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 2007 for use in
outlining legislative policies and activities and rescind Resolution No. 2006-R008.
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.
2006 Legislative Advocacy Program
At the February 13, 2006 City Council meeting, the Council adopted Resolution No.
2006-R008 which activated the Legislative Advocacy Program for 2006. The goal of
the 2006 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-2
AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Implementation of the
Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program for 2007 and Rescinding Resolution
No. 2006-R008.
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg,
Intergovernmental Relations Officer
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 (02/07/2007).
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (02/05/2007)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Iker 02-07-07)
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang (02/08/2007)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (02/08/2007)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 2007 (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 2007 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 2007 included a
review of the Legislative Program from 2006. 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 fiscal impact for adoption of this resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
Proposed Resolution and Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program for 2007.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Adopt the Resolution approving the implementation of the Culver City Legislative
Advocacy Program for 2007 and rescinding Resolution No. 2006-R008; 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 2007; 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 2007.
4. Authorize the City Manager or his/her designee to provide testimony before a
legislative body and/or executive branch department consistent with the City
Council adopted Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program.
MEETING DATE: February 12, 2007
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of a Resolution to Adopt the Legislative
Advocacy Program for 2007 and to Rescind Resolution
No. 2006-R008.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Proposed Resolution and Culver City Legislative
1-2
Advocacy Program for 2007.
2. Exhibit "A" 3-10(jam)|101010101010101010 10
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RESOLUTION NO. 2007-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 2007 AND RESCINDING
RESOLUTION NO. 2007-R008.
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 2007 will
coordinate and streamline legislative activities, and respond to various governmental
relations situations comprehensively; and,
WHEREAS, the Culver City Legislative Advocacy Program for 2007 will set
the principles for policies and procedures and guidelines for action.(jam)|101010101010101010
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NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City, California,
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, as follows:
SECTION 1. Resolution No. 2006-R008, which approved the Culver City
Legislative Agenda for 2006, 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 2007, which is
attached hereto as Exhibit A of this Resolution.
APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of 2007.
GARY SILBIGER, MAYOR
City of Culver City, California
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CHRISTOPHER ARMENTA CAROL A. SCHWAB
City Clerk City Attorney
-2-Exhibit A
Legislative Advocacy Program for 2007
PRIORITY ISSUES for the
2007 State Legislative Session and the
110 th Congress
City of Culver City
City Council
Adopted , 2007
Contact:
Shelly Woltberg, Intergovernmental Relations Officer: 310-253-6008
shelly.wolfberci@culvercity.ord www.culvercity.orq
3Legislative Advocacy Program for 2007
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.
• Support efforts to ensure that requirements and government mandates for local
businesses are feasible.
Tax Base
• Support legislation that would protect the distribution of sales tax to the City and
benefit Culver City as a "low property tax" City.
• Support legislation that mitigates the impacts of the "Triple Flip" as well as other
modes that have delayed or inhibited the City's ability to receive revenues.
• 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.
ii
2Legislative Advocacy Program for 2007
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.
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 mandates relative to health care costs in the public and private sector.
3Legislative Advocacy Program for 2007
• 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.
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.
• Support Community Choice Aggregation that permits any city, county or city and
county to aggregate the electric loads of residents, businesses and municipal
facilities to facilitate the economical purchase and sale of electrical energy.
Balance the abilities of both municipal utilities and independently operated
utilities.
4Legislative Advocacy Program for 2007
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,
including resources to support the Interagency Interoperability Communications
System (ICIS).
• Support legislation and pursue grants that would provide funding for public safety
facilities, including resources to support the construction of Fire Station #3.
• Support legislation that provides funding for equipment, training, educational
materials and exercises that enhance local capabilities to mitigate, prepare,
respond, and recover from small to large scale incidents.
• Support efforts to maintain City reimbursements for personnel costs paid to
public safety employees for training and required appearances in State and/or
County courts.
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.
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Legislative Advocacy Program for 2007
• 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.
Transportation
• Support efforts to maintain and increase funding for transportation operations,
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, landfill operations, and the
safe transport of waste both interstate and intrastate.
• 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.Legislative Advocacy Program for 2007
• 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.
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, television, and commercial advertisement
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.
7Legislative Advocacy Program for 2007
Public Notification
• Support legislation that allows electronic mail (e-mail) as an accepted form of
communication for mandated notifications.
Code Enforcement
• Oppose legal requirements and constraints that would inhibit the City's ability to
perform nuisance abatement related to conditions, activities and places.
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