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CC - (1) Designation of the City’s Voting Delegate and up to Two Alternate-Delegates for the 2021 League of California Cities Annual Conference; and (2) Consider Positions on League of California Cities Resolutions Pertaining to Online Sales Tax Equity and Securing Railroad Property Maintenance.
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Meeting Date: September 13, 2021
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: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (09/08/2021)
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar (09/08/2021)
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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 2021 League of California Cities Annual Conference; and (2) consider positions on League of California Cities Resolutions Pertaining to online sales tax equity and securing railroad property maintenance.
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 Sacramento from September 22 - 24, 2021.
In the past, a Resolution presented before the General Assembly at a prior League Conference was expected to be passed without much or any opposition, and the City Council had directed the City Council Voting Delegate to vote in support of said Resolution. However, based upon discussion at the General Assembly, the League Resolution became the subject of significant conversation and debate amongst the delegates, and it was unclear whether the City Council Voting Delegate could take a position different than the City Council had previously authorized. 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 2021 Annual Conference.
DISCUSSION
A part of the 2021 Annual Conference is the Annual Business Meeting (during the General Assembly), which is scheduled for Friday, September 24. At this meeting, the League membership considers and votes on resolutions that establish League policy. This year, Mayor Fisch, Vice Mayor Lee, and Council Member Eriksson have confirmed that they will be participating in the Annual Conference. If a City Council Member indicates that he or she would like to attend this year’s conference, s/he can express interest to participate in the General Assembly voting process.
The League has distributed two Resolutions (attached):
Resolution Number One: Online Sales Tax Equity
The title of the first Resolution is as follows: “Resolution of the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) Calling on the State Legislature to Pass Legislation that Provides for a Fair and Equitable Distribution of the Bradley Burns 1% Local Sales Tax from In-State Online Purchases, Based on Data where Products are Shipped to, and that Rightfully Takes into Consideration the Impacts that Fulfillment Centers have on Host Cities but also Provides a Fair Share to California Cities that do not and/or Cannot Have a Fulfillment Center within their Jurisdiction.”
If this resolution becomes legislation and then becomes law, up to $1.3 million in annual Culver City sales tax revenue would be protected. Additionally, the City’s Legislative and Policy Platform supports protecting the distribution of sales tax to the City and opposes efforts that divert revenues from cities by the federal or state government.
Resolution Number Two: Securing Railroad Property Maintenance
The title of the second Resolution is as follows: “A Resolution Calling upon the Governor and the Legislature to Provide Necessary Funding for the CPUC to Fulfill its Obligation to Inspect Railroad Lines to Ensure that Operators are Removing Illegal Dumping, Graffiti and Homeless Encampments that Degrade the Quality of Life and Results in Increased Public Safety Concerns for Communities and Neighborhoods that degrade the quality of Life and Results in Increased Public Safety Concerns for Communities and Neighborhoods that Abut the Railroad Right-of-Way.”
Culver City is served by a Metro light rail line - the E-Line. Metro is regulated by the CPUC safety guidelines at rail crossings that intersect with streets. Metro works with its contracted law enforcement agencies (Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and Long Beach Police Department), social workers, and PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) to help relocate unhoused individuals on Metro cars and property and get them services and housing.
The City’s Legislative and Policy Platform does not have any positions regarding rail lines or rail property.
The City Council is being requested to designate this year’s Annual League Conference Voting Delegate/Alternate Voting Delegate(s) and consider taking positions on the resolutions.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Neither designation of the Voting Delegate/Alternate Voting Delegate(s) nor taking positions on the resolutions create a fiscal impact on the City.
ATTACHMENTS
2021-09-13 - ATT 2021 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 1 or;
B. in opposition of Resolution 1
3. Take a position:
A. in support of Resolution 2 or;
B. in opposition of Resolution 2
4. Authorize the Voting Delegate and Alternate Voting Delegate to cast a vote exercising reasonable discretion in the case circumstances at the General Assembly warrant a change in vote; or
5. Provide alternate direction as deemed appropriate.