MEETING DATE:
JANUARY 13, 2015
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-8023 - ADOPTION OF THE 2015 SAN MARCOS LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT a resolution approving the 2015 San Marcos Legislative Platform to guide the City's legislative program and advocacy activities.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not applicable.
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Planning for the Future
Good Governance
Relevant Department Goal
Not applicable.
Introduction
The City Council has prioritized an active state and federal legislative program that seeks to protect the City's local autonomy and ensure that the interests of its residents and businesses are protected and/or enhanced. As such, the City continues to retain legislative advocates in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. who advocate on behalf of the City of San Marcos by actively monitoring legislation and regulations, and assisting with the City's grant applications.
Discussion
Reflecting the priority of influencing legislative activity, the City Council has adopted policies and procedures to guide legislative monitoring and advocacy at the state and federal levels.
Legislative procedures, adopted in 2008 and revised in 2013, directs the development of the legislative platform and day-to-day bill tracking. The legislative platform, amended annually, serves as the foundation for a focused advocacy strategy and provides the clarity required to ensure efforts are directed towards only the most important and impactful bills.
The 2015 legislative platform includes the same priorities as the 2014 platform, including the protection of local finances from state raids, the preservation of local control, sustainability and energy strategies, labor relations, transportation, and communications positions.
The proposed modifications to the 2015 legislative platform are detailed in Attachment B and show the tracked changes from last year. The wording changes to existing positions or any new items are also noted below in italics:
State and Federal procedure changes
· Clarifying that in addition to taking positions on legislative issues, City departments must also ask for approval from the City Manager's office to take a position on regulatory issues.
State changes
· Oppose any legislation that preempts local authority or weakens the independence of charter cities.
· Support legislation that provides funding for disaster preparedness, including: earthquake preparedness, fire prevention and response, Homeland Security, hazardous material response, and other local disaster relief activities.
· Oppose any efforts that take away the ability of local agencies to choose their emergency response providers.
· Support legislation that improves and streamlines the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and provides funding to assist local agencies in implementing CEQA.
· Support legislation that extends the time available to redevelopment oversight boards to complete their work.
· Support measures that provide assistance for community park facilities, open space, and recreation programs.
· Support legislation that grants additional immunity to local agencies for recreational activities in community parks and recreation areas.
Federal changes
· Support a long-term transportation reauthorization bill that provides continuous appropriations to cities to help them plan for the preservation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and development of local street and road systems.
· Oppose efforts that place local streams, creeks, wetlands, and other municipal waterways or ditches under federal regulation.
· Support legislation that aims to reduce the risk of, and respond to, wildfires on or near national forests, military installations, and other federal property.
· Oppose efforts that impose additional regulations on local agencies receiving CDBG funding, including requirements that dictate cities' housing and zoning decisions.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this recommendation.
Attachments
Attachment A: 2015 Legislative Platform
Attachment B: 2015 Legislative Platform with tracked changes from the 2014 platform
Attachment C: Resolution adopting the 2015 Legislative Platform
Prepared by: Michael Gordon, Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Lydia Romero, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Jack Griffin, City Manager