d roads that connect with the state and federal highway system,a total of 82% of the tota l roadway miles in the state . Our transportation systems face rapidly growing vehicle use by a n ever increasing number of new drivers . The cost of building new lane miles rises much faste r than inflation and road maintenance needs increase with the age of the freeway system . In a recent survey of cities and counties, California's local streets and roads system was found to b e at risk of falling into "poor" condition . In order to bring the local streets and roads system up t o best management practices – the most cost effective condition – California cities and counties need additional funding of $78 .9 billion over the next 10 years . As Congress begins to conside r the reauthorization of the nation's highway and transit laws, the League urges Congress to : •Support Federal legislative efforts that support and encourage local and regiona l transportation and land use planning that takes into consideration housing and economi c development strategies as well as energy and water conservation to reduce congestion , increase mobility and community access, improve air quality and public health and creat e jobs ; •Make reconstruction and preservation of the existing system a high priority for expenditures ; and target funds for maintenance to local agencies, which are charged with administering th e system ; an d •Support Federal transportation legislation that fully utilizes a Federal, state and loca l partnership to develop multi-modal transportation solutions to reduce congestion, streamlin e transportation project delivery and integrate transportation planning solutions for the nation's highway, rail, air and port freight systems to achieve more efficient goods movement . PUBLIC SAFETY/HOMELAND SECURITY/DISASTER PREPAREDNES S California's cities are on the front line of the war on terrorism and crime . To strengthe n California's homeland security, emergency preparedness and crime-fighting efforts, the Leagu e urges Congress to : •Maintain Federal investment in resources critical to enabling local law enforcement t o adequately provide public safety, including full funding for the Byrne/Justice Assistanc e Grants (JAG) program and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, an d extend suspension of the COPS grant's local cost share requirement ; •Maintain full funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER ) and the Assistance to Firefighters grant programs and retain the local cost share waiver fo r both programs ; •Support the allocation of the 700 MHz D Block of spectrum to public safety and identify an d extend Federal resources to assist in the construction of integrated public safet y communications systems ; •Maintain funding for disaster preparedness, prevention, recovery, and response for all - hazard threats, including investment in assisting communities with necessary upgrades t o existing flood control systems ; an d •Support full funding for the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program ; an d maximize first responder funding to California cities, as well as flexibility in the use of fund s to assist areas of need (i .e . personnel, training, and target hardening). ENERGY EFFICIENC Y In California, 31 million of the state's 38 million residents live in cities . For this population California's cities continue to work collaboratively with its state and regional partners t o implement community development strategies that increase energy efficiency and reduc e consumption of energy sources that create pollution and impact public health . This effort ha s been effective in reducing local government operating costs and relieving the strain of th e national economic downturn on struggling communities . To continue these successfu l campaigns and effectively accomplish the goals of local governments under these initiatives, th e League urges Congress to : •Maintain Federal resources to assist regional and local governments in developing an d implementing energy efficiency and conservation strategies that reduce costs, expan d community access and protect public health ; •Support Federal incentives that assist local governments in integrating new growth int o existing communities, and develop and implement transportation, land use and buildin g policies that encourage maximum use of resources and lower energy consumption ; an d •Ensure that local governments can continue, and not be preempted in,their efforts t o achieve economic improvements through increased energy efficiency and conservatio n plans that seek to decrease carbon emissions . Exhibit C San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control Distric t Proposed 2011 Legislative Platfor m The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District will : 1.Encourage and support legislation that facilitates achievement and maintenance of State an d Federal ambient air quality standards . 2.Encourage and support legislation that retains local control over air quality programs, and oppose legislation that would move overall air program responsibility from the local level t o the state or federal level . 3.Encourage and support legislation that retains local control over the use of motor vehicl e registration surcharge fees for implementing California Clean Air Act requirements an d reducing emissions from motor vehicles . 4.Encourage and support legislation that provides latitude to air districts in their programs t o meet air quality goals, does not remove important emission reduction programs fro m consideration by the districts, and does not unduly limit the ability of local boards to provid e the resources needed to conduct these programs . 5.Support legislation that encourages cooperation and reduces or eliminates overlap an d duplication among air districts and other local entities, and/or increases the efficiency an d effectiveness of the regulatory process . 6.Support legislation that continues the California motor vehicle emission control program , including standards for reducing emissions from heavy duty vehicles . 7.Support legislation that retains and/or strengthens requirements for zero, ultra-low, and lo w emission vehicles and encourages development of advanced hybrid, electric and fuel cel l vehicles . 8.Support legislation that encourages or provides incentives or funding for the use of cleane r fuels or alternative transportation, or reduces vehicle trips and miles traveled . 9.Support legislation that promotes the use of smart growth principles in community plannin g and increases the viability of walking, biking, public transit and other alternatives to privat e vehicle travel. 10.Support legislation that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions contributing to globa l climate change. 11.Support legislation that prohibits or reduces the release of cancer causing and other toxi c emissions in quantities that pose a significant health risk to the public . 12.Support legislation that maintains or enhances state and/or federal funding for mandated ai r quality programs and/or provides funding for new air quality programs adopted at the state o r federal level . 13.Support legislative programs to increase incentive funding available to districts for program s such as Carl Moyer which provide funding for early emission reductions through voluntar y action by emission sources while decreasing the regulatory burden on businesses an d agriculture . 14.Oppose legislation to eliminate or reduce the effectiveness of air quality or climate protectio n programs currently in place in State and Federal Law . 15.Oppose legislation that would remove District discretion on expenditure of penalty revenue . 16.Oppose legislation that would divert or eliminate any source of District revenue provided o r passed through from the State . SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT S Final 2011 State Legislative Progra m Adopted February 2, 201 0 Issue Objectives Policies 1 .Existing A . Ensure â Support actions to require a continued strong state role in providing funding for transi t Transportation continued services . Funding provision o f flexible fundin g for Stat e Highways, loca l streets & roads , bicycle an d pedestria n facilities an d transit â Support actions to ensure that funds in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP ) are allocated to regions based on SB 45 (1998) formulas and the region's priorities, whic h may include local road rehabilitation and transit projects . â Ensure the State Budget and STIP Fund estimate allows flexibility to fund all modes o f projects in the STIP, increase flexibility for funding STIP projects and allow projects to b e funded with GARVEE bonds . â Support action to provide flexibility in any State Transit funding source, allowing transi t operators to use funding for both operations and capital expenditures . B . Oppose existin g and propose d program o r policy mandate s from the State without provisio n of funding fo r implementation Oppose continuation of existing State mandates or the imposition of new mandates for provisio n of services by local or regional agencies or entities for which no dedicated funding source i s provided and oppose imposition of any new mandate unless a dedicated and ongoing source o f adequate funding is provided to carry out such services, including :. â Support provision of additional staff identified in Governors budget to support the PID process , but entirely funded from State Highway Account ; and Oppose proposal in Governor's budge t requiring local and regional agencies to reimburse Caltrans for their review and approval o f Project Initiation Documents (PID's). â Support legislation to provide regional agencies authority to require reimbursement for cost s of complying with State mandates SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT S Final 2011 State Legislative Progra m Adopted February 2, 201 0 Issue Objectives Policie s 2 .Funding Augmentation Provide increased revenue to addres s local, regional and statewide needs a .Work with other transportation interests to document the need for a significant increase i n transportation revenues and/or equivalent revenue-raising authority necessary to maintain , operate and improve existing highways, local streets & roads, bikeways, passenger rai l services and transit systems, and provide other improvements to meet the demands o f increased population and goods movement . b .Support legislation (including constitutional amendments) providing adequate revenue t o address the existing and growing deficit of funding for transportation, including the following : •Increase and index the traditional fuel tax , •Increase the Vehicle License Fee (VLF), •Reduce the public vote threshold required for approval of a new or extended loca l option sales tax for transportation purposes from two-thirds to 55%, an d •Increase Transportation Development Act (IDA) funding statewide by one-quarter o f one percent. •Authorize Service Authorities for Freeways & Expressways (SAFE) to increase th e Vehicle License Fee from $1 to $2 to address funding shortfalls and expand motoris t aid service s 3 .Bicycle an d Pedestria n Facilities Increase funding fo r bicycle & pedestria n safety & schoo l access facilities an d programs Provide an increase in dedicated State funding for the Safe Routes to Schools progra m (currently $0 State funding per year) and the Bicycle Transportation Account (currently at $9 million) needed to provide improvements for the safety for bicyclists and pedestrians . SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT S Final 2011 State Legislative Progra m Adopted February 2, 2010 Issue Objectives Policie s Provide funding fo r planning an d implementation o f Sustainabl e Communities Strategies 4 . SB 375 and - Strategi c Growth Planning Support follow-up legislation to SB 375 (2008) that includes the following provisions : a.Extend California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions and streamlining provision sbeyond housing and mixed-used development to other infrastructure, including neighborhood _retail and commercial development, consistent with the adopted Sustainable Communitie sStrategy (SCS); b.Provide new revenue sources at the regional and local level to support the additiona lplanning required by SB 375, including an increase the Vehicle License Fee (VLF) subject t oapproval by a majority of the voters . c.Provide funding and other incentives to implement provision of SB 375 that promote the us eof smart growth principles in community planning and increases the viability of walking ,biking, public transit and other alternatives to private vehicle travel . d.Extend CEQA streamlining to operational transportation improvement projects located withi nCaltrans or public Right-of-Way that are consistent with the adopted Sustainabl e Communities Strategy (SCS) in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). e.Require that in regions where a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) has been adopte dthat projects proposed to be funded with competitive state funding are consistent with th eadopted SCS in a Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT S Final 2011 State Legislative Progra m Adopted February 2, 2010 Issue Objectives Policie s 5 .Greenhouse Gas and Vehicl e Miles of Trave l (VMT ) Reduction Provide Funding an d Policy Incentives fo r reduction o f Greenhouse Gase s and VMT Work with other transportation agencies and local governments to support legislation to reduc e greenhouse gas emissions and Vehicle Miles of Travel (VMT) consistent with statewide target s established in SB 375, AB 32 and Executive Order S-3-05 ; including the following : a .Provide continuing State support for public transit and State Transit Assistance (STA ) funding . b .Continue support for Redevelopment Agencies and Williamson Act program . c .Provide financial assistance and other incentives for local agencies to comply wit h Greenhouse Gas and VMT reduction targets and other provisions of a proposed law . d .Update the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines regarding th e environmental review process to address provisions of SB 375 encouraging intensification o f land use development in urban areas . e .Reward local jurisdictions that plan for growth more strategically consistent with the adopte d Sustainable Communities Strategy in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). f.Provide effective data and standardized methodologies for quantifying Greenhouse Ga s emissions, sources and levels, VMT and other necessary technical information . 6 .Passenger Rail Increase funding fo r operation an d improvement o f existing conventiona l passenger rail . a .Protect and increase current State funding for the improvement and operation of existin g intercity rail corridors, including the Coast Rail Corridor, and provide support for the LA-S F Coast Daylight Service . b .Support measures to improve the safety, frequency and reliability of existing conventiona l passenger rail services, including increased funding for signals, positive train control , sidings, switches and track improvements . c .Support actions to allocate a fair share of funding provided for implementation of State High - Speed Rail program for operational improvements in intercity rail corridors (including th e Coast Corridor) to provide for interconnectivity . d .Work with State and Federal our Legislators, LOSSAN, and other State partners to rais e awareness of the importance of having a California representative on the Amtrak Board an d seek out qualified applicants to pursue a presidential appointment .- SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT S Final 2011 State Legislative Progra m Adopted February 2, 2010 Issue Objectives Policie s 7 .Transit Service Increase Flexibility to a .Support legislation and policies providing for the operation of public transit vehicles on th eand Operations Implement effective State highway system as part of a comprehensive express bus route and stop system , services including authorization to use freeway shoulders during periods of major traffic congestion . b .Support continued use of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) to progra m capital improvement funds for transit systems . 8 .Project Delivery Streamline the a .Support organizational reform efforts that streamline and otherwise improve transportatio n project programming funding, programming or project delivery processes, eliminate unnecessarily and/o r and delivery process duplicative requirements and provide greater flexibility in contracting methods . b . c. d . Support initiatives that increase opportunities to trade federal funds for state funds, a s currently exists for San Luis Obispo County's share of Regional Surface Transportatio n Program (RSTP) funds . Support grant pre-award spending authority for transit projects, especially those funded b y the STIP . Support efforts to streamline Project Initiation Documents (PlDs) for projects on the Stat e Route System in order to lower the overall cost of PID development .