DATE:
February 18, 2025
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Rachel Molina, City Manager
BY:
Melinda Sayre, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
Tammy Pelayes, Assistant to the City Manager
SUBJECT:
Consideration of the 2025 Legislative Platform and Funding Priorities
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the 2025 Legislative Platform consisting of Legislative Policy Statements and Funding Priorities.
BACKGROUND
The City Manager’s office is responsible for maintaining the annual Legislative Platform. The purpose of this document is to provide City Council guidance and reference when responding to State and Federal legislative proposals that have the potential to impact the City of Hesperia. To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the City’s legislative advocacy program, the City Council adopts a Legislative Platform each year to serve as the foundation for the City’s advocacy strategy.
The 2025 Legislative Platform outlines the City’s priorities for the coming legislative year. Adopting the Legislative Platform provides the Mayor and City Manager with clarity on the position of the City Council regarding priority legislative issues. While this allows for consistent decision making, the adoption of the Legislative Platform also allows for flexibility to adapt to the variety of legislative and budgetary issues that arise throughout the year. Furthermore, this adoption also allows for consistency in the prompt submission of letters of support or opposition, on behalf of the City of Hesperia, to the Legislature and Congress.
The Legislative Platform provides direction to the City Manager’s Office when responding to legislation and when prioritizing grant and funding opportunities. Additionally, the 2025 Legislative Platform provides guidance to the City’s Federal and State legislative advocates representing the City’s interests during the year.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
The Legislative Platform is comprised of three components: The Legislative Platform Process, the Legislative Policy Statements, and the City Council Funding Priorities.
The Legislative Platform is a long term, multi-year effort that helps the City maintain a consistent approach in pursuing its legislative priorities; consequently, the Policy Statements and Council Funding Priorities are updated each year after review and input from Senior Management and from the City’s Federal and State legislative advocates. This annual update allows for consistency in City opposition and support while allowing for flexibility with new legislative and budgetary issues and unexpected changes to revenue and existing policies.
The Policy Statements in the 2025 Legislative Platform emphasize preserving and protecting local control over City revenue, land use, economic development, and other activities that benefit and enhance Hesperia. This year’s policy statements include the advocacy of financial support to protect and increase revenue streams for local priorities.
Additionally, Priority Projects are listed in the Legislative Platform. City projects that are of the highest priority to the City, and have the greatest potential for funding, include the following:
Transportation
City Wide Pavement Restoration
Main Street Widening and Aqueduct Bridge Construction
Bear Valley Road Rehabilitation and Widening Project
Traffic Signal at Escondido Avenue and Sultana Street
Traffic Signal at Seventh Avenue and Sequoia Steet
I Avenue Widening
Sultana Street, Muscatel Street, and Cedar Street Improvements North-South Corridor Improvements
Escondido Bridge
Ranchero Corridor Project – Phase IV
Flood Control
Cataba Road Basin
Temecula Avenue Basin
A-04 Corridor Flood Protection Program
Sewer Improvements
Mesa Area Septic to Sewer
CITY GOAL SUPPORTED BY THIS ITEM
Future Development - Facilitate balanced growth to ensure cohesive community development and pursue economic development.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Legislative Platform is coordinated by the City Manager’s Office. Costs for any necessary travel and other related expenses by Council Members and Staff will be discussed during the City’s budget process or on a case-by-case basis.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Provide alternative direction to staff
ATTACHMENT(S)
2025 Legislative Platform
City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
Staff Report to the Mayor and Council Members
Consideration of the 2025 Legislative Platform and Funding Priorities February 18, 2025