HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-08 - AGENDA REPORTS - SC LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM (2)0
Agenda Item: 4
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
Q) AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
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CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: 1 j=�
DATE:
December 8, 2015
SUBJECT:
SANTA CLARITA 2016 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
DEPARTMENT:
City Manager's Office
PRESENTER:
Michael Murphy
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council accept the recommendation of the City Council Legislative Subcommittee and
adopt the Santa Clarita 2016 Legislative Platform.
BACKGROUND
Many cities, special districts, and other organizations, which frequently take positions on federal
and state legislation, adopt an annual legislative program or platform. The legislative platform
outlines policy statements regarding legislative and regulatory issues that are of interest to the
organization and are likely to come forward during the congressional session or state legislative
session. The City Council adopted the Santa Clarita 2015 Legislative Platform on November 25,
2014.
On November 13, 2015, the City Council Legislative Subcommittee reviewed the draft platform
and recommends that the City Council adopt the Santa Clarita 2016 Legislative Platform.
The Santa Clarita 2016 Legislative Platform has been developed in a manner that is consistent
with previous positions adopted by the City Council and is designed to provide City staff, as well
as the City's federal and state legislative delegation, with general guidance on legislative and
regulatory issues of interest and concern to the City Council. The Legislative Platform will also
inform organizations with an advocacy presence in Washington and Sacramento, such as the
League of California Cities and California Contract Cities Association, of the Santa Clarita City
Council's legislative interests. Finally, the document will assist staff in communicating about
legislative and regulatory issues of interest and concern and will enable staff to quickly act in the
event an issue of direct impact to the City requires immediate action.
The Santa Clarita 2016 Legislative Platform outlines broad-based legislative positions during the
114th Congress and the California Legislature's 2015-2016 Session. As specific bills are
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considered by Congress and the California Legislature, those measures will be brought to the
City Council Legislative Subcommittee and City Council for adoption of formal positions.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
1. Reject the recommendation of the City Council Legislative Subcommittee and not adopt
the Santa Clarita 2016 Legislative Platform.
2. Approve the recommendation of the City Council Legislative Subcommittee to adopt the
Santa Clarita 2016 Legislative Platform, but amend issues contained within the
document.
3. Other action, as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
No additional resources beyond those contained within the adopted Fiscal Year 2015/16 City
budget, are required for implementation of the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
Santa Clarita 2016 Legislative Platform Draft
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CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
2016 Legislative Platform
A legislative platform, approved by the City Council, enables City of Santa Clarita elected
officials and staff to act quickly in outreaching to legislators, executive branch elected officials,
and legislative, administrative, or regulatory staff in communicating the City's interests at the
federal and state levels of government. The components within the 2016 Legislative Platform
are primarily based upon positions previously adopted by the City Council.
The Santa Clarita City Council establishes the City of Santa Clarita's official policy
position on all legislative, administrative and regulatory matters with which the City is
involved.
Position statements on legislation, regulatory, and other matters for which City Council U
established policy exists may be communicated by the City Manager or designated staff to
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legislators, legislative staff, administration officials, administrative staff, and other entities, as
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appropriate, reflecting the City Council's adopted policy.
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For those matters in which no City Council policy exists, bills and other legislative or regulatory
matters will be brought to the City Council Legislative Committee for a recommendation to the
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full City Council. These matters may also be brought directly to the City Council, upon the
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request of the Council or in the event that timeliness of action by the City Council is required. 9
The purpose of the Santa Clarita 2016 Legislative Platform is to clearly outline the position of
the City Council on priority issues and matters that impact the City's ability to operate
effectively. City staff will monitor federal and state legislation, and administrative or regulatory
actions; taking appropriate action when required and in compliance with this Platform to
safeguard and/or advance the City's interests in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento.
The statements outlined below are intended to assist the City Council and City staff to
appropriately address proposed legislation, administrative or regulatory actions to promote City
interests and protect local authority, as necessary.
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FEDERAL
1. Support legislation to designate the St. Francis Dam National Memorial.
2. Work with Members of Congress regarding issues related to the potential legislative
establishment of a Castaic Wilderness area.
3. Support legislation to increase funding for, creating enhancements to, or expanding
the boundaries of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
4. Support principles and legislation that will bring funding to the City of Santa Clarita
under the reauthorization of the surface transportation act, including funding for
Metrolink commuter rail, which is separate from the California High Speed Rail
Authority project.
5. Oppose the imposition of unfunded or less -than -fully funded mandates on local
governments.
6. Seek funding opportunities to be used toward construction of anew Santa Clarita
Valley Senior Center within the City of Santa Clarita. c
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7. Seek funding opportunities to be used toward construction of anew Santa Clarita
Valley Sheriff's station within the City of Santa Clarita. R
8. Support legislation and grant opportunities that will increase funding for Santa
Clarita's community services, including funding for local law enforcement
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and enhanced Justice Assistance
Grants (JAG).
9. Oppose regulatory efforts by the Federal Communications Commission to erode or
eliminate local government authority regarding siting of cellular communications
towers or transmission sites.
10. Support legislation or grant opportunities for local governments that provide funding
for development or enhancing alternative vehicle fueling stations.
11. Support legislation and grant opportunities that will preserve or increase funding for
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
12. Support incentives and programs utilized by states and local governments designed to
keep filming within the United States, and in particular, California.
13. Work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to secure updated
community flood maps.
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STATE
1. Oppose legislation that seeks to impose district -based voting systems in municipal
elections.
2. Oppose legislation that removes authority of local jurisdictions to determine how best to
Monitor and influence legislation or regulatory action regarding the proposed California
comply with provisions of the California Voting Rights Act.
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High Speed Rail project; with the goal of eliminating (i.e. Burbank to Palmdale direct
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3. Support legislation that seeks to create financial protections for cities regarding
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California Voting Rights Act Litigation.
neighborhoods of Santa Clarita) negative impacts to Santa Clarita residents and the
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4. Oppose the imposition of unfunded or inadequately funded state mandates.
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5. Support legislation and regulatory action to assure timely reimbursements of mandated
reimbursements owed to the City of Santa Clarita.
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6. Support legislation that maintains or enhances the City's ability to keep and protect
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existing state and local funding sources that provide revenues to the City of Santa Clarity
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7. Oppose legislation that limits local control of municipal public services or imposes
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unjustified financial burdens.
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governments in the area of local land use.
8.
Monitor and influence legislation or regulatory action regarding the proposed California
High Speed Rail project; with the goal of eliminating (i.e. Burbank to Palmdale direct
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alignment by-passing Santa Clarita) or limiting (i.e. tunnel extension through eastern
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neighborhoods of Santa Clarita) negative impacts to Santa Clarita residents and the
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community.
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9.
Oppose legislation that would infringe upon the authority of local governments to
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effectively administer and consider unique local circumstances when processing permits
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and enforcing building and safety standards.
10.
Oppose legislation that would interfere with the decision-making authority of local
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governments in the area of local land use.
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11.
Oppose legislative efforts that would allow the California Department of Transportation
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to transfer ownership of state highways to local governments without prior approval from
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the receiving agency.
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12.
Support legislation requiring transparency in the state licensing requirements for alcohol
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and drug residential rehabilitation facilities on par with public noticing requirements for
group home facilities.
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13. Support legislation regulating the location of state licensed alcohol or drug recovery
facilities.
14. Support legislation that will preserve or enhance the tools, incentives, and programs
25. Support legislation that enhances transparency in the decision-making process of the
State Water Resources Control Board and the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
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utilized by local governments and the state that will keep filming in California.
15.
Support efforts to streamline the redevelopment dissolution process with consistency and
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equitability.
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16.
Support legislation that fosters job creation, encourages sustainable growth, construction
of affordable housing, and the elimination of blight in Santa Clarita.
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17.
Advocate for measures that support the City's continued efforts to retain and promote the
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growth or expansion of local businesses.
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18.
Support legislation or grant opportunities for local governments that provide funding for
developing or enhancing alternative vehicle fueling stations.
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19.
Support efforts to ensure Santa Clarita receives its fair share of transportation revenue;
based upon current population statistics and proportionate to transportation tax dollars
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generated in the City and increase funding for local transportation, transit programs, and
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proj ects.
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20.
Oppose legislation that would prohibit or limit local governments' ability to contract out
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for the provision of services.
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21.
Oppose legislation that mandates local governments provide specific benefits to
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employees or removes local authority to determine the level of benefits to be provided to
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employees.
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22.
Support measures that provide funding to local agencies for training, effective disaster
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preparedness, sheriff's station infrastructure, homeland security, and emergency
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planning.
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23.
Ensure all cities, including contract cities, have equal access to funding which increases
public safety services.
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24.
Work with state legislators and administration officials, in partnership with the Santa
Clarita Valley Sanitation District in seeking funding to continue reduction of self-
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regenerating water softeners.
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25. Support legislation that enhances transparency in the decision-making process of the
State Water Resources Control Board and the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
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26. Support full funding of the state's obligation to support local public libraries pursuant to
existing formulas established in the state's education code.
27. Oppose state regulatory efforts to override or eliminate local authority regarding the
siting of cellular communications towers or wireless transmission sites.
28. Ensure all cities, including contract cities, have equal access to funding for parks,
recreation and open space.
29. Support efforts that direct a portion of Cap -and -Trade funds toward local transportation
proj ects.
30. Oppose legislation that seeks to circumvent local control when addressing homelessness
in an effort to take into account unique local circumstances.
31. Support legislative efforts to address the negative impacts of Proposition 47 on local
governments and provide local law enforcement with the appropriate tools to reduce
criminal activity
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