City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) approving the
implementation of the Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006 for use in
outlining legislative policies and activities and rescind Resolution No. 2005-R003.
BACKGROUND:
Since 1978, legislators and voters of California have enacted several measures that
have had the effect of limiting the autonomy, financial and otherwise, of local
governments. This has left many cities vulnerable to the impact of legislation that
diverts funds from local government coffers to help balance the State’s budget.
These past circumstances have created the necessity for local governments to raise
the level of attention paid to all legislative matters.
2005 Legislative Advocacy Program
At the January 24, 2005 City Council meeting, the Council adopted Resolution No.
2005-R003 which activated the Legislative Advocacy Program for 2005. The goal of
the 2005 program was to address the legislative needs of the City, define legislative
policy and set procedures. The adoption of these policies and procedures
streamlined City legislative activity and allowed City staff to respond to issues of
importance without seeking City Council direction on each and every item. The
previous legislative agendas were prepared with the input of City Departments and
members of the Legislative Liaison Committee, comprised of management level staff
members assigned to this task by their Department Head.
Meeting Date: 02/13/06 Item Number: A-2
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of a Resolution to Adopt the Legislative Advocacy
Program for 2006 and to Rescind Resolution No. 2005-R003.
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg Phone Number: (310) 253-6008
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification:
Master Notification List (02/08/06); Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White
(02/08/06); Joe A. Gonsalves and Son (02/08/06).
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (02/06/06)
CAO Approval:
Martin R. Cole for Jerry B. Fulwood
(02/06/06)
City Controller Approval:
n/aCity of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
The proposed Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006 (Attachment 1)
has taken into consideration prior legislative actions and the core principles of the
Advocacy Program, resulting in a working document that addresses the City’s
legislative priorities at both the State and Federal levels.
The core principles and positions of the 2006 Legislative Agenda include a broad
range of topics:
Air/Water Quality
Arts
City Revenues
City’s Liability
Economic Development
Employment
Energy
Entertainment
Homeless Assistance
Housing
Parks & Recreation
Preemption of Local Authority
Public Notification
Public Safety & Crime Prevention
Public Works
Redevelopment
Senior & Social Services
State Mandates
Tax Base
Telecommunications
Transportation
Youth & Education
The creation of the proposed Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006 included a
review of the Legislative Program from 2005. City departments also reviewed and
contributed to the proposed position statements. The use of the Legislative
Advocacy Program will supplement the efforts of the City’s lobbyist Copeland
Lowery Jacquez Denton & White (Federal) and Joe A. Gonsalves and Son (State).
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Resolution and Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006.
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Rescind Resolution No. 2005-R003; and
2. Adopt the Resolution approving the implementation of the Culver City Legislative
Advocacy Program for 2006; and
3. Authorize and direct the Mayor, Redevelopment Agency Chair, or designee as
agent for the City of Culver City, to submit the appropriate documents and
correspondence in keeping with the goals of the Culver City Legislative Advocacy
Program for 2006.
MEETING DATE February 13, 2006
AGENDA ITEM Consideration of a Resolution to Adopt the Legislative
Advocacy Program for 2006 and to Rescind Resolution
No 2005-R003
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1 Proposed Resolution and Culver City Legislative
1-9
Advocacy Program for 2006RESOLUTION NO 2006-R
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CULVER CITY LEGISLATIVE
ADVOCACY PROGRAM FOR 2006 AND RESCINDING
RESOLUTION NO 2005-R003
WHEREAS, since 1978, the voters of California have enacted several
measures that have had the effect of limiting the financial autonomy of local governments,
WHEREAS, the City of Culver City desires to maintain control over its
revenues and all decisions that affect Culver City,
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the City of Culver City to increase the level of
attention it pays to all legislative matters,
WHEREAS, the Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006 will
coordinate and streamline legislative activities, and respond to various governmental
relations situations comprehensively, and,
WHEREAS, the Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006 will set
the principles for policies and procedures and guidelines for action|10101010101010101010 10
10|11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
(jam)(jam)|101010101010101010 10
10|11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City, California,
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, as follows
SECTION 1 Resolution No 2005-R003, which approved the Culver City
Legislative Agenda for 2005, is hereby rescinded
SECTION 2 The City Council of the City of Culver City does hereby approve
the implementation of the Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006, which is
attached hereto as Exhibit A of this Resolution
APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of 2006
ALBERT VERA, MAYOR
City of Culver City, California
ATTEST APPROVED AS TO FORM
CHRISTOPHER ARM ENTA
CAROL A SCHWAB
City Clerk
City Attorney
A05 00735
-2-eu€wJt CIT
Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006
PRIORITY ISSUES for the
2005-2006 State Legislative Session and the
109th Congress
City of Culver City
City Council
Contact
Shelly Wolfberg, Intergovernmental Relations Officer - 310-253-6008
3ettilleit, TY Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006|1010|Economic Stability & Financial Development
Economic Development
• Support efforts to develop and promote policies, legislation and grants that help
urban areas foster greater economic opportunity
• Support efforts to retain, expand, and attract businesses to the City that create
jobs compatible with the local workforce and tax revenues for the local economy
Tax Base
• Support legislation that would result in a more equitable distribution of sales tax
to the City
• Support efforts to simplify the collection of sales taxes nationwide and provide an
equitable method for collecting sales taxes for Internet and catalog sales
• Support efforts to exempt cities from paying State sales tax
• Oppose any actions that attempt to dilute the City's tax base
• Oppose legislation that compromises the City's ability to compose and/or collect
appropriate business license fees from Culver City businesses
• Support legislation that seeks a balance in overall revenue structure between
stable and economically sensitive revenues
• Support the development of legislation to assess a franchise fee or tax on
telecommunication and cable modem services
State Mandates
• Support legislation that seeks a balance between local government mandated
obligations and State funding for implementation
• Oppose any legislation that would place a mandate on the City without providing
the funds necessary to carry out the mandated program Render mandates
invalid if not fully funded
• Oppose any legislation that would require any mandated obligations to continue
after funding for the mandate has been eliminated
City Revenues
• Support legislation that would favorably address the State/local government fiscal
relationship, including the capping and or return of ERAF (Educational Revenue
Augmentation Fund) dollars to cities
• Oppose any legislation that would reduce the amount of revenues to the General
Fund and Redevelopment Agency from the State or Governor
• Oppose any legislation that would reduce the City's autonomy and flexibility in
dealing with the financing of public service
L2CliettelL CiTY Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006
Community Development
Housing
• Support legislation that allows local government to make decisions regarding
housing density levels
• Support legislation that pursues fair and equitable housing development
• Support clarification and streamlining of the Regional Housing Needs
Assessment process
• Support legislative efforts and seek grants that promote the development and
enhancement of affordable housing within the City
Redevelopment
• Support legislation that acknowledges redevelopment agencies efforts to
positively impact business growth, revitalize communities and remove blight
through various redevelopment projects that increase locally generated revenue
• Support efforts to preserve redevelopment-funding mechanisms and do not
impair redevelopment agencies ability to meet existing legal and contractual
obligations
• Oppose mandates or restrictions placed on the use of redevelopment funds or
eminent domain practices
• Oppose efforts to usurp local zoning authority
• Support legislation that upholds the Culver City Redevelopment Agency's
Redevelopment Plan
Employment
• Support efforts that will enhance the City and the region's ability to create a
strong, viable, and productive workforce
• Support efforts to reform workers' compensation statutes to simplify the system
and reduce costs to employers
• Monitor efforts to mandate increases in health benefit levels or increase the
City's cost for changes to benefit levels for active employees
• Oppose legislation that precludes the City's right to negotiate employee pension
benefits
• Support legislation that would allow local governments to withdraw from
participation in FICA and Social Security if they have other retirement programs
in place
3Cuivoz,
Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006
Environment
Air/Water Quality
• Support efforts and seek grants, including partnerships with the private sector, to
provide assistance to environmental clean-up projects
• Support efforts to improve clean-up and improvements for waterways that affect
the City
• Seek federal funds to support the assessment of water quality and the cleaning
of Ballona Creek
• Support reasonable environmental regulations aimed at enhancing air and water
quality that provides for corresponding funding mechanisms and will not become
a financial burden to the City
• Support legislation that improves air quality in Culver City and surrounding areas
• Support legislation and grants that encourage the use of innovative, clean
burning alternative fuels for vehicles
• Support measures that would reduce the cost of compliance with environmental
regulations
Energy
• Support efforts to preserve municipalities' opportunity to provide energy
alternatives to residents and businesses and to maintain a utility established rate
structure that is fair and equitable for the City and its residents
• Support legislation that promotes reliable affordable energy for businesses and
residents
Community Safety
Public Safety & Crime Prevention
• Support legislation and pursue grants to fund new technology and equipment and
improve and replace existing technology and equipment for Police and Fire
• Support legislation and pursue grants that would provide funding for public safety
facilities
• Support legislation that provides funding for equipment, training, and exercises
that enhance local capabilities to mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover from
terrorist attacks
• Support efforts to maintain City reimbursements for overtime costs paid to public
safety personnel for required appearances in State and/or County courts
4Calvet.
Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006
Neighborhood Development
Homeless Assistance
• Support efforts to reduce homelessness and increase services to the homeless
both locally and regionally
• Aggressively seek grant funding to assist with the City's homeless programs
Arts
• Support legislative efforts and grant opportunities that assist the City in obtaining
funding for community arts programming
Parks & Recreation
• Support legislation and grants to fund parks and recreation, capital
improvements, and programs to increase the quality of life for Culver City
residents
• Support legislation that would allow funding for parks and recreation to be used
for maintenance and operations
• Explore legislation and seek grants that are intended to serve dense urban
areas
• Support legislation that limits the City's liability at park and recreation facilities to
instances when the City has acted negligently
Senior & Social Services
• Support efforts to maintain or increase funding for senior housing and nutrition
programs, disabled services, paratransit services, and intergenerational care
programs
• Support legislation that would allow for funding for educational, recreational and
physical fitness related programs for seniors
• Support legislation and seek grants that provide financial relief for cities in
making facilities and other public places accessible as mandated by the ADA
Youth & Education
• Support legislation and grants that enhance the services provided to children and
families
• Support legislation and grants that promote the efforts of the City's youth
diversion and intervention programs
• Support legislation and seek grants that enhance the services provided to
children, parents, and families, including early education programs
• Support and collaborate with Culver City Unified School District to secure funding
that assists in enhancement and further development of K-12 education
5et dt /V I,
Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006
Transportation
• Support efforts to maintain and increase funding for transportation programs and
projects throughout the City
• Support the implementation the Metro Exposition Light Rail Project with grade
separated crossings and an aerial station
• Support efforts to increase funding for the Red Line Light Rail extension, the l-
10/Robertson Interchange and other projects that will help relieve traffic
congestion in the Westside subregion
• Support efforts to enhance and protect state, local and federal funding for Culver
City's mass transit and transportation projects
Public Works
• Support legislative efforts to ensure that the City maintains public rights-of-way
control and allow the City to collect fair compensation for its use
• Support efforts to maintain and increase funding for streets and roads
maintenance and transportation infrastructure programs throughout the City
• Oppose legislation that would compromise local control in regards to refuse
collection, recycling, hazardous materials handling, and landfill operations
• Oppose legislation that would compromise local control in regards to sewer
operations and treatment
• Support legislation that preserves the right of local government to set fee
structures
• Support efforts to identify funding for cogeneration unit upgrades or installations
• Support legislation that promotes funding solar energy and photovoltaic
technology
• Support efforts to identify increased funding and grants for traffic mitigation and
congestion management
Telecommunications
• Support legislation that provides individual universal access to the Internet along
with schools and libraries
• Support legislative efforts to ensure that the City receives the maximum benefit
from Internet commerce
• Support legislation that enables Municipal Broadband Wireless Deployment
(6e
6Cuittoz. c
Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006
Additional Issues
Preemption of Local Authority
•
Oppose any legislation intended to preempt the current authority possessed by
the City and delegates that authority to the State or other government agencies
• Support legislation that protects and/or expands the City's authority and rights
over its affairs
Entertainment
• Support legislative efforts to keep film production and post production in the State
of California
• Support the California Legislature and the federal government in their efforts at
the federal level to maintain film and television production in the United States
City's Liability
• Support legislation and policies that shield cities from being treated as deep
pockets
• Support legislation that limits liability to instances when cities have acted
negligently
• Support legislation limiting the instances when cities have to pay damages
without having acted negligently
Public Notification
• Support legislation that allows electronic mail (e-mail) as an accepted form of
communication for mandated notifications|1013|