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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2001-005 RESOLUTION NO. 2001-005 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATASCADERO ESTABLISHING THE CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION PROGRAM AND PRIORITIES FOR 2001 WHEREAS, the major objective of the City Council is to adopt an aggressive legislative program which strengthens local government, promotes City goals and defends the City against legislative actions by State and Federal governments that would weaken local government and/or take away traditional revenue sources; and WHEREAS, it is vital to the fiscal health and the self determination of the City to effectively communicate with State Legislators and Federal representatives in order to favorably influence State and Federal legislation, regulations and grant requests; and WHEREAS, the League of California Cities conducts a legislative analysis and advocacy program on behalf of cities for State issues and major Federal issues; and WHEREAS, the County has a direct impact upon the quality of life in Atascadero, it is imperative that the City maintain quality communications and WHEREAS, the City desires to be proactive and involved in the governmental decision making processes directly affecting the City legislative priorities identified in Exhibit "A", and other selected issues as may from time to time be recommended by the League of California Cities; and WHEREAS, a key component of the City's Legislative Action Program is face to face meetings between City representatives and elected officials at the Federal, State, and County levels, and coordination with similar efforts made by other local government entities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Atascadero does hereby establish the Legislative Action Priorities for 2001, as set forth in the City of Atascadero Exhibit A Resolution No.2001-005 Page 2 attached Exhibit "A", and authorizes staff to take positions on legislation generally consistent with the Legislation Action Priorities and such other resolutions and recommendations of the League of California Cities as may be from time to time presented to the City. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City staff is directed to schedule meetings, as appropriate and convenient, with our Congressional, State Senate and State Assembly representatives to discuss and promote the City's legislative program, and to continue efforts to improve communications and relationships with the County Board of Supervisors and north county cities to further our interests in land use and water issues. Upon motion of Council Member Johnson and seconded by Council Member Luna, the foregoing Resolution was approved on the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Clay, Johnson, Luna, Scalise and Mayor Arrambide NOES: None ABSENT: None The foregoing Resolution was adopted this 23rd day of January, 2001. _ J. chael Arrambide, Mayor ATTEST: Marcia McClure Torgerson, City cV&rk APP VED AS TO FORM: Roy . Hanley, City Atto ey City of Atascadero Exhibit A Resolution No.2001-005 Page 3 CITY OF ATASCADERO CITY LEGISLATIVE ACTION PRIORITIES FOR 2001 FEDERAL PRIORITIES • Requiring funding of federally mandated programs or eliminating such mandates • Promoting continued and increased funding sources for transportation • Obtaining new funding sources to expand low and moderate income housing • Supporting legislation that provides regulatory relief to local government in complying with the Fair Labor Standards Act and overtime provisions for exempt employees • Supporting continued funding for the Land and Water Conservation Grant Program • Supporting legislation which strengthens the ability of cities to control their public rights-of— way and apply zoning regulations relative to the telecommunications industry • Supporting legislation to increase the availability of grant funding to replace aging infrastructure of all types; e.g.: streets, bridges, water and sewer systems, etc. • Supporting legislation which assists welfare reform to work in a positive way and provides funding for the social service programs of local non-profit organizations • Obtaining cooperation and prompt approval from the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers for necessary flood control projects • Supporting legislative action to retain the existing process of local judicial review of land use decisions, thus avoiding preemptory, premature intrusion of federal courts into matters best known to local authorities at the local level • Opposing mandatory social security for newly hired local governmental employees • Promoting Federal efforts toward preservation of open space, coastal resources, signature land forms, wetlands, and other natural resources or areas threatened by development (Position must be reviewed by Council prior to any action) City of Atascadero Exhibit A Resolution No.2001-005 Page 4 STATE PRIORITIES FINANCE • Supporting efforts to protect the City from loss of revenues due to State mandates • Supporting legislation that strengthens opportunities for local fiscal independence • Returning ERAF • Supporting legislation to cap the growth of ERAF • Supporting efforts to "protect,preserve and reform" local government revenue sources" • Supporting legislation which better assures any reductions in Vehicle License Fees by the State will be back-filled to local government in a permanent way COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT • Opposing mandated State approval of local General Plan Elements, such as implementing and compliance with State General Plan Housing element law • Promoting funding sources to encourage the retrofitting of unreinforced masonry buildings • Promoting State efforts toward preservation of open space, coastal resources, signature land forums, wetlands, and other natural resources or areas threatened by development (position must be reviewed by Council prior to any action) • Promoting realistic housing requirements in the Housing Element • Promoting the concept of Urban Growth Boundaries • Promote the City of Atascadero's Principles for Smart Growth as adopted by the City Council PUBLIC SAFETY • Preserving city's authority to investigate police misconduct • Preserving city's authority to establish emergency medical service levels • Increasing City authority to regulate group homes for juvenile offenders • Continuing support for disaster preparedness/earthquake preparedness • Supporting efforts to secure higher levels of cost recovery for DUI's City of Atascadero Exhibit A Resolution No.2001-005 Page 5 • Supporting efforts to expand the scope of parental responsibility for crimes committed by minors • Supporting efforts to provide the Governor with authority to override the parole board when anyone convicted of a violent offense is proposed to be released on parole • Preserving the authority of local control on issuance of concealed weapons permits • Retaining budget commitments for Public Safety supplemental funding — State COPS program • Supporting legislation to help curb underage drinking • Supporting another ABC inspector to work on minor/alcohol issues • Supporting legislation enhancing penalties for inmate offenses at the State Hospital • Opposing new or increased state fees for state provided law enforcement service • Support legislation enhancing Megan's Law or regulating the movement of registered sex offenders TRANSPORTATION • Changing Gas tax laws to allow local tax for transportation purposes based on a majority vote of the public • Increasing transportation funding (including transit, bicycles, others) PERSONNEL/EMPLOYEE RELATIONS • Further reforming Worker's compensation • Preserving the fiscal integrity of PERS • Opposing binding arbitration and expansion of the "Peace Officers' Bill of Rights" • Monitoring employee healthcare/benefit changes • Opposing the establishment of the Public Employees Relations Board (PERB) as an authority over local government employee relations disputes City of Ataseadero Exhibit A Resolution No.2001-005 Page 6 PUBLIC WORKS • Better defining "qualified" bidders in public contracts bidding • Redefining Prevailing wages as "average" local wages • Streamlining Federal and State process for funding street projects • Increase to $20,000 limits of work (from $5,000) for public projects not requiring competitive bidding • Obtaining grant funding for seismic retrofit projects (buildings, bridges, etc.) PARKS AND RECREATION • Supporting recreational programming , particularly for youth within the City • Supporting funding for: protection of natural resources (e.g., the Lake), open space, and parks development • Supporting funding for rehabilitation of existing parks • Supporting efforts at the State level for a park and open space bond measure • Obtaining grant funding for a Community Center • Improving the timeliness and accuracy of fingerprinting for volunteers • Obtaining grant funding for the preservation of historic buildings UTILITIES • Providing funding for reclaimed water programs • Supporting legislation to enhance local government's ability to comply with solid waste requirements • Support Statewide action to protect residents from volatile energy markets • Supporting legislation to increase availability of grant funding for replacement of aging infrastructure • Supporting legislation promoting the responsible and cost-effective reuse of biosolids • Supporting legislation to streamline the state regulatory permit process through the use of general permits City of Atascadero Exhibit A Resolution No.2001-005 Page 7 COUNTY PRIORITIES • Protect Atascadero water resources, and continue to support the Nacimiento Pipeline Project • Developing consistency between the City and County General Plans, particularly to emphasize the concepts that (1) urban development should be municipal, and (2) unincorporated areas shall remain rural, agricultural, or open space in character • Creating a North County Government Center in Atascadero • Improving regional solid waste management • Developing cooperative approaches for providing services on a regional basis • Discussing and resolving issues on the City periphery, such as conversion of agricultural zoning to residential subdivision and industrial use, allowing increases in density in residential and industrial areas, allowing substantial development beyond the City's urban reserve line and giving greater credence to and respecting the integrity of the City's planning process • Continuing to work with other cities to convince the County that urban-like development should take place within the boundaries of cities, and not in the unincorporated areas — and especially not within the urban growth boundaries of cities