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February 14, 2023
ITEM TITLE
Legislative Platform: Approve the 2023/24 Legislative Platform
Report Number: 22-0323
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: City Manager
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving the 2023-2024 Legislative Platform.
SUMMARY
The City coordinates and implements its Legislative Program with the assistance of Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross & Leoni, LLP , a professional advocacy firm in Sacramento to engage at the State level on legislative priorities and policies that advance City interests.
The Legislative Platform (Platform) provides a foundation for the City of Chula Vista Legislative Program and serves as a framework to help Chula Vista engage and collaborate to advance its interests with California policy makers, agency representatives, industry leaders and others. The Platform is reviewed and updated periodically to ensure that City staff members have the direction needed to respond to legislative proposals in accordance with the City Council's priorities and preferences. Items covered by the Platform can be acted upon quickly by the Mayor or City Manager, or their designees, in order to respond to mea sures that might affect City operations, revenue resources, and other measures . M easures which are not covered by the Platform, but which are considered sufficiently significant to merit a response from the City, can be brought before the City Council for consideration and direction.
The 2023-2024 Legislative Platform has been updated to conform to the California Legislature’s two-year session, reflects advocacy efforts and accomplishments from the 2021/22 Legislative Session , and includes new efforts identified by City staff.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environm ental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the state CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it has also been determined that the activity qualifies for an Exemption pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
In August of 2021, the City Council approved an agreement with Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, LLP (Nielsen Merksamer) to perform State Legislative Advocacy Services and assist with implementation of the City’s Legislative Program (Program).
The Legislative Platform provides a foundation for the Program and serves as a framework to help Chula Vista engage and collaborate to advance its interests with California policy makers, agency representatives, industry leaders and others.
The City Manager implements the Platform that is reviewed and approved by City Council. The Platform is updated periodically to ensure that City staff members have the direction needed to respond to legislative proposals in accordance with the City Council's priorities and preferences. Items covered by the Platform can be acted upon quickly by the Mayor or City Manager, or their designees, in order to respond to measures that might affect City operations, revenue resources, and other measures. Measures which are not covered by the Platform, but which are considered sufficiently significant to merit a response from the City, can be brought before the City Council for consideration and direction.
The Platform includes Guiding Principles, Legislative Priorities , and Policy Position Statements that allow City staff and legislative advocates to address legislative and regulatory issues in a time ly and directed manner, without precluding City Council consideration of additional legislative matters arising throughout the year.
The 2023-2024 Legislative Platform has been updated to conform to the California Legislature’s two -year session, reflects advocacy efforts and accomplishments from the 2021/22 Legislative Session, and includes new efforts identified by City staff.
Guiding Principles
1) Maintaining Local Control
• Support efforts that preserve and protect our local authority to enact policy pertaining to local affairs.
Oppose measures that seek to preempt local control without the occurrence concurrence of the City.
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2) Promote Fiscal Responsibility
• Support efforts that promote fiscal stability, predictability, and financial independence. Support efforts that preserve and promote the City’s revenue base. Oppose efforts that mandate costs with no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefit, and that shift local funds to the county, state or federal government, without offsetting benefits.
3) Promote Economic Development
• Support efforts that are designed to provide local governments with the tools necessary to bolster economic development and efforts streamlining initiatives that would enhance our ability to attract and retain businesses as well as encourage business expansion and job retention. 4) Support Funding Opportunities
• Support efforts that allow the City to compete for its fair share of regional, state and federal funding including competitive grants and other funding programs. Supp ort efforts that promote dedicated funding streams at the regional, state and federal levels allowing our City to maximize local revenues, offset and leverage capital expenditures, and maintain our goals and standards.
Legislative Priorities
1. Secure an exemption from the Surplus Lands Act (AB 1486) for the Chula Vista University and Innovation District project.
2. Secure support and agreement with the State and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to eliminate the toll-only operation of State Route 125.
3. Promote the ongoing development on the Chula Vista Bayfront including, but not limited to, creation and funding of open space, and parks and business development.
4. Secure state funding to allow the redevelopment of Harborside Park to incorporate community input and feedback and meet the needs of the surrounding community.
5. Assistance in obtaining Federal and State funds for Grade Separations at major railroad/transit crossings.
Accomplishments from 2021/22 Legislative Session
1. Senator Ben Hueso secured $20 million for SANDAG to be dedicated to outstanding debt on the State Route 125 (SR-125) toll road, or South Bay Expressway (SBX).
2. Senator pro Tem Toni Atkins and Assemblymember David Alvarez secured $30 million to seed Phase 1 of the Chula Vista University Development through the funding of the Cinematic Arts Academic Center & Library project in partnership with San Diego State University.
3. Advocacy efforts defeated a proposed extension of the cardroom moratorium which expired in January 2023.
More detailed information and Policy Position Statements can be found in the proposed 2023-2024 Legislative Platform (Attachment 1).
With the continued growth of the City and planned development in the future, the proposed Platform is aimed at securing legislative policies and resources that will help the City manage this growth, fund critical P a g e | 4
infrastructure needs, keep the City safe and maintain and enhance the quality-of-life residents have come to expect.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of th e City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
City Council previously approved the agreement with Nielsen, Merksamer Parrinello, Gross & Leoni, LLP (Resolution 20 21-147) to implement the Legislative Platform. City Council further authorized the City Manager to execute up to four one-year extensions for a total amount not to exceed $400,000. City Manager extended the agreement for the current fiscal year in the amou nt of $70,000. Costs associated are included in the current FY2022/23 budget.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Future expenditures for legislative advocacy services will be included as part of the budget process for subsequent years.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2023-2024 Legislative Platform
Staff Contact: Adrianna Hernandez, Special Projects & Legislative Manager, City Manager’s Office Anne Steinberger, Marketing and Communications Manager, City Manager’s Office