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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Policy No. 400-14 - Legislative Platform and Program Policy CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Legislative Program Policy No. 400-14 Policy and Procedures Effective Date: 6/23/2015 Page No. 1 of 2 PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish a Legislative Program to advance the City’s Legislative Platform by outlining a detailed and streamlined process through which the City Council, staff and the City’s legislative advocates can act in a timely manner in response to legislative proposals and enhance the City’s ability to govern and provide essential municipal and community services. BACKGROUND The Legislative Platform (“Platform”), attached hereto as Exhibit A, is a compilation of general policy statements and City-specific policy statements adopted by the City Council to identify specific priority areas of interest for the City and region that would benefit the community. The Platform is developed by a review of legislative priorities from the League of California Cities and National League of Cities, input from the City Council and staff (including reference to City legislative positions in the past), research of current law and pending legislation, and discussions with local legislative staff. The Platform may be updated from time to time by the City Council as necessary to reflect legislative changes and/or changes in City Council policies and priorities. POLICY Federal and state legislation consistent with the Platform may be supported by the City. Legislation inconsistent with the Platform may be opposed by the City. Positions taken by the City in addition to “Support “or “Oppose” may include “Support if Amended” and “Oppose Unless Amended”. The City may also provide a letter of concern or interest without taking a formal position on a piece of legislation. Initial requests to take positions on legislative matters will be reviewed and approved by the City Manager. Approved requests that are consistent with the City’s Platform will be coordinated for the Mayor’s [or designee] approval and signature. Requests that are inconsistent or silent in the City’s Platform may be placed on an agenda for consideration by the City Council. CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Legislative Program Policy No. 400-13 Policy and Procedures Effective Date: 6/23/2015 Page No. 2 of 2 In addition to coordinating formal action through the City Council, staff will administer the City’s Legislative Program by generally performing the following functions: a. Work with Department Directors and staff to identify matters of legislative importance and develop positions on federal and state legislative proposals and general matters of legislative interest. b. Communicate matters of legislative importance to the City Council through periodic updates, and identify and coordinate positions for formal action by the City Council. c. Review positions and analysis prepared by the League of California Cities, National League of Cities, legislative advocates, and local government/professional associations in formulating positions. d. Monitor and track key bills through the legislative process utilizing the City’s advocacy services, legislative websites, and government/professional associations. e. Communicate the City’s positions to federal, state, and county legislators. f. Participate as needed in the drafting and amending of legislative proposals that significantly impact the City. g. Work with the League of California Cities, National League of Cities, legislative advocates, other cities and local government/professional associations on legislative matters of mutual concern. h. Participate and attend legislative briefings and meetings to actively engage and stay apprised of legislative trends and upcoming legislation. HISTORY Adopted by Resolution No. 2015-___ 6/23/2015 1 CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 2015 STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM The Legislative Platform is a tool to protect and promote the City’s interests on priority issues and legislative/regulatory matters that may impact the City at the state and federal level. The guiding principles and policy statements below allow City staff and legislative advocates to address legislative and regulatory issues in a timely and directed manner, without precluding City Council consideration of additional legislative matters arising throughout the year. This platform supplements existing City Council established goals and policies in various documents including the City’s General Plan. GUIDING PRINCIPLES I. Preservation of Local Control Support measures that preserve and protect the City’s general law powers and duties to enact legislation and policy direction concerning local affairs. Oppose measures that preempt local authority. II. Promotion of Fiscal Stability Support measures that promote fiscal stability, predictability, and financial independence. Support measures that preserve and promote the City’s revenue base. Oppose measures that mandate costs with no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefit. Oppose measures that shift local funds to the county, state or federal government, without offsetting benefit. III. Support Funding Opportunities Support measures that allow the City to compete for its fair share of regional, state and federal funding including competitive grants and other funding programs. Support measures that promote dedicated funding streams at the regional, state and federal levels allowing the City to maximize local revenues, offset and leverage capital expenditures, and maintain City goals and standards. POLICY STATEMENTS GENERAL GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES General Area of Review: Elections, Ralph M. Brown Act, Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, conflict of interest, insurance, tort reform and open and transparent government. General Policy Statements:  Supports legislation that recognizes the need to conduct the public’s business in public.  Support legislation to allow alternative methods of meeting public notice requirements and enhancing them through the use of cost effective and innovative, technology friendly methods of communication.  Support legislation to improve and streamline the Political Reform Act and its implementation through regulations. 2  Support legislation that would allow a city presented with an allegation of a violation of the California Voter Rights Act (CVRA) to address the allegation before any person may file a lawsuit related to the alleged violation.  Support legislation to reduce unnecessary and costly procedures for conducting a municipal election.  Oppose legislation that mandates costly and unnecessary procedures related to the election process.  Support legislation providing city councils more flexibility to fill city council vacancies including extending the appointment period to fill a vacancy.  Support legislation to allow cities to conduct mail ballot elections when appropriate to reduce the cost of elections and increase voter turnout.  Support legislation that limits the exposure of local governments to lawsuits related to liability, including unimproved natural conditions and design immunity. COMMUNITY SERVICES General Area of Review: Parks, recreation, libraries, cultural arts, youth, community and human services programs. General Policy Statements:  Support legislation and funding for the development and preservation of open space consistent with the City’s General Plan, Parks & Recreation Master Plan, and other related policies.  Support legislation and funding for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of public facilities, parks and open space.  Support legislation and funding for overall youth programs.  Support legislation and funding for policies and programs that promote the overall health and wellness of families, veterans, seniors and youth in the City.  Support legislation and funding for youth-related prevention and intervention programs, including after school educational and recreational programs. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS General Area of Review: Labor relations, employee relations and other matters related to human resources. General Policy Statements:  Support legislation that increases local control and limits additional financial burdens related to employee relations and collective bargaining that can be appropriately negotiated at the bargaining table. 3 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY General Area of Review: Air, water and water quality, climate change, CEQA, integrated waste management, hazardous materials, coastal issues, and utilities. General Policy Statements:  Support legislation and funding to create a sustainable and stable water supply, encourage conservation of water resources and reduce urban runoff pollution.  Support legislation and funding for renewable energy and advanced technologies that reduce energy use while providing a public benefit that is greater than the cost of compliance.  Support legislation and funding for local government energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.  Support legislation and funding for recyclable materials markets while maintaining local authority and flexibility to regulate solid waste and recyclables. HOUSING, COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT General Area of Review: Land use, development, annexation and incorporation, building standards, economic development, redevelopment and enterprise zones, mobile home and sign regulations. General Policy Statements:  Support legislation and funding to strengthen the capability of local agencies to prepare, adopt and implement plans for responsible growth, development, zoning, and annexations.  Support legislation and funding for the adoption of effective state building codes to promote community building safety and mitigation of natural hazards.  Support legislation and funding for the adoption of effective and clear green building standards in the California Building Code while providing a public benefit that is greater than the cost of compliance.  Support legislation and funding programs that promotes the development and enhancement of safe, affordable, and accessible housing within the City for all economic segments of the population.  Support legislation and funding for improvements to housing element law to provide clear processes and flexibility to allow regional cooperation and establish realistic housing goals and performance standards.  Support legislation that promotes the fair and effective distribution of State infrastructure bond funds consistent with the needs of diverse local cities.  Support funding mechanisms that encourage and facilitate infrastructure development and economic development.  Support legislation that streamlines the redevelopment dissolution process with consistency and equitability.  Support legislation to retain existing fees on telecommunications services and for public, educational and governmental channels. 4  Oppose legislation to restrict the authority of cities to zone and plan for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.  Support legislation that promotes the ability of cities to maintain and manage the public right-of-way and receive compensation for its use. PUBLIC SAFETY General Area of Review: Law enforcement, fire and life safety, emergency communications, emergency services, disaster preparedness, Indian gaming, and nuisance abatement. General Policy Statements:  Support legislation to provide a greater share of and increased latitude to spend asset forfeiture funds.  Support legislation to improve local law enforcement, fire suppression and prevention, hazardous materials mitigation, rescue, emergency medical services, and disaster preparedness.  Support legislation to reimburse the City for overtime costs paid to public safety personnel who are required to appear in State and/or County courts.  Support legislation to grant state and federal funding to supplement local law enforcement to increase staffing, equipment and capital improvements to maintain public safety.  Support legislation and funding to provide law enforcement/public safety agencies greater access to wireless communication necessary to support a national wireless broadband network capable of use by any public safety entity to serve and protect communities throughout the nation.  Support legislation and funding that promotes comprehensive and effective drug and alcohol education and rehabilitation programs.  Support legislation and funding to assist local law enforcement to reduce crimes related to illicit drugs, burglary, and assault, including domestic violence, and sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints.  Support legislation to prohibit the manufacture, import, sale and use of dangerous synthetic substances that mimic marijuana, methamphetamine and heroin.  Support legislation that prevents juvenile access to alcohol and illegal drugs.  Support legislation to deter drivers from operating motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.  Oppose legislation to expand “early release” for low-risk serious and violent offenders without an increase in sustained funding to ensure responsible supervision by parole agents and for local agencies that provide post-release supervision.  Support legislation that provides frontline funding for police services associated with the “early release" of state prisoners as a result of state-mandated criminal justice realignment provisions.  Support legislation and funding to strengthen and enforce legal protections for all individuals who are victims of crime, including minors and victims of family violence and sexual assault. 5  Support legislation to maintain or increase funding for shelters, victim advocacy, trauma and crisis counseling and related mental health services, to ass ist victims of violent crime, especially minors and victims of family violence and sexual assault.  Support legislation and funding to coordinate homeland security programs, training and emergency response efforts among federal, state, and local governments with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.  Support legislation and funding for Urban Area Security Initiative (“UASI”) and other funding initiatives administered by the Department of Homeland Security to enhance the City’s ability to respond to regional or national threats.  Support legislation and funding to secure adequate frequencies and communications systems for multi-jurisdictional connectivity for public safety and protect the frequencies from intrusion.  Support legislation to increase Emergency Management Performance grant funding retaining flexibility in use of funds for emergency preparedness training, disaster events and disaster communication efforts.  Support legislation and funding to treat and assist the needs of at-risk juvenile offenders and juveniles placed on court-ordered formal probation.  Support legislation and funding for programs that protect youth from tobacco, alcohol and drug use, and related prevention and intervention programs including gang prevention and after-school programs. REVENUE AND TAXATION General Area of Review: Finance administration, taxation reform, general and special revenue and revenue sources at the federal, state and local levels. General Policy Statements:  Support legislation and funding for the preservation and enhancement of the City’s ability to generate and retain sales and use tax revenue, and local point -of-sale revenue allocations.  Oppose legislation to reduce or remove tax-exempt status of municipal bonds.  Oppose legislation to alter the manner by which transient occupancy taxes are calculated and collected to the City’s detriment.  Support legislation and funding that preserves and enhances a positive business climate and maintains and grows the business tax base. TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC WORKS General Area of Review: Transportation, construction, telecommunications and general public works related areas. General Policy Statements:  Support legislation to ensure the City receives its fair share of transportation revenue and increase funding for local transportation and transit programs and projects. 6  Support legislation to protect dedicated transportation-related tax revenues and enhance the ability of local agencies to finance local transportation programs and facilities, including the gas tax and bond funds.  Support legislation that gives priority to self-help and “super” self-help counties when allocating bond funding and other transportation funding mechanisms.  Support legislation to improve access and funding to public transportation.  Support legislation and funding mechanisms that support and encourage the use of transit and non-motorized transportation.  Support legislation that enhances the safety of city streets and arterials for vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic.  Support legislation that will reduce traffic congestion and support regional transportation programs.  Support legislation and funding opportunities for upgrades and/or separations for at- grade crossings.  Support legislation that increases local flexibility in the allocation of transportation capital funds.  Support legislation that encourages the use of design-build methods to facilitate a faster, stream-lined approach to project delivery.  Oppose legislation to eliminate or restrict the use of Riverside County State Improvement Transportation Funds, federal transportation funding, Measure A, or Gas Tax funding for local transportation projects