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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Reso 2021-07 - Adopting 2021 Advocacy Platform RESOLUTION NO. 2021-07 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH APPROVING AND ADOPTING A 2021 ADVOCACY PLATFORM WHEREAS; an advocacy platform is a tool that the City Council and staff can utilize to support the goals and objectives of the City; and WHEREAS, the California State Legislature alone considers thousands of bills during each two- year legislative session, state and federal administrative agencies establish policies and engage in rule- making and many precedent setting decision are heard by the California and federal courts of appeal and the California and United States Supreme Court; and any number of these bills, administrative actions and regulations and court cases can affect cities—through changes in funding, employment law, or water regulation as examples; and WHEREAS, development of an Advocacy Platform provides the opportunity to identify issues and priorities that may be addressed through legislative and administrative advocacy and amicus briefs to California and federal appellate courts; and WHEREAS, the City desires to be proactive and involved in the governmental, administrative and judicial decision-making process directly affecting the City of Ukiah and the League of California Cities; and WHEREAS, the platform will also be used when applicable on other local, regional, state, and federal matters not evaluated by the League; and WHEREAS, adoption of a 2021 Advocacy Platform enables the City Council and staff to react quickly to most legislative or administrative issues or the filing of amicus briefs as they arise; and WHEREAS, the 2021 Advocacy Platform can be provided to State and Federal representatives so they are made aware of the issues that are important to Ukiah; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to adopt the 2021 Advocacy Platform which provides overall guidance that allows the City Manager and the Mayor, or their designee, to send letters of support or opposition to the League, the local, state and federal legislatures and administrative agencies and to participate in amicus briefs to the state and federal appellate courts in certain instances. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Ukiah hereby adopts a "2021 Advocacy Platform," attached as "Exhibit A" to this Resolution. DULY AND REGULARLY ADOPTED this 17th day of February 2021. AYES: Councilmembers Crane, Rodin, Duenas, Brown, and Mayor Orozco NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None ATTEST: Juan V. Orozco, Mayor Kristine Lawler, City Clerk EXHIBIT A CITY OF UKIAH ADVOCACY PLATFORM 2021 PURPOSE OF PLATFORM The City of Ukiah recognizes the need for active legislative engagement at the local, state and federal levels to protect and enhance the interests of Ukiah's residents and businesses. Accordingly, City officials maintain close relationships with Ukiah's state and federal representatives to advocate, influence and monitor pertinent legislation. The purpose of this platform is to clearly outline the position of the City on priority issues and matters that impact the City's ability to operate effectively, while allowing consideration of additional legislative issues that arise during the legislative session. By doing this, the legislative process is streamlined by receiving clear direction at the beginning of the legislative session from the City Council on pertinent legislative issues. The League of California Cities is a primary resource for the City of Ukiah with respect to state and federal legislative or administrative agency matters affecting municipal government, and the following priorities are consistent with those of the League. The platform will also be used when applicable on other local, regional, state and federal matters not evaluated by the League, including administrative agency policies and rule-making, and appellate and Supreme Court cases in the California and federal courts. Platform priorities are intended to assist the Mayor, City Council, and staff to proactively and appropriately address legislation, administrative agency rule-making and precedent setting court cases to promote City interests and preserve local legislative authority if and when necessary. PRIORITIES The City of Ukiah takes the following positions and the Mayor and the City Manager may send corresponding letters of opposition or support without further City Council action and, whenever filing deadlines preclude prior City Council action, may authorize naming the City as a party to an amicus brief to be filed in state or federal court, provided the City incurs no cost to join the amicus brief. 1. The City values its ability and authority to exercise local control, enable excellent public services and protect and enhance the quality of life for Ukiah residents and businesses. The City supports efforts to streamline regulations that simplify the job of running the City and opposes efforts that erode the City's authority to control its own affairs. 2. The City opposes attempts to decrease, restrict or eliminate city revenue sources and opposes any efforts at the local, state or federal level to retain additional revenues currently dedicated to local government for state purposes. 3. The City opposes any regulations or legislative actions or court decision that would eliminate or limit the City's ability to provide utility services within the incorporated jurisdiction. 4. The City supports local, state and federal budget plans that provide sustainable, reliable funding for priority local government programs. 5. The City supports any legislative or regulatory action that increases the energy value for the electric customer. 6. The City supports the use of California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Cap and Trade program allowances and energy resources that are clean, renewable and cost effective. EXHIBIT A 7. The City supports increases in transportation funding for local street and road improvements to promote investing in the maintenance and rehabilitation of aging infrastructure. 8. The City embraces efforts to obtain funding for economic development and environmental initiatives, including planning and implementation of regional transportation and traffic congestion relief projects, and the creation of affordable housing. The City also supports legislation that provides incentives for job creation and retention, including legislation that increases funding and allowable uses for the Community Development Block Grant program. 9. The City supports policy that advocates for a clean environment and policy to improve environmental standards and promote sustainable energy policies. 10. The City supports legislation and policies that enable local officials to access resources to provide quality police, fire, emergency management, emergency medical services, youth violence prevention initiatives, and to engage the community in its own safety. 11. The City values a sustainable quality of life and supports parks and open space, recreation facilities, environmental and climate protection, resource conservation, libraries, arts and culture and legislation and policies that emphasize sustainable development. 12. The City supports legislation that provides Cities additional funding and tools and preserves local authority to address housing production, affordability, and homelessness challenges. 13. The City supports policy that helps improve disaster preparedness, recovery, and climate resiliency. 14. The City supports policy that promotes the sustainability of public pension and retirement health benefits. In most cases the City of Ukiah will not take positions on matters not affecting the primary scope and purpose of municipal government —for example, social issues or foreign policy, however such items can be brought forward to Council if appropriate. TRACKING The City Manager(or City Manager designee) will provide updates on important legislative issues and/or those matters that the City has stated a position on during the City Manager's comment section to City Council. Copies of all correspondence will be copied to City Council. The City Attorney will seek authorization to join amicus briefs, whenever possible, and will promptly notify and explain to the City Council any briefs in which the City joins without prior City Council approval. REVIEW This platform will be reviewed prior to each year's legislative session in January/February of each year.