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CC - Adoption of a Resolution (1) Approving the 2017 Legislative and Policy Platform that Guides the City’s Support of, or Opposition to State and Federal Legislation, and (2) Rescinding Resolution No. 2015-R002.
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Meeting Date: December 12, 2016
Contact Person/Dept: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (12/07/16);
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar (12/07/16)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution (1) approving the 2017 Legislative and Policy Platform (LPP) that guides the City’s support of, or opposition to state and federal legislation, and (2) rescinding Resolution No. 2015-R002.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the LPP is to publicly state the City’s positions on issues it faces and to provide the process by which its interests can be protected at the state and federal levels. The LPP conveys to legislators, policy makers, and the community where the City Council stands on important policy positions. The LPP, which is current and comprehensive, also allows the City to respond quickly to issues that could directly impact the City as a municipal organization, and to reach out to legislators to assist the City in communicating its interests at the state and federal level.
Culver City’s LPP outlines the City’s position on legislative matters and serves as the foundation for the City to take positions on state and federal legislation. The City Manager’s Office monitors state and federal legislation in coordination with City Departments and takes appropriate action when required in order to safeguard and/or advance the City’s interests.
At the January 12, 2015 City Council Meeting, the City Council approved the City’s current LPP, known as the Legislative Advocacy Program (LAP), and adopted Resolution No. 2015-R002. The LAP included the recommendations of Ad-Hoc Legislative Policies Subcommittee (then-Mayor Sahli-Wells and Council Member Clarke). On May 23, 2016, the City Council re-appointed Mayor Clarke and Council Member Sahli-Wells to the Subcommittee.
DISCUSSION
Staff has provided an opportunity for City Departments to review the current LAP. The proposed LPP has been developed using the guiding priorities of the City Council as established in the adopted Work Plans and past City Council actions. Additionally, staff has worked closely with the Ad Hoc Subcommittee Members to incorporate their recommended updates. The most substantive changes reflected in the LPP refer to “Airplane Overflights” (page 14) and “Civil and Human Rights” (page 15).
Consistent with the direction of the City Council, and as part of the two-year legislative cycle observed by the State Legislature and the United States Congress, updates to the LPP are regularly presented to the City Council during or immediately prior to January of odd numbered years (at the beginning of the Legislative Sessions). Therefore, the updated 2017-2019 LPP is presented for the City Council’s review and recommended adoption this evening.
At the state level, legislation often moves quickly through the Legislature and on to the Governor’s desk. Therefore, the City needs to be ready to advocate its position in an expeditious manner - either through written correspondence, speaking with legislators, or by testifying before a legislative body. Upon City Council adoption of the LPP, the City Manager’s Office will exercise day-to-day oversight of legislative matters. Staff within the City Manager’s Office will track and review legislation, as necessary, and will characterize the City’s position with respect to bills as follows:
1. Support: Legislation the City should support as drafted.
2. Oppose: Legislation the City should oppose as drafted.
3. Oppose unless amended: Legislation the City opposes unless amended.
4. Support if amended: Legislation the City supports if amended.
5. Watch: Legislation the City should continue to monitor.
Staff may initiate letters and contact legislative staff. Position letters will be signed by the Mayor. If the Mayor is unavailable, the Vice Mayor will have the authority to sign a position, within a timeframe that is determined by staff. Requests for signatures on position letters and testimony before committees are recommended by staff in accordance with the adopted LPP. Traditionally, all members of the City Council have the opportunity to provide testimony on the City’s position on a piece of legislation or action item that is in front of a legislative body. On occasion, the City Manager and key staff members have also communicated the City’s position regarding select issues.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this item. However, successful results from some of the program areas could mean protection of existing City revenues or receipt of additional funding for projects/programs that would benefit the City. Alternatively, outcomes from legislation that become law could have a negative fiscal impact to the City.
ATTACHMENTS
2016-12-12 - ATT Proposed Resolution and 2017 LPP
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution approving the 2017 LPP and rescinding Resolution No. 2015-R002; and
2. Authorize and direct the Mayor and Vice Mayor (as necessary), as representatives of the City Council to submit the appropriate documents and correspondence in keeping with the goals of the 2017 LPP; and
3. Authorize the testimony of any Member of the City Council before a legislative body, whereupon the position advocated is consistent with City Council policy and the 2017 LPP; and
4. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to provide testimony before a legislative body and/or executive branch department consistent with the 2017 LPP.