Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: February 29, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Carmen Nichols, Assistant City Manager
Subject: 2024 Legislative Platform
BACKGROUND
Per City Council Policy 2.02, Legislation and Legislative Matters, the Policy Committee is tasked with development of the City’s Legislative Platform and must provide a recommendation to the City Council, who is tasked with its adoption. The platform guides Council and staff when determining appropriate action on legislative and regulatory proposals introduced at the federal and state levels.
The item was presented to the Policy Committee on February 1, 2024, who recommended forwarding the item to the City Council.
DISCUSSION
The legislative program includes: advocacy consistent with the Legislative Platform; the pursuit of both federal and state funding for City interests; continued administration and implementation of federal and state-funded programs; and any additional special legislative interest that arises throughout the year.
Legislative Platform
The 2024 Legislative Platform serves as guidance for monitoring and advocating for federal and state legislation. To support ongoing legislative efforts, the 2024 Legislative Platform reflects norms of advocating for local control and local funding. To develop the platform, all City departments and consultants reviewed the prior year's version and provided recommendations.
There are several proposed recommendations added for the 2024 legislative session:
1. Section II(K). District-Based Voting Systems
In 2023, AB 1248 (Bryan) was introduced, the bill would have required cities with over 300,000 residents to establish independent redistricting commissions to adopt district boundaries. Governor Newsom vetoed this legislation stating this would place a significant financial burden by creating a state-reimbursable
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mandate, and any appropriation of this nature should be addressed through the budget process. Should the bill return in a fashion where all cities regardless of size are impacted, language in the legislative platform that protects local control in the redistricting process would assist in advocacy.
Staff recommends the following: Oppose legislation that erodes the ability of cities to fully oversee their respective redistricting processes.
2. Section III(A). Public Safety
The new Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas created a select committee on retail theft to address the growing concern over smash-and-grabs and other types of shoplifting across the State. In preparation for any legislation that may arise as a result of this committee during the upcoming legislative session, the City Council should consider including language to address this particular issue area.
Staff recommends the following: Support legislation that enhances penalties for retail theft conducted by individuals or Organized Retail Theft groups and provides greater resources to increase law enforcement response.
3. Section IV(C). Solid Waste and Recycling
The State’s adoption of Senate Bill 1383 was designed to reduce statewide landfill disposal of organic waste to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions. SB 1383 departs from previous recycling mandates in that it requires materials be diverted to activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This has significantly impacted solid waste haulers and transfer/processing facilities by necessitating changes in waste handling practices, infrastructure development, and increased processing capacity. This has resulted in higher costs of services at all levels. State funding that supports the development of recycling facilities has helped offset the financial burden.
Staff recommends the following addition to further minimize impacts and increase accessibility: Support legislation that allocates funds or provides incentives for the development of recycling facilities and infrastructure.
4. Section VI(A). Housing
During the previous legislative session several bills were introduced that required cities to modify their existing permitting processes and programs. For example, AB 1332 (Carrillo) created the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Affordability Act of 2023, which requires local governments to develop a program that would create a catalog of pre-approved ADU plans and make them accessible to residents. The bill does not include an appropriation to reimburse the staff time that will be allocated to creating the plans.
Staff recommends adding the following language to advocate further on behalf of the City’s permitting needs: Oppose legislation that requires cities to amend 2024 Legislative Platform
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its permitting process and programs without any funding available for reimbursement.
5. Section VI(A). Housing
According to Program 8 of the Camarillo Housing Element (2021-2029), the Housing Choice Vouchers Payment Standards, the City will support the efforts of the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura (AHACV) to petition for increases in the payment standards to reflect local market conditions. This will encourage greater landlord participation in Section 8 programs.
Staff recommends the following language in preparation of federal and state advocacy: Support legislation that increases the funding and accessibility to project based and Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers.
Legislative Action
Through the City’s contracted federal and state advocates, professional organizations, and departmental staff, the City Manager’s Office will keep a close eye on legislation, as well as administrative and regulatory proposals, and as warranted, prepare position letters consistent with the Legislative Platform.
Beginning with the 2023 legislative session, after communication with former Mayor Santangelo, staff streamlined the letter submission process. Adding the Mayor’s signature on her behalf, so long as the positions taken aligned with the legislative platform, allowed for a speedier response in what can be a fluid and dynamic environment. Staff recommends continuing this practice for the 2024 legislative session.
Any legislation or requests for letters that do not fall under the legislative platform will be routed to the Mayor for approval.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact as a result of this action.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Review and adopt the 2024 Legislative Platform.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2024 Legislative Platform (Draft)
2. City Council Policy 2.02 – Legislation and Legislative Matters REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None