HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2007 0418 CC REG ITEM 10L10 . L .
MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
ACTION:
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TO: Honorable City Council ^�-
FROM: John A. Brand, Senior Management Analyst
DATE: April 5, 2007 (CC Meeting of 4/18/2007)
SUBJECT: Consider 2007 Legislative Program
BACKGROUND
The City Council adopts an annual Legislative Program outlining the City's position on key
municipal issues. If a measure is consistent with the Legislative Program, the Mayor is
authorized to send a letter indicating the City's position. If a measure is not addressed by
the Legislative Program, or if a staff recommendation differs from the Legislative Program,
then the Finance, Administration and Public Safety Committee will review the measure and
recommend a position to the City Council. The Finance, Administration and Public Safety
Committee annually reviews the Legislative Program prior to City Council consideration.
DISCUSSION
On April 4, the Finance, Administration and Public Safety Committee (Mayor Hunter and
Mayor Pro Tern Millhouse) met and discussed the City Legislative Program. The
Committee recommended a change to one platform statement to clarify the City's position
regarding Proposition 218, "The Right to Vote on Taxes Initiative" approved by the voters in
1996.
As Council may recall, the intent of Proposition 218 was generally to ensure that all taxes
and most charges on property owners are subject to voter approval. In addition,
Proposition 218 sought to curb some perceived abuses in the use of assessments and
property- related fees, specifically the use of these revenue - raising tools to pay for general
governmental services rather than property - related services.
The intent of the City's position is to support the ability of the City to recover costs for
mandated programs. The Committee observed that a reader could misconstrue the
platform statement and recommended that staff reword the platform for Council
consideration. Below is the rewording based on the committee recommendation:
1. Local Government Finance
J. .
Support legislation that protects the ability of local government to
recover the costs of mandated programs through fees that are not
subiect to Proposition 218.
000148
Legislative Program
HCC April 18, 2007
Page 2
Additionally, the City has commented on the following issues in the current legislative
session:
Federal
• HR 5427: - Weatherization Assistance Program -improving the energy efficiency of
low- income housing - (Preserve /Restore Funding)
• Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program - (Restore Funding)
State
• SB 303: doubles the planning period (from 5 to 10 years) for the regional housing
needs allocation (RHNA) - (Oppose)
• Gas Tax Spillover Funding in 2007 -2008 Budget for Public Transit - (Restore
Traditional Funding Formula)
• Proposition 84: $5.4 billion for improving natural resources and sustainable
communities — (Support)
• Proposition 1C: $2.8 billion for housing projects, including $1.35 billion that helps
cities address housing - related infrastructure issues — (Support)
Attached copies of legislative position and platforms from the Ventura Council of
Governments, League of California Cities, National League of Cities, as well as a copy of a
draft City 2007 Legislative Program.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a 2007 Legislative Program.
Attachments
Attachment 1:
Draft 2007 Legislative Program
Attachment 2:
VCOG Legislative Program
Attachment 3:
League- Sponsored Bill Package
Attachment 4:
National League of Cities Legislative Program
U00149
* * * DRAFT * * *
CITY OF MOORPARK
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
2007
The following Legislative Program was developed to allow the City to respond to state and
federal legislation in a proactive manner. The Mayor (or Mayor Pro Tern in the Mayor's
absence) is authorized to sign correspondence expressing the City's position on pending
legislation consistent with the Legislative Program and /or other positions approved by the
City Council. The Budget and Finance Committee will also periodically review legislation
for recommendation to the City Council.
Staff will monitor the League of California Cities' Priority Focus 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 not addressed by the Legislative Program, or staff
recommendations that deviate from the Legislative Program, will be agendized for Budget
and Finance Committee review and City Council consideration.
PLATFORM STATEMENTS
1. Local Government Finance
A. Support legislation that limits cities' contributions to the Educational Revenue
Augmentation Fund (ERAF) and directs the repayment of past contributions.
B. Oppose legislation that eliminates or restricts the taxing authority of cities
over development; weakens existing Government Code Section 66000 fee
authority; and redefines any development tax, condition, or other monetary
charge as development fees.
C. Support legislation requiring the state and federal governments to provide full
cost reimbursement to cities for all mandated programs and for all programs
resulting in revenue losses.
D. Support legislation that safeguards existing City revenue sources from
preemption or seizure by the state or county.
E. Oppose any change in revenue allocations that would negatively affect the
City of Moorpark, including but not limited to the redistribution of sales tax,
property tax, transient occupancy tax, and vehicle in -lieu fee.
F. Oppose legislation that restricts or limits a city's ability to use tax - exempt
debt for the purchase or construction of public purpose improvements.
Page 1 of 8 000 i0
Legislative Program
Platform Statements
* ** DRAFT * **
G. Support measures that provide greater fiscal independence to cities and result
in greater stability and predictability in local government budgeting.
H. Support efforts that provide greater accountability on the part of counties for
the distribution of funds back to municipalities, including, but not limited to,
fines and forfeitures.
Oppose any measure that makes local agencies more dependent on the state
for financial stability and policy direction.
J.
Support legislation that protects the ability of local government to
recover the costs of mandated programs through fees that are not
subject to Proposition 218.
K. Support the establishment of a constitutionally - protected funding structure for
local government.
L. Support legislation that closes the loophole that allows companies currently
doing business in California to create dot -com subsidiaries to avoid collection
of sales taxes on Internet commerce.
M. Support legislation that authorizes a statewide ballot measure to restore the
requirement for a simple majority of voters in a city or county to approve an
increase in taxes or issue general obligation bonds.
N. Join with other Ventura County cities to encourage the Ventura County
Treasurer -Tax Collector to shorten the time to collect property tax
readjustments.
2. Labor Relations
A. Oppose legislation that would restrict a city's ability to use its own employees
on public works projects when such projects have previously been advertised
for bid.
B. Oppose legislation that requires the use of city employees rather than
contracting out.
C. Oppose any legislation that would grant employee benefits that should be
decided at the local bargaining table.
D. Oppose legislation that removes or reduces management rights, such as
deciding staffing or service levels, either by direct action or increased liability.
Page 2 of 8 000 -151
Legislative Program
Platform Statements
* * * DRAFT * * *
E. Support legislation that would reform the Workers' Compensation system to
reduce employer cost through the reduction of system abuse.
F. Support legislation that limits the ability of employees to receive Workers'
Compensation benefits for occupational injuries /illnesses that result from
stress, disciplinary action, or performance evaluation consultations.
G. Oppose legislation that expands or extends any presumptions of
occupational injury or illness.
H. Oppose any measure that imposes compulsory and binding interest
arbitration.
I. Oppose efforts that reduce local control over public employee disputes or
impose regulations of an outside agency on such disputes.
J. Oppose a mandatory Social Security tax for public employers and public
employees.
3. Transportation
A. Oppose legislation that redirects local transportation funds away from cities.
B. Support legislation that would provide additional resources to cities to finance
local transportation systems, facilities, and improvements.
C. Support legislation that provides greater flexibility for the use of local
transportation funds for both public transit and street maintenance and
construction purposes.
D. Support legislation that will help reduce non -local commercial vehicle traffic
on SR -118 through the City.
E. Oppose legislation that limits and /or decreases the existing amount of
retention proceeds withheld from any payment by a public entity to the
contractor on a public project.
4. Environment
A. Support legislation that streamlines the state's environmental review process
and maintains public participation.
B. Support legislation that would eliminate unfunded mandates such as the
Page 3 of 8 000152
Legislative Program
Platform Statements
* * * DRAFT ** *
water course pollution prevention programs.
C. Support legislation that reduces or eliminates local government's
owner /operator Superfund liability.
D. Support legislation to either consolidate or streamline the federal and state
Clean Air Acts without reducing air quality standards.
E. Support air quality efforts that emphasize use of advanced technologies and
market incentives, including use of alternative fuels and development of an
infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles.
F. Support legislation that reimburses cities for revenue losses stemming from
environmental decisions made without city participation.
G. Support legislation that provides money to local governments for energy
conservation programs.
H. Support legislation that gives cities authority to meet their National Pollution
Elimination Discharge System requirements on a more collective and
regional basis.
5. Waste Management
A. Support legislation that provides cities with financial assistance for programs
designed to provide for the safe disposal of solid, hazardous, and special
waste.
B. Support legislation that strengthens cities' ability to direct municipal solid
waste flow to designated solid waste facilities.
C. Support legislation that streamlines AB 939 tracking and reporting
requirements.
D. Support legislation that would make grants available to local agencies for
programs that encourage the recycling /reclaiming of resources.
E. Support legislation that promotes source reduction measures without
creating an unfunded mandate.
F. Oppose legislation that would restrict or limit local government's ability to
franchise refuse and recycling collection services, to direct municipal solid
waste flow (flow control), or to contractually require haulers to guarantee
achievement of AB 939 goals.
Page 4 of 8
uau�,3
Legislative Program
Platform Statements
* * * DRAFT * * *
G. Support legislation that promotes recycling and expands the market for
recycled materials.
H. Support new resource recovery and conversion technologies, such as
bio- diesel from organic waste.
I. Support legislation that implements the concept of extended manufacturer
responsibility for electronic waste and other material types requiring
incentives for recycling.
6. General Government
A. Support legislation that ensures cities receive a proportionate share of
property taxes upon withdrawal from a county library services district, or any
other county service or district for which property taxes are received.
B. Support legislation that provides financial assistance for local public libraries
without the imposition of new taxes.
C. Support legislation that limits libraries' contributions to the Educational
Revenue Augmentation Fund.
D. Oppose legislation that reduces funding for libraries including Public Library
Funds.
E. Support legislation that reinstates effective local regulation of the cable
television industry and other deregulated utilities, including financial
reimbursement for use of public right -of -ways.
F. Oppose legislation that restricts or weakens a city's ability to regulate
smoking areas, alcoholic beverage licenses, or adult- oriented business
establishments.
G. Support legislation limiting a city's liability associated with hazardous
recreational activities, such as skateboarding and in -line skating.
H. Oppose legislation that increases local government's exposure to litigation.
I. Support legislation that provides maximum local flexibility in contracting for
services.
J. Oppose efforts to cut funding for Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) programs and other community services and workforce assistance
programs to serve low- income and /or other disadvantaged residents.
K. Support legislation to give non - entitlement cities the same rights as
Page 5 of 8 000;.54
Legislative Program
Platform Statements
* * * DRAFT * * *
entitlement cities in CDBG program administration.
L. Support legislation that makes funds available to refurbish and improve
parks.
M. Support legislation that promotes low -cost or no -cost spay and neuter
programs.
N. Support legislation that holds animal owners accountable for injuries or
property damage caused by animals under their care or control.
O. Evaluate the benefits of expanding the current boundaries of the Oxnard
Harbor District through collaborative legislation with other Ventura County
cities and the County of Ventura.
P. Oppose any legislation that reduces or restricts local authority to regulate
public right -of -way.
7. Public Safety
A. Support legislation that would provide cities with a greater share of fines and
forfeitures.
B. Support legislation that would provide additional resources for commercial
truck safety inspections and the enforcement of commercial truck vehicle
codes.
C. Oppose legislation that weakens enforcement of, and penalties for,
commercial truck violations.
D. Support legislation that would provide cities with contract law enforcement a
proportionate share of Proposition 172 sales tax revenues for public safety.
E. Support legislation that increases local law enforcement resources without
increasing taxes.
F. Support legislation that would provide a greater share of seized assets to
cities.
G. Support legislation that allows use of state and federal public safety grants
for maintenance efforts in addition to service increases.
8. Land Use Planning
A. Support legislation that reforms annexation law by strengthening cities'
authority over spheres of influence and ensures that fair property tax
Page 6 of 8 () 0 0 y i
Legislative Program
Platform Statements
* ** DRAFT * **
agreements can be obtained.
B. Support legislation that provides for shared land use determinations between
counties and cities when the General Plan of the city establishes a planning
area consistent with Government Code provisions.
C. Support legislation that enhances local control and diminishes litigation
surrounding adult entertainment facilities.
D. Support legislation that strengthens local control to prepare, adopt, and
implement fiscal plans for orderly growth, development, beautification, and
conservation of local planning areas, including, but not limited to, regulatory
authority over zoning, subdivisions, annexations, and redevelopment areas.
E. Support efforts that are consistent with the doctrine of "home rule" and the
local exercise of police powers, through planning and zoning processes, over
local land use.
F. Oppose county development projects for undeveloped areas in the city's
area of interest that do not conform to city standards.
G. Support legislation that allows local control over the establishment of medical
marijuana establishments.
H. Oppose legislation that limits city use of eminent domain.
9. Housing
A. Support legislation that addresses occupancy levels and strengthens cities'
ability to reduce overcrowding in residential housing.
B. Support efforts to develop federal, state, and county participation, financial
support, and incentives for programs that provide adequate, affordable
housing for the elderly, handicapped, and low- income persons throughout
the community.
C. Oppose legislation that expands the state Department of Housing and
Community Development's review role for local Housing Elements.
D. Support Housing Element reform legislation that provides greater local
control and flexibility, simplifies the process, and improves its effectiveness.
E. Support legislation that eliminates the current Regional Housing Needs
Allocation process and defines an equitable process to determine a "fair
Page 7 of 8 000-J656
Legislative Program
Platform Statements
* ** DRAFT * **
share" of new housing needed to respond to growth trends in the region.
F. Oppose legislation that expands the state exemption for second dwelling
units in single family zones.
10. Redevelopment/Economic Development
A. Oppose legislation that further weakens a city redevelopment agency's
authority to use eminent domain.
B. Oppose legislation that would prohibit or limit the establishment of new
redevelopment project areas and /or the expansion of existing project areas.
C. Oppose legislation that reduces the amount of gross tax increment allocable
to redevelopment agencies.
D. Support legislation that reforms reporting requirements for redevelopment
agencies by simplifying the process and eliminating reporting confusion.
E. Oppose legislation that adds restrictions and procedural requirements
regarding closed session discussions on land acquisition, use of eminent
domain, and disposal of property.
F. Oppose measures that would diminish the current authority or financing
capabilities of redevelopment agencies.
G. Support legislation that gives cities resources to finance economic
development efforts, such as business attraction, retention, and growth, as
well as marketing and tourism.
H. Support legislation that simplifies and streamlines the process for foreign
trade.
Oppose legislation that limits redevelopment agency use of eminent domain.
Page 8 of 8 iii 0 U 15 "I'l
Attachment 2 VENTURA COUNCIL
OF GOVERNMENTS
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Wally Bobkiewicz, Interim Executive Director
SUBJECT: Consideration of 2007 Legislative Agenda
DATE: February 27, 2007
Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of Directors consider adopting
the 2007 Legislative Agenda.
Discussion: VCOG has adopted a Legislative Agenda in recent years since 2005.
The Administrative Committee discussed this issue at their February 14, 2007 meeting
and proposed to adopt the 2006 agenda without change.
Attachment:
Draft 2007 Legislative Agenda
50 000 8
VCOG ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR 2007
DRAFT
Purpose
The goal and intent of VCOG is one of voluntary cooperation among cities and the county of
Ventura for their collective benefit. In this regard, VCOG serves as an advocate in representing
the members of VCOG at the regional, state and federal levels on issues of mutual importance to
the Ventura County area. It also can serve as a forum for the review, consideration, study,
development and recommendation of public policies and plans with regional significance.
Overriding Principles
VCOG believes that cities and counties must be able to control matters within their own
jurisdictions. Therefore, VCOG will take positions on proposed legislation, rules and /or
regulations that affect local control. Additionally, VCOG will take positions on issues that
directly affect the county area. And, when local decisions affect neighboring communities,
VCOG supports local governments working collaboratively and regionally to address regional
issues.
Process
Staff will monitor the League of California Cities' Priority Focus, California State Association
of Counties' positions as well as other sources to identify pending legislation that may impact the
member entities.
A Legislative Subcommittee of the VCOG Administrative Committee shall be created composed
of the following three members: Chair, Chair Elect and Immediate Past Chair. The Chair (or
Chair Elect in the Chair's absence) is authorized to sign correspondence expressing VCOG's
position on pending legislation consistent with the Legislative Program and/or other positions
approved by the Governing Board provided that such correspondence has been sent to the
Legislative Subcommittee for their review with a deadline for their comments but not less than
24 hours before it is finalized.
Copies of all correspondence will be distributed to each Governing Board member and their
jurisdiction and a Legislative Report will be provided at Board meetings.
Pending legislation not addressed by the Legislative Agenda, member requests or staff
recommendations that deviate from the Legislative Agenda, will be agendized for VCOG
Governing Board consideration.
This policy will be reviewed each year with the adoption of the Legislative Agenda.
51 00p15- 9
Issues Of Common Concern and Areas of VCOG Commitment
I. Fiscal Impact - VCOG is committed to:
A. Maintain the protections that are provided in Proposition I A to protect local revenues
from seizure by the state.
B. Oppose preemption of local authority.
C. Support measures that result in greater stability and predictability in local government
budgeting.
D. Support legislation requiring the state and federal governments to provide full cost
reimbursement to cities and counties for all unfunded or underfunded mandated
programs and for all programs resulting in revenue losses.
E. Encourage the use of state incentives for local government action rather than
mandates and penalties.
II. Transportation & Transit - VCOG is committed to:
A. Support legislation that would provide additional resources to cities and counties to
finance local transportation systems, facilities, and improvements.
B. Protect and enhance current funding levels and local authority for existing State and
Federal transportation revenues and programs
C. Support the immediate halt to transfers to the State General Fund of dedicated State
Transportation funds and the timely return of all previous loans
D. Support the authority of cities and county to manage the public right -of -way and
receive compensation for its use.
III. Economic Development - VCOG is committed to:
A. Support legislation that gives cities and counties resources to finance economic
development efforts, such as business attraction, retention, and growth, as well as
marketing and tourism.
B. Support the retention of the Naval Base Ventura County.
C. Support legislation to ensure sufficient funding to operate one -stop employment and
training centers.
D. Oppose efforts to cut funding for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
programs and other publicly funded community services and workforce assistance
programs to serve low- income and /or other disadvantaged residents.
000160
52 2
E. Support legislation that reforms reporting requirements for redevelopment agencies
by simplifying the process and eliminating reporting confusion.
IV. Land Use - VCOG is committed to:
A. Support efforts that are consistent with the doctrine of "home rule" and the local
exercise of police powers, through planning and zoning processes, over local
land use.
B. Support legislation that strengthens local control to prepare, adopt, and implement
plans for orderly growth, development, beautification, and conservation of local
planning areas, including, but not limited to, regulatory authority over zoning,
subdivisions, annexations, and redevelopment areas.
V. Housing - VCOG is committed to:
A. Support efforts to develop multi jurisdictional (federal, state, county, city)
participation, financial support, and incentives for programs that provide adequate,
affordable housing for the elderly, handicapped, and low- income persons throughout
the community as well as required infrastructure construction.
B. Support Housing Element reform legislation that provides greater local control and
flexibility, simplifies the process, and improves its effectiveness.
C. Support legislation that eliminates the current Regional Housing Needs Allocation
process and defines a more equitable process to respond to growth trends in the
region.
D. Support legislation that streamlines the environmental review process for mixed -use
infill development without compromising environmental quality standards.
E. Support legislation that promotes and provides incentives for environmentally
responsible design and construction.
VI. Environment - VCOG is committed to:
A. Support legislation that streamlines the state's environmental review process and
maintains public participation without compromising environmental quality
standards.
B. Air Quality Protection
1. Support mobile source emission reduction activities to improve the environment
without adverse impact on local economy.
2. Support air quality efforts that emphasize use of advanced technologies and market
incentives, including use of alternative fuels and development of an infrastructure
for alternative fuel vehicles.
53 000161.
3
3. Support port air emission reductions.
4. Support the development of a federal action plan for reducing air pollution from
those sources solely under federal control such as ships and planes which are
increasingly affecting the ability to reach local air quality attainment.
C. Solid Waste
1. Support legislation that provides cities and counties with financial assistance for
programs designed to provide for the safe disposal of solid, hazardous, and special
waste.
2. Support legislation that promotes source reduction measures without creating an
unfunded mandate.
3. Support legislation that promotes recycling and expands the market for recycled
materials as well as making grants available to local agencies for programs that
encourage the recycling /reclaiming of resources.
4. Support new resource recovery and conversion technologies, such as bio- diesel
from organic waste, including removing impediments to the adoption of
transformation or conversion technologies to help municipalities and the county
meet and exceed their requirement to divert 50% of their solid waste away from
landfills.
5. Oppose legislation that would restrict or limit local government's ability to
franchise refuse and recycling collection services, to direct municipal or county
solid waste flow (flow control), or to contractually require haulers to guarantee
achievement of AB 939 goals
6. Initiate legislation that streamlines AB 939 tracking and reporting requirements.
D. Water Protection
1. Support legislation and cooperative efforts to ensure adequate water supplies for
Southern California and to protect and enhance regional groundwater resources
and watersheds.
2. Support state and federal funding legislation for local storm water and NPDES
programs as well as incentives for the re -use of reclaimed water.
3. Support regulations for local agencies to carry out the NPDES mission
that are practical and capable of being implemented including taking into account
economic considerations
4. Support scientific investigation and implementation, as funding permits, of
reasonable, cost - effective, and proven best management practices (BMP) and best
000160201
54 4
available technologies (BAT) to mitigate storm water pollution to the maximum
extent practicable
E. Natural Resources
1. Support funding and legislation for the designation and preservation of open space
and preservation, restoration and enhancement of natural resources.
2. Support legislation and /or programs that provide money to local governments for
energy efficiency and conservation programs.
VIII. Public Safety and Homeland Security - VCOG is committed to:
A. Support legislation that increases local law enforcement resources including providing
cities and counties with a greater share of fines and forfeitures.
B. Support funding for improved public safety programs, specifically the State Grants that
have provided police departments with the funds necessary to support technology
improvements increasing efficiency. This includes grants that support homeland
security, grants through the Office of Traffic Safety, as well as other grants that
support the hiring of law enforcement personnel.
C. Support legislation that would provide additional resources for commercial truck safety
inspections and the enforcement of commercial truck vehicle codes.
D. Support legislation that allows use of state and federal public safety grants for
maintenance efforts in addition to service increases.
E. Support maintenance of existing health care facilities within the county for emergency
response with adequate funding and staffing.
F. Support funding for all hazards, not just terrorism and encourage comprehensive All
Hazards planning.
G. Oppose a relaxation of TSA safety standards enacted after 9/11.
IX. Labor Relations - VCOG is committed to:
A. Oppose legislation that would restrict a local government's ability to use its own
employees on public works projects when such projects have previously been
advertised for bid.
B. Oppose legislation that requires the use of city or county employees rather than
contracting out.
C. Oppose any legislation that would grant employee benefits that should be decided at
the local bargaining table.
000163
55 5
D. Support legislation that would reform the Workers' Compensation system to reduce
employer cost through the reduction of system abuse.
E. Oppose any measure that imposes compulsory and binding interest arbitration.
F. Oppose efforts that reduce local control over public employee disputes or impose
regulations of an outside agency on such disputes.
IX. General Government - VCOG is committed to:
A. Support legislation limiting the county and a city's liability associated with hazardous
recreational activities, such as skateboarding and in -line skating.
B. Support legislation that makes funds available to refurbish and improve parks.
C. Oppose legislation that increases local government's exposure to litigation.
0o0sb,q
56 6
Attachment 3
League Board Adopts Strategic Goals for 2007
The League of California Cities set the course of the organization for the coming year, when the
League Board of Directors met with the leaders of the League's departments, divisions, policy
committees and caucuses at the board of directors meeting on November 17 -18, 2006, in
Anaheim.
After participating with other League leaders in eight separate discussion groups, the Board
considered a list of proposed strategic goals formulated by the discussion groups. The following
goals were adopted by the League Board and will be the focus of work programs for the League
and its divisions, departments, caucuses and policy committees for 2007:
• Infrastructure: Ensure fair and effective implementation of the 2006 infrastructure
bonds, consistent with the needs of California cities.
• Eminent Domain: Adopt statutory and constitutional reforms of the laws governing the
use of eminent domain for private economic development purposes.
• Affordable Housing: Expand the supply of affordable housing by adopting reforms that
reduce the barriers to improved planning and expand the financial resources available.
`' a
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Attachment 4
Nation's Municipal Leaders to Promote Targeted Agenda to Congress
01/17/07
Telecommunications reform, immigration, and efforts to secure continued federal funding to support local initiatives
Including housing, transportation, and public safety are among the top issues that the National League of Cities (NLC) will
bring to the 110th Congress in the coming months. Working on behalf of the nation's cities and towns, NLC also will draw
focused federal attention to critical housing issues such as predatory lending, foreclosure prevention, and revamping the
country's mortgage finance system.
Concluding a three -day leadership meeting in San Diego, Calif., this past weekend, NLC officials also said it was critically
important to take a proactive approach with the new Congress in addressing major challenges affecting the quality of life
in their communities that demand joint problem - solving — the surge in violent crime, developing strategies for future
transportation funding, and promoting sustainable communities and energy efficiency.
"This is a period of transition in our country," said NLC President Bart Peterson, mayor of Indianapolis, Ind. "We want to
help shape the Issues. In the 70s and 80s, the federal government led the way; In the 90s the states were the stars in
innovation. But it is pretty clear that in this decade, cities are where the action Is. We are the centers of innovation and
creative problem - solving. While the federal government remains gridlocked, we are moving our communities forward
and can shape the policy discussions at the federal level."
Meeting with 31 mayors and council members from across the nation, NLC developed its 2007 federal lobbying agenda
and strategies for working with Congress. The group included the leaders of NLC's committees, councils, panels and
constituency groups.
"We had the best, the brightest and the most involved participating," said NLC 1st Vice President Cynthia McCollum,
council member from Madison, Ala. "And we went further than simply looking at what's going on in Washington. We also
want to shape policy at the local, federal and state levels on other critical issues, including transportation funding, the full
range of public safety issues, and efforts to promote sustainable resources and energy efficiency."
NLC 2nd Vice President Kathleen Novak, mayor of Northglenn, Colo., said, "We want to make our cities better places in
which to live. We can only do that if the federal government does its job, the states do their jobs and we do our jobs.
NLC wants to help municipal officials get things done."
Specifically NLC's federal lobbying agenda for 2007 includes:
• Protecting local authority in any reform of the Telecommunications Act, in Congress or by the Federal
Communications Commission, stressing the need to provide access to all services for all constituents while
protecting the public rights of way, as well as insuring that new technologies such as providing telephone service
over the Internet provides adequate linkages to 911 and protects the public's safety.
• Ensuring that sufficient funding is included in any appropriations measures Involving federal support for local
activities such as the Community Development Block Grant program and other housing programs, crime programs,
and transportation funding.
• Ensuring that comprehensive immigration reform takes into account the impact on cities and towns and includes
the local government perspective.
• Targeting federal attention on critical local housing issues, including predatory lending, foreclosure prevention, and
the country's mortgage finance system.
NLC officials also recognized that many issues are not wholly federal but require shared responsibilities and attention.
These ongoing issues Include:
• Developing a more holistic approach to addressing public safety issues, including federal, state and local strategies
to address the current surge in violent crime.
• Participating as an equal partner in developing strategies for the next generation of transportation funding to
ensure they meet the multiple demands facing municipalities of congestion, rehabilitation and multi -modal
UOU1c6
http:// www. nic. org /Newsroom[Press_Room/13231.cfm ?TYPE =popup 2/6/2007
2007 Leadership Meeting
Page 2 of 2
systems.
. Identifying and sharing promising practices to promote sustainable resources and energy efficiency, while seeking
a responsible federal energy policy.
In addition, the leadership team began discussions on the growing effect of media violence on America's quality of life.
Mayor Peterson will work this year to Increase municipal awareness of the growing amount of violence found in
interactive video games, films, television and other media and its effect on young people. A summit on media violence is
tentatively scheduled for mid -April In Indianapolis.
"It is important to promote intelligent discussion of this issue — an inclusive discussion from all perspectives so we can
learn more about its effect on our society," Peterson said. "In my community, I am seeing a direct correlation between
growing violence in media and increasing violence among young people. I want to engage the NLC membership on this
issue."
The National League of Cities is the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities
as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 U.S. cities, towns and
villages, which collectively serve 218 million people.
National League of Cities
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 550 - Washington, DC 20004
Phone:(202) 626 -3000 • Fax:(202) 626 -3043
info @nlc.org - www.nlc.org
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