1 TO: City Council
FROM: Joe Hoefgen, Interim City Manager
PREPARED BY: Lina Hernandez, Senior Management Analyst
MEETING DATE: February 6, 2024
SUBJECT: Approval of the 2024 Legislative Platform
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution 2024-01 approving the 2024 Legislative Platform.
BACKGROUND
Every year, numerous State bills are proposed that have the potential to impact the city’s ability to operate effectively and provide quality services to its residents. To create a more efficient means of communicating the city’s position to legislators, the City Council adopted its first Legislative Platform in April 2015. The city has adopted updated versions of the platform, with the current version in use since January 2022.
Members of the City Council and staff recently attended the California Contract Cities Association’s (CCCA) Sacramento Legislative Tour. This conference aligns with the commencement of the new legislative session and offers members a valuable chance to connect with state legislators, leaders, and constitutional officers, allowing them to convey real-life stories about issues affecting cities. One of the conference’s panel discussions focused on regional priority issues and a workshop to consider modifications to CCCA’s Legislative Platform.
Based on the local and regional priorities brought up during the CCCA conference, meetings with our state and federal lobbyist, communication with our League of California Cities Regional Public Affairs Manager, and the SBCCOG Legislative Briefing, among other legislative partners, the proposed updated Lomita Legislative Platform (attached to Resolution 2024-01 as Exhibit A) contains broad policy statements that focus on protection of local government control and promotion of stable revenue sources for the city. Further, the Platform allows the city to react quickly on timesensitive issues by authorizing the Legislative Affairs Ad Hoc Committee and the City Manager to communicate the City’s position without bringing the matter to the full City Item No. 7d
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
2 Council for consideration. It is important to note that issues and proposed legislation not covered in the Platform will always appear on a City Council agenda for review and consideration.
The Legislative Affairs Ad Hoc Committee reviewed the proposed 2024 Legislative Platform on January 30 and recommended it be brought to the full City Council for review and approval.
OPTIONS
1. Adopt a Resolution approving the 2024 Legislative Platform
2. Do not approve.
3. Provide alternate direction.
FISCAL IMPACT
None for the adoption of the Legislative Platform.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 2024-01adopting the 2024 City of Lomita Legislative Platform Reviewed by: Approved by:
_____________________
Gary Y. Sugano Joe Hoefgen
Assistant City Manager Interim City Manager
Prepared by:
________
Lina Hernandez
Senior Management Analyst
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-01
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMITA,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMITA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY FIND, ORDER AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals.
A. A Legislative Platform is a summary of Council approved policy statements that provide a framework for the City’s responses to proposed State and Federal legislation.
B. The purpose of the 2024 Legislative Platform is to clearly outline the position of the city on priority issues that impact the city’s ability to operate effectively, and to provide a vehicle whereby its interests can be protected.
C. Active legislative engagement at the local, state, and federal levels is important to protect and enhance the interests of the City and its residents.
D. The Legislative Platform allows the City to respond quickly in support of or opposition to issues that could directly impact the City.
Section 2. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Lomita approves the Legislative Platform attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Section 3. This Resolution will become effective immediately upon adoption.
Section 4. The City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED, this 6th day of February 2024. [Signatures on the following page]
Attachment No. 1
Resolution No. 2024-01
________________________________
Bill Uphoff, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Kathleen Horn Gregory, MMC, City Clerk
APPOVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________________
Trevor Rusin, City Attorney
CITY OF LOMITA
2024 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
This Legislative Platform, adopted by the City Council, clearly outlines the position of the city on priority issues that impact the city’s ability to operate effectively. The Legislative Platform allows city elected officials and staff to act quickly in reaching out to legislators, executive branch elected officials, and their staff to communicate the city’s interests at the federal, state, and regional levels.
For legislative or regulatory issues for which the City Council has established a policy within this Legislative Platform, the Legislative Affairs Ad-Hoc Committee may approve a position letter to be communicated by the Mayor, City Manager or designated staff to legislators, administration officials, legislative or administration staff, and other entities.
When timeliness of action is required, position letters on legislative or regulatory issues covered within the Platform may be communicated by the Mayor, City Manager, or designated staff without prior approval of the Legislative Affairs Ad-Hoc Committee.
For those legislative or regulatory issues for which no policy exists within this Legislative Platform, the issue will be brought to the Legislative Affairs Ad-Hoc Committee for a recommendation to the full City Council. These matters may also be brought directly to the full City Council in the event that timeliness of action by the Council is required or upon the request of the City Council.
PLATFORM OVERVIEW
The city values its ability and authority to exercise local control and to protect and enhance the quality of life for Lomita residents. To that end, the City’s primary legislative focus is to protect local government control and promote stable revenue for local governments to plan for future growth and needed public facilities and services.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
1. Support legislation that enhances local control and allows cities to address the needs of local constituents within a framework of regional cooperation. Oppose preemption of local authority whether by state or federal legislation or ballot propositions. Support legislation that streamlines and simplifies the job of running a city and oppose efforts that erode the City’s authority to control its own affairs.
Exhibit A
Legislative Platform
2. Support reforms related to pensions and other post-employment benefits (OPEB) that would allow cities to better manage the long-term growth of unfunded pension and OPEB liabilities and reduce the risk of fiscal and service level insolvency by cities.
3. Oppose legislation that mandates cities provide specific benefits or that results in additional labor related costs which can be more properly determined through labor negotiations.
4. Oppose legislation that would diminish or eliminate local governments’ ability to contract out for the provision of services.
5. Support legislation that expands opportunities for public input and participation by allowing for the continued use of teleconferencing platforms to continue holding hybrid public meetings outside of a declared state of emergency. Hybrid meetings increase access to public meetings and encourage greater transparency.
FISCAL STABILITY
6. Support legislation that maintains or enhances ongoing revenues to the city, including state efforts to standardize sales tax collection requirements from cash-based businesses. Oppose legislation that undermines and preempts local authority over local taxes and fees. Monitor the State and Federal budget deliberations and oppose attempts to balance the State and/or Federal budget by shifting funds from local government. Encourage additional resources to local agencies to support State goals.
7. Support legislation which updates the tax structure to enhance local government revenues that have declined due to the expansion of e-commerce, increased consumption of services rather than durable goods, and innovations in technology.
8. Support legislation that makes the distribution of property taxes more equitable for cities and counties throughout the state.
9. Oppose the imposition of unfunded or inadequately funded federal and state mandates on local governments. Support legislative reform that would remove unnecessary state-imposed mandates, and strengthen requirements for state funding of those mandates. Encourage the use of incentives for local government action rather than mandates (funded or unfunded).
10.Support legislation and regulatory actions that ensure timely distribution of mandated reimbursements owed to the city. Oppose actions that defer reimbursements for state mandated programs.
11.Oppose measures that eliminate or discourage fees to address impacts of development or limit the ability of cities to levy fees to provide for infrastructure or services.
Legislative Platform
12.Support transparent and flexible federal and statewide action in utilizing American Rescue Plan funding to assist cities in maintaining projects and programs for residents and businesses.
PUBLIC WORKS
13.Support legislation that will provide local governments with new and innovative revenue options and resources to finance critical infrastructure maintenance and construction needs to transportation, water supply, wastewater, stormwater, and other critical infrastructure systems.
14.Support efforts to ensure the city receives its fair share of transportation funding.
Support regional efforts to expand transportation options.
15.Support legislation that enhances the safety of city streets for car, bicycle, electric micro-mobility devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters, and pedestrian traffic, reduces traffic congestion, or supports regional transportation improvements.
16.Support legislation that enhances transparency in the decision-making process of the State Water Resources Control Board and the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
17.Support legislation that encourages the optimum and sustainable utilization of local groundwater basins. Support legislation that provides funding for the cost-effective development of local water resources to reduce dependence on imported water sources.
18.Support legislation that creates flexibility in the implementation of mandatory stormwater programs and provides funding for those programs.
19.Oppose legislation that would infringe upon the ability of local governments to effectively administer and modify state and local construction provisions and standards.
20.Support legislation that explores additional sources of water to reduce costs and the preservation, protection, and access of clean water as the State’s drought deepens.
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
21.Support legislation that maintains and strengthens cities’ authority over land use decisions. Oppose legislation that would interfere with the decision-making authority of local government in the area of local land use and zoning, including regarding housing options and parking minimums.
22.Oppose legislation that erodes the ability of cities to condition and/or deny projects that inadequately mitigate impacts to the neighborhood and community.
Legislative Platform
23.Oppose legislation and regulatory efforts that would diminish or eliminate the authority of cities to zone and plan for the development of telecommunications infrastructure, including the siting of cellular communications towers or transmission sites.
24.Support legislation that preserves or increases funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Support legislation that expands the eligibility and allowable uses of CDBG funds. Oppose legislation that would reduce funds dedicated to the CDBG program.
25.Oppose legislation that would diminish or eliminate cities’ authority to regulate condominium conversions.
26.Support legislation that would create a more equitable Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process. Support legislation that creates more flexibility for local jurisdictions to work together to provide housing that counts toward RHNA requirements. Support legislation that encourages regional and cooperative efforts to meet housing mandates.
27.Support legislation that enhances the City’s ability to retain existing businesses and attract new businesses.
28.Support legislation that provides tangible and productive tools and incentives to support job creation and retention, increase workforce development, small business assistance and address supply chain issues.
29.Support legislation or public health orders that consider local and regional factors when determining public health needs and socio-economic impacts within Los Angeles County.
30.Support efforts that provide dedicated funding sources for cities to provide affordable housing.
31.Support legislation to address and mitigate rising insurance costs for California residents and businesses.
PUBLIC SAFETY
32.Support legislation and grant opportunities that increase funding for local law enforcement, fire suppression and prevention, hazardous materials mitigation, and emergency medical services. Support legislation, regulations, or administrative actions ensuring all cities, including contract cities, have equal access to public safety funding.
33.Support legislation that provides funding to local agencies for training, disaster preparedness, and emergency planning.
Legislative Platform
34.Support legislation that creates incentives for recruitment and retention of peace officers in local law enforcement agencies while also strengthening community relations. Oppose legislation to reprioritize or redirect public safety funding and programs away from Law Enforcement without proper procedural or stakeholder engagement, and efforts that would decrease public safety services or increase crime.
35.Support legislation that addresses criminal reform efforts related to violence and recurring criminal offenses such as looting and smash and grab thefts to protect local businesses.
PARKS / QUALITY OF LIFE
36.Support legislation that creates new funding opportunities for parks and community facilities. Support funding for ADA facility and park upgrades.
37.Support legislation that provides local funding to provide services for individuals experiencing homelessness and encourages them to find permanent housing.
Support legislation that enhances the local authority to address impacts of homelessness.
38.Support legislation that addresses preventive and punitive measures to combat the fentanyl crisis.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
39.Support legislation that provides flexibility and incentives to pursue cost-effective environmental policy programs in the areas of energy and water efficiency, greenhouse gas reduction, solid waste, and storm- and wastewater, among others.
Support legislation that lessens the financial impact of state and federal unfunded mandates related to compliance with environmental programs and regulations.
40.Support legislation that maintains local authority and flexibility to regulate solid waste and recyclables. Oppose waste and resource recovery measures imposing state mandated costs when there is no guarantee of local cost recovery or offsetting benefit.
41.Support legislation and regulatory actions that reduces dependances on nonrecyclable materials and expand the markets for recyclable materials by providing economic incentives to innovative in-state businesses that utilize recyclable materials to create new products. Support incentives for the development of alternatives to recycling and composting, such as conversion technologies which convert postrecycled residual solid waste into renewable energy, biofuels and useful products.
42.Support legislation requiring manufacturers to be responsible for safe disposal or reuse of their products and by-products
Legislative Platform
43.Support legislation that strengthens protections for communities impacted by environmental or industrial pollution. Support efforts to investigate and hold responsible parties that may pollute or contaminate local resources.