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HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-3 Staff Report - Legislative PlatformCONSENT ITEM E-3 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER FROM: NICO DE ANDA-SCAIA, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER DATE: FEBRUARY 7, 2022 SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF 2022 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES BACKGROUND: Since 2016, the City has annually adopted a Legislative Platform (“Platform”) to provide a streamlined process for responding to legislative proposals that may impact the City. The proposed action adopts the 2022 Legislative Platform and approves State and Federal Legislative Priorities for 2022. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions: 1)Adopt the proposed 2022 City’s Legislative Platform; and 2)Approve the proposed 2022 State and Federal Legislative Priorities. ANALYSIS: The proposed Legislative Platform identifies the fundamental legislative issues deemed important to the City, and upon City Council approval, will allow Staff to continue to respond to the rapidly changing nature of legislative matters in an efficient and expeditious manner. The Legislative Platform has been used as a guideline for City positions on legislative proposals that often arise at the local, state and federal levels. It is commonplace for the City to receive requests from local partners, legislative advocacy organizations and legislators for joint support of, or opposition to a wide range of legislative proposals. These matters often require swift action by stakeholders and therefore a streamlined process for facilitating such requests is necessary. Resolutions, major and/or unique controversial issues, and regulatory items of substantial importance to the City will continue to be taken to City Council for formal consideration and adoption. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 2/7/2022 2021 Legislative Platform and Priorities February 7, 2022 Page 2 The proposed Legislative Platform has been drafted using the guiding priorities of the City Council and the League of California Cities. Once adopted, the Platform will remain in effect for the current year and/or until otherwise amended. This Platform is a living document which may be amended by the City Council at any time, and therefore it is brought forward each year as a standard item for consideration and renewal. LEGISLATIVE ACTION Upon adoption of the Legislative Platform, the City Manager's Office (CMO) will continue to perform day- to-day oversight of legislative matters. In addition to coordinating formal action through the City Manager’s Office and/or City Council, Staff will administer the City’s Legislative Platform by performing the following functions: • Continue to work with all City Departments to identify matters of legislative importance, and develop positions on federal and state legislative proposals and general matters of legislative interest; • Communicate matters of legislative importance to the City Council through periodic updates, and identify and coordinate positions for special formal action by the City Council; • Review positions and analysis done by municipal legislative advocacy organizations such as the League of California Cities, National League of Cities, and other local government/professional associations in formulating positions; • Monitor and track key bills through the legislative process utilizing advocacy services, legislative websites, and government/professional associations as appropriate; • Communicate the City’s positions to federal, state, and county legislators; • Participate as needed in the drafting and amending of legislative proposals that significantly and/or adversely impact the City; • Work with the League of California Cities, National League of Cities, other cities and local government/professional associations on legislative matters of mutual concern; and • Participate and attend legislative briefings and meetings to actively engage and stay apprised of legislative trends and upcoming legislation. The 2022 Legislative Platform would continue the practice of responding to legislative proposals as follows: (1) once a determination has been made that a legislative proposal may impact the City, a letter outlining the City’s position (support, neutral or oppose with or without amendments) will be drafted for signature by either the Mayor or City Manager; (2) in the event that the Mayor’s signature is expressly required, the City Manager’s Office will circulate the draft position letter to the City Council for reference; (3) in the event that the legislative matter is not addressed in the City’s adopted Legislative Platform, is not consistent with legislative positions the City has taken in the past, or if there is interest by the City Council for future discussion, the matter will be placed on a future Council meeting agenda for consideration by the full City Council; (4) if there is no objection, the City Manager’s Office will finalize the position letter and forward it to the bill’s author and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate; and (5) a copy of the final letter will be distributed to the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions. Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved: 2021 Legislative Platform and Priorities February 7, 2022 Page 3 Nico De Anda-Scaia Sergio Gonzalez Deputy City Manager City Manager Attachment: 1) 2022 Legislative Platform and State and Federal Legislative Priorities Legislative Platform Page 1 ATTACHMENT 1 2022 Legislative Platform CITY OF AZUSA Legislative Platform Page 2 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM The primary objective of the Legislative Platform is for the City Council to adopt official City positions on clearly stated legislative issues at the start of the legislative session. By doing this, the legislative approval process is streamlined by receiving clear direction at the beginning of the legislative session from the City Council on pertinent legislative issues. The Platform is developed and maintained using the goals and objectives adopted by the City Council, a review of legislative priorities from the League of California Cities, input from City Council and Staff, research of current laws and pending legislation, as well as discussions with local legislative staff and the City’s legislative advocate. Federal and state legislative proposals and policies consistent with the legislative priorities may be supported by the City. Those policies or proposals inconsistent with this agenda may be opposed by the City. For proposed legislation, either consistent with the City’s legislative priorities or consistent with legislative positions the City has taken in the past, City staff shall be authorized to prepare position letters for the Mayor or City Manager’s signature. Items not addressed in the City’s legislative priorities will require further City Council direction; as such, Staff will be required to submit a request to the Council. Legislative priorities may only address issues directly relevant to, or impacting the provision of municipal services. Generally, the City will not address matters that are not pertinent to the City’s local government services (such as international issues). City departments are encouraged to monitor and be knowledgeable of any legislative issues related to their discipline. However, any requests for the City to take positions on a legislative matter must be directed to the City Manager’s Office. City departments may not take positions on legislative issues without City Manager’s Office review and approval. City of Azusa Legislative Platform Legislative Platform Page 3 PROGRAM GOALS AND STRATEGIES/ACTIONS The Legislative Platform Goals and Strategies/Actions are outlined below. Program Goals: • Advocate the City’s legislative interests at the Federal, State and Local levels. • Inform and provide information to our Legislators, City Council, and Staff on the legislative process and key issues and legislation that could have a potential impact on the City. • Serve as an active participant with other local governments, the League of California Cities, regional agencies such as SCAG, SCAQMD, and local professional organizations on legislative/regulatory issues that are important to the City and our Region. • Seek grant and funding assistance for City projects, services, and programs to enhance services for our community. Strategies/Actions: I. Communicate legislative positions on proposed Federal, State, and County legislation, measures, initiatives, and governmental regulations: • Work with City departments and our legislative advocates to develop positions on proposed Federal and State legislative measures. • Staff will review the positions and analysis done by the League of California Cities, our legislative advocates’ feedback, and other local government/professional associations in formulating City positions. • The City will take positions only on proposals that clearly impact our City or are a threat to local control. • Actively track key bills through the legislative process, utilizing the City’s advocacy services, various Legislative websites, and government/professional associations. • Communicate the City’s position to our Federal, State, and County Legislators, bill author(s), committees, and Legislature, through correspondence, testimony, and in‐person meetings. • Work cooperatively with other cities, associations, and the League of California Cities on advocating our legislative positions. • As necessary, participate in the drafting and amending of proposed Federal and State measures that have the potential to significantly impact the City. • Meet with Legislators and their representatives, as well as other Federal, State and County government officials on a regular basis, to discuss local government issues, proposed legislation, requests for funding assistance, and City programs and services. Legislative Platform Page 4 II. Seek Federal, State, and Local funding through earmarks, allocations, grants, and other discretionary funding for City projects, services, and programs: • Annually identify City projects for potential submittal for Federal earmark consideration. Develop a submittal packet for Legislators that provides information and need for the projects. • Provide information to City departments on potential grant funding opportunities and recognition programs. • Advocate and request letters of support for City projects and grant applications or other resources that are being considered for Federal, State and County funding. • Identify and track relevant Congressional (Senate and House) and State bills, and local laws from the proposed bill development stage through bill and law passage in each of the respective government bodies. • Once approved and/or becoming law, City staff to identify and track the allocations, earmarks, grants, etc. with the distributing agencies until the funds are secured and distributed to the City. LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS STREAMLINED PROCCESS The process for responding to legislative proposals is streamlined as follows: 1. Once a determination has been made that a legislative proposal may impact the City, a letter outlining the City’s position (support, neutral or oppose with or without amendments) will be drafted for the Mayor or City Manager’s signature. 2. If an item expressly requires the Mayor’s signature, the City Manager’s Office will circulate the draft position letter to the City Council for reference. 3. In the event that the legislative matter is not addressed in the City’s adopted Legislative Platform, is not consistent with legislative positions the City has taken in the past, or if there is interest by the City Council for future discussion, the matter will be placed on a future Council meeting agenda for consideration by the full City Council. 4. If there is no objection, Staff will finalize the position letter and forward it to the bill’s author, the League of California Cities, the City’s legislative advocate and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate. A copy of the final letter shall also be distributed to the City Council. City of Azusa 2022 Legislative Priorities Legislative Platform Page 5 PURPOSE STATEMENT The 2022 Legislative Priorities provide a framework for the City of Azusa’s Legislative Platform. Adopted annually, the City’s Legislative Priorities serve as a reference guide for legislative positions and objectives that provide direction for the City Council and Staff throughout the year. The Legislative Priorities are the foundation of a focused advocacy strategy. GUIDING PRINCIPLES I. Preserve Local Funding The City supports the protection of existing state and local funding sources and the authorities that provide revenues to the City of Azusa. Such areas include the protection of state‐shared revenues, assets of the former redevelopment agency, and the ability to collect compensation for the use of the public rights‐of‐way or city‐owned facilities. The City opposes any legislative proposals that will reduce existing local revenues or require use of local revenues for anything other than funding local government programs and services, and opposes any new mandates that are unfunded and/or inadequately funded. II. Preserve Local Authority The City supports local decision‐making authority and opposes preemption of local control. Cities are voluntarily created by the residents of a community to provide local self‐government and to make decisions at a local level to best meet the needs of the community. Each community has unique needs and characteristics that are best met by policies set by its local governing body. Statewide efforts to remove the ability to set policy at the local level should be opposed, while promoting legislation that allows flexibility in the City's effort to cost‐effectively meet energy goals and mandates. Legislative Platform Page 6 City of Azusa 2022 State Legislative Priorities LOCAL CONTROL 1. Support legislation that enhances local control and allows cities to address the needs of local constituents within a framework of regional cooperation. 2. Oppose preemption of local authority whether by state or federal legislation or ballot propositions. 3. Support legislation that streamlines and simplifies the job of running a city and oppose efforts that erode the City’s authority to control its own affairs. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1. Oppose legislation that erodes the ability of cities to condition and deny projects that inadequately mitigate impacts to the community. 2. Support legislation that preserves or increases funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Support legislation that expands the eligibility and allowable uses of CDBG funds. Oppose legislation that would reduce funds dedicated to the CDBG program. 3. Support legislation that enhances the City’s efforts to retain existing businesses and attract new businesses. 4. Support legislation that provides tangible and productive tools and incentives to support job creation and retention. TRANSPORTATION 1. Support measures to finance local and regional transportation programs and improvements, including alternative modes of transportation and transportation demand management systems. 2. Support continuous appropriations of new monies directly to cities for the preservation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and development of local street and road systems. 3. Support efforts to fund improvements, rehabilitation and coordinated operation of SR-39. Legislative Platform Page 7 City of Azusa 2022 State Legislative Priorities (Continued) FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY 1. Oppose any legislation that would make local agencies more dependent on the State for financial stability and policy direction. 2. Oppose legislation that would impose State mandated costs for which there is no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefits. 3. Oppose any change in revenue allocations that would negatively (current or future) affect local government, including the redistribution of sales tax, property tax, COPS grants, Proposition 172 funds, gas tax (HUTA), transient occupancy tax (TOT) and vehicle in- lieu fees (VLF). 4. Support full cost reimbursement to the City for all federal, state and county-mandated programs. 5. Support legislation that strengthens and expands ongoing revenue for the City. 6. Oppose legislation that undermines and preempts local authority over local taxes and fees. LAND USE 1. Oppose legislation that imposes a mandatory cap on local parking standards in transit intensive areas. 2. Support legislation that strengthens local governments’ regulatory authority and control over the siting of medical marijuana dispensaries. 3. Oppose legislation that weakens local governments’ ability to regulate massage establishments through zoning code provisions. 4. Oppose legislation and regulatory efforts that would diminish or eliminate the authority of cities to zone and plan for the development of telecommunications infrastructure, including the siting of cellular communications towers or transmission sites. 5. Support legislation that strengthens the concept of local control/local home rule for local decision making on land use and zoning matters. Legislative Platform Page 8 City of Azusa 2022 State Legislative Priorities (Continued) PUBLIC SAFETY 1. Support efforts to maintain permanent, sufficient Public Safety Realignment funding and establish an equitable county allocation formula in order for local governments to adequately manage the shifting of inmates from state prisons to local jails. 2. Oppose legislation that would impede local law enforcement from addressing crime problems and recovering costs resulting from a crime committed by the guilty party. 3. Support efforts that strengthen local law enforcement’s ability to prevent and fight crime. 4. Support legislation that minimizes alcohol-related criminal behavior and underage drinking. ENERGY 1. Support legislation that allows flexibility in the City’s effort to cost- effectively meet energy goals. 2. Support legislation that keeps funding for public benefits programs in local communities. WATER 1. Oppose efforts to mandate a state water public benefits charge unless funds remain within the local community. ENVIRONMENT 1. Oppose legislation that imposes undue hardship on local agencies to implement environmental regulations. 2. Oppose air quality legislation that restricts the land use authority of cities. 3. Oppose actions by Regional Water Quality Control Boards that impose mandates on cities that exceed state or federal regulations and/or are outside their jurisdictional authority to impose or enforce. 4. Support policy development, funding, research, and implementation strategies based on scientific data and human/ecological risk assessment for addressing urban water and storm water runoff. 5. Support policy development, “watershed based” solutions, funding and research for addressing urban runoff and beach closures, which identify the sources of bacterial, viral and other contaminants as well as human pathogens. Legislative Platform Page 9 City of Azusa 2022 State Legislative Priorities (Continued) EMPLOYEE AND LABOR RELATIONS 1. Oppose any measure that imposes upon local government mandated employee benefits that are more properly decided at the local level. 2. Oppose efforts which reduce local control over public employee disputes and impose the regulations of an outside agency. 3. Support reform measures that provide sustainable and secure public pensions and other post-retirement benefits to ensure responsive and affordable public services. 4. Oppose efforts to legislate changes in how the California Public Employee Pension System invests its assets if the proposed changes will result in a loss of funds. 5. Support legislation that streamlines the Workers’ Compensation system and makes it easier for employers, employees, and health care providers to navigate. ELECTIONS 1. Support legislation that enables cities to retain authority over their elections. HOMELESSNESS 1. Support legislation and local, state, and federal programs that employ evidence-based best practice strategies to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by: preventing homelessness for those at-risk; providing emergency and transitional housing; expanding affordable permanent housing; and promoting self-empowerment through counseling, job training, and other supportive services. Monthly Overview Legislative Platform Page 10 2022 State Legislative Calendar Below is an overview that summarizes major legislative events and key dates that occur month to month, and following is the 2022 Legislative Calendar created by the California Office of the Secretary of the Senate. JANUARY The previous year's laws go into effect during this month. Legislature reconvenes to discuss the new year of legislation ahead, and all bill requests must be submitted before the end of the month. Budgets must be submitted by the Governor during the beginning portion of the month. FEBRUARY The last day for bills to be introduced occurs at the end of February. MARCH Various Committee Hearings are held throughout the month. APRIL Legislature will begin and reconvene from Spring Recess during this month to continue discussions. Fiscal bills are considered by the end of the month. MAY The beginning of this month marks the last day for policy committees to hear and report to the Floor non-fiscal bills being introduced. Policy committees are given their last day to meet and report Floor bills for their house before convening in June. The last day for bills to be passed out of the house of origin occurs. JUNE Committee meetings resume. All budgets must be passed by middle of the month. JULY The last day for policy committees to meet and report bills occurs during the month before Summer Recess begins. AUGUST Legislature reconvenes from Summer Recess. The last day for fiscal committees to report bills to the floor occurs at the end of the month. SEPTEMBER The last day for the Governor to sign or veto bills passed by Legislature before September 1 and in the Governor’s possession on or after September 1. OCT / NOV General Election. Adjournment. 2022 TENTATIVE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR COMPILED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE AND THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK Revised 10-21-2021 Page 1 of 2 2022 TENTATIVE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR COMPILED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE AND THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK Revised 10-21-2021 *Holiday schedule subject to final approval by the Rules Committee. IMPORTANT DATES OCCURRING DURING FINAL RECESS 2022 Sept. 30 Last day for Governor to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature before Sep. 1 and in the Governor’s possession on or after Sep. 1 (Art. IV, Sec.10(b)(2)). Nov. 8 General Election Nov. 30 Adjournment Sine Die at midnight (Art. IV, Sec. 3(a)). Dec. 5 12 m. convening of the 2023-24 Regular Session (Art. IV, Sec. 3(a)). 2023 Jan. 1 Statutes take effect (Art. IV, Sec. 8(c)). Page 2 of 2 LOCAL CONTROL 1. Oppose any legislation that preempts local authority. Each community has unique needs and characteristics that are best dealt with by the local governing body. 2. Oppose any new program mandates that are unfunded and/or partially funded. TRANSPORTATION 1. Support efforts to secure funding for SR-39 and SR-2. 2. Support a long-term transportation authorization bill that provides continuous appropriations of new monies directly to cities to help them plan for the preservation, maintenance, rehabilitation and development of local infrastructure. 3. Oppose transportation proposals that would adversely affect the quality of life in the eastern San Gabriel Valley by causing traffic congestion, air pollution or other problems. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) 1. Support legislation that would consolidate and streamline the administration and reporting requirements of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Advocate for greater flexibility of local appropriation and use of monies. 2. Support the preservation of funding for the CDBG program and increasing the funds available under the program to 2009 levels. 3. Oppose restrictions to or elimination of the CDBG program. 4. Oppose efforts that impose additional restrictions on local agencies receiving CDBG funding, including requirements that dictate cities’ housing and zoning decisions. 5. Enable the City to obtain CDBG Entitlement City Designation. COVID-19 RESPONSE 1. Support efforts to secure federal funding for municipalities for the response and recovery to Covid-19 and related impacts. Legislative Platform Page 11 City of Azusa 2022 Federal Legislative Priorities