Agenda Item A.6
CPMS CONSENT CALENDAR
Meeting Date: December 16, 2025
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 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution No. 25 -__ entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Establishing the City of Goleta Legislative Platform for Calendar Year 2026”
BACKGROUND:
The City of Goleta’s Legislative Platform (Platform) is the guiding document for the City's advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels of government. It formally outlines the City's position on current or anticipated policy issues to support responsible local governance, protect public health, safety, and welfare, and advance the delivery of high- quality, equitable services. Rooted in core principles, like safeguarding local control, ensuring fiscally r esponsible governance, and promoting sustainability, the Platform dictates how the City will engage on policy areas such as public administration, land use, public safety, and revenue. It functions as a cohesive strategy that complements the existing goals within the City's Strategic Plan and General Plan, providing a unified foundation and clear direction for all legislative action.
The Platform is essential for ensuring timely and efficient legislative engagement, acting as a crucial mechanism that allows the City to quickly respond to the changing political landscape. It authorizes the Mayor or a designee to take immediate action, s uch as sending letters of support or opposition for legislation, contacting legislators, and supporting related projects or grant applications without the need to convene a City Council meeting. This flexibility ensures the City can effectively communicate its interests, protect its priorities, and engage proactively on state and federal issues that impact the Goleta community.
The City’s initial Legislative Platform was established in 2010 and is reviewed and amended annually by the Ad Hoc Legislative Iss ues Committee. On October 21, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-45 establishing the 2026 Ad Hoc Legislative 1 Meeting Date: December 16, 2025
Issues Committee (“Committee”) and appointed the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore to serve on the Committee. The Committee members serve in an advisory capacity to review the Platform, provide input, and make recommendations on proposed amendments. The Committee met on Thursday , November 6, 2025, to review the draft 2026 Legislative Platform and provided feedback to staff as discussed below.
DISCUSSION:
2025 Legislative Recap
During the 2025 legislative session, the City sent a total of 4 6 letters taking positions on bills/legislation and other activities including support letters for other agencies’ grant applications. See below for a summary of the bills and the policy areas they fall under:
22 bills acted on:
o Three (3) bills under Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations o Seven (7) bills under Homelessness, Housing, Community and Economic Development
o One (1) bill under Transportation, Communication and Public Works o Four (4) bills under Environmental Quality
o Three (3) bills under Public Safety
o One (1) under Revenue and Taxation
o Three (3) N/A – Council action
Seven (7) other letters of support
Of the 22 bills supported or opposed, 11 were signed and chaptered by the Governor, two (2) were vetoed, two (2) failed in committee, and seven (7) became 2-year bills. See Attachment 2 for the 2025 Legislative Activity Log with more details on each bill.
Last year, in 2024, 37 total letters were sent, including 31 legislative letters (23 separate bills/actions) and six (6) other agency support letters.
2026 Legislative Platform Update
Staff evaluated information gathered from the Cal Cities annual reports and briefings, which provide an overview of the current state and federal issues that could potentially impact local governments to develop the proposed recommendations. In addition, staff included recommendations from the City’s legislative consultant and key staff within each of the City’s departments.
See Attachment 1 Exhibit A for the clean version of the 2026 Platform and Attachment 3 for a redline version.
Changes in the 2026 Platform include general style and formatting changes, including the re-ordering of all the “opposed” items to be at the bottom of each list for each subsection.
Other minor changes include re-ordering of items and modernization of language throughout the document. The Committee also recommended adding a new subsection under Section 4 “Community Services” titled “Civil Protections” to better fit the new section that adds language to oppose legislation that fails to uphold rights of protected classes. 2 Meeting Date: December 16, 2025
Notable changes are summarized per policy area below:
Section 1. Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations o New F.3 Added a section to oppose legislation that makes public meeting and noticing requirements more costly and overburdensome for cities. Section 2. Homelessness, Housing, Community and Economic Development o New A.5 Added a section to oppose legislation that wo uld undermine evidence-based strategies for homelessness solutions.
o New A.6 Added a section to oppose legislation that fails to uphold protected classes under civil rights laws.
o New B.6 Added a section that supports Housing Element flexibility after HCD approval.
o F.3 Added language to support workforce development programs as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent.
o F.4 Added language to support legislation that promotes economic mobility. o New F.5 Added a section to support legislation to that removes barriers for cities to establish publicly backed equity investment funds. Section 3. Transportation, Communication, and Public Works o A.8 Added language to include micro-transit and age-friendly transportation solutions.
o New B.5 Added a section to su pport legislation regarding pollution control measures in municipal storm drain systems , including full trash capture systems.
o Remove C.9 Duplicative language of C.8 regarding lower energy rates. Section 4. Community Services
o C.3 Updated language to inc lude the entire library system that the City manages.
o New F. Civil Protections (recommended by the Committee) o New F.1 Added a section to oppose legislation that fails to uphold the rights of protected classes.
Section 5. Environmental Quality
o A.9 Removed language related to economic equity and added language to clarify environmental programs.
o C. 6 Added language to include reducing single-use plastics Section 6. Public Safety
o A.16 Updated language to be more relevant to current challenges within the cannabis industry.
o NEW B.8 Added a section to support legislation regarding community resilience hubs.
3 Meeting Date: December 16, 2025
Staff recommend adopting Resolution No. 25-__ entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Establishing the Ci ty of Goleta Legislative Platform for Calendar Year 2026” (Attachment 1). This will establish the 2026 Platform and allow staff to begin actively engaging in legislative activity.
City’s Legislative Consultant
Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer & Lange (SYASL) has been the City’s legislative consultant since March 2022. The City Council recently approved a new agreement with SYASL with a term ending June 30, 2028. Staff have regular communication with SYASL through weekly meetings, emails, and newsletters to sh are 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.
GOLETA STRATEGIC PLAN:
City-Wide Initiative: 8. Enhance the Efficiency and Transparency of City Operations Strategic Goal: 8.2 Maintain transparency in all aspects of City Government
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 to make additional changes to the proposed 2026 Platform or choose not to take any action on the 2026 Legislative Platform at this time and ask for additional information from staff. Staff would return 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 legislative activity and provide information to our State Legislators as they prepare bills they will introduce in 2026.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Isaac Rosen, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 25 -__ entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Establishing the City of Goleta Legislative Platform for Calendar Year 2026”
Exhibit A – City of Goleta 2026 Legislative Platform
4 Meeting Date: December 16, 2025
2. 2025 Legislative Activity Log
3. City of Goleta 2026 Legislative Platform – Redline
5 ATTACHMENT 1
Resolution No. 25-__ entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City Goleta, California, Establishing the City of Goleta Legislative Platform for Calendar Year 2026” 6 RESOLUTION NO. 25-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GOLETA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF GOLETA
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026
WHEREAS, the Goleta City Council last adopted a Legislative Platform in December 2024 to guide the City’s advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels of government; and
WHEREAS, the Legislative Platform formally outlines the City's position on current or anticipated policy issues to support responsible local governance, protect public h ealth, safety, and welfare, and advance the delivery of high quality, equitable services; and
WHEREAS, it is vital to the fiscal health and self -determination of the City to effectively communicate with state legislators and federal re presentatives in order to favorably influence state and federal legislation, regulations and grant requests; and
WHEREAS, the Legislative Platform is reviewed by the Ad Hoc Legislative Issues Committee (Committee) annually to ensure it is current with emerging policy and ref lects the City’s current interests as well as priorities common to cities throughout the State of California; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to be proactive and involved in the governmental decision -making processes by directly affecting the legislative priorities identified in Exhibit “A” and other selected issues as may from time to time be recommended by the National League of Cities, Cal 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 2026 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 Co uncil hereby approves a Legislative Platform for 202 6 by adopting the principles attached in Exhibit “A”.
7 Resolution No. 25__ 2026 Legislative Platform
SECTION 2.
City officials and staff are authorized to communicate the Legislative Platform externally and respond to legislation, regulations, and g rant requests that align with the Legislative Platform
SECTION 3.
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 16th day of December 2025.
__________________________
PAULA PEROTTE
MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________ __________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ ISAAC ROSEN
CITY CLERK CITY ATTORNEY
8 Resolution No. 25__ 2026 Legislative Platform
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss.
CITY OF GOLETA )
I, DEBORAH S. LOPEZ, City Clerk of the City of Goleta, Califor nia, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 25-__ was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Goleta a t a regular meeting held on the 16th day of December 2025, by the following roll call vote of the Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
(SEAL)
_________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ
CITY CLERK
9 ATTACHMENT 1 – EXHIBIT A
City of Goleta 2026 Legislative Platform
10 2026 LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORM
Adopted December XX, 2025
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction. Purpose and Scope .................................................................... 4 Section 1. Governance, Transparency and Labor Relations ......................... 5 A. Employee and Labor Relations .................................................................... 5 B. Tort Reform.................................................................................................. 5 C. Elections ...................................................................................................... 5 D. Public Records Act ...................................................................................... 6 E. Political Reform Act/Ethics/Conflict of Interest Laws .................................... 6 F. Brown Act/Public Notice .............................................................................. 6 Section 2. Homelessness, Housing, Community and Economic Development ...................................................................................................... 7 A. Homelessness ............................................................................................. 7 B. Housing ....................................................................................................... 7 C. Land Use Planning ...................................................................................... 8 D. Regional Governance/Growth Management ................................................ 9 E. Local Agency Formation Commissions’ (“LAFCO”) Policies ........................ 9 F. Economic Development ............................................................................. 10 Section 3. Transportation, Communication and Public Works ................... 11 A. Transportation............................................................................................ 11 B. Water and Biological Resources ................................................................ 12 C. Telecommunications and Utilities .............................................................. 13 D. Contracts ................................................................................................... 14 Section 4. Community Services ..................................................................... 15 A. Parks and Recreation ................................................................................ 15 B. Facilities ..................................................................................................... 15 C. Libraries ..................................................................................................... 15 D. Arts, Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation ................................... 15 E. Family Services ......................................................................................... 16 F. Civil Protections ......................................................................................... 17 G. Animal Welfare .......................................................................................... 17 Section 5. Environmental Quality ................................................................... 18 A. Climate Adaptation and Sustainability ....................................................... 18 B. Oil and Gas Cleanup, Restoration, and Oil-Spill Prevention ...................... 19 C. Solid Waste ............................................................................................... 20 Section 6. Public Safety .................................................................................. 21 A. Public Safety .............................................................................................. 21 B. Emergency Preparedness ......................................................................... 22 C. Crime Victims............................................................................................. 23 Section 7. Revenue and Taxation ................................................................... 24 A. Local Government Finance ........................................................................ 24 B. Property Tax Appeals Process .................................................................. 25 12
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CITY OF GOLETA
2026 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
INTRODUCTION. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of the City of Goleta’s Legislative Platform (Platform) is to guide the City’s advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels. The Platform promotes
legislation that supports responsible local governance , protects and enhances public health, safety and welfare, and advances the City’s commitment to delivering high-
quality, equitable services to its residents.
This document outlines the City’s positions on issues that are currently, or are expected to become, the focus of
state or federal action. Core principles include protecting local control , ensuring transparent and fiscally
responsible governance, promoting equitable and
sustainable programs, and enhancing the overall quality of life in the Goleta community.
The Platform complements the goals, policies and
programs established in the City’s Strategic Plan, General Plan, Municipal Code and other adopted documents. Together, these provide the foundation and direction for the City’s legislative advocacy.
City departments are authorized to review proposed legislation , assess its alignment with the Platform and recommend that the Mayor take a formal position on priority issues. The Mayor, or designee, may send letters, contact legislators, and otherwise advocate for or against legi slation consistent with the Platform . The Mayor or their designee may also support grant applications from organizations whose efforts align with the City’s policy positions.
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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 and public official 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. Support legislation that enhances tax-advantaged health savings accounts (HSAs) for employees and other employee wellness benefits.
6. Support legislation that enhances participation and promotes increased retirement savings in various types of deferred compensation plan.
7. 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 the general public.
B. Tort Reform
1. Support legislation to limit local government liability.
2. Support legislation to reform California’s tort system to curtail unreasonable liability exposure for public agencies and restore the ability of public agencies to obtain affordable insurance.
3. Oppose legislati on that limits power of local government to negotiate indemnification protections in public contracts.
C. Elections
1. Support legislation to reduce unnecessary and costly procedures for conducting municipal elections.
2. Support legislation that encourages and exp ands civic engagement and 15
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 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 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 and publication 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.
3. Oppose legislation that creates overburdensome, duplicative, and costly public notice/public meeting requirements.
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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 homelessness by: preventing homelessness for those at-risk; providing emergency and transitional housing and low -barrier navig ation centers; increasing the supply of permanent supportive housing; expanding permanent affordable housing; providing rental assistance; increasing outreach to persons experiencing homelessness; and promoting self - empowerment through counseling, job trai ning and other supportive services.
2. Support legislation and local, state and federal programs that reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by promoting mental health and substance abuse services; providing emergency and transitional housing a nd low -barrier navigation centers; expanding permanent affordable/supportive housing; providing rental assistance; and promoting self-empowerment through counseling, job training, and other supportive services for those who suffer from mental health issues and/or substance abuse.
3. Support legislation that modernizes conservatorship laws and the CARE Court program 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 experiencing 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.
5. Oppose legislation at the local, state, and federal levels that undermine s efforts to provide evidence -based strategies to address homelessness including, but not limited to: housing first, harm reduction, and trauma- informed care.
B. Housing
1. Support legislation that increases f unding 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 17
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, preservation, 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 offers the City flexibility in meeting its housing needs and would simplify the Housing Element review process, while still ensuring City housing needs are met.
6. Support legislation that, p ost-Housing Element adoption, gives local jurisdictions credit for and allows more flexibility in meeting identified housing needs on alternate sites.
7. Support legislation that creates or expands innovative programs to subsidize affordable housing, such as the Low Income Housing Tax 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 relief and right to legal counsel for tenants facing eviction.
9. Oppose legislation that cuts funding for affordable housing a nd services to vulnerable populations through programs such as HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).
C. Land Use Planning
1. Support legislation that promotes environmentally sustainable land use patterns, ma intains safe residential neighborhoods, 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 processing of Coastal Development Permits for critical needs, including affordable housing projects, public and quasi -public medical facilities , and public safety 18
facilities.
4. Support legislation that streamlines the California Environmental Quality Act, while supporting its legislative intent.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Oppose legislation relevant to areas outside the City of Goleta, such as the Santa Barbara Airport in the City of S anta 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.
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 stormwater.
2. Support legislation to achieve fair and proportionate 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 delivery, 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 19
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 flexible criteria that are not limited to census tract-based eligibility or designation as a disadvantaged community, ensuring smaller cities can compete equitably for state and federal funds.
2. Support legislation that enhances or expands community and economic development tools and funding to address revitalization , redevelopment, and economic recovery needs.
3. Support legislation that provide s tools and incentives to promote job creation, retention, and workforce upskilling, including public-private partnerships with large employers to help workers adapt to economic transitions and technological change, such as automat ion and artificial intelligence, while addressing related 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 and promotes economic mobility.
5. Support legislation that provides local governments the authority and flexibility to establish or join dedicated trust s, investment programs and asset management initiatives and invest directly or through public -private partnerships in local or regional economic development, innovation, entrepreneurship, or infrastructure initiatives, allowing participating agencies to r einvest returns to support future community and economic development priorities.
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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, infrastructu re, transportation projects , and major corridors.
4. Support legislation that reduces 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, and 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, micro-transit, and para- transit operations, including age-friendly transportation solutions and services for persons with disabilities.
9. Support legislation that encourages reform to expedite federal review and reduce delays in payment to local agencies and their 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 legislation that ensures transportation infrastructure funding and does not jeopardize critical projects with each reauthorization. 21
12. Support legislation that allows for discretion on the part of traffic engineering professionals in setting appropriate speed limits 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 street design and 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 water efficient systems and landscaping.
4. Support legislation that would increase funding and flexibility for trash reduction strategies in creeks, watersheds, and beaches.
5. Support legislation that increases funding, research, and regulatory flexibility for implementation and maintenance of full trash capture systems and equivalent pollution control measures in municipal storm drain systems.
6. Support legislation, funding, research, and implementation strategies based on scientific data and human/ecological risk assessment for addressing urban water and stormwater runoff.
7. Support legislation for performance-based and diversified stormwater protection strategies that can be adapted to local environmental conditions.
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 restoration and 22
protection, and preservation of endangered or threatened species, including care for injured wildlife.
12. Oppose legislation or policies that are overly prescriptive or inflexible with respect to implementation strategies.
13. 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. Support legislation that grants the ability of local governments to provide electricity and ancillary services to residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
3. Support legislation that grants cities authority to zone and plan for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
4. Support legislation that protects cities’ abilit y to maintain and manage the public right-of-way and negotiate compensation for its use.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Support legislation that improves the reliability and consistency of electrical supply and improves transmission of electricity to local go vernments and their communities.
8. 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.
9. Support legislation and grants that encourage the development of broadband infrastructure and establish and enhance equitable access to broadband services.
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10. 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.
11. Oppose legislation that erodes the ability of local governments to maintain existing fees on telecommunications services.
D. Contracts
1. Support legislation that allows cities the option to use design/build , design assist, guarantee maximum price contracting and other innovations designed to bring efficiency to the public contracting process.
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 designat ion 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 that provide increased funding for library programs and services, collections, construction, renovation , and development.
2. Support legislation that restores state and federal funding for public libraries.
3. Support local legislation for additional funding for the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries
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.
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2. Support legislation providing funding for high quality art programs in schools and for the community at large.
E. Family Services
1. Support legislat ion 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 disabilities, 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 a nd grants that facilitate the provision of recreational activities for all segments of our population.
5. Support legislative reforms in health care 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 for transitional and marginalized youth.
8. Support legislation and grants that provide services 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 protects 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. 26
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. Civil Protections
1. Oppose legislation at any level of government that fails to uphold the rights of protected classes as defined under federal and state civil rights laws, including but not limited to historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and Indigenous people.
G. 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.
27
SECTION 5. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
A. Climate Adaptation and Sustainability
1. Support legislation that provides funding , financing mechanisms, 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.
2. Support legislation that holds gross polluters (those which exceed current standards) directly accountable for increased emissions.
3. Support legislation that enhances energy resiliency and programs to achieve state emission reduction targets, in addition to providing incentives and grants for their implementation.
4. Support legislation and California Public Utility Commission and California Energy Commission regulatory actions and legislative activities that are favorable to community resiliency, energy efficiency an d local distributed energy generation, renewable energy, energy storage, electrification initiatives and Community Choice Energy programs.
5. Support legislation intended to identify, 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.
6. Support legislation to increase state and federal funding for reforestation.
7. Support legislation that provides funding and other incentives for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for “low” and “zero emission” vehicles.
8. Support legislation enhancing building energy efficiency standards and building safety standards.
9. Support legislation that promotes balanced investment in environmental and climate programs, including targeted distribution of funding sources to historically underserved and/or disadvantaged communities.
10. Support legislation that promotes changes in the State Building Code that encourages electrification of buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the use of natural gas.
11. Support legislation that provides federal and state rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial incentives that encourage property owners to 28
invest in energy efficiency, renew able energy and battery energy storage systems.
12. 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 EV charging stations in parking areas.
13. Support legislation that promotes the use of green building rating systems for new construction and existing buildings as an option for achieving verifiable greenhouse gas emissions reductions and improving energy efficiency.
14. Support legislation that extends the Cap-and-Invest Program in California.
15. 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.
16. Oppose legislation that diminishes the authority of local jurisdictions to enforce building codes , amend building codes throug h “Reach Codes”, or mandates the manner of enforcement.
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 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 coastal leases be directed to the cleanup and natural restoration of historic and current oil and gas activ ities/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.
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C. Solid Waste
1. Support legislation that expands the market for recyclable materials and encourages meeting state and local commercial recycling goals.
2. 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.
3. Support legislation that maintains and enhances local authority and flexibility to regulate solid waste and recyclables.
4. Support legislation that streamlines compliance and implementation of the Integrated Waste Management Act.
5. Support legislation that increases local funding to governments and special districts for the collection of household waste.
6. Support legislation that reduces the toxic , non-reusable waste load , and single-use plastics.
7. 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.
8. Oppose legislation that dictates greenhouse gas emissions strategies that are not based on scientific data or credible information.
9. Oppose legislation that invalidates the Integrated Waste Management Act indemnification and/or prevent cities from negotiating indemnification clauses with waste haulers.
30
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 b efore 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 neces sary 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 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 and federal inmates into our community.
10. Support legislation that promotes and increases vehicle, bicycle, e-bike, scooter and pedestrian safety.
11. Support legislation that strengthens cities’ authority to regulate business es that serve as fronts for il legal conduct such as human trafficking and prostitution.
12. 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 31
enforcement’s ability to trace crime guns.
13. 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.
14. Support police reform legislation that provides de -escalation training and the funding for such training, and that reduces unnecessary and excessive use of force.
15. Support legislation that enhances local control to regulate cannabis dispensaries, cooperatives, collectives or other distribution points.
16. Support legislation that expands access to banking and financial services for the cannabis industry and aligns state and federal regulation, including federal tax parity, to allow normal business expense deductions for local and state licensed cannabis operators.
17. Support legislation to develop processes and standards for evaluating impairment due to cannabis influence for drivers.
18. Oppose legislation that eliminates local control of alcohol beverage establishments and any state or fe deral interference with local codes or compliance mechanisms.
19. Oppose legislation which relaxes the ban on the personal possession and use of weapons with automatic firing capabilities.
20. Oppose legislation that diminishes local authority to establish regulat ions regarding reasonable use of public space and appropriate behavior in public spaces.
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 Perf ormance Grant funding which retains flexibility of fund usage for emergency preparedness training, disaster events and disaster communication outreach efforts.
32
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 provide s 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.
8. Support legislation that funds or promotes climate resiliency and “community resilience hubs.”
C. Crime Victims
1. Support legislation that strengthens and enforces legal protections for all individuals who are vic tims 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. 33
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 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. Support legislation that will enhance revenue for cities.
7. Support legislation that bolsters local authority to enforce local ordinances and tools to collect revenue associated with short-term vacation rentals.
8. Support legislation that streamlines creation and expands the applicability of Infrastructure Financ ing Districts as well as Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts.
9. Support legislation 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.
10. Support legislation that addresses parity in tax treatment of online and brick- and-mortar businesses, to ensure a level playing field and pro tect local tax revenues.
11. 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.
12. Oppose legislation that delays the payment of revenues due the City.
13. Oppose legislation that undermines the City’s ability to manage financial 34
resources and limits decisions regarding the long -term interests of local residents.
14. Oppose legislation that threatens 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.
B. Property Tax Appeals Process
1. Support legislation that changes the property tax appeals procedures providing each public agency 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 inform local jurisdictions in a timely manner of Sales Tax disputes prior to the issuance of adjustments to the local jurisdictions ’ Sales Tax payments.
35 ATTACHMENT 2
2025 Legislative Activity Log
36 Year Bill Author Description Policy Area Position Outcome Letters Sent Dates/Addressees 2025 AB 1127 Gabriel Firearms: Converter Pistols Public Safety Support Enacted 2
7.1.2025 - Letter to Author, 7.14.2025 - Letter to Senate Committee
2025 AB 1143 Bennett State Fire Marshall: Home Hardening Certification Program Public Safety Support Vetoed 3
7.1.2025 - Letter to Author, 7.1.2025 - Letter to Senate Committee, 9.26.2025 - Letter to Governor
2025 AB 14 Hart
Coastal Resources: Protecting Whales and Blue Skies
Program Environmental Quality Support Enacted 4
3.17.2025 - Letter to Author, 6.18.2025 - Letter to Senate Committee, 6.18.2025 - Letter to Assembly Committee,
9.22.2025 - Letter to Governor
2025 AB 1448 Hart Coastal Resources: Oil and Gas Development Environmental Quality Support 2-Year 2
5.15.2025 - Letter to Author, 6.18.2025 - Letter to Senate Committee
2025 AB 259 Rubio Open Meetings: Local Agencies: Teleconferences Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations Support 2-Year 1 3.17.2025 - Letter to Author 2025 AB 306 Schultz Building Codes
Homelessness, Housing, Community and
Economic Development
Oppose Unless
Amended Failed 2
3.24.2025 - Letter to Author, 3.24.2025 - Letter to Senate Committee
2025 AB 472 Rogers Energy: Offshore Wind Generation Environmental Quality Support 2-Year 1 5.15.2025 - Letter to Author 2025 AB 544 Davies Electric Bicycles: Required Equipment Public Safety Support Enacted 2 5.15.2025 - Letter to Author, 6.18.2025 - Letter to Author 2025 AB 650 Papan Planning and Zoning: Housing Element: RHNA Homelessness, Housing, Community and
Economic Development Support Vetoed 2 6.18.2025 - Letter to Author, 9.22.2025 - Letter to Governor 2025 AB 736 Wicks The Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 Homelessness, Housing, Community and
Economic Development Support Failed 2
5.15.2025 - Letter to Author, 6.18.2025 - Letter to Senate Committee
2025 AB 954 Bennett
State Transportation Improvement Program: Bicycle Highway Pilot Program Transportation, Communication and Public Works Support 2-Year 1 5.15.2025 - Letter to Author 2025 SB 239 Arreguin Open Meetings: Teleconferencing: Subsidiary Body Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations Support 2-Year 1 5.21.2025 - Letter to Author 2025 SB 283 Laird Energy Storage Systems Environmental Quality Support Enacted 2
7.1.2025 - Letter to Assembly Committee, 9.22.2025 - Letter to Governor
2025 SB 346 Durazo
Local Agencies: Transient Occupancy Taxes: Short-Term
Rental Facilitator Revenue and Taxation Support Enacted 3
5.21.2025 - Letter to Author, 6.18.2025 - Letter to Senate Committee, 9.5.2025 - Letter to Governor
2025 SB 456 Ashby Community Beautification Act
Homelessness, Housing, Community and
Economic Development Support Enacted 1 9.26.2025 - Letter to Governor 2025 SB 569 Blakespear Department of Transportation: Homeless Encampments Homelessness, Housing, Community and
Economic Development Support 2-Year 1 6.18.2025 - Letter to Author 2025 SB 580 Durazo Attorney General: Immigration Enforcement Policies N/A - Council Action Support Enacted 2 8.7.2025 - Letter to Author, 9.8.2025 - Letter to Governor 2025 SB 606 Becker HHAP: Reporting Requirements: Functional Zero Unsheltered Homelessness, Housing, Community and
Economic Development Support 2-Year 1 7.14.2025 - Letter to Author 2025 SB 627 Wiener Law Enforcement: Masks N/A - Council Action Support Enacted 1 8.7.2025 - Letter to Author 2025 SB 707 Durazo Open Meetings: Meeting and Teleconference Requirements Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations Oppose Unless AmendedEnacted 1 9.3.2025 - Letter to Author 2025 SB 71 Wiener CEQA Exemptions; Transit Projects
Homelessness, Housing, Community and
Economic Development Support Enacted 3
3.17.2025 - Letter to Author, 6.18.2025 - Letter to Assembly Committee, 9.22.2025 - Letter to Governor
2025 SB 805 Perez
Crimes: Prohibits Impersonating a Federal Law Enforcement Officer N/A - Council Action Support Enacted 1 8.7.2025 - Letter to Author 2025 N/A N/A New Beginnings SSVF Letter to Rec N/A - Other letter of support Support N/A 1 1.21.2025 2025 N/A N/A Letter to Legislature to Preserve HHAP Funds N/A - Other letter of support Support N/A 1 3.17.2025 2025 N/A N/A ECRG General Plan Update - Bill Wallace Trail N/A - Other letter of support Support N/A 1 6.18.2025 2025 N/A N/A MTD CEC Grant N/A - Other letter of support Support N/A 1 7.9.2025 2025 N/A N/A Cap & Trade Reauthorization Letter N/A - Other letter of support Support N/A 2 8.28.2025 - Letter to Limón, 8.28.2025 - Letter to Hart 2025 N/A N/A Letter to Congress Urging Continuum of Care Funding N/A - Other letter of support Support N/A 1 12.9.2025 - The US Conference of Mayors Sign on Letter Total 46
37 ATTACHMENT 3
City of Goleta 2026 Legislative Platform – Redline
38 2026 LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORM
Adopted December XX, 2025
39
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 .................................................................................................... 54 D. Public Records Act ...................................................................................... 5 E. Political Reform Act/Ethics/Conflict of Interest Laws .................................... 5 F. Brown Act/Public Notice .............................................................................. 5 Section 2. Homelessness, Housing, Community and Economic Development .................................................................................................... 76 A. Homelessness ........................................................................................... 76 B. Housing ..................................................................................................... 77 C. Land Use Planning .................................................................................... 87 D. Regional Governance/Growth Management .............................................. 98 E. Local Agency Formation Commissions’ (“LAFCO”) Policies .................... 109 F. Economic Development ........................................................................... 109 Section 3. Transportation, Communication and Public Works ................ 1211 A. Transportation ....................................................................................... 1211 B. Water and Biological Resources ............................................................ 1312 C. Telecommunications and Utilities .......................................................... 1413 D. Contracts ............................................................................................... 1514 Section 4. Community Services ................................................................. 1615 A. Parks and Recreation ............................................................................ 1615 B. Facilities ................................................................................................. 1615 C. Libraries ................................................................................................. 1615 D. Arts, Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation ............................... 1615 E. Family Services ..................................................................................... 1716 F. Animal Welfare ...................................................................................... 1817 Section 5. Environmental Quality ............................................................... 1918 A. Climate Adaptation and Sustainability ................................................... 1918 B. Oil and Gas Cleanup, Restoration, and Oil-Spill Prevention .................. 2019 C. Solid Waste ........................................................................................... 2120 Section 6. Public Safety .............................................................................. 2321 A. Public Safety .......................................................................................... 2321 B. Emergency Preparedness ..................................................................... 2522 C. Crime Victims ........................................................................................ 2523 Section 7. Revenue and Taxation ............................................................... 2624 A. Local Government Finance .................................................................... 2624 B. Property Tax Appeals Process .............................................................. 2725
40
CITY OF GOLETA
2026 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
INTRODUCTION. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of the City of Goleta’s Legislative Platform (Platform) is to promote guide the City’s advocacy efforts at the adoption of state and federal levels. The Platform promotes legislation that will establish sound public policy forsupports responsible local governance,;
protects and enhances public health, safety and welfare,; and aid advances the City’s commitment to deliveriyng of high-quality, equitable services to its residents.
This documente Legislative Platform is intended to
articulateoutlines the City’s positions on issues that are currently, or are anticipated expected to become , the
focus of future legislation by the state or federal
governmentsaction. Core principles Overarching
positions include opposing unfunded mandates as well
as any federal or state legislation thatprotecting
diminishes takes away local control, ensuring transparent and fiscally responsible governance, promot ing equitable and sustainable programs, and enhancing the overall quality of life in the Goleta community. .
The positions contained in the Platform are intended to supplementPlatform complements the broad range of goals, policies and programs reflected established in the Goleta City’s Strategic Plan, the General Plan, the Municipal Code and other adopted documents. ThereforeTogether, advocacy efforts may be based onthese references articulated in these policy documents as they provide current the foundation and direction for the City’s organization legislative advocacy.
City departments are authorized to review proposed legislation , to determine how it relates to the City’s Legislativ eassess its alignment with the Platform and to recommend that the Mayor take a formal position on legislationpriority issues. that the department determines to be “high priority” andThe Mayor, or designee, may write send letters, contact legislators, and otherwise communicate advocate for or against legislation the position of the Cityconsistent with the Platform as appropriate. The Mayor or their designee is authorized to send letters inmay also support of grant applications from organizations whose efforts align with the City’s policy positionsthat are consistent 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.
41
SECTION 1. GOVERNANCE, TRANSPARENCY AND LABOR
RELATIONS
A. Employee and Labor Relations
1. Support legislation that increases t he transparency of all public employee and public official compensation and benefits.
2. Support legislation that grants public pension and other post- retirement benefit reform that is fiscally respons ible, 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, empl oyees 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 inquiri es and background checks in order to prevent physical, financial, economic and personal threats to employees and the general public.
6.5. Support legislation that enhances tax-advantaged health savings accounts (HSAs) for employees and other employee wellness benefits.
6. Support legislation that enhances par ticipation and promotes increased retirement savings in various types of deferred compensation plan.
7. Oppose legislation that lim its a public sector employer’s ability to conduct job related pre-employment inquiri es and background checks in order to prevent physical, financial, economic and personal threats to employees and the general public.
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.
2. Support legislation to reform California’s tort system to curtail unreasonable liability exposure for public agencie s and restore the ability of public agencies to obtain affordable insurance.
3. Oppose legislation that limits power of local government to negotiate 42
indemnification protections in public contracts.
C. Elections
1. Support legislation to reduce unnece ssary 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 th reshold 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 regul ations 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 in creases 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 implementation.
F. Brown Act/Public Notice
1. Support legislation modernizing the methods by wh ich a local agency may comply with public noticing, advertisement, and posting and publication requirements related to agendas, heari ngs, resolutions, ordinances and other government matters.
2. Support legislation clarifying and modernizing public meeting requirements 43
for elected officials and the public to take advantage of technological advances and provide maximum flexib ility for participation with advancing the goals of the Brown Act.
2.3. Oppose legislation that creates overburdensome, duplicative, and costly public notice/public meeting requirements.
44
SECTION 2. HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING, COMMUNITY AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A. Homelessness
1. Support legislation and local, stat e and federal program s that employ evidence-based best practice strategi es to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness 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; providing rental assistance; increasing outreach to persons experiencing homelessness; and promoting self- empowerment through counseling, j ob training and other supportive services.
2. Support legislation and local, stat e and federal programs that reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by promoting mental health and substance abuse services; providing emergency and transitional housing and low-barrier navigation centers; expanding permanent affordable/supportive housing; providing rental assistance; and promoting self-empowerment through counseling, job training , and other supportive services for those who suffer from m ental health issues and/or substance abuse.
3. Support legislation that modernizes the existing definition of “gravely disabled” in state lawconservatorship laws and the CARE Court program 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 lo cal, state and federal pr ograms that encourage 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 result in sustainable restoration of public spaces to their intended uses while safeguarding the needs of unhoused people seeking shelter.
5. Opposed legislation at t he local, state, and federal levels that undermines efforts to provide evidence-based st rategies to address homelessness including, but not limited to: hous ing first, harm reduction, and trauma- informed care.
B. Housing
1. Support legislation that increases f inancial assistanceunding to local governments, nonprofit housing or ganizations and public/private partnerships to provide affordable, transitional, subsidized, supportive, and emergency housing to lower and moderat e-income households, seniors, 45
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 grant s that promote development, preservation, and enhancement of safe, affordable, su stainable, equitable, and accessible housing within the City.
4. Support legislation allowing local juri sdictions to pool resources to meet subregional affordable housing goals.
5. Support legislation that providesoffers the City with optionsflexibility in meeting its housing needs and that would simplify the Housing Element review process, while still ensuring City housing needs are met.
5.6. Support legislation that, post-H ousing Element adoption, gives local jurisdictions credit for and allows more flexibility in meeting identified housing needs on alternate sites.
6.1. 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 creates or expands innovative programs to subsidize affordable housing, such as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, or that helps make housing affordable, such as the Housing Choice Voucher program.
8. Support legislation on t enant 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 eviction.
9. 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).
C. Land Use Planning
1. Support legislation that promotes environmenta lly sustainable land use patterns, maintains safe resident ial neighborhoods, bol sters 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 prin ciple of local control and 46
the local exercise of police powers over local land use.
3. Support legislation that would provi de priority processing of Coastal Development Permits for critical needs, including affordable housing projects, public and quasi-public medi cal facilities, and public safety facilities.
4. Support legislation that streamlines the Californi a Environmental Quality Act, while supporting its legislative intent.
3.5. Oppose legislation that diminishes the City’s authority to apply discretion to approve land use patterns and review entit lement applications or restricts City permitting and land use planning au thority, including over land use procedures, parking requirements, development standards, and fees.
4.6. 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.
5.7. 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.
6.1. Support legislation that streamlines the Califor nia 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 representation on statewide and regional boards.
3. Support legislation encouraging and fa cilitating regional, sub-regional and County-wide cooperation in planning and land use strategies in areas such as: transportation, air quality, a ffordable 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. 47
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 delivery, while preserving agricu ltural 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 mi tigate negative fiscal impacts to local governments from past and present tax revenue shifts away from said local governments.
4. Support legislation aimed at creat ing equity in determining annexation matters.
5. Support legislati on that amends the Sstate’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 flexible criteria which that are not limited to census tract-based eligibility or designation as a disadvantaged community , ensuring smaller cities can compete equitably for state and federal funds.
2. Support legislation that enhances or expands community and economic development tools and funding to address revitalization , and redevelopment, and economic recovery needs.
3. Support legislation that provides tools and incentives to support promote job creation, and retention, and workforce retrainingupskilling, including public- private partnerships with large employers to help workers adapt to economic transitions and technological change, such as automation and artificial intelligence, and towhile address ing the related 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 and promotes economic mobility.
5. Support legislation that provides local governments the authority and flexibility to establish or join dedic ated trusts, investment programs and asset management initiatives and invest directly or through public-private partnerships in local or regional economic development, innovation, entrepreneurship, or infrastructure in itiatives, allowing participating 48
agencies to reinvest returns to support future community and economic development priorities.
49
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 ens ures 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 loca l streets and roads and secures the maximum amount of state and feder al funding for maintenance and construction of local streets, roads, in frastructure, transportation projects, and major corridors.
4. Support legislation that reduces local reliance on local gas tax revenues for road and street improv ements and proposes new alternative funding solutions with longer-term sustainability.
5. Support legislation protecting dedicat ed transportation-related tax revenues and funding for transit operations and maintenance.
6. Support legislation that provides f unding for development of an integrated, comprehensive, and efficient multi-modal transportation network; this includes inter-county and intra-count y highways, pedestrian and bicycle routes, mass transit, and 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 , micro-transit, and para- transit operations, including age-friendly transportation solutions and services for persons with disabilities . as well as the senior citizen community.
9. Support legislation that encourages re form to expedite federal review and reduce delays in payment of to local agencies and their contractors for transportation project development, right-of-way, and construction activities.
10. Support legislation that increases administrative flexibility and streamlines reforms that assist ci ties with operating and maintaining the existing transportation network.
11. Support legislation that ensures transportation infrastructure funding and 50
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 s peed limits 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 street design and traffic calming; automated speed enforcem ent, 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 financia l incentives that encour age property owners to invest in water efficient systems and landscaping.
4. Support legislation that would increas e funding and flexibility for trash reduction strategies in creeks, and watersheds, and beaches.
5. Support legislation that increas es funding, research, and regulatory flexibility for implementation and maintenance of full trash capture systems and equivalent pollution control measures in municipal storm drain systems.
4.6. Support legislation, funding, research, and implementation strategies based on scientific data and hum an/ecological risk asse ssment for addressing urban water and stormwater runoff.
5.7. Support legislation for performance- based and diversified stormwater protection strategies that can be adapted to local environmental conditions.
6.1. Oppose legislation or policies that are overly prescriptive or inflexible with respect to implementation strategies.
7.8. Support legislation or policy that prom otes agricultural practices that are adequately protective of water quality and water resources.
8.9. Support legislation providing fo r policy development, “watershed- based” solutions, funding and research fo r addressing urban runoff and beach closures, which identify the sources of bacterial, viral and other contaminants as well as human pathogens.
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9.10. 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 restoration and protection, and preservation of endangered or threatened species, including care for injured wildlife.
Oppose legislation or policies that are overly prescriptive or inflexible with respect to implementation strategies.
10.12. 11.13. 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 planni ng for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure that protects public safety and welfare.
2.1. Oppose legislation that preempts the City’s authority to negotiate compensation paid to cities for the us e of their property and rights-of-way for telecommunications.
3.2. Support legislation that gr ants the ability of local governments to provide electricity and ancillary services to re sidential, commercial and industrial sectors.
4.3. Support legislation that grants cities authority to zone and plan for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
5.4. Support legislation that pr otects cities’ ability to maintain and manage the public right-of-way and negotiate compensation for its use.
6.5. Support legislation to specifically allow municipalitie s and other local agencies to use public funds for development of renewable energy sources and battery energy storage systems; and re quire public utilities to improve and expand incentive structures for renewable energy generation and battery energy storage.
7.1. Oppose legislation that erodes the ability of local governments to maintain existing fees on telecommunications services.
8.6. 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 52
conversion of outdated energy systems to new energy efficient options.
9. Support legislation and ot her regulatory efforts that would result in lower natural gas rates for the residents and businesses in the City.
10.7. Support legislation that improves the reliability and consistency of electrical supply and improves tr ansmission of electricity to local governments and their communities.
11.8. 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.
9. Support legislation and grants t hat encourage the dev elopment of broadband infrastructure and estab lish and enhance equitable access to broadband services.
10. Oppose legislation t hat preempts the City’s authority to negotiate compensation paid to cities for the us e of their property and rights-of-way for telecommunications.
11. Oppose legislation that erodes the ab ility of local governments to maintain existing fees on telecommunications services.
D. Contracts
1. Support legislation that allows ci ties the option to use design/build , design assist, guarantee maximum price contracting and other innovations designed to bring efficiency to the public contracting process.
2. Support legislation that preserves a minimum 5 percent retention for construction contracts.
3. Support legislation to maintain maxi mum 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 r egional and state parks and connecting trail systems.
3. Support legislation which is not limited to census tr act-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 pr otect 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-co st financing that provide for improved access, increased safety, constructi on, rehabilitation and maintenance of public facilities.
C. Libraries
1. Support legislation and grants that provide increased funding for library programs and services, collections, construction, renovation , and development.
2. Support legislation that restores state and federal funding for public libraries.
3. Support local legislation for additional funding for the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Librariesy.
4. Support legislation that provides state funding and res ources for regional cooperation and materials sharing between libraries and library systems.
D. Arts, Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation
1. Support legislation provid ing funding for local arts activities and historic preservation.
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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 disabilities, low- income and other disadvantaged populations.
2. Support legislation providing affordable universal access to health care.
3. Support legislation and gr ants that provide affordable, quality prenatal care and childcare services and promote regional cooperation in addressing childcare needs.
4. Support legislation and grants that fa cilitate the provisi on of recreational activities for all segments of our population.
5. Support legislative reforms in health care 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 progr ams that provide funding for youth programs, such as job training programs, after - school programs, educational programs and thos e designed specifically for transitional and marginalized youth.
8. Support legislation and grant s that provide services 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 f unding 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 protects 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. 55
13. Support legislation and federal/state funding for behavioral health services such as substance use disorder tr eatment, mental health services and sober living housing.
F. Civil Protections
1. Oppose legislation at any level of government that fails to uphold the rights of protected classes as defined under federal and state civil rights laws, including but not limited to historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and Indigenous people.
F.G. Animal Welfare
1. Support legislation that facilit ates 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 lo cal control and authority to plan for and adapt to future climate conditions, in cluding sea level rise, precipitation patterns, temperatures, and air quality attainment strategies.
2.1. Support legislation t hat provides funding , financing mechanisms, and incentives for local governments to work together on local and regional energy and climate mitigation, adaptat ion and resilience initiatives to improve air quality by reducing emissions and to advance economic, social and environmental equity.
3.2. Support legislation that holds gross po lluters (those which exceed current standards) directly accountable for increased emissions.
4.3. Support legislation that supports enhances energy resiliency and programs to achieve state emission reduction targets, in addition to providing incentives and grants for their implementation.
5.4. Support legislation and Ca lifornia 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.
6.5. Support legislation intended to identify, evaluate, and advocate for changes to state and federal regulatory requirements that create unnecessary and/or unintended barriers to im plementation of renewable energy programs and projects.
7.6. Support legislation to increase state and federal funding for reforestation.
8.7. Support legislation that provides funding and other incentives for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for “low” and “zero emission” vehicles.
9.8. Support legislation enhancing buildi ng energy efficiency standards and building safety standards.
10.9. Support legislation that promotes balanced investment in environmental and climate programs and economic equity , including targeted distribution of funding sources to historically underserved and/or disadvantaged communities.
Oppose legislation that diminishes the authority of local jurisdictions to 57
enforce building codeseach Codes ” or mandates the manner of enforcement.
11. Oppose legislation that diminishes the authority of local jurisdictions to amend building codes through “Reach” Codes.
12.10. Support legislation that promotes changes in the State Building Code that encourages electrification of buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the use of natural gas.
13.11. Support legislation that provides feder al and state rebate programs, tax credits, and other financia l incentives that encour age property owners to invest in energy efficiency, renew able energy and battery energy storage systems.
14.12. 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 vehicleEV charging stations in parking areas for electric vehicles..
15.13. 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.
14. Support legislation t hat extends the Cap - and- Trade Invest Program in California.
15. Oppose legislative infringement on local control and authority to plan for and adapt to future climate conditions, in cluding sea level rise, precipitation patterns, temperatures, and air quality attainment strategies.
16. Oppose legislation that diminishes the authority of local jurisdictions to enforce building codes, amend buildi ng codes through “Reach Codes”, or mandates the manner of enforcement.
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 re storation of areas affected by existing or former oil and gas facilities within the City.
2. Support legislation that mandates a percentage of st ate revenue from onshore and offshore coastal leases be directed to the cleanup and natural restoration of historic and current o il and gas activities/infrastructure, particularly along Haskell’s Beach, Ellwood Mesa, Sands Beach and Coal Oil Point.
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3. Support legislation to fund oil-spill prevention and response as well as to remediate improperly abandoned l egacy 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 drilli ng, 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 recyclab le 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.
3.2. 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 emissi ons and that increases state and local funding to support the developm ent of new organic waste recycling infrastructure and programs.
4.3. Support legislation that maintains and enhances local authority and flexibility to regulate solid waste and recyclables.
5.4. Support legislation that streamlines compliance and implementation of the Integrated Waste Management Act.
6. Oppose legislation t hat invalidates the Integrated Waste Management Act indemnification and/or prevent cities from negotiating indemnification clauses with waste haulers.
7.5. Support legislation that increases local funding to governments and special districts for the collection of household waste.
8.6. Support legislation that reduces the toxic , and non-reusable waste load , and single-use plastics.
9.7. Support Extended Producer Re sponsibility (EPR) legislation to encourage manufacturers to design environment ally friendly products by holding producers responsible for the costs of managing their products at end of life.
8. Oppose legislation that dictates greenhouse gas emissions strategies that are not based on scientific data or credible information. 59
9. Oppose legislation t hat invalidates the Integrated Waste Management Act indemnification and/or prevent cities from negotiating indemnification clauses with waste haulers.
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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 pr ovides a greater share of asset forfeiture funds for cities and increases latitude for spending local funds.
3. Support legislation that seeks to re imburse 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: promot es 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 operat e 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 fl exible 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 agencie s 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 and federal inmates into our community.
10. Oppose legislation that eliminates local contro l of alcohol beverage establishments and any state or federal interference with local codes or compliance mechanisms.
11.10. 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.
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13.11. Support legislation that strengthens cities’ authority to regulate businesses that serve as fronts for illegal conduct such as human trafficking and prostitution.
14.12. Support legislation to reduce gun vi olence through measures such as enhancing background check requirem ents, prohibiting unlicensed transfers of guns through unregulated secondary sales and increasing law enforcement’s ability to trace crime guns.
15.13. 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.
16.14. 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.
18.15. Support legislation that enhances local control to regulate cannabis medical marijuana dispensaries, cooperatives , collectives or other distribution points.
19.16. Support legislation that expands increases the cannabis industry’s access to banking and financial services for the cannabis industry and aligns state and federal regulation, including federalsystems and supports a consistency between state and federal tax parity, to allow normal business expense deductions for local and state licensed cannabis operators.regulation in this area.
17. Support legislation to develop proc esses and standards for evaluating impairment due to cannabis influence for drivers.
18. Oppose legislation that eliminates local contro l of alcohol beverage establishments and any state or federal interference with local codes or compliance mechanisms.
19. Oppose legislation which relaxes the ban on the personal possession and use of weapons with automatic firing capabilities.
Oppose legislation that diminishes local authority to establish regulations regarding reasonable use of public space and appropriate behavior in public spaces.
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B. Emergency Preparedness
1. Support legislation, strategies and in itiatives that prov ide increased state and federal funding for emergency prepar edness, planning, response and recovery.
2. Support legislation that secure s adequate frequencies and communications systems for multi-jurisdictional connectivity for public safety and protects the frequencies from intrusion.
3. Support legislation that increas es Emergency Management Performance Grant funding which retains flexib ility of fund usage for emergency preparedness training, disaster ev ents 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 fi rst responders can perform their duties during an emergency without interfer ence 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 constructing and equipping emergency facilities such as fire stations and emergency operations centers.
7. Support legislation that incentivizes the mitigation of wildfire risk.
7.8. Support legislation that funds or promotes climate resiliency and “community resilience hubs.”
C. Crime Victims
1. Support legislation that strengthens and enforces legal protections for all individuals who are victims of crime, especially vict ims 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. 63
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 t he terms of the Revenue Neutrality Agreement, including the tax sharing arrangements at the state and local level.
3. Support legislation that mandates full an d 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 aut horizes 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 t hat restrict the enactment/administration of revenues.
7. Oppose legislation that delays the payment of revenues due the City.
8.6. Support legislation that will enhance revenue for cities.
9.7. Support legislation that bol sters local authority to enforce local ordinances and tools to collect revenue associated with short-term vacation rentals.
10. Oppose legislation that undermines the City’s ability to manage financial resources and limits decisi ons regarding the long-term interests of local residents.
11.8. Support legislation which that streamlines the creation and expands the applicability of Infrastructure Financ inge Districts as well as Enhanced Infrastructure Financinge Districts.
12. Oppose legislation that threatens tax exemption for municipal bonds, including reinstating authority to issue tax-exempt advance refunding 64
bonds, enabling municipalities to refinanc e debt at lower interest rates, reduce debt service costs and achieve long-term fiscal savings.
13.9. Support legislation that streamlines state and federal grant application and reporting processes, alleviating t he administrative burden of applying and reporting and freeing up resources for service delivery.
10. 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.
11. 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 t hat restrict the enactment/administration of revenues.
12. Oppose legislation that delays the payment of revenues due the City.
13. Oppose legislation that undermines the City’s ability to manage financial resources and limits decisi ons regarding the long-term interests of local residents.
Oppose legislation that threatens tax exemption for municipal bonds, including reinstating authority to issue tax-exempt advance refunding bonds, enabling municipalities to refinanc e debt at lower interest rates, reduce debt service costs and achieve long-term fiscal savings.
14. B. Property Tax Appeals Process
1. Support legislation that changes the property tax appeals procedures providing each public agency 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 inform local jurisdictions in a timely manner of Sales Tax disputes prior to the issuance of adjustments to the local jurisdictions’ Sales Tax payments.
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