HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 180-16 Approving Legislative Platform 2017 RESOLUTION NO. 180 — 16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
APPROVING THE CITY OF DUBLIN LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2017
WHEREAS, the Legislative Platform ("Platform") for the City of Dublin for 2017 allows City
Staff to respond quickly in support of, or in opposition to, legislative issues based on Dublin's core
values and City Council goals, especially in time-sensitive situations; and
WHEREAS, the Platform also permits City Staff to connect and communicate with legislators
regarding issues and impacts from the City's perspective; and
WHEREAS, the Platform is an evolving document that changes due to City needs and
conditions as well as federal, state, county and local priorities and activities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin adopts the
City of Dublin Legislative Platform 2017 attached hereto as Exhibit A.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor or his or her designee is authorized to sign
letters of opposition or letters of support, as drafted by City Staff for legislation as long as they are
consistent with the Platform.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of December, 2016, by the following
vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Biddle, Goel, Gupta, Hernandez and Mayor Haubert
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
r
Mayo
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Reso No. 180-16, Adopted 12/20/2016, Item No. 4.10 Page 1 of 1
I
• NNYNNR � 4 .r € v
»`
NN WOW �,.' " � s a ° ' T.
azk �t9 I 4k
t q
I �
I,
f
City of Dublin
Legislative
Platform 2017
Legislative Platform: Goals, Strategies and Priorities
likre
DUBLIN
CALIFORNIA
City of Dublin Legislative Platform 2017
. . •
Our Mission
The City of Dublin promotes and supports a high quality of life,ensures a safe and secure environment,
and fosters new opportunities.
Our Vision
Dublin is a vibrant city committed to its citizens, natural resources, and cultural heritage.As Dublin
grows, it will balance history with progress,to sustain an enlightened, economically balanced and
diverse community.
Dublin is unified in its belief that an engaged and educated community encourages innovation in all
aspects of City life, including programs to strengthen our economic vitality and preserve our natural
surroundings through environmental stewardship and sustainability. Dublin is dedicated to promoting
an active and healthy lifestyle through the creation of first-class recreational opportunities,facilities,
and programs.
Our Values
Our Values in Building Community Our Values in Governing
o Promote locations and events that bring o Commit to openness and responsiveness
people of all ages together. to the public and community.
o Provide more venues for family-based o Operate at all times with honesty and
activities. integrity.
o Foster heritage and cultural development. o Exercise fairness in consideration of issues.
o Provide a high level of customer service
Our Values in Ensuring a Safe Community and responsiveness from City staff to
o Provide high quality police and fire citizens.
services to insure the safety of the citizens o Embrace technology to improve
living in the community. effectiveness and efficiency.
o Provide education and training to o Strive to build an informed community
residents and businesses that would through communication.
promote public safety.
Our Values in Relating to Other Communities and
Our Values in Guiding Development Entities
o Assure that development contributes o Encourage collaboration and
positively to the City's fiscal health. communication with other communities
o Support pedestrian-friendly development, on issues of mutual concern.
transit-oriented development,green o Encourage public and private partnership
building, and environmental of mutual benefit.
responsiveness.
o Promote high quality design and
architectural standards in private
development and in all public facilities.
o Develop transportation systems that
facilitate ease of movement throughout
the City.
11
City of Dublin Legislative Platform 2017
. . •
Introduction
The 2017 Legislative Platform highlights the City Council's positions on important issues to engage in the
legislative process for the benefit of Dublin residents. City Staff monitors bills introduced into the
California Assembly or Senate as well as their path towards becoming a law. The Platform provides Staff
with direction and allows the City, on the Council's behalf,to quickly respond in support of or opposition
to bills and other legislative or gubernatorial actions in time-sensitive situations. Additionally,the
Platform enables staff to communicate Dublin specific issues and impacts to state legislators.
The Legislative Platform evolves as the City's needs adjust, new issues arise, and conditions at
the federal,state, regional, county, and local level change. The City values its ability and authority
to exercise local control and to protect and enhance the quality of life for Dublin residents.To
that end,the City's primary legislative focus is to protect local government control and promote stable
revenue for local governments to plan for future growth and needed public facilities and services.
The City of Dublin Legislative Platform priorities are:
> General Administration
➢ Fiscal Stability
> Public Works
➢ Community and Economic Development
> Public Safety
> Parks/Quality of Life
> Environmental Sustainability
Goals
✓ Advocate the City's legislative interests at the federal,state, and county levels.
✓ Inform and provide information to our legislators,city council and staff on the legislative process
and key issues and legislation that could have a potential impact on the City.
✓ Serve as an active participant with other local governments,the League of California Cities,
regional agencies, and local professional organizations on legislative/regulatory issues that are
important to the City and our region.
Strategies
• Communicate legislative positions on proposed federal,state, and county legislation, measures,
initiatives,and governmental regulations.
o Work with City departments and our legislative advocates to develop positions on
proposed legislative measures.
o Review positions and analysis by the League of California Cities, legislative advocates
and other local government/professional associations in formulating the City's
position.
o The City will take positions only on proposals that clearly impact our City or are a threat
to local control.
City of Dublin Legislative Platform 2017
• • •
o Actively track key bills through the legislative process.
o Communicate the City's position through correspondence,testimony,and in-person
meetings.
o Work cooperatively with other cities, associations and the League of California Cities on
advocating the City's legislative position.
o Meet with legislators and their representatives, as well as other federal,state and
county government officials on a regular basis,to discuss local government issues,
proposed legislation, request for funding assistance, and City programs and services.
The Process
Oversight of the Legislative Platform
Upon the Legislative Platform adoption,the City Manager's Office will exercise day-to-day oversight of
legislative matters. In addition to coordinating formal action through the City Council,the City Manager
and Assistant to the City Manager will administer the City's Legislative Platform.
Responding to Legislative Proposals
Upon the Legislative Platform adoption,the following process will be followed in response to legislative
proposals:
• Once a determination has been made that a legislative proposal may impact the City, a letter
outlining the City's position will be drafted for the Mayor's or City Manager's signature.
• If a legislative proposal or regulation arises that is not addressed by the adopted Legislative
Platform and it is determined that it may impact the City, a draft position letter will be prepared
for the City Council to review.
• A copy of all legislative letters will be distributed routinely to the City Council.
City of Dublin Legislative Platform 2017
. . •
Legislative Priorities for 2017
General Administration
Staff recommends that the City Council support:
1. Legislation that enhances local control and allows cities to address the needs of local
constituents within a framework of regional cooperation. Oppose preemption of local authority
whether by state or federal legislation or ballot propositions. Support legislation that
streamlines and simplifies the job of running a city and oppose efforts that erode the City's
authority to control its own affairs.
2. Legislation that provides funding to schools for operational or infrastructure needs.
Staff recommends that the City Council oppose:
1. Legislation that would diminish or eliminate local governments' ability to contract out for the
provision of services.
2. Legislation that requires cities to use district-based elections.
3. Any legislative attempts to restrict local authority or decision-making.
Fiscal Sustainability
Staff recommends that the City Council support:
1. Legislation that maintains or enhances ongoing revenues to the City.
2. Legislation which updates the tax structure to enhance local government revenues that have
declined due to the expansion of e-commerce, increased consumption of services rather than
durable goods, and innovations in technology.
3. Legislation and regulatory actions that ensure timely distribution of mandated reimbursements
owed to the City. Oppose actions that defer reimbursements for state mandated programs.
4. Legislative reforms that would remove unnecessary state-imposed mandates.
5. The use of incentives for local government action rather than mandates (funded or unfunded).
6. Legislation that establishes infrastructure financing districts or other funding mechanisms for
infrastructure improvements.
7. Legislation that changes the Communications Act of 1934 that removes the distinction between
"capital"and "operating"funds in order to provide more local control for community television
stations in the use of their public,educational, and government(PEG)channel fees.
8. Legislation that supports measures to increase transparency of all public employee salaries and
benefits.
9. Legislation that supports measures to provide sustainable public pensions and other post-
retirement benefits to ensure responsive and affordable public services.
Staff recommends that the City Council oppose:
1. Legislation that undermines and preempts local authority over local taxes and fees. Monitor
state and federal budget deliberations and oppose attempts to balance the state and/or federal
budget by shifting funds from local government.
City of Dublin Legislative Platform 2017
. . .
2. The imposition of unfunded or inadequately funded federal and state mandates on local
governments.
3. Measures that eliminate development fees or limit the ability of cities to levy fees to provide for
infrastructure or services.
4. Legislation that requires or expands state involvement in City financial audits,fiscal monitoring,
general oversight,or assistance by the State Treasurer,State Controller or other state agencies.
Public Works
Staff recommends that the City Council support:
1. Legislation that will provide local governments with new and innovative revenue options and
resources to finance critical infrastructure maintenance and construction needs for
transportation, water supply, wastewater, storm water, and other critical infrastructure
systems.
2. Efforts to ensure the City receive its fair share of transportation funding and keeping the funding
decisions at the local level.
3. Legislation that supports reducing congestion and delay along Freeways in the Tri-Valley Area.
4. Legislation that supports freight movement (between Bay Area and Central Valley) project that
could reduce truck traffic along 1-580.These projects may include rail based freight movement
or sharing the passenger rail corridors for freight movement.
5. Legislation that supports Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) including the implementation of
Connected/Autonomous vehicles. Legislation that enhances the safety of City streets for car,
bicycle and pedestrian traffic, reduces traffic congestion, or supports regional transportation
improvements.
6. Legislation that encourages the optimum and sustainable utilization of local groundwater basins.
7. Legislation that enhances the reliability of water transmission and storage through the Delta and
Tri-Valley.
8. Legislation that provides funding or incentives for the cost effective development of local water
resources,water conservation, or expansion of recycled water infrastructure and improvements
to reduce dependence on imported water sources.
9. Legislation that creates flexibility in the implementation of mandatory storm water programs
and provides funding for those programs.
10. Legislation that support a constitutional amendment to lower the threshold for approval of sales
and use taxes for transportation purposes. Currently,such taxes must be approved by two-
thirds of the voters.
11. Legislation that allows fuel tax indexing or an increase to provide additional funding for local
street projects, especially maintenance, and support efforts that protect against transportation
funding diversions.
12. Legislation that provides cap and trade funds derived from transportation fuels for clean
transportation purposes.
13. Legislation that strengthens penalties against: 1) offenders who steal copper wire;and 2)scrap
metal dealers that purchase stolen copper wire.
Staff recommends that the City Council oppose:
1. Legislation that would infringe upon the ability of local governments to effectively administer
and modify state and local construction provisions and standards.
5 I Page
City of Dublin Legislative Platform 2017
. . .
2. Legislation that takes away local control on managing and operating local streets.
3. Legislation that reduces the City's condemnation authority regarding acquisition of properties
required for public projects.
Community and Economic Development
Staff recommends that the City Council support:
1. Legislation that maintains cities'authority over land use decisions.
2. Legislation that strengthens local governments' regulatory authority and control over the siting
of medical marijuana dispensaries.
3. Legislation that would create a more equitable Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
process. Support legislation that creates more flexibility for local jurisdictions to work together
to provide housing that counts toward RHNA requirements.
4. Legislation that enhances the City's efforts to retain existing businesses and attract new
businesses.
5. Legislation that provides tangible and productive tools and incentives to support job creation
and retention.
6. CEQA(California Environmental Quality Act) legislation that eliminates redundant,costly and
cumbersome mandates and restrictions.
7. Legislation that advances or encourages innovation, entrepreneurship,start-ups,small business
opportunities,and/or workforce development.
8. Legislation that provides incentives for affordable housing and transit-oriented development.
9. Legislation that increases financial assistance to provide affordable,transitional,special needs
and emergency housing to the homeless,seniors,veterans, and people with special needs.
10. Legislation encouraging the expansion of STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics) programs in K-12, higher education and libraries.
Staff recommends that the City Council oppose:
1. Legislation that would interfere with the decision-making authority of local government in the
area of local land use and zoning.
2. Legislation that erodes the ability of cities to condition and deny projects that inadequately
mitigate impacts to the community.
3. Legislation that weakens local governments'ability to regulate massage establishments through
zoning code provisions.
4. Legislation and regulatory efforts that would diminish or eliminate the authority of cities to zone
and plan for the development of telecommunications infrastructure, including the siting of
cellular communications towers or transmission sites.
5. Legislation that would diminish or eliminate cities'authority to regulate condominium
conversions.
Public Safety
Staff recommends that the City Council support:
1. Legislation and grant opportunities that increase funding for local law enforcement,fire
suppression and prevention, hazardous materials mitigation,and emergency medical services.
6 I Page
City of Dublin Legislative Platform 2017
. . .
2. Legislation that provides funding to local agencies for training, disaster preparedness crime
prevention, public outreach,and emergency planning.
3. Legislation which ensures cities have control of regulating local medical marijuana facilities
instead of the state, protects public safety with uniform security requirements, protects public
health with uniform health and safety standards, and ensures patient safety with a quality
assurance protocol.
4. Legislation that improves data and information dissemination from the railroads and Federal
government, preparedness funding, and first-responder training for oil-by-rail shipments.
5. Legislation that maintains and increases grant funding for the Community Oriented Police
Services (COPS) program.
6. Legislation that provides a greater share of asset forfeiture funds for cities and increases latitude
for spending local funds.
Parks / Quality of Life
Staff recommends that the City Council support:
1. Legislation that creates new funding opportunities for parks and community facilities.
2. Funding for ADA(Americans with Disabilities Act)facility and park upgrades.
Environmental Sustainability
Staff recommends that the City Council support:
1. Promote Environmental Sustainability. The City values policies that promote sustainable
development; improve environmental standards and the regulatory process; provide incentives
for preservation of natural resources; expand sustainable energy policies;and are consistent
with the City's Climate Action Plan.
2. Solid Waste: Oppose legislation that preempts local planning decisions regarding solid
waste facility sites, preempts local solid waste and AB 939 fee setting authority, or imposes
taxes or fees on local solid waste programs to fund State programs not directly related to
solid waste management.
3. Extended Producer Responsibility: Legislation requiring manufactures to be responsible for safe
disposal or reuse of their products and by-products, particularly for hazardous products such as
sharps, unused prescription drugs, and fluorescent light bulbs.
4. Recycled Product Market Development: Legislation that encourages manufacturers to
include post-consumer recycled material in their products and encourages state and local
government agencies and school districts to use less-toxic and recycled content products.
5. Landfill: Support legislation that supports the development of alternative technologies such
as anaerobic digestion or mixed waste processing that result in waste diversion from
landfills.
6. Water Consumption:Support legislation and policies that assist local government in
meeting or exceeding established goals of reducing water consumption without preempting
local planning decisions.
7. Building Standards:Continual adoption of enhances building energy efficiency standards and
building safety standards.
7 I Page
City of Dublin Legislative Platform 2017
. . .
8. Community Choice Energy:Support legislation protecting the interest of California's Community
Choice clean electricity providers and their customers.
9. Energy Efficiency: Support legislation that assists regional and local governments in
development and implementing energy efficiency and conservation strategies and ensure that
local governments can continue, and not be preempted in,their efforts to achieve economic
improvements through increased energy efficiency and conservation plans that seek to decrease
carbon emissions. (League of California Cities Federal Priority)
10. Air Quality: Legislation that supports regional and local government efforts to develop and
implement programs to reduce air pollution.
11. Alternative Vehicle Fueling Stations: Legislation or grant opportunities for cities that provide
funding for developing or enhancing alternative vehicle fueling stations.
12. litter Control and Abatement:Support legislation to address litter control and abatement
problems in California.
13. Stormwater Program Funding:Support legislation that would make it easier for cities to fund
and comply with new and increasingly stringent storm water quality permit requirements.
14. Unfunded Environmental Initiatives: Support legislation that lessens the financial impact of
state and federal unfunded mandates related to compliance with environmental programs and
regulations.
8 I „Page