Goleta City Council
December 17, 2024

Agenda Item B.8

CPMS CONSENT CALENDAR
Meeting Date: December 17, 2024

TO: Mayor and Councilmembers

SUBMITTED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager

PREPARED BY: Shannon Kirn, Assistant to the City Manager

SUBJECT: Legislative Platform for Calendar Year 2025

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt Resolution No. 2 4-__ entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Establishing the City of Goleta Legislative Platform for Calendar Year 2025.”

BACKGROUND:

A legislative platform serves as a declaration of a governing body’s position on the current policy issues it faces and provides a mechanism whereby its interests can be protected at the state and federal levels. Local government legislative platforms often contain positions related to policy areas including the following: public administration; community services; land use; revenue and taxation; public safety; environmental quality; economic development; a nd public works. A legislative platform conveys to legislators, policymakers, the public, and the media where the City Council stands on important policy issues. Similar to a strategic plan, a legislative platform also provides a way for staff and the City Council to be united in efforts and better coordinate the execution of the Council’s policies.

A legislative platform allows the City to quickly weigh in on important issues in the upcoming legislative session because of the changing political landscape and issues facing local governments that directly impact the City. For example, letters of support or opposition may be sent by the Mayor or staff without the need to convene the City Council for approval. Timing of these actions can be critical and very often the window to respond does not coincide with the Council’s regular meeting schedule. A legislative platform allows for greater flexibility in reaching out to legislators and assists the City in communicating its interests at the state and federal levels in a timely and efficient manner.

In addition, a legislative platform allows the City to take action in support or opposition of projects, programs (i.e., grant applications), and natural resources that affect the Goleta community.

1 Meeting Date: December 17, 2024

The City’s initial Legislative Platform (Platform) was established in 2010 and is reviewed and amended annually by the Ad Hoc Legislative Issues Committee. On October 15, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24 -61 entitled “A Resolution for the City Council of the City of Goleta, California Establishing an Ad Hoc 2025 Legislative Issues Committee;” and appointed the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore to serve on the Ad Hoc 2025 Legislative Issues Committee (Committee). The Committee members serve in an advisory capacity to r eview the Platform, provide input, and make recommendations on proposed amendments.

DISCUSSION:
2024 Legislative Activity:

During the 2024 legislative session, the Mayor signed a total of 31 letters sent to address bills and legislative activity as part of the official records of support/opposition for the State and Federal legislatures. The Mayor also took action to advocate for projects, programs (i.e. grant applications), and natural resources that affect the Goleta community and align with the Platform. The Mayor signed seven (7) letters of support requested by various local organizations. The 2024 Legislative Activity Log (Attachment 2) lists the 38 letters that were submitted.
2025 Legislative Platform Update
The proposed recommendations were developed as staff evaluated information gathered from the League of California Cities annual reports and briefings, which provide an overview of the current state and federal issues that could potentially impact local governments. In addition, staff included recommendations from the City’s legislative consultant as well as input from key staff within each of the City’s departments. The draft platform was reviewed with the members of the Ad Hoc Committee (Mayor Perotte and Mayor Pro Tempore Reyes-Martín) on November 7, 2024.

A red-line version of the revised Platform can be found in Attachment 3. Changes in the Platform for 202 5 include general style changes and other non -substantive wording changes for consistency and improved clarity throughout the document. Notable changes are summarized below per policy area:
o Section 2. Homelessness, Housing, Community and Economic Development o B.8 Added language to clarify legal aid for tenants facing eviction o C.5 Added language to cla rify City’s authority to influence entitlement projects
o D.3 Added the word "facilitating ” to support legislation on County -wide planning strategies
o Section 3. Transportation, Communication, and Public Works o A.6 added the word “routes” for bicycle transportation o NEW A.13 Added a new section to support legislation that will help the City meet its Vision Zero goals including addressing safer speeds with tools such 2 Meeting Date: December 17, 2024

as traffic calming; automated speed enforcement, and other efforts to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our local streets and roads. o NEW C.9 Added a new section to s upport legislation and other regulatory efforts that would result in lower natural gas rates for the resid ents and businesses in the City.

o Section 5 Environmental Quality
o A.14 Added language to support greenhouse-gas-reducing retrofits to include heat pumps and charging stations.
o NEW A.16 Support legislation that extends the Cap-and-Trade Program in California.

o Section 7 Revenue and Taxation
o A.3 Added language to clarify supporting legislation to mandate full and timely cost reimbursement.
o A.12 Added language to clarify municipalities’ ability to issue bonds and allow for the continued benefits of tax exemptions.

City’s Legislative Consultant:

Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer & Lange (SYASL) has been the City’s legislative consultant since March 2022 , the current agreement expires on June 30, 202 5. Staff have regular communication with SYASL through weekl y meetings, emails , and newsletters to share and track legislative issues important to the City. SYASL provides the critical services of expertise in government relations and assists the City in pursuing legislation, legislative remedies, and state funding as needed.

FISCAL IMPACTS:

Maintaining and updating the legislative platform does not include any significant fiscal impacts, other than staff time.

ALTERNATIVES:

The City Council could choose not to take action on the 2025 Legislative Platform at this time and ask for additional information from staff. Staff would return with this item at a future meeting date, which would allow for additional Council consideration, but may limit the City’s ability to actively engage in advocacy in the meantime and provide information to our State Legislators as they prepare bills they will introduce in 2025.

LEGAL REVIEW BY: Isaac Rosen, Acting City Attorney

APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager

3 Meeting Date: December 17, 2024

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Establishing the City of Goleta Legislative Platform for Calendar Year 2024.

Exhibit A. – City of Goleta 2024 Legislative Platform – Clean Version

2. 2024 Legislative Activity Log

3. City of Goleta 2025 Legislative Platform – Redline Version 4 ATTACHMENT 1

Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Establishing the City of Goleta Legislative Platform for Calendar Year 2025.

Exhibit A. – City of Goleta 2025 Legislative Platform– Clean Version

5 RESOLUTION NO. 24-XX

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

GOLETA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF GOLETA
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2025
WHEREAS, the Goleta City Council adopted a legislative platform in December 20 23, with the goal of strengthening our local government by promoting City goals and defending the City against legislative action by state and federal governments that would weaken local government control and/or take away traditional municipal revenue sources; and
WHEREAS, the Legislative Platform is reviewed by the Ad Hoc Legislative Issues Committee each year to ensure that the Platform is current with emerging policy and reflects the City’s current interests as well as priorities common to cities throughout the State of California; and
WHEREAS, it is vital to the fiscal health and self -determination of the City to effectively communicate with state legislators and federal representatives in order to favorably influence state and federal legislation, regulations and grant requests; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to be proactive and involved in the governmental decision-making processes by directly affecting the City legislative priorities identified in Exhibit “A” and other selected issues as may from time to time be recommended by the National League of Cities, the League of California Cities and other agencies conducting legislative analysis and advocacy on behalf of cities; and
WHEREAS, a legislative platform will allow City officials and staff to communicate effectively and in a timely manner with elected officials at the federal, state and county levels and coordinate with similar efforts made by other local government entities; and
WHEREAS, the 202 5 platform will remain in full force and effect until a subsequent platform is reviewed by the committee and adopted by the City Council.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF GOLETA, AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The City Council hereby approves a Legislative Platform for 2025 by adopting the principles attached in Exhibit “A”. 6 Resolution 24-XX, Exhibit A
2025 Legislative Platform

@BCL@E00D5C935
SECTION 2. City officials and staff are authorized to communicate the Legislative Platform externally and respond to legislation, regulations, and grant requests that align with the Legislative Platform.

SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this __ day of _____ 2024.

__________________________

PAULA PEROTTE, MAYOR

ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:

_________________________ __________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ ISAAC ROSEN

CITY CLERK ACTING CITY ATTORNEY

7 Resolution 24-XX, Exhibit A
2025 Legislative Platform

@BCL@E00D5C935

STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss.

CITY OF GOLETA )

I, DEBORAH S. LOPEZ, City Clerk of the City of Goleta, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 24-__ was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Goleta a t a regular meeting held on the ___ day of ______, 2024 by the following vote of the Council:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

(SEAL)

_________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ

CITY CLERK

8 2025

LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Adopted TBD
VIEW ONLINE https://www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/mayor-and-city- council/legislative-platform
9

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction. Purpose and Scope ............................................................ 3 Section 1. Governance, Transparency and Labor Relations ................. 4 A. Employee and Labor Relations ............................................................ 4 B. Tort Reform .......................................................................................... 4 C. Elections .............................................................................................. 5 D. Public Records Act ............................................................................... 5 E. Political Reform Act/Ethics/Conflict of Interest Laws ............................ 5 F. Brown Act/Public Notice ....................................................................... 6 Section 2. Homelessness, Housing, Community and Economic Development ............................................................................................. 7 A. Homelessness ..................................................................................... 7 B. Housing ................................................................................................ 8 C. Land Use Planning ............................................................................... 8 D. Regional Governance/Growth Management ........................................ 9 E. Local Agency Formation Commissions’ (“LAFCO”) Policies ............... 10 F. Economic Development ..................................................................... 10 Section 3. Transportation, Communication and Public Works ........... 12 A. Transportation .................................................................................... 12 B. Water and Biological Resources ........................................................ 13 C. Telecommunications and Utilities ....................................................... 14 D. Contracts ........................................................................................... 15 Section 4. Community Services ............................................................. 17 A. Parks and Recreation ......................................................................... 17 B. Facilities ............................................................................................. 17 C. Libraries ............................................................................................. 17 D. Arts, Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation ............................ 18 E. Family Services .................................................................................. 18 F. Animal Welfare ................................................................................... 19 Section 5. Environmental Quality .......................................................... 20 A. Climate Adaptation and Sustainability ................................................ 20 B. Oil and Gas Cleanup, Restoration, and Oil-Spill Prevention ............... 21 C. Solid Waste ........................................................................................ 22 Section 6. Public Safety ......................................................................... 24 A. Public Safety ...................................................................................... 24 B. Emergency Preparedness .................................................................. 26 C. Crime Victims ..................................................................................... 26 Section 7. Revenue and Taxation .......................................................... 27 10

CITY OF GOLETA
2024 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM

INTRODUCTION. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of the City of Goleta’s Legislative Platform is to promote the adoption of state and federal legislation that will establish sound public policy for responsible local governance; protect and enhance public health, safety and welfare; and aid the City’s delivery of high -quality, equitable services to its residents.

The Legislative Platform is inte nded to articulate the City’s positions on issues that are currently, or are anticipated to be, the focus of future legislation by the state or federal governments. Overarching positions include opposing unfunded mandates as well as any federal or state legislation that takes away local control.

The positions contained in the Platform are intended to supplement the broad range of goals, policies and programs reflected in the Goleta Strategic Plan, the General Plan, the Municipal Code
and other adopted doc uments. Therefore, advocacy
efforts may be based on references articulated in these policy documents as they provide current direction for
the City organization.

City departments are authorized to review proposed
legislation to determine how it relates to the City’s
Legislative Platform and to recommend that the Mayor
take a position on legislation that the department
determines to be “high priority” and write letters, contact legislators, and otherwise communicate the position of
the City as appropriate. The Mayor or their designee is authorized to send letters in support of grant applications from organizations that are consistent with the positions expressed herein. The Mayor, or their designee, after conferring with City staff, may make contact with leg islators to advocate for or against legislation consistent with the legislative platform.
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SECTION 1. GOVERNANCE, TRANSPARENCY AND

LABOR RELATIONS

A. Employee and Labor Relations

1. Support legislation that increases the transparency of all public employee compensation and benefits.

2. Support legislation that grants public pension and other post - retirement benefit reform that is fiscally responsible, sustainable, affordable and equitable for employees and taxpayers in the long term.

3. Support legislation that streamlines the Workers’ Compensation system and makes it easier for employers, employees and health care providers to navigate.

4. Support legislation and policy that control escalating workers’ compensation costs to public agencies and taxpayers.

5. Oppose legislation that limits a public sector employer’s ability to conduct job related pre -employment inquiries and background checks in order to prevent physical, financial, economic and personal threats to employees and general public.

6. Support legislation that enhances tax-advantaged health saving accounts (HSAs) for employees.

7. Support legislation that enhances participation and promotes increased retirement savings in various types of deferred compensation plan.

B. Tort Reform

1. Support legislation to limit local government liability.

2. Oppose legislation that limits power of local government to negotiate indemnification protections in public contracts.

3. Support legislation to reform California’s tort system to curtail 12

unreasonable liability exposure for public agencies and restore the ability of public agencies to obtain affordable insurance.

C. Elections

1. Support legislation to reduce unnecessary and costly procedures for conducting municipal elections.

2. Support legislation that encourages and expands civic engagement and voter participation in elections.

3. Support legislation that lowers the threshold for passage of local special purpose agency funding propositions.

4. Support legislation that maintains the integrity of the recall process.

5. Support legislation that reduces the amount of recall abuse while improving, streamlining and ensuring that the public has full knowledge of the issues.

D. Public Records Act

1. Support legislation to improve data management systems and allow public agencies greater access to data.

E. Political Reform Act/Ethics/Conflict of Interest Laws

1. Support legislation and regulations that establish sound practices and principles related to political campaigns. Regulations that would restrict or preempt local authority are opposed.

2. Support legislatio n designed to improve and streamline the Political Reform Act and its implementation through regulations.

3. Support legislation that increases the transparency of all public official compensation and benefits.

4. Support legislation to revise laws governing local agency transparency and ethics when it addresses material and
documented inadequacies and has a reasonable relationship to resolving those problems, is internally consistent, avoids redundancy, and accommodates the practical challenges of 13

implementation.

F. Brown Act/Public Notice

1. Support legislation modernizing the methods by which a local agency may comply with public noticing, advertisement, and posting requirements related to agendas, hearings, resolutions, ordinances and other government matters.

2. Support legislation clarifying and modernizing public meeting requirements for elected officials and the public to take advantage of technological advances and provide maximum flexibility for participation with advancing the goals of the Brown Act.

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SECTION 2. HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING, COMMUNITY

AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

A. Homelessness

1. Support legislation and local, state and federal programs that employ evidence -based best practice strategies to reduce the number of people experiencing homeless ness by : preventing homelessness for those at -risk; providing emergency and transitional housing and low -barrier navigation centers ; increasing the supply of permanent supportive housing;
expanding permanent affordable housing; increasing outreach to persons experiencing homelessness; and promoting self - empowerment through counseling, job training and other
supportive services.

2. Support legislation and local, state and federal programs that reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by promoting m ental health and substance abuse services;
providing emergency and transitional housing and low -barrier navigation centers; expanding permanent affordable/supportive housing; and promoting self -empowerment through counseling, job training, and other suppor tive services for those who suffer from mental health issues and/or substance abuse.

3. Support legislation that modernizes the existing definition of “gravely disabled” in state law to provide for the needs of individuals experiencing a substantial risk of serious harm due to a mental health/substance use disorder.

4. Support legislation and local, state and federal programs that encourage and fund collaborative efforts to provide services to assist those e xperiencing unsheltered homelessness in
encampments and vehicles, to support people living in
encampments onto paths to safe and stable housing and result in sustainable restoration of public spaces to their intended uses while safeguarding the needs of unhoused people seeking shelter.
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B. Housing

1. Support legisla tion that increases financial assistance to local governments, nonprofit housing organizations and public/private partnerships to provide affordable, transitional, subsidized, supportive, and emergency housing to lower and moderate- income households, seniors, families, farmworkers, and people with special needs.

2. Support legislation that increases the City’s ability to effectively compete for state and federal housing funding.

3. Support legislation and grants that promote development and enhancement of safe, affordable, sustainable, equitable, and accessible housing within the City.

4. Support legislation allowing local jurisdictions to pool resources to meet subregional affordable housing goals.

5. Support legislation that provides the City with options in meeting its housing needs and that would simplify the Housing Element review process, while still ensuring City housing needs are met.

6. Oppose legislation that cuts funding for affordable housing and services to vulnerable populations through progr ams such as HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).

7. Support legislation that creates or expands innovative programs to subsidize affordable housing, such a s the Low Income Housing T ax Credit program , or that helps make housing affordable, such as the Housing Choice Voucher program.

8. Support legislation on tenant protections, including but not limited to limits on security deposit amounts, protections from unlawful evictions, and efforts to provide rent rel ief and right to legal counsel for tenants facing eviction.

C. Land Use Planning

1. Support legislation that promotes environmentally sustainable land use patterns, maintains safe residential neighborhoods, 16

bolsters economic prosperity, preserves open space, and enhances the overall quality of life in the City of Goleta.

2. Support legislation that is consistent with the principle of local control and the local exercise of police powers over local land use.

3. Support legislation that would provide priority processi ng of Coastal Development Permits for critical needs, including affordable housing projects, public and quasi -public medical facilities, and public safety facilities.

4. Oppose legislation that diminishes the City’s authority to apply discretion to approve land use patterns and review entitlement applications or restrict s City permitting and land use planning authority, including over land use procedures, parking
requirements, development standards, and fees.

5. Oppose legislation that diminishes the City’s ability and/or authority to influence project entitlements in areas outside the City limits, but within the City’s General Plan proposed sphere of influence / service area.

6. Oppose legislation relevant to areas outside the City of Goleta, such as the Santa Barbara Airport in the City of Santa Barbara, which may have negative impacts on the City of Goleta. Support legislation relevant to these areas that may provide benefits to the City of Goleta.

7. Support legislation that streamlines the California Environmental Quality Act, while supporting its legislative intent.

D. Regional Governance/Growth Management

1. Support legislation funding state and local investment in the physical infrastructure of California, including but not limited to its roadways, bridges, railway systems, bicycle and pedestrian networks, levees, dams, parks and open spaces, libraries, public safety facilities, jails, prisons , and systems for delivering and treating water, wastewater, and storm water.

2. Support legislation to achieve fair and proportionate 17

representation on statewide and regional boards.

3. Support legislation encouraging and facilitating regional, sub - regional and County-wide cooperation in planning and land use strategies in areas such as: transportation, air quality, affordable housing, and conservation; especially those that provide funding for effective implementation of agreed upon goals.

4. Oppose legislation that mandates the City’s General Plan and zoning comply with regional, sub-regional, or Countywide plans.

E. Local Agency Formation Commissions’ (“LAFCO”) Policies

1. Support legislation that clarifies and redefines the sphere of influence concept to provide better planning for growth, development and service de livery, while preserving agricultural and open space resources, discouraging urban sprawl , and coordinating local and regional planning.

2. Support legislation that enhances LAFCO’s ability to mitigate fiscal impacts regarding “change of organization” proposals through tax-sharing conditions.

3. Support legislation that provides for tax reform to mitigate negative fiscal impacts to local governments from past and present tax revenue shifts away from said local governments.

4. Support legislation aimed at creating equity in determining annexation matters.

5. Support legislation that amends the state’s Revenue and Taxation Code so that counties are no longer allowed to block annexations in exchange for unreasonable property tax -sharing agreements.

F. Economic Development

1. Support legislation that encourages economic development using criteria which are not limited to census tract-based eligibility or designation as a disadvantaged community.

2. Support legislation that enhances or expands community and economic develop ment tools and funding to address
18

revitalization and redevelopment needs.

3. Support legislation that provides tools and incentives to support job creation and retention and to address the infrastructure and jobs/housing needs and long-term affordability within the City and State.

4. Support legislation that help s the City recover from economic downturns.
19

SECTION 3. TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION AND

PUBLIC WORKS

A. Transportation

1. Support legislation to enhance the ability of local agencies to finance local transportation programs and facilities.

2. Support legislation that ensures the City of Goleta receives its fair share of transportation revenue.

3. Support legislation that provides increased state and federal funding for preservation and maintenance of local streets and roads and secures the maximum amount of state and federal funding for maintenance and construction of local streets, roads, infrastructure, transportation projects, and major corridors.

4. Support legislation that reduces local reliance on l ocal gas tax revenues for road and street improvements and proposes new alternative funding solutions with longer-term sustainability.

5. Support legislation protecting dedicated transportation -related tax revenues and funding for transit operations and maintenance.

6. Support legislation that provides funding for development of an integrated, comprehensive, and efficient multi -modal
transportation network; this includes inter -county and intra - county highways, pedestrian and bicycle routes, mass transit, commuter rail service, facilities , and infrastructure within the region.

7. Support legislation that provides local agencies greater discretionary authority to expend available transportation funds.

8. Support legislation funding opportunities for transit and para - transit operations, including service for persons with disabilities as well as the senior citizen community.

9. Support legislation that encourages reform to expedite federal review and reduce delays in payment of local agencies and their 20

contractors for transportation project development, right-of-way, and construction activities.

10. Support legislation that increases administrative flexibility and streamlines reforms that assist cities with operating and maintaining the existing transportation network.

11. Support legi slation that ensures transportation infrastructure funding and does not jeopardize critical projects with each reauthorization.

12. Support legislation that allows for discretion on the part of traffic engineering professionals in setting appropriate speed lim its rather than having to rely on prevailing speeds.

13. Support legislation that will help the City meet its Vision Zero goals including addressing safer speeds with tools such as traffic calming; automated speed enforcement, and other efforts to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our local streets and roads.

B. Water and Biological Resources

1. Support legislation to diversify the City’s water supply resources and improve water quality in the region.

2. Support legislation that would increase funding for infrastructure to distribute reclaimed water city -wide and calls for the conservation of water resources.

3. Support legislation that provides federal and state rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial incentives that encourage property owners to invest in wat er efficient systems and landscaping.

4. Support legislation that would increase funding and flexibility for trash reduction strategies in creeks and watersheds.

5. Support legislation, funding, research, and implementation strategies based on scientific data and human/ecological risk assessment for addressing urban water and stormwater runoff.

6. Support legislation for performance -based and diversified stormwater protection strategies that can be adapted to local 21

environmental conditions.

7. Oppose legislation or p olicies that are overly prescriptive or inflexible with respect to implementation strategies.

8. Support legislation or policy that promotes agricultural practices that are adequately protective of water quality and water resources.

9. Support legislation providing for policy development, “watershed- based” solutions, funding and research for addressing urban runoff and beach closures, which identify the sources of bacterial, viral and other contaminants as well as human pathogens.

10. Support legislation that would regionally retain any Regional Board fines that are levied against stormwater permit violators within the Region.

11. Support legislation and grants that promote wildlife, habitat protection and preservation of endangered or threatened species, including care for injured wildlife.

12. Oppose legislation that places the burden of assessment and remediation related to manufactured products on local
jurisdictions instead of manufacturers or potentially responsible parties.

C. Telecommunications and Utilities

1. Support legislation that preserves state and local authority to manage public rights-of-way including the appearance and aesthetics of equipment placed within them, and zoning and planning for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure that protects public safety and welfare.

2. Oppose legislation that preempts the City’s authority to negotiate compensation paid to cities for the use of their property and rights-of-way for telecommunications.

3. Support legislation that grants the ability of local governments to provide electricity and ancillary services to residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
22

4. Support legislation that grants cities authority to zone and plan for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.

5. Support legislation that protects ci ties’ ability to maintain and manage the public right -of-way and negotiate compensation for its use.

6. Support legislation to specifically allow municipalities and other local agencies to use public funds for development of renewable energy sources and battery energy storage systems; and require public utilities to improve and expand incentive structures for renewable energy generation and battery energy storage.

7. Oppose legislation that erodes the ability of local governments to maintain existing fees on telecommunications services.

8. Support legislation that would result in lower energy rates for the residents and businesses of the City of Goleta including funding that assists with the conversion of outdated energy systems to new energy efficient options.

9. Support legislation and other regulatory efforts that would result in lower natural gas rates for the residents and businesses in the City.

10. Support legislation that improves the reliability and consistency of electrical supply and improves transmission of e lectricity to local governments and their communities.

11. Support legislation that enhances the public power options available to local governments and oppose legislation that reduces the public power options available to local governments.

12. Support legislation and grants that encourage the development of broadband infrastructure and establish and enhance equitable access to broadband services.

D. Contracts

1. Support legislation that allows cities the option to use design/build contracting and other innovations designed to bring efficiency to the public contracting process.
23

2. Support legislation that preserves a minimum 5 percent retention for construction contracts.

3. Support legislation to maintain maximum local flexibility in the area of contracting and contract negotiations.
24

SECTION 4. COMMUNITY SERVICES

A. Parks and Recreation

1. Support legislation and park bond measures that provide per capita grants which are not limited to census tract -based eligibility or designation as a disadvantaged community to local governments that fund parks, recreation and capital
improvements, as well as programs that enhance the quality of life for the City of Goleta residents.

2. Support legislation to develop regional and state parks and connecting trail systems.

3. Support legislati on which is not limited to census tract -based eligibility or designation as a disadvantaged communit y that increases funding to repair, maintain and develop state and local park and facility infrastructures.

4. Support legislation to monitor and protect Goleta Beach Park and to support kelp bed restoration in the Goleta Bay.

5. Support legislation that increases funding for acquisition of property for parks and open space.

B. Facilities

1. Support legislation, grants and low-cost financing that provide for improved ac cess, increased safety, construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of public facilities.

C. Libraries

1. Support legislation and grants that provide increased funding for library programs and services, construction, renovation and development.

2. Support legislation that restores state funding for public libraries.

3. Support local legislation for additional funding for the Goleta 25

Valley Library.

4. Support legislation that provides state funding and resources for regional cooperation and materials sharing between libraries and library systems.

D. Arts, Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation

1. Support legislation providing funding for local arts activities and historic preservation.

2. Support legislation providing funding for high quality art programs in schools and for the community at large.

E. Family Services

1. Support legislation and grants that provide for the overall wellbeing and physical, mental and emotional health of the individuals within the City of Goleta including children, youth, seniors, persons with disabi lities, low -income and other disadvantaged populations.

2. Support legislation providing affordable universal access to health care.

3. Support legislation and grants that provide affordable, quality prenatal care and childcare services and promote regional cooperation in addressing childcare needs.

4. Support legislation and grants that facilitate the provision of recreational activities for all segments of our population.

5. Support legislative reforms in healthcare policy that address prevention, promote health and wellness and encourage
affordability and cost containment.

6. Support legislation and policies that promote mental health and substance use disorder services and make resources available that support and assist members of our community.

7. Support legislation and grant programs that provide funding for youth programs, such as job training programs, after school programs, educational programs and those designed specifically 26

for transitional and marginalized youth.

8. Support legislation and grants that provide servic es for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities; services will specifically include nutrition, housing, transportation, recreation, and social services.

9. Support legislation that addresses the needs of at -risk youth, juvenile offenders and juveniles that are placed on court-ordered probation.

10. Support legislation that provides funding at the local level to address gang prevention and intervention programs including after school programs for at-risk teens.

11. Support legislation that educates and protect s children from tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and other drugs.

12. Support legislation that encourages safe routes to schools including enforcement of school zone speed limits and expanded school zones.

13. Support legislation and federal/state funding for behavioral health services such as substance use disorder treatment , mental health services and sober living housing.

F. Animal Welfare

1. Support legislation that facilitates responsible pet ownership.

2. Support legislation that supports humane treatment of animals and increases the penalties for animal abuse.
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SECTION 5. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

A. Climate Adaptation and Sustainability

1. Oppose legislative infringement on local control and authority to plan for and adapt to future climate conditions, including sea level rise, precipitation patterns, temperatures, and air quality attainment strategies.

2. Support legislation that provides funding and incentives for local governments to work together on local and regional energy and climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience initiatives to improve air quality by reducing emissions and to advance economic, social and environmental equity.

3. Support legislation that holds gross polluters (those which exceed current standards) directly accountable for increased emissions.

4. Support legislation that supports energy resiliency and programs to achieve state emission reduction targets, in addition to providing incentives and grants for their implementation.

5. Support legislation and California Public Utility Commission and California Energy Commission regulatory actions and legislative activities that are favorable to community resiliency, energy efficiency and local distributed energy generation, renewable energy, energy storage, electrification initiatives and Community Choice Energy programs.

6. Support legislation intended to i dentify, evaluate, and advocate for changes to state and federal regulatory requirements that create unnecessary and/or unintended barriers to
implementation of renewable energy programs and projects.

7. Support leg islation to increase state and federal funding for reforestation.

8. Support legislation that provides funding and other incentives for 28

the installation of charging stations for “low” and “zero emission” vehicles.

9. Support legislation enhancing building energy efficiency standards and building safety standards.

10. Support legislation that promotes environmental and economic equity, including targeted distribution of funding sources to historically underserved and/or disadvantaged communities.

11. Oppose legislation th at diminishes the authority of local jurisdictions to enforce building codes or mandates the manner of enforcement.

12. Support legislation that promotes changes in the State Building Code that encourage electrification of buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the use of natural gas.

13. Support legislation that provides federal and state rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial incentives that encourage property owners to invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy and battery energy storage systems.

14. Support legislation to ensure that new construction and major renovations include smart meters, pre -wiring of buildings to accommodate future GHG -reducing retrofits, such as solar hot water heaters, heat pumps, photovoltaic (PV) panels or other distributed renewable power sources , and electric vehicle charging stations in parking areas for electric vehicles.

15. Support legislation that promotes the use of green building rating systems for new construction and existing buildings as an option for achieving verifiable greenhouse gases emissions reductions and improving energy efficiency.

16. Support legislation that extends the Cap and Trade Program in California.

B. Oil and Gas Cleanup, Restoration, and Oil-Spill Prevention

1. Support legislation that results in the discontinuation of unused or abandoned offshore facilities, and the restoration of areas 29

affected by existing or former oil and gas facilities within the City.

2. Support legislation that mandates a percentage of state revenue from onshore and offshore c oastal leases be directed to the cleanup and natural restoration of historic and current oil and gas activities/infrastructure, particularly along Haskell’s Beach, Ellwood Mesa, Sands Beach and Coal Oil Point.

3. Support legislation to fund oil -spill prevention and response as well as to remediate improperly abandoned legacy oil and gas wells, support structures, equipment, pipelines and cables, and the Ellwood Onshore Oil and Gas Processing Facility.

4. Support legislation that would eliminate hydraulic fracturing.

5. Oppose legislation that grants any new oil drilling, well leases, hydraulic fracturing , or any other high -intensity petroleum operations off the coast of California.

C. Solid Waste

1. Support legislation that expands the market for recyclable materials and encourages meeting state and local commercial recycling goals.

2. Oppose legislation that dictates greenhouse gas emissions strategies that are not based on scientific data or credible information.

3. Support legislation that provides greater flexibility and diversification in the use of methane -reducing technologies and strategies with respect to food-based (organics) greenhouse gas emissions and that increases state and local funding to support the development of new organic waste recycling infrastructur e and programs.

4. Support legislation that maintains and enhances local authority and flexibility to regulate solid waste and recyclables.

5. Support legislation that streamlines compliance and implementation of the Integrated Waste Management Act.

6. Oppose legis lation that invalidates the Integrated Waste 30

Management Act indemnification and/or prevent cities from negotiating indemnification clauses with waste haulers.

7. Support legislation that increases local funding to governments and special districts for the collection of household waste.

8. Support legislation that reduces the toxic and non -reusable waste load.

9. Support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation to encourage manufacturers to design environmentally friendly products by holding producers respo nsible for the costs of managing their products at end of life.

31

SECTION 6. PUBLIC SAFETY

A. Public Safety

1. Support legislation to provide state and federal funding to support local law enforcement through equipment upgrades, capital improvements, training, and emergency preparedness initiatives.

2. Support legislation that provides a greater share of asset forfeiture funds for cities and increases latitude for spending local funds.

3. Support legislation that seeks to reimburse the City for the overtime costs associated with public safety personnel who are required to appear before state or county courts.

4. Support legislation that: promotes comprehensive drug and alcohol education and rehabilitation; discourages drivers from operating motor v ehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; and maintains state funding necessary to post and operate sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints.

5. Support legislation that seeks funding to assist local law enforcement with crime prevention and reduction.

6. Support legislation that provides flexible block grants to local governments that improve security and public safety at the local level.

7. Support legislation and grants that promote Crisis Intervention Team training for local law enforcement agen cies in order to reduce arrests of people with mental illness and increase law enforcement’s ability to do their job safely and effectively.

8. Support legislation that grants federal funding for first responder training and improved communications systems as part of Homeland Security.

9. Support legislation that mitigates the impacts of transferring state 32

and federal inmates into our community.

10. Oppose legislation that eliminates local control of alcohol beverage establishments and any state or federal interferen ce with local codes or compliance mechanisms.

11. Support legislation that promotes and increases vehicle, bicycle, e-bike, scooter and pedestrian safety.

12. Oppose legislation which relaxes the ban on the personal possession and use of weapons with automatic firing capabilities.

13. Support legislation that strengthens cities’ authority to regulate businesses that serve as fronts for illegal conduct such as human trafficking and prostitution.

14. Support legislation to reduce gun violence through measures such as enhancing background check requirements, prohibiting unlicensed transfers of guns through unregulated secondary sales and increasing law enforcement’s ability to trace crime guns.

15. Support legislation protecting the rights of residents of all national origins, races, ethnicities, religious beliefs, genders, gender identities and sexual orientations to reside safely in our community, free from violence and intimidation.

16. Support police reform legislation that provides de -escalation training and the funding for such training, and that reduces unnecessary and excessive use of force.

17. Oppose legislation that diminishes local authority to establish regulations regarding reasonable use of public space and appropriate behavior in public spaces.

18. Support legislation tha t enhances local control to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, cooperatives, collectives or other distribution points.

19. Support legislation that increases the cannabis industry’s access to banking systems and supports a consistency between state and federal regulation in this area.
33

20. Support legislation to develop processes and standards for evaluating impairment due to cannabis influence for drivers.

B. Emergency Preparedness

1. Support legislation, strategies and initiatives that provide increased state and federal funding for emergency
preparedness, planning, response and recovery.

2. Support legislation that secures adequate frequencies and communications systems for multi -jurisdictional connectivity for public safety and protects the frequencies from intrusion.

3. Support legislation that increases Emergency Management Performance Grant funding which retains flexibility of fund usage for emergency preparedness training, disaster events and disaster communication outreach efforts.

4. Support federal, state, and loca l regulations that provide the highest levels of public health and safety in the transportation of hazardous materials.

5. Support legislation that ensures first responders can perform their duties during an emergency without interference from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones, and legislation that provides local agencies immunity if responders damage or destroy UAS during emergency operations.

6. Support legislation that provides funding for constructi ng and equipping emergency facilities such as fire stations and emergency operations centers.

7. Support legislation that incentivizes the mitigation of wildfire risk.

C. Crime Victims

1. Support legislation that strengthens and enforces legal protections for all individuals who are victims of crime, especially victims of family violence and sexual assault.

2. Support legislation that provides funding for shelters and victim advocacy, as well as trauma and crisis counseling to assist victims of violent crime.
34

SECTION 7. REVENUE AND TAXATION

A. Local Government Finance

1. Support legislation that provides tax reform to mitigate negative fiscal impacts to local governments from past and present tax revenue shifts away from local governments.

2. Support legislation to change the terms of the Revenue Neutrality Agreement, including the tax sharing arrangements at the state and local level.

3. Support legislation that mandates full and timely cost reimbursement to local agencies by the state and federal government for all mandated programs.

4. Support legislation that ensures the retention of existing local revenue sources, including the City’s share of property taxes, sales and use taxes, transient occupancy taxes, vehicle license fees, development fees, etc.

5. Support legislation that auth orizes at least a simple majority of the voters in a city to establish local priorities such as the right to increase taxes or issue general obligation bonds.

6. Oppose legislation or ballot initiatives t hat would increase the voter threshold for local tax or bond measures and oppose “maintenance of effort” or other requirements that restrict the enactment/administration of revenues.

7. Oppose legislation that delays the payment of revenues due the City.

8. Support legislation that will enhance revenue for cities.

9. Support legislation that bolsters local authority to enforce local ordinances and tools to collect revenue associated with short - term vacation rentals.
35

10. Oppose legislation that undermines the City’s ability to manage financial resources and limits decisions regarding the long-term interests of local residents.

11. Support legislation which streamlines the creation and expands the applicability of Infrastructure Finance Districts as well as Enhanced Infrastructure Finance Districts.

12. Oppose legislation that threate ns tax exemption for municipal bonds, including reinstating authority to issue tax -exempt advance refunding bonds , enabling municipalities to refinance debt at lower interest rates, reduce debt service costs and achieve long-term fiscal savings.

13. Support l egislation that streamlines state and federal grant application and reporting processes , alleviating the
administrative burden of applying and reporting and freeing up resources for service delivery.

14. Support legislation that addresses parity in tax treatment of online and brick-and-mortar businesses, to ensure a level playing field and protect local tax revenues.

B. Property Tax Appeals Process

1. Support legislation that changes the property tax appeals procedures providing each public age ncy receiving property tax with the legal standing to appear and be heard at any property tax appeal affecting property tax revenue received by such agency.

2. Support legislation that would require the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to i nform local jurisdictions in a timely manner of Sales Tax disputes prior to the issuance of adjustments to the local jurisdictions’ Sales Tax payments. 36 ATTACHMENT 2
2024 Legislative Activity Log

37 *More than one advocacy letter was sent (i.e. to author, committee chair, legislator, etc.) Key Highlights:
 31 total letters sent
 23 bills/actions supported
 7 other support letters

Table 1. 2024 Letters to Address Legislation
Bill # Policy Area Subject Stance Sent to
Outcome
of Bill
AB
817
Governance,
Transparency,
and Labor
Relations
Local
Government:

Open Meetings:

Teleconferencing Support
Assemblymember
Blanca Pacheco,
Assembly
Committee on
Local
Government Dead
AB
1774 Public Safety
Vehicles: E-Bike
Safety Support
Assemblymember
Diane Dixon,
Assembly
Transportation
Committee Chaptered
AB
1778 Public Safety
Vehicles: E-Bike
Safety Support
Assemblymember
Damon Connolly,
Assembly
Transportation
Committee Chaptered
AB
1657
Homelessness,
Housing,
Community and
Economic
Development
Affordable
Housing Bond Support
Housing
California,
Governor Gavin
Newsom Died
SB
1395*
Homelessness,
Housing,
Community and
Economic
Development
Interim
Supportive
Housing Support
Assemblymember
Josh Becker,
Senate
Committee on
Housing,
Governor Gavin
Newsom Chaptered
AB
2298
Environmental
Quality
Costal
Resources:

Voluntary Vessel
Speed Reduction Support
Assemblymember
Gregg Hart,
Assembly
Appropriations
Committee Died
AB
1866*
Environmental
Quality
Oil and Gas: Idle
Wells Support
Assemblymember
Gregg Hart,
Assembly
Appropriations
Committee, Chaptered
38 *More than one advocacy letter was sent (i.e. to author, committee chair, legislator, etc.) Governor Gavin
Newsom
AB
2631*
Governance,
Transparency,
and Labor
Relations
Local Agencies:

Ethics Training Support
Assemblymember
Mike Fong,
Governor Gavin
Newsom Chaptered
AB
2761
Environmental
Quality
Plastic
Packaging:

Reducing Toxics Support
Assemblymember
Gregg Hart,
Assembly
Appropriations
Committee Died
AB
2302*
Governance,
Transparency,
and Labor
Relations
Local
Government:

Open Meetings:

Teleconferencing Support
Assembly
Member Dawn
Addis, Governor
Gavin Newsom Chaptered
SB
972
Environmental
Quality
Organic Waste:

Methane
Reduction Support Senator Dave Min Vetoed
SB
1046*
Environmental
Quality
Organic Waste
Reduction Support
Senator John
Laird, Governor
Gavin Newsom Chaptered
SB
1101 Public Safety Fire Prevention Support
Senator Monique
Limón Chaptered
SB
960
Transportation,
Communication,
and Public
Works
Transportation:

Complete
Streets Support
Senator Scott
Wiener Chaptered
SB
961 Public Safety
Vehicle: Safety
Equipment Support
Senator Scott
Wiener Vetoed
SB
1509* Public Safety
Vehicle: Speed
Limit Infraction Support
Senator Henry
Stern, Assembly
Transportation
Committee,
Governor Gavin
Newsom Vetoed
AB
2236
Environmental
Quality
Solid Waste:

Reusable
Grocery Bags Support
Assemblymember
Rebecca Bauer-
Kahan, Senate
Environmental
Quality
Committee Died
39 *More than one advocacy letter was sent (i.e. to author, committee chair, legislator, etc.) AB
2774
Community
Services Childcare Support
Assemblymember
Tim Grayson,
Senate Human
Services
Committee Died
SB
1053
Environmental
Quality
Solid Waste:

Reusable
Grocery Bags Support
Senator
Catherine
Blakespear,
Assembly Natural
Resources
Committee, Chaptered
N/A
Homelessness,
Housing,
Community and
Economic
Development
Multifamily
Housing
Program and
Homeless
Housing
Assistance
Program
Funding Support
Housing
California,
Governor Gavin
Newsom N/A
N/A
Community
Services
2024 Funding
Request- Stow
Grove Park,
GCC Support
Senator Monique
Limón N/A
N/A
Community
Services
2024 Funding
Request- Stow
Grove Park,
GCC Support
Assemblymember
Gregg Hart N/A
N/A*
Transportation,
Communication,
and Public
Works
FY 2025
Community
Project Funding
Request -
Cathedral Oaks
Crib Wall Support
Congressman
Salud Carbajal,
Senator Alex
Padilla, Senator
Laphonza Butler N/A

40 *More than one advocacy letter was sent (i.e. to author, committee chair, legislator, etc.) Table 2. 2024 Other Letters of Action

Policy Area Subject Requester Stance Addressed to
Homelessness,
Housing,
Community and
Economic
Development
Supportive Services for
Veteran Families
New
Beginnings
Counseling
Center Support
Adrienne Nash
Melendez,
Director,
Supportive
Services
Homelessness,
Housing,
Community and
Economic
Development
Encampment
Resolution Funding
County of
Santa Barbara Support
California
Interagency
Council on
Homelessness
Homelessness,
Housing,
Community and
Economic
Development
FY 2025 Community
Project Funding –
Support for Hollister
Lofts
County of
Santa Barbara Support
Senator Alex
Padilla
Transportation,
Communication,
and Public
Works
SB MTD 2024 Low or
No Emissions Grant
Program Application
Support
Santa Barbara
Metropolitan
Transit District Support
Kirsten Wiard-
Bauer, FTA
Office of
Program
Management
Transportation,
Communication,
and Public
Works
SBCAG 2024 Low or
No Emissions Grant
Program Application
Support
Santa Barbara
County
Association of
Governments Support
Kirsten Wiard-
Bauer, FTA
Office of
Program
Management
Homelessness,
Housing,
Community and
Economic
Development
FY 2025 Community
Project Funding –
Support for Calle Real
Solar Expansion
Project
County of
Santa Barbara Support
Senator Salud
Carbajal
Homelessness,
Housing,
Community and
Economic
Development
Uplift Catalyst Grant –
Employer-Sponsored
Housing Consortium
Pilot

Santa Barbara
South Coast
Chamber of
Commerce Support
Uplift Central
Coast

41 ATTACHMENT 3
City of Goleta 2025 Legislative Platform – Redline Version 42 20254

LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Adopted TBD
VIEW ONLINE https://www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/mayor-and-city- council/legislative-platform
43

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction. Purpose and Scope ............................................................. 3 Section 1. Governance, Transparency and Labor Relations ................. 4 A. Employee and Labor Relations ............................................................. 4 B. Tort Reform ........................................................................................... 4 C. Elections ................................................................................................ 5 D. Public Records Act ................................................................................ 5 E. Political Reform Act/Ethics/Conflict of Interest Laws ............................. 5 F. Brown Act/Public Notice ........................................................................ 6 Section 2. Homelessness, Housing, Community and Economic Development............................................................................................... 7 A. Homelessness ....................................................................................... 7 B. Housing ................................................................................................. 8 C. Land Use Planning ................................................................................ 8 D. Regional Governance/Growth Management ......................................... 9 E. Local Agency Formation Commissions’ (“LAFCO”) Policies ............... 10 F. Economic Development ...................................................................... 10 Section 3. Transportation, Communication and Public Works ............ 12 A. Transportation ..................................................................................... 12 B. Water and Biological Resources ......................................................... 13 C. Telecommunications and Utilities ........................................................ 14 D. Contracts ............................................................................................. 15 Section 4. Community Services .............................................................. 17 A. Parks and Recreation .......................................................................... 17 B. Facilities .............................................................................................. 17 C. Libraries .............................................................................................. 17 D. Arts, Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation ............................ 18 E. Family Services ................................................................................... 18 F. Animal Welfare .................................................................................... 19 Section 5. Environmental Quality ........................................................... 20 A. Climate Adaptation and Sustainability ................................................. 20 B. Oil and Gas Cleanup, Restoration, and Oil-Spill Prevention ............... 21 C. Solid Waste ......................................................................................... 22 Section 6. Public Safety ........................................................................... 24 A. Public Safety ....................................................................................... 24 B. Emergency Preparedness ................................................................... 26 C. Crime Victims ...................................................................................... 26 Section 7. Revenue and Taxation ........................................................... 27 44

CITY OF GOLETA
2024 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM

INTRODUCTION. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of the City of Goleta’s Legislative Platform is to promote the adoption of state and federal legislation that will establish sound public policy for responsible local governance; protect and enhance public health, safety and welfare; and aid the City’s delivery of high-quality, equitable services to its residents.

The Legislative Platform is intended to articulate the City’s positions on issues that are currently, or are anticipated to be, the focus of future legislation by the state or federal governments. Overarching positions include opposing unfunded mandates as well as any federal or state legislation that takes away local control.

The positions contained in the Platform are intended to supplement the broad range of goals, policies and programs reflected in the Goleta Strategic Plan, the General Plan, the Municipal Code
and other adopted documents. Therefore, advocacy
efforts may be based on references articulated in these policy documents as they provide current direction for
the City organization.

City departments are authorized to review proposed
legislation to determine how it relates to the City’s
Legislative Platform and to recommend that the Mayor
take a position on legislation that the department
determines to be “high priority” and write letters, contact legislators, and otherwise communicate the position of
the City as appropriate.  The Mayor or their designee is authorized to send letters in support of grant applications from organizations that are consiste nt with the positions expressed herein. The Mayor, or their designee, after conferring with City staff, may make contact with legislators to advocate for or against legislation consistent with the legislative platform.
45

SECTION 1. GOVERNANCE, TRANSPARENCY AND

LABOR RELATIONS

A. Employee and Labor Relations

1. Support legislation that increases the transparency of all public employee compensation and benefits.

2. Support legislation that grants public pension and other post- retirement benefit reform that is fiscally responsible, sustainable, affordable and equitable for employees and taxpayers in the long term.

3. Support legislation that streamlines the Workers’ Compensation system and makes it easier for employers, employees and health care providers to navigate.

4. Support legislation and policy that control escalating workers’ compensation costs to public agencies and taxpayers.

5. Oppose legislation that limits a public sector employer’s ability to conduct job related pre-employment inquiries and background checks in order to prevent physical, financial, economic and personal threats to employees and general public.

6. Support legislation that enhances tax-advantaged health saving accounts (HSAs) for employees.

7. Support legislation that enhances participation and promotes increased retirement savings in various types of deferred compensation plan.

B. Tort Reform

1. Support legislation to limit local government liability.

2. Oppose legislation that limits power of local government to negotiate indemnification protections in public contracts.

3. Support legislation to reform California’s tort system to curtail 46

unreasonable liability exposure for public agencies and restore the ability of public agencies to obtain affordable insurance.

C. Elections

1. Support legislation to reduce unnecessary and costly procedures for conducting municipal elections.

2. Support legislation that encourages and expands civic engagement and voter participation in elections.

3. Support legislation that lowers the threshold for passage of local special purpose agency funding propositions.

4. Support legislation that maintains the integrity of the recall process.

5. Support legislation that reduces the amount of recall abuse while improving, streamlining and ensuring that the public has full knowledge of the issues.

D. Public Records Act

1. Support legislation to improv e data management systems and allow public agencies greater access to data.

E. Political Reform Act/Ethics/Conflict of Interest Laws

1. Support legislation and regulations that establish sound practices and principles related to political campaigns. Regulations that would restrict or preempt local authority are opposed.

2. Support legislation designed to improve and streamline the Political Reform Act and its implementation through regulations.

3. Support legislation that increases the transparency of all public official compensation and benefits.

4. Support legislation to revise laws governing local agency transparency and ethics when it addresses material and
documented inadequacies and has a reasonable relationship to resolving those problems, is internally consistent, avoids redundancy, and accommodates the practical challenges of 47

implementation.

F. Brown Act/Public Notice

1. Support legislation modernizing the methods by which a local agency may comply with public noticing, advertisement, and posting requirements related to agendas, hearings, resolutions, ordinances and other government matters.

2. Support legislation clarifying an d modernizing public meeting requirements for elected officials and the public to take advantage of technological advances and provide maximum flexibility for participation with advancing the goals of the Brown Act.

48

SECTION 2. HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING, COMMUNITY

AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A. Homelessness

1. Support legislation and local, state and federal programs that employ e
vidence-based best practice strategies to reduce the
number of people experiencing homelessness by : preventin g homelessness for those at-risk; providing emergency and transitional housing and low-barrier navigation center s; incre
asing the supply of permanent supportive housing;
expanding permanent affordable housing; increasing outreach to perso
ns experiencing homelessness; and promoting self-
empowerment through counseling, job training and other
supportive services.
2 . Support legislation and local, state and federal programs that redu
ce the number of people experiencing homelessness by
promoting mental health and substance abuse services ;
providing emergency a
nd transitional housing and low-barrier
navigation centers; expanding permanent affordable/supportive housing; and promoting self- empowerment through counseling, job training, and other supportive services for those who suffe r from me
ntal health issues and/or substance abuse.
3 . Support legislation that modernizes the existing definition of “gravely disabled” in state law to provide for the needs of individuals experiencing a substantial risk of serious harm due to a menta
l health/substance use disorder.
4 . Support legislation and local, state and federal programs that encou
rage and fund collaborative efforts to provide services to assist those experiencing unsheltered homelessness in
encampments and vehicles, to support people living in
encampments onto paths to safe and stable housing and resu lt
in s
ustainable restoration of public spaces to their intended uses w
hile safeguarding the needs of unhoused people seeking
shelter.
49

B. Housing

1. Support legislation that increas es financial assistance to local governments, nonprofit housing organizations and public/private partnerships to provide affordable, transitional, subsidized, supportive, and emergency housing to lower and moderate incomemoderate-income households, seniors, families,
farmworkers, and people with special needs.

2. Support legislation that increases the City’s ability to effectively compete for state and federal housing funding.

3. Support legislation and grants that promote development and enhancement of safe, affordable, sustainable, equitable, and accessible housing within the City.

4. Support legislation allowing loca l jurisdictions to pool resources to meet sub-regional affordable housing goals.

5. Support legislation that provides the City with options in meeting its housing needs and that would simplify the Housing Element review process, while still ensuring City housing needs are met.

6. Oppose legislation that cuts funding for affordable housing and services to vulnerable populations through programs such as HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).

7. Support legislation that create s or expands innovative programs to subsidize affordable housing, such as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, or tothat helps make housing affordable, such as the Housing Choice Voucher program.

8. Support legislation on tenant protections , including but not limited to limits on security deposit amounts, protections from unlawful evictions, and efforts to provide rent relief and right to legal counsel for tenants facing evictionaid.

C. Land Use Planning

1. Support legislation that prom otes environmentally sustainable land use patterns, maintains safe residential neighborhoods, Commented [AW1]: "lower" is the correct term
because in includes extremely, very, and low income
categories.
50

bolsters economic prosperity, preserves open space, and enhances the overall quality of life in the City of Goleta.

2. Support legislation that is cons istent with the principle of local control and the local exercise of police powers over local land use.

3. Support legislation that would provide priority processing of Coastal Development Permits for critical needs, including affordable housing projects, public and quasi-public medical facilities, and public safety facilities.

4. Oppose legislation that diminis hes the City’s authority to apply discretion to approve land use patterns and review entitlement applications or restricts City permitting and land use planning authority, including over land use procedures, parking
requirements, development standards, and fees.

5. Oppose legislation that diminishes the City’s ability and/or authority to influence project entitlements in areas outside the City limits, but within the City’s General Plan proposed sphere of influence / service area that do not conform to current City standards.

6. Oppose legislation that impactsrelevant to areas outside the City of Goleta, such as the Santa Barbara Airport in the City of Santa Barbara, which may have negative impacts on the City of Goleta.

Support legislation impacting relevant to these areas whichthat may provide benefits to the City of Goleta.

7. Support legislation that stream lines the California Environmental Quality Act, while supporting its legislative intent.

D. Regional Governance/Growth Management

1. Support legislation funding state and local investment in the physical infrastructure of California, including but not limited to its roadways, bridges, railway systems, bicycle and pedestrian networks, levees, dams, parks and open spaces, libraries, public safety facilities, jails, prison s, and systems for delivering and treating water, wastewater, and storm water.
51

2. Support legislation to achieve fair and proportion ate repre
sentation on statewide and regional boards.

3. Support
legislation encouraging and facilitating regional, sub- regional and County-wide cooperation in planning and land use strategies in areas such as: transportation, air quality, affordable housing, and conservation; especially those that provide funding for effective implementation of agreed upon goals.
4 . Oppose legislation that mandates compliance of the City’s local land use authorityGeneral Plan and zoning comply with regional, sub-regional, or Countywide plans.

E. Local Agency Formation Commissions’ (“LAFCO”) Policies

1. Support legislation that clarif ies and redefines the sphere of influence concept to provide better planning for grow th, develo
pment and service delivery, while preserving agricultural and open space resources, discouraging urban spra wl, and coo
rdinating local and regional planning.
2 . Support legislation that enhances LAFCO’s ability to mitigate fiscal impacts regarding “c hange of organization” pr oposals th
rough tax-sharing conditions.
3 . Support legislation that provides for tax reform to mitigate negative fiscal impacts to local governments from past and present tax revenue shifts away from said local governments.

4. Support legislation aimed at creating equity in dete rmining
annexatio
n matters.
5 . Support
legislation that amends the state’s R evenue and
Taxation
Code so that counties are no longer allowed to block
annexatio
ns in exchange for unreasonable property tax-sh aring
agre
ements.

F. Economic Development

1. Support legislation that encourages econo mic development using
criteria which are not limited to census tract-based eligibility or
designation as a disadvantaged community.
52

2. Support legislation that enhances or expands community and economic development tools and funding to address
revitalization and redevelopment needs.

3. Support legislation that provi des tools and incentives to support job creation and retention and to address the infrastructure and jobs/housing needs and long-term affordability within the City and State.

4. Support legislation that helps the City recover from economic downturns.
53

SECTION 3. TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION AND

PUBLIC WORK

A. Transportation

1. Support legislation to enhance the ability of local agencies to finance local transportation programs and facilities.

2. Support legislation that ensures the City of Goleta receives its fair share of transportation revenue.

3. Support legislation that provides increased state and federal funding for preservation and maintenance of local streets and roads and secures the maximum amount of state and federal funding for maintenance and construction of local streets, roads, infrastructure, transportation projects, and major corridors.

4. Support legislation that reduce s local reliance on local gas tax revenues for road and street improvements and proposes new alternative funding solutions with longer-term sustainability.

5. Support legislation protecting dedicated transportation-related tax revenues and funding for transit operations and maintenance.

6. Support legislation that provides funding for development of an integrated, comprehensive, and efficient multi-modal
transportation network; this includes inter-county and intra- county highways, pedestrian and bicycle routes , mass transit, commuter rail service, facilities, and infrastructure within the region.

7. Support legislation that prov ides local agencies greater discretionary authority to expend available transportation funds.

8. Support legislation funding oppor tunities for transit and para- transit operations, including serv ice for persons with disabilities as well as the senior citizen community.

9. Support legislation that encourages reform to expedite federal review and reduce delays in payment of local agencies and their 54

contractors for transportation project development, right-of-way, and construction activities.

10. Support legislation that increases administrati ve flexibility and streamlines re
forms that assist cities with operating and
maintaining the existing transportation network.
1 1. Support legislation that ensures transportation infrastructure funding and does not jeopardize critical projects with eac h reauthorization.
12 . Support legislation that allows for discretion on the part of traffic engineering professionals in setting appropriate speed limits rather than ha
ving to rely on prevailing speeds.

12.13. Support legislation that will help the City meet its Vision Zero goals including addressing safer speeds with tools such as traffic calming; automated speed enforcement, and other efforts to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our local streets and roads.

B. Water and Biological Resources

1. Support legislation to diversify the City’s water supply reso urces and
improve water quality in the region.
2 . Support legislation that would increase funding for infrastructure to distribute reclaimed water city-wide and . Su pport legislation that calls for the conservation of water resources.

3. Support legislation that provides federal and state rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial incentives that encourage property owners to invest in water efficient sy stems and
landscaping.
4 . Support legislation that would increase funding and flexibility fo r trash
reduction strategies in creeks and watersheds.
5 . Support legislation, funding, research, and implementation strategies based on scientific data and human/ecological risk assessment for addressing urban water and stormwater runoff. 6 . Support legislation for performance-based and dive rsified stormw
ater protection strategies that can be adapted to local 55

environmental conditions.

7. Oppose legislation or policies that are overly prescriptive or inflexible with respect to implementation strategies.

8. Support legislation or policy th at promotes agricultural practices that are adequately protective of water quality and water resources.
9 . Support legislation providing for policy development, “watershed- based” solutions, funding and research for addressing urban runoff and beach closures, which identify the sources of bacterial, viral and other con
taminants as well as human pathogens.
1 0. Support legislation that woul d regionally retain any R egional Board fin
es that are levied against stormwater permit violators
within the Region.

11. Support legislation and grants that promote wildlife, habitat protection and preservation of endangered or threatene d sp
ecies, including care for injured wildlife.
1 2. Oppose legislation that places the burden of assessment and remediation related to manufactured products on loca l
jurisd
ictions instead of manufacture rs or potentially responsibl e parties.

C. Telecommunications and Utilities

1. Support legislation that preser ves state and local auth ority to mana
ge public rights-of-way including the appearance and
aesthetics of equipment placed within them, and zoning a nd plann
ing for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure that prote
cts public safety and welfare.
2 . Oppose legislation that pre -empts the City’s authority to negotiate compensation paid to cities for the use of their property and
rights- of-way for telecommunications.

3. Support legislation that grants the ability of local governments to provide electricity and ancillary services to residentia l, co
mmercial and industrial sectors.
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4. Support legislation that grants cities ’ authority to zone and plan for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.

5. Support legislation that protects cities’ ability to maintain and manage the public right-of-way and negotiate compensation for its use.

6. Support legislation to specifically allow municipalities and other local agencies to use public funds for development of renewable energy sources and battery energy storage systems; and require public utilities to improve and expand incentive structures for renewable energy generation and battery energy storage.

7. Oppose legislation that erodes the ability of local governments to maintain existing fees on telecommunications services.

8. Support legislation that would result in lower energy rates for the residents and businesses of the City of Goleta including funding that assists with the conversion of outdated energy systems to new energy efficient options.

8.9. Support legislation and other regulatory efforts that would result in lower natural gas rates for the residents and businesses in the City.

9.10. Support legislation that improves the reliability and consistency of electrical supply and improves transmission of electricity to local governments and their communities.

10.11. Support legislation that enhances the public power options available to local governments and oppose legislation that reduces the public power options available to local governments.

11.12. Support legislation and grants that encourage the development of broadband infras tructure and establish and enhance equitable access to broadband services.

D. Contracts

1. Support legislation that allo ws cities the option to use design/build contracting and other innovations designed to bring efficiency to the public contracting process.
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2. Support legislation that preserves a minimum 5 percent retention for construction contracts.

3. Support legislation to maintain maximum local flexibility in the area of contracting and contract negotiations.
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SECTION 4. COMMUNITY SERVICES

A. Parks and Recreation

1. Support legislation and park bond measures that provide per capita grants which are not limited to census tract-based eligibility or designation as a disadvantaged community to local governments that fund parks, recreation and capital
improvements, as well as programs that enhance the quality of life for the City of Goleta residents.

2. Support legislation to develop regional and state parks and connecting trail systems.

3. Support legislation which is not limited to census tract-based eligibility or designation as a disadvantaged community that increases funding to repair, maintain and develop state and local park and facility infrastructures.

4. Support legislation to monitor and protect Goleta Beach Park and to support kelp bed restoration in the Goleta Bay.

5. Support legislation that increases funding for acquisition of property for parks and open space.

B. Facilities

1. Support legislation, grants and low-cost financing that provide for improved access, increased safety , construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of public facilities.

C. Libraries

1. Support legislation and grants t hat provide increased funding for library programs and services, construction, renovation and development.

2. Support legislation that restores state funding for public libraries.

3. Support local legislation for additional funding for the Goleta 59

Valley Library.

4. Support legislation that provides state funding and resources fo r regional coop
eration and materials sharing between libraries and
library s
ystems.

D. Arts, Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation

1. Support legislation providing fundi ng for local arts activities and historic preservation.
2 . Support legislation providing f unding for high quality art programs in schools and for the community at large.

E. Family Services

1. Support legislation and grants that provide for the overall wellbeing
and physical, mental and emotional health of the
individuals within the City of Go leta including children, youth, seniors, persons with disabilities , low-income and other disad
vantaged populations.
2 . Support legislation providing affordable universal access to health care.
3 . Support legislation and grants that provide affordable, quality prenatal care and childcare services and pr omote regional co
operation in addressing childcare needs.
4 . Support legislation and grants that facilitate the provision of recreational activities for all segments of our population. 5 . Support legislative reforms in healthcare policy that address prevention, promote health and wellness and encourage
affordability and cost containment.
6 . Support legislation and policies that promote mental health and substance use disorder services and make resources available that support and assist members of our co
mmunity.
7 . Support legislation and grant programs that provide funding for youth programs, such as job training programs, after sc hool progr
ams, educational programs and those designed specifically 60

for transitional and marginalized youth.

8. Support legislation and grants that provide services for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities; services will specifica lly inclu
de nutrition, housing, trans portation, recreation, and social services.

9. Support legislation that addresses the needs of at-risk yout h, juvenile o
ffenders and juveniles that are placed on court-ordered probation.

10. Support legislation that provi des funding at the local level to address gang prevention and intervention programs including after school programs for at-risk teens.
1 1. Support legislation that educates and protects children fr om tobacco, alco
hol, cannabis and other drugs.

12. Support legislation that encourages safe routes to school s inclu
ding enforcement of school zone speed limits and expanded school zones.
1 3. Support legislation and federal/state funding for behaviora l hea
lth services such as substance use disorder treatment,
mental health services and sober living housing.

F. Animal Welfare

1. Support legislation that facilitates responsible pet owne rship. 2 . Support legislation that supports humane tre atment of animals and
increases the penalties for animal abuse.
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SECTION 5. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

A. Climate Adaptation and Sustainability

1. Oppose legislative infringement on local control and authority to plan for and adapt to future climate conditions, including sea level rise, precipitation patterns, temperatures, and air quality attainment strategies.

2. Support legislation that provides funding and incentives for local governments to work together on local and regional energy and climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience initiatives to improve air quality by reducing emissions and to advance economic, social and environmental equity.

3. Support legislation that holds gross polluters (those which exceed current standards) directly accountable for increased emissions.

4. Support legislation that supports energy resiliency and programs to achieve state emission reduction targets, in addition to providing incentives and grants for their implementation.

5. Support legislation and Californi a Public Utility Commission and California Energy Commission regulatory actions and legislative activities that are favorable to community resiliency, energy efficiency and local distributed energy generation, renewable energy, energy storage, electrification initiatives and Community Choice Energy programs.

6. Support legislation intended to iI dentify, evaluate, and advocate for changes to state and federal regulatory requirements that create unnecessary and/or unintended barriers to
implementation of renewable energy programs and projects.

7. Support legislation to increase state and federal funding for reforestation.

8. Support legislation that provi des funding and other incentives for 62

the installation of charging stations for “low” and “zero emission” vehicles.

9. Support legislation enhancing building energy efficiency standards and building safety standards.

10. Support legislation that promotes environmental and economic equity, including targeted distribution of funding sources to historically underserved and/or disadvantaged communities.

11. Oppose legislation that dimi nishes the authority of local jurisdictions to enforce building codes or mandates the manner of enforcement.

12. Support legislation that promotes changes in the State Building Code that encourage electrification of buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the use of natural gas.

13. Support legislation that provides federal and state rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial incentives that encourage property owners to invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy and battery energy storage systems.

14. Support legislation to ensure that new construction and major renovations include smart meters , pre-wiring of buildings to accommodate future GHG-reducing retrofits , such as solar hot water heaters, heat pumps, photovoltaic (PV) panels or other distributed renewable power sources , and electric vehicle chargersing stations in parking areas for electric vehicles.

15. Support legislation that promotes the use of green building rating systems for new construction and existing buildings as one of several model options an option for achieving verifiable greenhouse gases emissions reductions and improving energy efficiency.

15.16. Support legislation that extends the Cap and Trade Program in California.

B. Oil and Gas Cleanup, Restoration, and Oil-Spill Prevention

1. Support legislation that resu lts in the discontinuation of offshore 63

unused or abandoned offshore facilities, and the restoration of areas affected by existing or fo rmer oil and gas facilities within the City.

2. Support legislation that mandates a percentage of state revenue from onshore and offshore coastal leases be directed to the cleanup and natural restoration of those leaseholdshistoric and current oil and gas activities/infrastructure , particularly those leaseholds that lie along Haskell’s Beach, Ellwood Mesa, Sands Beach and Coal Oil Point.

3. Support legislation to fund oil- spill prevention and response as well as to remediate improperly abandoned legacy oil and gas wells, support structures, equipment, pipelines and cables, and the Ellwood Onshore Oil and Gas Processing Facility.

4. Support legislation that would eliminate hydraulic fracturing.

5. Oppose legislation that grants any new oil drilling, well leases, hydraulic fracturing, or any other high-intensity petroleum operations off the coast of California.

C. Solid Waste

1. Support legislation that expands the market for recyclable materials and encourages meeting state and local commercial recycling goals.

2. Oppose legislation that dictates greenhouse gas emissions strategies that are not based on scientific data or credible information.

3. Support legislation that provides greater flexibility and diversification in the use of methane-reducing technologies and strategies with respect to food-based (organics) greenhouse gas emissions and that increases state and local funding to support the development of new organic waste recycling infrastructure and programs.

4. Support legislation that main tains and enhances local authority and flexibility to regulate solid waste and recyclables. 64

5. Support legislation that streamlines compliance and
implementation of the Integrated Waste Management Act.

6. Oppose legislation that invalidates the Integrated Waste Management Act indemnification and/or prevent cities from negotiating indemnification clauses with waste haulers.

7. Support legislation that increases local funding to governments and special districts for the collection of household waste.

8. Support legislation that reduces the toxic and non-reusable waste load.

9. Support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation to encourage manufacturers to design environmentally friendly products by holding producers responsible for the costs of managing their products at end of life.

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SECTION 6. PUBLIC SAFETY

A. Public Safety

1. Support legislation to provide st ate and federal funding to support local law enforcement through equipment upgrades, capital improvements, training, and emergency preparedness initiatives.

2. Support legislation that prov ides a greater share of asset forfeiture funds for cities and increases latitude for spending local funds.

3. Support legislation that seeks to reimburse the City for the overtime costs associated with public safety personnel who are required to appear before state or county courts.

4. Support legislation that: promotes comprehensive drug and alcohol education and rehabilitation; discourages drivers from operating motor vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; and maintains state funding necessary to post and operate sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints.

5. Support legislation that seek s funding to assist local law enforcement with crime prevention and reduction.

6. Support legislation that provides flexible block grants to local governments that improve security and public safety at the local level.

7. Support legislation and grants that promote Crisis Intervention Team training for local law enforcement agencies in order to reduce arrests of people with mental illness and increase law enforcement’s ability to do their job safely and effectively.

8. Support legislation that grants federal funding for first responder training and improved communications systems as part of Homeland Security.

9. Support legislation that mitigates the impacts of transferring state 66

and federal inmates into our community.

10. Oppose legislation that eliminates local control of alcohol beverage establishments and any state or federal interference with local codes or compliance mechanisms.

11. Support legislation that promotes and increases vehicle, bicycle, e-bike, scooter and pedestrian safety.

12. Oppose legislation which relaxes the ban on the personal possession and use of weapons with automatic firing capabilities.

13. Support legislation that strengthens cities’ authority to regulate businesses that serve as fronts for illegal conduct such as human trafficking and prostitution.

14. Support legislation to reduce gun violence through measures such as enhancing background check requirements, prohibiting unlicensed transfers of guns through unregulated secondary sales and increasing law enforcement’s ability to trace crime guns.

15. Support legislation protecting the rights of residents of all national origins, races, ethnicities, religious beliefs, genders, gender identities and sexual orientations to reside safely in our community, free from violence and intimidation.

16. Support police reform legislati on that provides de-escalation training and the funding for such training, and that reduces unnecessary and excessive use of force.

17. Oppose legislation that diminishes local authority to establish regulations regarding reasonable use of public space and appropriate behavior in public spaces.

18. Support legislation that enhances local control to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, cooperatives, collectives or other distribution points.

19. Support legislation that increases the cannabis industry’s access to banking systems and supports a consistency between state and federal regulation in this area.
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20. Support legislation to develop processes and standards for evaluating impairment due to cannabis influence for drivers.

B. Emergency Preparedness

1. Support legislation, strategies and initiatives that provide increased state and federal funding for emergency
preparedness, planning, response and recovery.

2. Support legislation that secures adequate frequencies and communications systems for multi-ju risdictional connectivity for public safety and protects the frequencies from intrusion.

3. Support legislation that increases Emergency Management Performance Grant funding which retains flexibility of fund usage for emergency preparedness training, disaster events and disaster communication outreach efforts.

4. Support federal, state, and local regulations that provide the highest levels of public health and safety in the transportation of hazardous materials.

5. Support legislation that ensures first responders can perform their duties during an emergency without interference from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones, and legislation that provides local agencies immunity if responders damage or destroy UAS during emergency operations.

6. Support legislation that provid es funding for constructing and equipping emergency facilities such as fire stations and emergency operations centers.

7. Support legislation that incentivizes the mitigation of wildfire risk.

C. Crime Victims

1. Support legislation that strengthens and enforces legal protections for all individuals who are victims of crime, especially victims of family violence and sexual assault.

2. Support legislation that provides funding for shelters and victim advocacy, as well as trauma and crisis counseling to assist victims of violent crime.
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SECTION 7. REVENUE AND TAXATION

A. Local Government Finance

1. Support legislation that provides tax reform to mitigate negative fiscal impacts to local governments from past and present tax revenue shifts away from local governments.

2. Support legislation to change the terms of the Revenue Neutrality Agreement, including the tax sharing arrangements at the state and local level.

3. Support legislation that grantsmandates full and timely cost reimbursement to local agencies by the state and federal government for all mandated programs.

4. Support legislation that ensures the retention of existing local revenue sources, including the City’s share of property taxes, sales and use taxes, transient oc cupancy taxes, vehicle license fees, development fees, etc.

5. Support legislation that authorizes at least a simple majority of the voters in a city to establish local priorities such as the right to increase taxes or issue general obligation bonds.

6. Oppose legislation or ballot initiatives that would increase the voter threshold for local tax or bond measures and oppose “maintenance of effort” or other requirements that restrict the enactment/administration of revenues.

7. Oppose legislation that delays the payment of revenues due the City.

8. Support legislation that will enhance revenue for cities.

9. Support legislation that bolsters local authority to enforce local ordinances and tools to collect revenue associated with short- term vacation rentals.
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10. Oppose legislation that undermines the City’s ability to manage financial resources and limits decisions regarding the long-term interests of local residents.
1 1. Support legislation which streamlines the creation and expands the applicability of Infrastructure Finance Districts as w ell as Enhance
d Infrastructure Finance Districts.
1 2. Oppose legislation that thre atens tax exemption for municipa l bonds, in
cluding reinstating autho rity to issue tax-exempt
advance refunding bonds , enabling municipalities to refinan ce debt at lower interest rates, reduce debt service costs and achieve long-term fiscal savings. .

13. Support legislation that streamlines state and federal grant application and reporting processes, alleviating the
administrative burden of applying and reporting and freeing u p
res
ources for service delivery.
1 4. Support legislation that addre sses parity in tax treatment of online an
d brick-and-mortar businesses, to ensure a level playing field and protect local tax revenues.

B. Property Tax Appeals Process

1. Support legislation that changes the property tax appeals procedures providing each public agency receiving property ta x w
ith the legal standing to appear and be he ard at any property ta
x appeal affecting property tax revenue received by such agency.

2. Support legislation that would require the California Department of Tax and Fee
Administration to in form local jurisdiction s in a
timely
manner of Sales Tax dis putes prior to the iss uance of adjustments
to the local jurisdictions’ Sales Tax payments.
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