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Title:
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Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Implementation of the Legislative Advocacy Program for 2008 and Rescinding Resolution No. 2007-R005.
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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 2008 for use in
outlining legislative policies and activities and rescind Resolution No. 2007-R005.
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.
While circumstances for local governments have improved over the past three years
(especially with the passage of Proposition 1A in 2004), local governments must
continue to be vigilant in preserving local government’s ability to best serve their
constituents.
2007 Legislative Advocacy Program
At the February 12, 2007 City Council meeting, the Council adopted Resolution No.
2007-R005 which activated the Legislative Advocacy Program for 2007. The goal of
the 2007 program was to address the legislative needs of the City, define legislative
policy and set procedures for advancing that program. 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
Meeting Date: 02/12/07 Item Number: A-4
AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Implementation of the
Legislative Advocacy Program for 2008 and Rescinding Resolution No. 2007-
R005.
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 (02/06/08).
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (02/04/08)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (02/06/08)
Fiscal Impact Review:
Jeff Muir (02/06/08)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (02/06/08) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Departments and members of the Legislative Liaison Committee, comprised of
management level staff members assigned to this task by their Department Head.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program for 2008 (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 2008 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 2008 included a
review of the Legislative Program from 2007. The use of the Legislative Advocacy
Program will supplement the efforts of the City’s lobbyists: CJ Strategies (federal)
and Joe A. Gonsalves and Son (state).
At the state level, legislation often moves quickly through the legislature and to the
Governor’s desk. Therefore, the City needs to be ready to advocate its position in
an expeditious manner-either through written correspondence or by testifying before
a legislative body. As such, it is staff’s recommendation that the Vice Mayor be
given the authority to sign a position letter in the event the Mayor is unavailable to
sign the letter within a timeframe that is determined by staff or the City’s lobbyist.
Staff also recommends the same procedure be applicable to the Redevelopment
Agency Chair with regards to the authority of the Vice Chair. Requests for
signatures on position letters and testimony before committees will be recommended
by staff and our lobbyists in accordance with the adopted Legislative Advocacy
Program. Staff recommends that a process be established to include all members of City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
the City Council to allow for testimony on the City’s position on a piece of legislation
or action item that is in front of a legislative body.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this item. 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 Culver City.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Resolution and Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program for 2008.
2. Exhibit “A”
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Adopt the Resolution approving the implementation of the Culver City Legislative
Advocacy Program for 2008 and rescinding Resolution No. 2007-R005; and
2. Authorize and direct the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Redevelopment Agency Chair,
Redevelopment Agency Vice Chair as agents 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 2008; 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 Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program for 2008; and
4. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to provide testimony before a
legislative body and/or executive branch department consistent with the City
Council adopted Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program.