Attachment 2
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DRAFT PROPOSED 2023 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
NOTE: All proposed changes are indicated by italicized, underlined, and bolded language.
PURPOSE
Mountain View’s Legislative Platform confirms the City Council’s position on current legislative matters with the potential to affect the City directly or indirectly. The Legislative Platform is a guiding document for the City to utilize to promote and pr eserve the City’s interests at the regional, State, and Federal levels. City staff will coordinate with advocacy services and regional partners as appropriate to monitor and assess State legislation and administrative or regulatory proposals and take acti on in alignment with the adopted Legislative Platform to advance and protect the City interests, as necessary.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
The City of Mountain View provides many critical services, programs, and projects to fulfill its mission and help make Mountain View a great community in which to live, work, visit, and play.
In June 2021, the City Council adopted seven strategic priorities for Fiscal Years 2021 -22 and 2022-23:
1. Community for All: Support Mountain View’s socioeconomic and cultural diversity. Engage and protect vulnerable populations through policies that promote access to housing, transportation, and other programs and services.
2. Livability and Quality of Life : Enhance Mountain View as a great place t o live that values community health and well -being. Preserve Mountain View’s unique character, restore wildlife habitats, and promote arts and culture. Provide parks, open space, and other key amenities.
3. Intentional Development and Housing Options : Support and increase the quantity and diversity of housing options, including assistance for the unhoused. Provide opportunities for affordable housing as well as home ownership. Plan for neighborhoods with nearby transit, jobs, and amenities that balanc e density with livable, green, mixed -use development.
4. Mobility and Connectivity: Develop a mobility network that enhances connectivity across Mountain View and establishes green corridors. Promote transit and safe, active CG-ASR/6/MGR
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transportation options that reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips and traffic and increase walking and biking.
5. Sustainability and Climate Resilience: Through implementation of the Sustainability Action Plan and other actions, reduce and minimize the City’s greenhouse gas emissio ns and prepare for sea level rise. Protect and enhance local ecosystems and biodiversity through rewilding and other measures. Support residents and businesses to adopt sustainable practices and use resources wisely.
6. Economic Vitality: Support a walkable, beautiful, vibrant downtown and accessible village centers that draw residents and visitors. Create an environment where small, local, diverse businesses can thrive across the City alongside large employers. Continue to work in partnership with th e business community to ensure Mountain View is a center for innovation with meaningful jobs for workers.
7. Organizational Strength and Good Governance : Continue to innovate, collaborate, and continuously improve to deliver a high level of customer serv ice. Recruit, develop, and retain top -notch staff. Maintain fiscal responsibility and effective intergovernmental partnerships. Communicate and engage regularly and transparently with our multilingual community.
ADVOCACY POSITIONS FOR ADOPTION
Support: A support position indicates to the Legislature, regulatory agency, and other stakeholders that the City of Mountain View is in favor of both the spirit of the proposed law as well as in support of the technical approach in which the proposed law seeks to address the issue.
Oppose: An oppose position indicates to the corresponding Legislature, regulatory agency, and other stakeholders that the City of Mountain View is strongly against the proposed legislative policy proposal. Barring an amendment that would exempt the City from its provisions, it is unlikely the proposal could be feasibly amended to remove all concerns.
Oppose Unless Amended: An oppose unless amended position indicates to the corresponding Legislature, regulatory agency, and other st akeholders that the City of Mountain View has concerns about either the spirit of the law and/or the specific approach being taken unless all, or a significant number, of the substantive concerns with the proposal are addressed. This position is often use d to ensure policies can be modified to better suit the City’s goals through the negotiation and amendment process.
Neutral: A neutral position indicates to the corresponding Legislature, regulatory agency, and other stakeholders that the City of Mountai n View is impartial on the legislative proposal in question. Typically, this position is adopted after amendments have been taken to address policy concerns on a particular piece of legislation.
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Sponsor/Cosponsor: A sponsor or cosponsor position indicates to the corresponding Legislature, regulatory agency, and other stakeholders that the City of Mountain View is not only in strong support of the legislative proposal but is publicly leading the advocacy effort. This position is only used when a State lawmaker has agreed to carry a specific proposal on behalf of the City.
Monitor/Watch: Indicates to the corresponding Legislature, regulatory agency, and other stakeholders, that the City of Mountain View is dedicating resources to review, evaluate, and monitor the proposal. If the City is undecided on how to proceed on the measure in pri nt, staff will continue to watch for amendments that may cause concern or provide tools/resources for the City—taking the appropriate (formal) position at that time.
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM STATEMENTS
A. Administration, Finance, Human Resources, and Risk Management
1. Monitor/watch measures for providing flexibility for local government in contracting.
2. Support legislation that promotes efforts to advance workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion.
3. Support legislation that facilitates the ability of local government to share resources to increase efficiencies and decrease costs, including models such as mutual aid and regional collaboration in the provision of fire services.
4. Monitor and evaluate Proposition 13 and City and County tax apportionmen t proposals.
5. Monitor and evaluate any Bradley-Burns sales tax proposals.
6. Monitor and evaluate all proposals that include an unfunded mandate to local governments.
7. Oppose any amendment to the redistribution of sales and use taxes that will affec t the City and its ability to provide City services and thereby cause a negative fiscal impact.
8. Monitor/watch measures that reduce local control over employee relations issues or mandate new or enhanced local government employee benefits.
9. Monitor/watch measures that impose compulsory and binding arbitration with respect to employees.
10. Support efforts to maintain the City’s fiscal solvency with respect to unfunded pension and retiree health-care liability. Support efforts that decrease local costs.
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11. Support legislation and administrative efforts that provide clarity and flexibility in CalPERS workplace rules, including working after retirement and the use of contract service providers.
12. Support efforts that will protect the revenue base for the City.
13. Oppose actions that seek to reduce or redirect City revenues.
14. Support legislation that lowers thresholds for bond measures, including measures to support and fund affordable housing.
B. Governmental Transparency and Public Access
1. Support legislation that balances increased public trust, confidence, and access to public meetings while realizing the fiscal and operational constraints of local government.
2. Support legislation that would increase civic participation and engagement, including the continued allowance of legislative subcommittees, advisory committees, and commissions to participate virtually (post -COVID-19 state of emergency) wit hout physical location posting requirements under the Ralph M. Brown Act.
3. Support legislation that would permit a minority amount of virtual Councilmember participation without physical location posting, so long as a physical in-person quorum is present.
4. Support State funding efforts to assist with enhanced public access for members of the community.
5. Monitor/watch legislation that increases the cost of municipal elections through unnecessary new requirements.
6. Support legislation that would p ermit the City to provide electronic copies of documents to satisfy requirements in the California Public Records Act (CPRA).
7. Monitor and evaluate proposals that create new mandates under the CPRA without State reimbursement provisions.
8. Monitor and evaluate proposals that requires a one-size-fits-all local record-retention policies.
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C. Housing and Community Development
1. Support legislation that provides more resources and tools that enable Mountain View to address housing needs specific to the community, including the balance of increased housing with equitable service delivery and capacity.*
2. Monitor and evaluate housing proposals that take a “one -size-fits-all” approach.
Specifically, advocate for modifications in proposals to recogni ze communities like Mountain View that are good actors in addressing community-housing needs.
3. Support legislative and/or funding efforts that provide more resources for effective planning to meet the City’s goal of developing complete communities.
4. Support legislation that will enable the City to meet its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) goals, including legislation that increases funding for housing and legislation that increases flexibility in housing types that count toward RHNA goals.*
5. Support legislation and funding opportunities that preserve existing affordable housing stock while protecting housing options for extremely low -, very low -, low-, and middle-income residents, including legislation that limits the ability for existing rental housing stock to remain vacant.*
6. Support antidisplacement legislation that promotes and protects the ability of residents to remain and stay in the community, including tenant protection, 100% replacement requirements, funding and support to realize true first right right- of of-return for displaced tenants in ne wly developed replacement units, and anti- price-gouging policies , only if Council determines this if feasible in the Tenant Displacement Response Strategy.**
7. Support legislation that would incentivize increased production of missing -middle, low-, very low -, and extremely low -income housing production while allowing Mountain View to retain its local land-use authority.*
8. Support legislative or funding mechanisms that promote middle-income and affordable housing projects to meet the unique populat ions of City residents, including housing for people with special needs.*
9. Support legislation that allows for middle-income and affordable housing ownership opportunities to help create an avenue for economic mobility.†
* Support only if legislation does not include an unfunded mandate and does not erode local control. ** Support only if the City Council determines this is feasible within the Tenant Displacement Response Strategy. † Support only if legislation does not include an unfunded mandate and does not erode local control.
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10. Support housing funding op portunities provided to local jurisdictions through Statewide bond efforts for affordable and middle-income housing.
11. In lieu of the loss of revenues generated by redevelopment agencies, support legislation and State funding that would enable the City to enter or extend local - affordability covenants.
12. Support housing measures that promote the preservation of existing affordable housing, including programs that facilitate qualified developers and tenant-/community-based groups to acquire existing housing units.*
13. Support legislation that would provide additional time and resources to improve Housing Element processes.
14. Support legislative efforts that increase school funding to keep pace with community growth.
15. Monitor and evaluate legislation that affects efforts to affirmatively further fair housing, including legislation that supports Mountain View’s effo rts to promote greater access to affordable housing.
16. Monitor and evaluate legislation that affects rent stabilization and oppose efforts to diminish the City’s Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (CSFRA) and Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance (MHRSO).
17. Monitor and evaluate telecommunication proposals that impact the regulation of telecommunication facilities.
18. Monitor and evaluate electric vehicle (EV) proposals that impact the regulation and implementation of EV infrastructure or management.
19. Monitor and evaluate solar proposals that impact the regulation and implementation of solar infrastructure or management.
20. Support child-care/day-care proposals that support the increase in child care within the community.
21. Monitor and evaluate alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis proposals that impact the regulation of land-use provisions pertaining to the sale, use, or regulation of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis.
22. Support funding for public health measures and the expansion of health-care services.
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23. Support for legislation and funding to enable the City to implement community forestry and urban greening programs, develop nature -filled neighborhoods, and support the City’s goal of Livability and Quality of Life.
24. Support legislation that protects the City’s ability to implement housing programs that promote equity and inclusion, prevent disparate impacts, and reduce barriers and increases access to housing, including legislation to modify the State Density Bonus Law.
25. Monitor and evaluate legislation that relates to City permit review timelines for new multi-family, mixed-use, and/or commercial development.
26. Oppose legislation that poses risks to historic resources and neighborhood -/local- serving retail/services/restaurants and support legislation that preserves historic resources and requires replacement of any displaced neighborhood -/local-serving retail/service/restaurant uses in new development.
D. Homelessness and Human Services
1. Support legislative and/or funding mechanisms for safe parking programs , including removing all sunset provisions set to expire.*
2. Support efforts to increase Federal and State funding to prevent and reduce homelessness in Mountain View and throughout Santa Clara County.
3. Support legislation and/or funding mechanisms that promote regional programs to address homelessness and support formerly homeless individuals, including funding for temporary emergency shelters, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive ho using, and other supportive services for vulnerable populations.*
4. Support measures that provide resources to address the mental health needs of persons experiencing homelessness.
5. Review and evaluate proposals that would reduce staff capacity and dr ain limited resources to help Mountain View’s most vulnerable populations through the creation of unnecessary and burdensome planning and reporting requirements.
6. Advocate for State funding to be included in mandates to address homelessness.
7. Support legislation for child and child-care tax credits and guaranteed income funding programs for families.
* Support only if legislation does not include an unfunded mandate and does not erode local control.
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8. Advocate for changes in State law and additional funding that promote increased ability for child -care options in urban settings .that allows for childcare settings in urban settings
E. Economic Development
1. Support international, Statewide, regional, and local efforts to attract, retain, and provide resources for current and future technology -based, commercial, and industrial businesses.*
2. Support efforts to provide funding mechanisms for economic development tools, including infrastructure investment, housing, child care, schools, and tree -lined streets around retail areas to support vitality and increase pedestr ian traffic and length of stay, as well as other needs critical to a foundation of equitable economic resiliency.*
3. Support policies, programs, and funding that encourage working with other cities, counties, and government agencies to jointly leverage resources and assets to create and strengthen economic clusters within the region.*
4. Support policies, projects, programs, and regulations for diversifying Mountain View’s primary economic base and facilitating investment that will result in maintaining or growing local jobs and creating an environment that is attractive to current and emerging industries.*
5. Support policies, projects, and programs in support of business and workforce resiliency and addressing more equitable economic growth.*
6. Support economic development initiatives that preserve and enhance a positive business climate and maintain and grow the business tax base.*
7. Maintain an equitable program for the continued disbursement of sales and use taxes, which reflect local impacts on various communities.*
8. Taking into account the vital importance of equitable Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access, support legislation that would provide the needed education, financial resources, and access to ADA compliance experts for the Mo untain View business community.
9. Support for legislation and funding to enable workforce training and job growth in arboriculture and urban forestry and to help meet the City’s goal of Economic Vitality.
* Support only if legislation does not include an unfunded mandate and does not erode local control.
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10. Support nonresidential antidisplacement leg islation that promotes and protects the ability of small businesses to remain and stay in the community, including business protection and replacement requirements.
11. Support policies and programs for the arts/artist community that enhance and increase economic vitality for local businesses, create new jobs, increase the tax base, and promotes tourism.
F. Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability
1. Support legislation, policies, and funding opportunities focused on regional collaboration and coordinating sustainable planning in climate resilience, carbon neutrality, transportation, housing, and economic development.
2. Support continued funding and incentives to local agencies to work togeth er to improve air quality through the reduction of emissions and advancing economic and technical developments.
3. Support policies, guidelines, incentives, and funding for programs with combined benefits to air quality, water quality, housing, infrastruc ture (including multi -modal transportation systems) and public health.
4. Support funding and planning for climate resilience, including extreme heat, sea level rise, and flood protections.
5. Support funding related to nature-based solutions, such as expanding the tree canopy and restoring wetlands for climate resilience , carbon sequestration, cleaner air, heat island and flooding reduction, and many other environmental benefits.
6. Support policies and funding to support disadvantaged communities to p lan for climate change and reduce impacts to disadvantaged communities from climate change.
7. Support reduction of nonrenewable energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through electrification of buildings and transportation, carbon sequestration , and increased production and use of renewable energy.
8. Support funding, funding mechanisms, and workforce training for the electrification of existing buildings.
9. Support State analysis of costs and benefits of potential climate policies and policies and practices that facilitate access by local government to resource use data, such as energy, water, and fuel consumption to enhance effectiveness of local sustainability program implementation.
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G. Water Quality and Water Supply
1. Support and monitor legislation that would increase the availability of, and funding for, water conservation, water reuse technologies, water recycling, local water storage, and other water supply technologies.
2. Support the enhancement of a reliable and sustainable water supply for California that protects or enhances the environment.*
3. Support measures to increase water supply and improve water quality in the region, including drought relief legislation.
4. Support for legislation and funding to ena ble the City to implement urban greening and green infrastructure projects that improve water quality, protect creeks and waterways, reduce stormwater runoffs, and decrease the flow of polluted water into the San Francisco Bay.
H. Natural Hazards
1. Support programs which provide funding to hazard mitigation projects, including those identified in a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
2. Support funding of State efforts to update and prepare earthquake hazard mapping.
3. Support legislation and funding that would create an earthquake early warning system.
4. Support for legislation and funding to enable the City to implement urban greening programs to mitigate the effects of extreme heat and wildfire smoke and safeguard residents’ health.
I. Recreation, Parks, and Library Services
1. Support legislation and funding opportunities (e.g., State Park grant funds, conservancy grant funds, and project mitigation funds) that would help the City fund improvements for parks, open space, natural resources, the urban forest, historic preservation, the arts, and cultural resources.
2. Support and encourage noncompetitive per-capita funding measures offered through the Natural Resources Agency, State Parks and Recreation, for the benefit of City Parks and Recreation capital projects.
* Support only if legislation does not include an unfunded mandate and does not erode local control.
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3. Support efforts to fund the Housing -Related Parks Program offered through the Department of Housing and Community Development.
4. Promote local agency control over policies that recognize the benefits of parks and recreation facilities.
5. Oppose efforts that erode funding for vital regional and community services that negatively impact Californians ’ access to parks, open space, bikeways, after -school programming, youth services, senior services, food programs, facilities that promote physical activity, protect natural resources, and strengthen safety and security.
6. Oppose legislation that eliminates or reduces park development impact fees necessary for providing parks for new housing developments.
7. Support the California Library Association ’s efforts to retain current funding levels , increase funding , and oppose legislation or budgetary actions that would reduce funding for libraries.
J. Public Safety, Emergency Services, and Law Enforcement
1. Support legislation that strengthens community-oriented public safety policies.
2. Support legislation and funding that will help local governments with improving community policing and rebuilding community trust through officer training and a proactive behaviora l therapy approach for crises involving mental illness, homelessness and addiction, and support programs.
3. Support legislation that would increase accountability and transparency for law enforcement agencies and personnel.
4. Support legislation that p romotes and strengthens law enforcement and first - responder access to mental health services, including peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention, and other promising practices for wellness programs.
5. Support legislation and funding o pportunities that promote situational awareness during emergency events and evacuations.
6. Monitor legislation on implementation of best practices regarding law enforcement procedures and policies.
7. Support legislation that encourages regional collabo ration and deployment of resources to maximize firefighting efforts.
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8. Support local control of emergency medical services and ambulance services, including prehospital care and transport.
9. Support local determination of adequate staffing based on data and analytics.
10. Recommend funding opportunities be created for public safety to include diversity in police and fire hiring, recruiting, and education practices.
11. Support legislation that coordinates public safety shutoff events between customers, regulators, government officials, and public safety partners.
12. Support legislation that would strengthen gun safety measures.
K. Transportation and Public Works
1. Support legislation t hat would increase funding for local transportation projects, including road resurfacing projects; local transit and shuttle projects; adding bikeways, sidewalks, and trails throughout the City where appropriate; programs that facilitate development -oriented transit and transit -oriented development; and enhancing bicycle and pedestrian safety and safety for people with disabilities.
2. Support increased State and Federal funding of transportation improvements with regional or subregional benefits for all modes of transportation, including funding for constructing Caltrain grade separation projects.
3. Support legislation that would amend the Pedestrian Mall Law Act of 1960 to streamline the process for a city to make street closures permanent.
4. Support protection of dedicated transportation-related tax revenues and enhance the ability of local agencies to finance local transportation programs and facilities.
5. Support joint planning efforts and projects with Mountain View’s border cities and the County of Santa Clara on traffic congestion relief projects.
6. Support legislation and funding that supports Vision Zero programs and project implementation.
7. Support efforts that allocate State General Fund surplus revenues to be invested in local/regional transportation projects and initiatives that benefit the City of Mountain View.
8. Support policies aimed at equitable access for transportation system users and equitable transportation funding for disadvantaged communities.
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9. Support funding for EV charging stations and the conversion of City shuttle fleets from gas-powered to electric vehicles.
10. Seek long-term funding solutions for the ongoing operation of Mountain View’s EV community shuttle program.
11. Support legislation that preserves net neutrality.
12. Support funding for increasing access to broadband, including middle - and last-mile expenditures.
13. Oppose measures that undermine local decision -making in the installation of broadband services.
14. Closely monitor any legislation pertaining to the Surplus Lands Act and oppose measures that limit how land can be used and maintained.
15. Support legislation related to Valley Transportation Authority governance changes that ensures Mountain View is adequately represente d on the governing board and fully recognizes Mountain View’s transportation needs.
16. Support additional funding for Caltrain electrification.
17. Support legislation and funding that facilitates the implementation of slow, green, and shared-use street networks in Mountain View.
18. Support an increase in funding for transportation and transit without attaching additional requirements.
19. Support funding for constructing Caltrain separation projects.