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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1994 1214 CC ADJ ITEM 11L CWAk 1C, CAL r �° � n C`4y Council Meo.:a 16 E" I :_ • ® 149_ cf 41 —:,4_1s4 [p 3N: ACTION:—L1=-2L- do 6_ ' AGENDA REPORT CITY OF MOORPIRN TO: Honorable City Council FROM: Mary R. Lindley, Assistant to the City Manager} DATE: November 30, 1994 (CC Meet in -1-PoB�:=December 7) SUBJECT: Consider Approval of �, Cit 's Legislative 1i: y _._ _/��/ 1>� Program for 1995 T--`r' ,�',CTiON: ' 9 Summary ,_ The Council is being asked to consider and approve a legislative program that would enhance the City's efforts to proactively respond to proposed State and Federal legislation. Background In November 1993 , City Council reviewed a list of positions concerning various legislative subject areas for inclusion in a City legislative program. Council requested additional time to consider implementing such a program and directed staff to return at the end of the 1994 calendar year for consideration of a 1995 Legislative Program. Currently, staff reviews the weekly League Bulletins which highlight State and Federal legislation that impacts cities. Pending legislation that directly impacts the City of Moorpark is agendized for the Council's consideration. Oftentimes, pending legislation is brought to the City's attention at the last minute, or has an urgent status, and there is not enough time to bring the bill to Council for action. In these instances, the City either does not respond or responds later in the legislative process. For this reason, staff is proposing the attached program which will allow the City to effectively respond to pending legislation on a more timely basis. The program outlines the City's stance on various legislative subject areas. In addition, it authorizes the Mayor to sign letters in favor or opposition to any legislation, consistent with the City's stated position on the issue, without having to agendize the action. The legislative subject areas include: Local Government Finance, Labor Relations, Transportation, Environment, Waste Management, General Government, Law Enforcement, Land Use Planning, Housing, and Redevelopment. Legislative Program November 22, 1994 Page 2 The Mayor would only be authorized to sign a letter expressing the City's position without agendizing the issue if it has been identified in the legislative program or if Council has taken a previous position in regards to the subject matter. In the event that the pending legislation deals with an issue that has not been identified in the City's Legislative Program, or staff recommends a position that deviates from an earlier Council position, the legislative item would be agendized for full Council consideration. If approved, staff would update the program in December of each year for Council's consideration. Recommendation Staff recommends that Council approve the attached Legislative Program for 1995. CITY OF MOORPARK Legislative Program 1995 The following Legislative Program was developed to allow the City to respond to State and Federal legislation in a proactive manner. The Mayor is authorized to sign correspondence expressing the City's position on pending legislation relative to the legislative platform statements contained in the program and/or consistent with previous positions approved by the City Council. Staff will monitor the League Bulletins and other sources to identify pending legislation that may impact the City. Letters expressing the City's position will be drafted for the Mayor's signature, and copies will be distributed to each Councilmember. Pending legislation that is not addressed or staff recommendations that deviate from the approved Legislative Program will be agendized for Council consideration. LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM STATEMENTS 1. Local Government Finance • Support legislation requiring the State and Federal Government to provide full cost reimbursement to cities for all mandated programs and for all programs resulting in revenue losses. • Oppose legislation that fails to provide adequate funding for federal or state-mandated programs. • Support measures that result in State budget expenditures being brought into balance with State revenue. • Support measures which safeguard existing revenue sources from preemption or seizure by the State or County. • Oppose any change in revenue allocations which would negatively affect municipal government, including the redistribution of sales tax, property tax, transient occupancy tax and vehicle in-lieu fees. • Support measures which would provide fiscal independence to cities. • Oppose any measure that restricts or limits a public entity's ability to use tax exempt debt for the purchase or construction of public purpose improvements. 1 • Support efforts which would provide greater accountability on the part of counties for the distribution of funds back to municipalities, including, but not limited to, fines and forfeitures. • Support the repeal of SB 2557 which imposed booking fees and additional property tax administration collection fees or that allows cities to collect fees from convicted persons as part of their sentencing. • Oppose any measure that would make local agencies more dependent on the State for financial stability and policy direction. 2. Labor Relations • Oppose any measure which would grant employee benefits that should be decided at the local bargaining table. • Oppose any efforts which would reduce local authority to resolve public employee disputes, and impose regulations of an outside agency (such as the Public Employee Relation Board) . • Support legislation which limits the ability of employees to receive workers' compensation benefits for occupational injuries/illnesses which result from stress, disciplinary action, or performance evaluations or consultations. • Oppose legislation which expands or extends any presumptions of occupational injury or illness. • Support legislation which would reform the Workers' Compensation system to reduce employer cost through the reduction of system abuse. • Oppose legislation that would remove the separation of the PERS Fund from the State's budget. 3 . Transportation • Support measures which would increase the ability of local agencies to finance local transportation facilities. • Support measures to finance local and regional transportation facilities and improvements, including alternative modes of transportation. 2 4 . Environment • Support efforts for the safe disposal of solid, hazardous and medical waste. • Support legislation to either consolidates or streamlines the Federal and State Clean Air Acts. • Support legislation which streamlines the State of California's environmental review process. • Support legislation that would transfer funding responsibility for water course pollution prevention programs to the state or federal governments. 5. Waste Management • Support legislation that streamlines AB 939 tracking and reporting requirements. • Support measures which would make low-interest loans and/or grants available to local agencies for programs which would encourage the recycling/reclaiming of resources. • Support measures which promote market development for recyclable materials. • Support efforts toward the procurement of recyclable materials. • Support legislation which promotes source reduction measures. • Support legislation which would encourage the State to provide funding for added costs to local agencies. • Support legislation which reduces or eliminates local government's superfund liability for solid waste. • Oppose legislation that would restrict or limit local government's ability to franchise refuse and recycling collection services, or to direct municipal solid waste flow (flow control) . 6. General Government • Oppose Federal efforts which remove the deduction of all State and local taxes for Federal income tax purposes. • Support legislation which provides financial assistance for local public libraries without the imposition of new taxes. 3 • Support legislation which reinstates effective local regulation of the cable television industry. • Oppose legislation which would impose penalties or limit the flexibility of local governments in the provision of public records. • Support legislation which will consolidate reporting requirements for the Community Development Block Grant program. • Oppose legislation that restricts local government's ability to regulate smoking areas. • Oppose legislation that preempts local ordinances. • Support legislation that would change the election code provisions if no one or only one person has been nominated to office to allow for automatic appointment to office. 7 . Public Safety • Support efforts to increase local law enforcement resources without increasing taxes. • Support measures which would provide a greater share of seized assets to localities. • Support measures which allow local agencies to recover costs, in accidents involving driving under the influence of drugs and /or alcohol, from the guilty party. • Oppose legislation which would shorten the current 15-day California waiting period for purchase of a gun. • Support legislation that provides cities that are bisected by state highways with the authority to perform safety inspections on trucks. 8 . Land Use Planning • Support efforts to strengthen the legal and fiscal capability of local agencies to prepare, adopt and implement fiscal plans for orderly growth, development, beautification and conservation of local planning areas, including, but not limited to, the regulatory authority over zoning, subdivisions, annexations, and redevelopment areas. 4 • Support efforts which are consistent with the doctrine of "home rule" and the local exercise of police powers, through planning and zoning processes, over local land use. 9 . Housing • Support efforts to develop Federal, State, and county participation, financial support and incentives for programs which provide adequate, affordable housing for the elderly, handicapped, and low-income persons throughout the community. • Oppose legislation that would give the State financial/administrative responsibilities for the Community Development Grant program. • Support reform of Housing Element to simplify, improve effectiveness and eliminate redundancy with other plans such as the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy. • Oppose legislation that expands the Department of Housing and Community Developement's review role for local housing elements. • Support Housing element reform legislation that provide greater local control and flexibility. 10. Redevelopment • Oppose legislation which would prohibit/limit the establishment of new redevelopment project areas and/or expansion of existing project areas. • Oppose legislation which reduces the amount of gross tax increment allocable to redevelopment agencies. • Support reform of reporting requirements for the Redevelopment Agencies which simplify the process and eliminate reporting confusion. • Oppose legislation that would add restrictions and procedural requirements regarding closed session discussions on land acquisition, use of eminent domain and disposal of property. 5