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CC - (1) Designation of the City’s Voting Delegate and up to Two Alternate-Delegates for the 2018 League of California Cities Annual Conference; (2) Consideration of a Position on the League of California Cities’ Resolution Pertaining to Local Authority, Control, and Revenue and (3) Consideration of a Position on the League of California Cities’ Resolution Pertaining to Repealing Preemption of Regulating Pesticides at the Annual Conference.
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Meeting Date: August 27, 2018
Contact Person/Dept: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (08/21/18);
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar (08/21/18)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) designate the City’s Voting Delegate and up to Two Alternate-Delegates for the 2018 League of California Cities Annual Conference; (2) consider a position on the League of California Cities’ Resolution pertaining to local authority, control, and revenue and (3) consider a position on the League of California Cities’ Resolution pertaining repealing preemption of regulating pesticides at the Annual Conference.
BACKGROUND
The City of Culver City is a member of the League of California Cities (League). Each year, the League holds an Annual Conference during which time the General Assembly votes on various matters of policy, including any resolutions presented to the General Assembly in accordance with the League’s by-laws. This year’s annual League conference will take place in Long Beach from September 12 - 14, 2018.
In the past, a Resolution presented before the General Assembly was expected to be passed without much or any opposition (and the City Council had adopted a support position). However, based upon discussion at the General Assembly, the motion became the subject of significant conversation and debate amongst the delegates. As a result of this past situation, the City Council changed its practice to allow the Voting Delegate and Alternate Voting Delegate(s) sufficient discretion to react to a similar situation(s) should it arise at future conferences (and vote in a fully informed manner consistent with the general direction of the City Council). Accordingly, the City Council is requested to allow for some leeway for the Council Member voting at the General Assembly at the 2018 Annual Conference.
DISCUSSION
This year, Mayor Small has confirmed that he will be attending the 2018 Annual Conference. Vice Mayor Sahli-Wells has indicated that she is unable to attend. If a City Council Member indicates that he would like to attend this year’s conference, he can express interest to participate in the General Assembly voting process. The General Assembly will consider the following resolutions (Attachment) at 12:30 pm on Friday, September 14:
Resolution No. 1:
“A Resolution of the League of California Cities calling upon the League to respond to the increasing vulnerabilities to local municipal authority, control and revenue and explore the preparation of a ballot measure and/or constitutional amendment that would further strengthen local democracy and authority.”
The League states, “The City of Beverly Hills is sponsoring this resolution in reaction to their concerns over measures coming from the Legislature and the initiative process attempting to roll back local control and hinder cities from providing optimal services to their residents. By requesting the League to “assess” vulnerabilities and “explore” the preparation of a ballot measure that would further protect local authority, there are no proposals to be quantified. But it is presumed that the League would not pursue a measure that did not have positive impacts of further protecting local authority. For the League as an organization, however, the fiscal impact of sponsoring a ballot measure can be very expensive. It can take several million dollars to qualify a measure via signature gathering, and much more to fund an effective campaign and overcome organized opposition.”
Culver City’s Legislative and Policy Platform (Platform) regarding preemption of local authority both (1) supports efforts to protect and/or expand the City’s authority and rights over its affairs and (2) opposes efforts that preempt the current authority possessed by the City and delegate that authority to federal, state, or other government agencies. These statements inform a support position on Resolution No. 1.
Resolution No. 2:
“A Resolution of the League of California Cities declaring its commitment to support the repeal of preemption in California Food and Agriculture Code § 11501.1 that prevents local governments from regulating pesticides.”
Pesticides are regulated by federal and state governments. According to the League, “This resolution seeks to have the state and the League study the negative impacts of anticoagulant rodenticides and address the inability of cities to regulate the use of rodenticides and pesticides. Specifically related to anticoagulant rodenticides, the resolution would encourage the state to fund research into the negative impacts and a potential restriction or ban; direct the League to consider creating a task force to study and report on the unintended negative consequences; encourage cities and property owners to eliminate use; and encourage cities to join advocacy efforts. In addition, the resolution would direct the League to endorse repeal of a statute that preempts local regulation of pesticides. The City of Malibu is sponsoring this resolution out of concern about the effect of a certain type of rodent control (anticoagulant rodenticides) on other wildlife. According to the City [of Malibu], anticoagulant rodenticides disrupt the blood clotting process and therefore cause rodents to die from bleeding or hemorrhaging.”
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Neither designation of the Voting Delegate/Alternate Voting Delegate(s) nor taking a position on the resolutions create a fiscal impact on the City. However, should state or federal legislation change in accordance with the intent of the resolution, the City may experience a fiscal impact, the degree of which is difficult to estimate at this time. Additionally, if the City implements any additional programs or projects related to the Resolutions, there could be potential fiscal impacts. Staff would bring any future items related to this effort to the City Council for separate consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
2018-08-27 - ATT Annual Conference Resolution Packet
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Designate Mayor/Council Member _______________ as the Voting Delegate and Mayor/Council Member(s) ______________ __________ as Alternate Voting Delegate(s); and,
2. Take a position:
A. in support of Resolution Number 1 or;
B. opposition of Resolution Number 1; and
3. Take a position:
A. in support of Resolution Number 2 or;
B. in opposition of Resolution Number 2; and
4. Authorize the Voting Delegate and Alternate Voting Delegate to cast votes exercising reasonable discretion in the case circumstances at the General Assembly warrant a change in vote; or
5. Provide alternate direction as deemed appropriate.